HK1165010A - A method and system for communication - Google Patents

Description

Communication method and system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to communication systems, and more particularly, to a method and system for a sensor assisted location aware mobile device.

Background

The positioning service is a new value-added service provided by a mobile communication network, and the positioning service is a mobile service that uses user location information to implement multiple positioning functions (e.g., enhanced 911 (E-911), positioning 411, positioning information, and/or positioning partner search service.

The location of the mobile device may be determined in a variety of ways, such as using network-based technologies, using terminal-based technologies, and/or hybrid technologies (combining the first two technologies). Various positioning technologies have been introduced to estimate the position (latitude and longitude) of a mobile device for LBS functionality and convert it into meaningful X, Y coordinates, including, for example, not only: time of arrival (TOA), observable time difference of arrival (OTDOA), enhanced observed time difference (E-OTD), and also including Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), such as GPS, Global satellite navigation system (GLONASS), Galileo (Galileo), and/or Assisted GNSS (Assisted-GNSS, a-GNSS). a-GNSS technology combines satellite positioning and communication networks, such as mobile networks, to achieve a widely used performance level for positioning services.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional (or traditional) techniques will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Disclosure of Invention

A method and/or system for a sensor-assisted location-aware mobile device, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method including:

executable by one or more processors and/or circuitry in a (enabled) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) mobile device to:

if a GNSS enabled mobile device has moved from a first area to a second area where GNSS signals are of a quality and/or level above a certain threshold and GNSS signals are of a quality and/or level below the certain threshold, determining a location of the GNSS enabled mobile device within the second area based on an environment of a location-aware sensor in the second area and pre-GNSS measurements computed by the GNSS enabled mobile device while the GNSS enabled mobile device is in the first area.

Preferably, the method further comprises: receiving GNSS signals from a plurality of visible GNSS satellites while the GNSS enabled mobile device is in the first region.

Preferably, the method further comprises: calculating GNSS measurements using the GNSS signals received in the first region.

Preferably, the method further comprises: determining a location of the GNSS enabled mobile device in the first area using the calculated GNSS measurements.

Preferably, the method further comprises: updating the pre-GNSS measurements using the computed GNSS measurements.

Preferably, the method further comprises: determining a position of the GNSS enabled mobile device in the second region using the pre-GNSS measurements of the first region at the update stage.

Preferably, the method further comprises: sensor data is collected at a second area from one or more sensors acting on a known-location sensing object encountered in the environment of the location-aware sensors within the second area.

Preferably, the one or more sensors comprise a camera sensor, a light sensor, a sound sensor and/or a position sensor.

Preferably, the method further comprises: the collected sensor data is converted into the relative position of the encountered sensing object.

Preferably, the method further comprises: using the location of the encountered sensing object to improve the determined location of the GNSS enabled mobile device in the second area.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a communication system comprises:

one or more processors and/or circuitry in a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) enabled mobile device, and the one or more processors and/or circuitry to:

if a GNSS enabled mobile device has moved from a first area to a second area where GNSS signals are of a quality and/or level above a certain threshold and GNSS signals are of a quality and/or level below the certain threshold, determining a location of the GNSS enabled mobile device within the second area based on an environment of a location-aware sensor in the second area and pre-GNSS measurements computed by the GNSS enabled mobile device while the GNSS enabled mobile device is in the first area.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are further configured to: receiving GNSS signals from a plurality of visible GNSS satellites while the GNSS enabled mobile device is in the first region.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are further configured to: calculating GNSS measurements using the GNSS signals received in the first region.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are further configured to: determining a location of the GNSS enabled mobile device in the first area using the calculated GNSS measurements.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are further configured to: updating the pre-GNSS measurements using the computed GNSS measurements.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are further configured to: determining a position of the GNSS enabled mobile device in the second region using the pre-GNSS measurements of the first region at the update stage.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are further configured to: sensor data is collected at a second area from one or more sensors acting on a known-location sensing object encountered in the environment of the location-aware sensors within the second area.

Preferably, the one or more sensors comprise a camera sensor, a light sensor, a sound sensor and/or a position sensor.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are further configured to: the collected sensor data is converted into the relative position of the encountered sensing object.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are further configured to: using the location of the encountered sensing object to improve the determined location of the GNSS enabled mobile device in the second area.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary communication system in which GNSS enabled mobile devices may be located in areas where GNSS signal quality and/or levels are below a threshold in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary GNSS enabled mobile device that may determine its position in an area where GNSS signal quality and/or level is below a threshold in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary location server that may acquire location information of GNSS enabled mobile devices in areas where GNSS signal quality and/or levels are below a threshold in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process of implementing sensor assisted positioning in an area where GNSS signal quality and/or level is above a threshold using pre-GNSS measurements in an area where GNSS signal quality and/or level is below a threshold for a GNSS enabled mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Some embodiments of the invention will be embodied in methods and systems for a sensor-assisted location-aware mobile device, in various embodiments of which the positioning functionality needs to be supported by the location of a GNSS-capable mobile device, and if the GNSS-capable mobile device is moving into an area where GNSS signal quality and/or level is below or equal to a threshold, the location of the GNSS-capable device is determined from the location-aware sensor environment within the area and from previous GNSS measurements (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements within the area where GNSS signal quality and/or level is above the threshold). A location-aware sensor environment refers to a plurality of sensors that each know location information. A region where the GNSS signal quality and/or level is higher than the threshold value refers to a first region, and a region where the GNSS signal quality and/or level is lower than or equal to the threshold value refers to a second region. The GNSS-enabled mobile device may receive and use GNSS signals from visible GNSS satellites while in the first area, e.g., the GNSS-enabled mobile device may use the received GNSS signals to calculate GNSS measurements, which may be used to determine a location of the GNSS-enabled mobile device in the first area, and update the most current GNSS measurements with the calculated GNSS measurements. If the GNSS enabled mobile device is moving to the second area, the updated most current GNSS measurements within the first area may be used to determine the location of the GNSS enabled mobile device in the second area. If sensors (e.g., camera sensors, light sensitive sensors, sound sensors, and/or position sensors) are available in the second area, the GNSS enabled mobile device may collect sensor data for a sensed object (sensed sensor target) having a known location in a location-aware sensor environment encountered within the second area, and the GNSS enabled mobile device may convert the collected sensor data into relevant location information for the encountered sensed object to improve (refine) or propagate (propagate) the location of the GNSS enabled mobile device in the second area.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary communication system for locating GNSS enabled mobile devices in an area where GNSS signal quality and/or levels are below a threshold in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and referring to FIG. 1, a communication system 100 is shown, the communication system 100 comprising a first area 101, a second area 102, a plurality of GNSS enabled mobile devices 110 (such as the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 and 113 shown), a plurality of sensors 121 and 126 distributed in the second area, a plurality of sensor data sources 127 comprising sensing objects 127a-127e, a mobile core network 130, a location server 140 communicatively coupled to a reference database 142, a Satellite Reference Network (SRN) 150, and a satellite device 160.

The first region 101 may include a space, such as an open outdoor area, in which GNSS receivers may receive GNSS signals from visible GNSS satellites (e.g., GNSS satellite 162 and 166). Within the first region 101, the quality and/or level of the received GNSS signals is greater than a certain threshold or value for supporting the relevant application.

The second region may include a space where GNSS signals are not received by the GNSS receiver and/or where GNSS signals may be received but the quality and/or level of the received GNSS signals is below or equal to a particular threshold or requirement value to support the relevant application. The second region 102 may include, for example, a deep urban (deep urban) and/or indoor region.

The GNSS enabled mobile device (e.g., the GNSS enabled mobile device 111) may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to simultaneously receive GNSS satellite broadcast signals from visible GNSS satellites (e.g., the GNSS satellite 162 and 166) and radio signals from a radio communication network. If the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 is moving within the first area 101, the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 may be operable to obtain a plurality of GNSS measurements, such as pseudoranges and/or carrier phases, on the received GNSS signals. The GNSS enabled mobile device 111 may use the GNSS measurements to calculate its own navigation information, such as GNSS position and/or velocity. The most current GNSS measurements may be tracked and updated when the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 is within the first area 101.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, if a GNSS enabled mobile device enters the second area 102 from the first area 101, the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 may use previous GNSS measurements (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements within the first area) to determine its location within the second area 102.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, if the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 encounters one or more sensing objects (e.g., sensing objects 127a-127 e) at a known sensing object location in the second area 102, the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 may receive sensor data from the encountered sensing objects at the known sensing object location, in which regard the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 may be configured to convert the received sensor data into a relevant location for the sensing object, which may include, for example, a location of a road intersection, a location of a commercial or residential building, a location indicated in a broadcast (e.g., a train station broadcast). The GNSS enabled mobile device 111 may use the position of the sensing object to refine or propagate (propagate) its own position, which may be determined using the previous GNSS measurements (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements in the first region 101).

The sensor (e.g., sensor 121) may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable collecting data from a plurality of sensing objects (e.g., sensing objects 127a-127e in sensor data source 127), and communicating the collected sensor data to a host device (e.g., GNSS enabled mobile device 111) for further analysis. The sensor 121 may include, for example, a camera sensor, a light sensor, a sound sensor, and/or a position sensor. Sensing objects (e.g., sensing objects 127a-127 e) may include outdoor or indoor objects, spaces, and/or other items that can be sensed by sensors 121 and 126, for example, sensing objects may be indoor access points, maps, train stations, bus stations, airports, lights, sounds, and/or devices that transmit location information.

The mobile core network 130 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable connection to various access networks with external data networks such as a Packet Data Network (PDN), e.g., a CDMA network, a UMTS network and/or a WiMAX network. The mobile core network 130 may be configured to communicate a plurality of data services, such as location services, to the associated ue (e.g., the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 and 113). The mobile core network 130 may communicate the location of the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 and 113 with the positioning server 140 to support the associated positioning service.

The positioning server 140 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable access to a Satellite Reference Network (SRN) 150 and collection of GNSS satellite data by tracking a constellation of GNSS satellites in the SRN 150. The positioning server 140 may use the collected GNSS satellite data to generate GNSS assistance data, including, for example, ephemeris (ephemeris) data, LTO data, reference location, and/or time information. The location server 140 may collect and/or obtain location information of the associated user (e.g., the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 and 113), in which case the position of the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 and 113 in the second area 102 may be determined based on the previous GNSS measurements (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements in the first area). Additionally, the determined location of the GNSS enabled mobile device may be refined or propagated based on sensed object locations of one or more sensed objects encountered within the second area 102.

The SRN150 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable continuous acquisition and/or distribution of data for GNSS satellites. The SRN150 may include a plurality of GNSS reference tracking stations distributed throughout the world that continually provide assisted GNSS (a-GNSS) coverage in the home network and/or any visited network.

The GNSS satellites 162, 166 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to generate and broadcast satellite navigation information. The SRN150 may collect broadcast satellite navigation information and the positioning server 140 uses the broadcast satellite navigation information to support LBS services. The GNSS satellites 162 and 166 may include GPS, Galileo, and/or GNSS.

In a typical operation, a GNSS enabled mobile device (e.g., GNSS enabled mobile device 111) may receive services such as positioning information provided by the mobile core network 130, and the positioning server 140 may track the position of the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 to ensure that positioning information is transmitted to the GNSS enabled mobile device 111. If the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 is moving within the first area 101, the position of the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 may receive GNSS signals from visible GNSS satellites (e.g., the GNSS satellite 162 and 166), and the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 may derive a plurality of GNSS measurements, such as pseudoranges and/or carrier phases, over the received GNSS signals.

The GNSS measurements may be used to calculate a position of the GNSS enabled mobile device 111. When a GNSS enabled mobile device 111 is within the first area 101, the most current GNSS measurements within the first area 101 may be updated. If the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 is entering the second region 102 from the first region 101, no GNSS signals may be received from the GNSS satellites 162 and 166, or the quality and level of the received GNSS signals may be below a certain value, at which point the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 may use the previous GNSS measurements (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements in the first region 101) to determine its location. If a sensor (e.g., sensor 121-126) is available in the second area 102, the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 may receive sensor data from the sensor 121-126, where the sensor 121-126 acts on one or more sensing objects (e.g., sensing objects 127a-127 e) at known sensing object locations. The GNSS enabled mobile device 111 may convert the received sensor data into a relative position of the sensing object. Within the second region 102, the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 may be operable to refine or propagate its position based on previous GNSS measurements (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements in the first region 101).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary GNSS enabled mobile device that may determine its position in an area where GNSS signal quality and/or levels are below a threshold in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and referring to FIG. 2, a GNSS enabled mobile device 200 is shown, the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 including a GNSS receiver 202, a cellular transceiver 204, a WiMAX transceiver, a local sensor database 208, a host processor 210 and a memory 212.

The GNSS receiver 202 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to detect and receive GNSS signals from a plurality of visible GNSS satellites (e.g., the GNSS satellite 162 and 166), and may use the received GNSS signals to obtain a plurality of GNSS measurements, such as pseudoranges and/or carrier phases of the associated broadcast GNSS satellites, if the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 is within the first region 101 and the quality and level of the GNSS signals within the first region 101 is above a threshold. The GNSS receiver 202 may provide the received GNSS signals to the host processor 210 for computing navigation information (e.g., GNSS position and/or velocity of the GNSS receiver 202). If the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 is entering the second area 102 from the first area 101, the quality and/or level of the GNSS signals of the GNSS receiver 202 may be below a threshold, and at this point, the host processor 210 may disable the GNSS receiver 202 while in the second area 102 to conserve power consumption.

The cellular transceiver 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to receive and/or transmit radio frequency signals using a variety of cellular communication technologies such as CDMA, GSM, UMTS and/or LTE, and the cellular transceiver 204 may communicate information (e.g., a location of the GNSS capable mobile device 200) with the positioning server 140 via the mobile core network 130. The location of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 may include a location within the first region 101 where the quality and/or level of the GNSS signals is above a threshold and/or a location within the second region 102 where the quality and/or level of the GNSS signals is below or equal to a threshold.

The WiMAX transceiver 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to receive and/or transmit radio frequency signals using WiMAX technology, and the WiMAX transceiver 206 may communicate information (e.g., the location of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200) with the positioning server 140 via the mobile core network 130. The location of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 may comprise a location within the first area 101 and/or the second area 102.

The local sensor database 208 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to manage and store data including sensor data collected by a plurality of sensors (e.g., sensors 121 and 126), in which regard sensor data may be collected from sensing objects having known sensing object locations. If the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 is in the second region 102, the host processor 210 may use the sensed object location of the collected sensor data in the local sensor database 208 to determine and/or improve the location of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200.

The host processor 210 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to manage and/or control the operation of associated device element units (e.g., the GNSS receiver 202, the cellular transceiver 204 and/or the local sensor database 208) based on the application, for example, the host processor 210 may enable or disable one or more associated radios (e.g., the GNSS receiver 202) on an as needed basis to conserve power consumption. Host processor 210 may coordinate the operation of the relevant device element units for a particular application.

If the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 is moving within the first region 101, the host processor 210 may derive a plurality of GNSS measurements, such as pseudoranges and/or carrier phases, on GNSS signals received via the GNSS receiver 202. The host processor 210 may use the GNSS measurements to calculate navigation information, such as GNSS position and/or velocity of the GNSS receiver 202, and the calculated GNSS position of the GNSS receiver 202 may be used to support a variety of applications, such as positioning functionality provided by the mobile core network 130.

If the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 may be moved from the first area 101 to the second area 202, the host processor 210 may use the previous GNSS measurements (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements within the first area 101) to calculate the position of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200, if desired. If sensor data is received from one or more sensing objects whose locations are known, host processor 210 may convert the received sensor data into associated known sensing object locations, e.g., host processor 210 may identify sensing object location information for the encountered sensing object from the received sensor data (e.g., a map indicating intersections, a notification with a view of commercial or residential buildings, and/or a train station), and host processor 210 may use the identified sensing object location information for the encountered sensing object to locate GNSS enabled mobile device 200 within second area 102. In particular, host processor 210 may combine the sensed object position information for the identified encountered sensed object with the previous GNSS measurements (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements within first region 101) to determine and/or refine the location of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 within the second region 102.

The memory 212 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable storage of information such as operational instructions and data that may be utilized by the host processor 210 and/or other associated component units (e.g., the GNSS receiver 202 and/or the local sensor database 208). Memory 212 may include RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory, and/or other suitable electronic data storage.

In a typical application, the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 may be operable to determine its location for a positioning function provided by the mobile core network 130. If the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 is in the first region 101, the host processor 210 may perform GNSS measurements on GNSS signals received by the GNSS receiver 202, and the GNSS measurements may be used to calculate navigation information, such as GNSS position and/or velocity of the GNSS receiver 202. The host processor 210 may use the computed GNSS position of the GNSS receiver 202 to support the associated positioning functions.

If the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 is moving from the first area 101 to the second area 102, the host processor 210 may use the previous GNSS measurements (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements of the first area 101) to calculate the location of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 in the second area 102, if desired. If sensor data is received from one or more of the encountered sensing objects having known locations, the host processor 210 may convert the received sensor data into associated known location information, and the host processor 210 may use the associated sensing object location information for the sensing object to locate the position of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 within the second area 102. more particularly, the host processor 210 may combine the location information for the sensing object with previous GNSS measurements (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements for the first area 101) to determine and refine the position of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 within the second area 102.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary positioning server that may acquire position information of GNSS enabled mobile devices in areas where GNSS signal quality and/or levels are below a threshold in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and referring to FIG. 3, a positioning server 300 is shown, which positioning server 300 may include a processor 320, a reference database 304 and a memory 306.

The processor 302 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable management and/or control of operations of the reference database 304 and the memory 306, and the processor 302 may be in communication with a Satellite Reference Network (SRN) 150 to collect GNSS satellite data by tracking GNSS satellite constellations (constellations) within the SRN 150. The processor 302 may use the collected GNSS satellite data to build a reference database 304, which reference database 304 may be internally or externally connected to the positioning server 300. The processor 302 may also receive or collect location information of a user (e.g., the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 and 113) corresponding to a location within the first area 101 and a location within the second area 102, and the quality and/or level of the GNSS signals within the first area 101 may be above a threshold and the quality and/or level of the GNSS signals within the second area 102 may be below or equal to a threshold, at which point a location (e.g., of the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 within the second area 102) may be determined based on previous GNSS measurements (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements of the first area 101). With the aid of the inductive object whose position is known, the determined position of the GNSS-enabled mobile device can be improved or propagated.

The reference database 304 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to store location information of an associated user (e.g., the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 and 113), and may be operable to update or augment (propagate) the reference database 304 periodically or aperiodically, if desired.

The memory 306 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable storage of information such as operational instructions and data that may be utilized by the processor 302 and/or other associated component units (e.g., the reference database 304). Memory 306 may include RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory, and/or other suitable electronic data storage.

In a typical application, the processor 302 may collect GNSS satellite data via the SRN150 to establish the reference database 304, may track or collect location information of the user (e.g., GNSS enabled mobile device 111 and 113) in the first area 101 and the second area 102 to support a positioning function, in which regard, a previous GNSS measurement (e.g., the most current GNSS measurement of the first area 101) may be used to locate the location of the GNSS enabled mobile device 111 and 113 in the second area 102, and the relative location of the mobile device 111 and 113 may be improved and propagated by sensing the known location of the object.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process of implementing assisted sensor positioning in an area where GNSS signal quality and/or level is above a threshold using pre-GNSS measurements in an area where GNSS signal quality and/or level is below a threshold according to an embodiment of the present invention, and referring to fig. 4, exemplary steps begin at 402, where a GNSS-capable mobile device (e.g., GNSS-capable mobile device 200) may receive service (e.g., positioning function) from mobile core network 130, a parameter GNSS _ latest represents the most current GNSS measurement on GNSS signals received by GNSS-enabled mobile device 200 within first area 101, and the quality and level of GNSS signals is greater than a threshold or a preset value within the first area 101. In step 404, it is determined whether the GNSS satellite may communicate with the GNSS enabled mobile device 200, and if the GNSS satellite may communicate with the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 (e.g., within the first region 101), then in step 406, the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 may receive GNSS signals from the GNSS satellites 162 and 166.

In step 408, the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 may measure a power level of the received GNSS signals. In step 410, it is determined whether the measured power level is above a predetermined value or threshold to ensure QoS for services received by the GNSS-enabled mobile device 200, and if the measured power level is above the predetermined value or threshold, then step 412 is entered where the GNSS-enabled mobile device 200 may obtain GNSS measurements on the received GNSS signals, e.g., pseudoranges and/or carrier phases of broadcast GNSS satellites. In step 414, GNSS measurements are used to determine a location of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200. In step 416, the parameter GNSS _ latest is updated with GNSS measurements and the exemplary process returns to step 404.

If, at step 404, GNSS satellites are not available to communicate with the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 (e.g., within the second region 102), and then proceed to step 418, the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 may collect sensor data from sensing objects having known locations (e.g., sensing objects 127a-127 e). In step 420, the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 may convert the received sensor data into a known position of the sensing object. In step 422, the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 may determine its position using the previous GNSS measurements (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements in the first area) and the known position of the sensing object, and the exemplary process returns to step 404.

In step 410, if the power level measured by the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 is less than or equal to a predetermined value or threshold, then step 418 is entered.

In various exemplary aspects of the present methods and systems for a sensor-assisted location-aware mobile device, a GNSS enabled mobile device (e.g., GNSS enabled mobile device 200) may receive services (e.g., positioning functions) from the mobile core network 130. Required or required to enable the positioning function with the position of the mobile device of the GNSS. If the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 is moving from the first area 101 to the second area 102 and the quality and/or level of the GNSS signals is above a threshold within the first area 101 and the quality and/or level of the GNSS signals is below or equal to the threshold within the second area 102, the location of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 within the second area 102 may be determined based on the location-aware sensor environment and the previous GNSS measurements within the second area 102 (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements within the first area 101). When the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 is within the first area 101, GNSS signals may be received from visible GNSS satellites (e.g., the GNSS satellite 162 and 166) and used, and GNSS measurements may be derived (carry out) or computed by the host processor 210 on the received GNSS signals using the GNSS signals received by the GNSS receiver 202, and the computed GNSS measurements may be used to determine the position of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 within the first area 101. As described with reference to fig. 1, 2, and 4, the GNSS-enabled mobile device 200 may be configured to update the most current GNSS measurements using the computed GNSS measurements. If the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 enters the second area 102 from the first area 101, the updated most current GNSS measurements within the first area 101 may be used to determine the location of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 within the second area 102. If one or more sensors (e.g., the sensor 121-. The GNSS enabled mobile device 200 may convert the collected sensor data into a relative location of the encountered sensing object, which is used to refine or propagate the location of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 in the second region 102.

If the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 is moving within the first region 101, the host processor 210 may calculate a plurality of GNSS measurements, such as pseudoranges and/or carrier phases over GNSS signals received by the GNSS receiver 202. The host processor 210 may use the GNSS measurements to calculate navigation information, such as GNSS position and/or velocity of the GNSS receiver 202, and the calculated GNSS position of the GNSS receiver 202 may be used to support multiple applications (e.g., positioning functions provided by the mobile core network 130).

If the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 is entering the second area 102 from the first area 101, the host processor may use the previous GNSS measurements (e.g., the most current GNSS measurements within the first area 101) to calculate the location of the GNSS enabled mobile device 200 within the second area 102, if desired. If sensor data is received from one or more sensing objects whose locations are known, host processor 210 may convert the received sensor data into known locations of the associated sensing objects, e.g., host processor 210 may identify sensing object location information for the encountered sensing object from the received sensor data (e.g., a map indicating intersections of roads, a notification with a view of a commercial or residential building, and/or a train station). The host processor 210 may use the sensed object location information for the identified encountered sensed object to locate the GNSS enabled mobile device 200. In particular, host processor 210 may combine the identified sensed object location information for the encountered sensed object with the most current GNSS measurements within first area 101 to determine and/or refine the location of GNSS enabled mobile device 200 within second area 102.

Other embodiments of the present invention provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code segment executable by a machine and/or a computer, enabling the machine and/or computer to perform the steps described herein for a sensor-assisted location-aware mobile device.

Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention can be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software could be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention may also be implemented by a computer program product, comprising all the features enabling the implementation of the methods of the invention, when loaded in a computer system. The computer program in this document refers to: any expression, in any programming language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to other languages, decoding or notation; b) reproduced in a different format.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Cross reference to related applications

This application refers to and claims priority from U.S. patent application No.61/304,253 filed on 12.2.2010.

The present application refers to the contents of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application No.61/303,931, filing date 2010, 2 months and 12 days;

U.S. patent application No.61/303,975, filing date 2010, 2 months and 12 days;

U.S. patent application No.61/314,521, application date 2010, 3 months 16 days;

U.S. patent application No.61/306,639, filing date 2010, 2 months 22 days;

U.S. patent application No.61/309,071, application date 2010, 3 months and 1 day;

U.S. patent application No. _________ (law firm No. 21013US02), the date of application is the incidental days of the associated function;

U.S. patent application No. _________ (law firm No. 21015US02), the date of application is the incidental days of the associated function;

U.S. patent application No. _________ (law firm No. 21018US02), the date of application is the incidental days of the associated function;

U.S. patent application No. _________ (law firm No. 21025US02), the date of application is the incidental days of the associated function; and

U.S. patent application No. _________ (law firm No. 21028US02), filed as an incidental day.

The above U.S. patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Claims (10)

1. A method of communication, comprising:

executable by one or more processors and/or circuitry in a (enabled) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) mobile device to:

if a GNSS enabled mobile device has moved from a first area to a second area where GNSS signals are of a quality and/or level above a certain threshold and GNSS signals are of a quality and/or level below the certain threshold, determining a location of the GNSS enabled mobile device within the second area based on an environment of a location-aware sensor in the second area and pre-GNSS measurements computed by the GNSS enabled mobile device while the GNSS enabled mobile device is in the first area.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising: receiving GNSS signals from a plurality of visible GNSS satellites while the GNSS enabled mobile device is in the first region.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising: calculating GNSS measurements using the GNSS signals received in the first region.

4. The method of claim 3, comprising: determining a location of the GNSS enabled mobile device in the first area using the calculated GNSS measurements.

5. The method of claim 3, comprising: updating the pre-GNSS measurements using the computed GNSS measurements.

6. The method of claim 5, comprising: determining a location of the GNSS enabled mobile device in the second area using the updated pre-GNSS measurements of the first area.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising: sensor data is collected at a second area from one or more sensors acting on a known-location sensing object encountered in the environment of the location-aware sensors within the second area.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a camera sensor, a light sensitive sensor, a sound sensor, and/or a position sensor.

9. The method of claim 7, comprising: the collected sensor data is converted into the relative position of the encountered sensing object.

10. A communication system, comprising:

one or more processors and/or circuitry in a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) enabled mobile device, and the one or more processors and/or circuitry to:

if a GNSS enabled mobile device has moved from a first area to a second area where GNSS signals are of a quality and/or level above a certain threshold and GNSS signals are of a quality and/or level below the certain threshold, determining a location of the GNSS enabled mobile device within the second area based on an environment of a location-aware sensor in the second area and pre-GNSS measurements computed by the GNSS enabled mobile device while the GNSS enabled mobile device is in the first area.