Vortex Intellectual Property Holding LLC

Mexens Intellectual Property Holding LLC

Trueposition, Inc.

Skyhook Holding, Inc.

Accuware, Inc.

Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Other

Neustar, Inc.

Quova, Inc.

Cyril Houri

Gianni Giorgetti

Denis Girard

In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein identification information and positional information about wireless beacons are supplied from a central database maintained by a central facility to a wireless computing device, the identification information and positional information usable by a wireless positioning system of the wireless computing device to estimate a position of the wireless computing device. The central facility receives a contribution from the wireless computing device of identification information and positional information for at least one wireless beacon, the positional information of the at least one wireless beacon estimated based on the position of the wireless computing device. It updates the central database based on the identification information and positional information for the at least one wireless beacon and provides, from the central database, updated identification information and positional information about wireless beacons to at least one other wireless computing device.

Techniques for wireless position determination utilizing a collaborative database

Monitoring technique includes identifying objects in images and associating color characteristics with each identified object. When the color characteristics of an object in one image are above a color resemblance threshold to the color characteristics of an object in another image, the object in both images is considered the same. Otherwise, the respective object in both images are considered to be different. Data about time that each image including an identified object was obtained and location of each object when each image including an identified object was obtained is derived. An information conveyance system is activated to convey the time and location-related data about identified objects relative to defined areas of the site or movement of the identified objects or people into, between or out of the defined areas of the site or a communication resulting from such data satisfying one or more conditions.

Method and arrangement for receiving data about site traffic derived from imaging processing

In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein identification information and positional information about wireless beacons is downloaded to a local database of a wireless computing device from a central database. The local database is usable by a wireless positioning system of the wireless computing device to estimate a position of the wireless computing device. A receiver unit of the wireless computing device may receive signals from wireless beacons that include a least one new wireless beacon not included in the local database. The wireless positioning system estimates positional information of the at least one new wireless beacon based on the position of the wireless computing device. Identification information and positional information for the at least one new wireless beacon is added to the local database. Thereafter, a contribution may be uploaded to the central database for the at least one wireless beacon, to further build the central database.

Method for controlling movement of a mobile device includes obtaining an analyzeable video from an imager on the device during its movement by obtaining at least one video from the imager, and analyzing, using a processor, each video to determine presence of a fixed-in-position object in multiple sequentially obtained frames until a video is obtained including at least one fixed-in-position object in multiple sequentially obtained frames which constitutes the analyzeable video. This video is analyzed on a frame by frame basis to determine distance and direction moved by the device, which is analyzed relative to predetermined distance and direction intended for movement of the device to determine any differences, which result in changes in movement of the device. Relocation of the device is achieved by recognizing a previously imaged, fixed object in subsequent frames and comparing the position of the device at both times, with a deviation resulting in relocation.

Method and computer program for taking action based on determined movement path of mobile devices

In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein locations of Wi-Fi access points included in a collaborative database are both consumed to estimate the position of a wireless computing device and updated based on the position of the wireless computing device. Using the collaborative database, a geographic location of each one or more first Wi-Fi access points in signal reception range of the wireless computing device is determined based on a unique or semi-unique identification of each first Wi-Fi access point. A wireless positioning system estimates a position of the wireless computing device based on the geographic location of each of the one or more first Wi-Fi access points. It may be determined that a Wi-Fi access point of one or more second Wi-Fi access points in signal reception range of the wireless computing device is a new Wi-Fi access point whose geographic location is not contained in the collaborative database. The collaborative database is updated to include the geographic location of the new Wi-Fi access point based, at least in part, on the position of the wireless computing device.

Method for determining position of a mobile device having an imaging device includes obtaining an image of a mark on a known-position object from the imaging device, the mark having an encoded position, decoding the mark to derive data about the position of the mark using a database of marks and their positions, and analyzing appearance of the mark in the image in combination with the derived data about the position of the mark to determine the position of the mobile device. Mark appearance analysis may involve analyzing an angle between an imaging direction of the imaging device and a surface of the mark.

Position determining techniques using image analysis of marks with encoded or associated position data

Method for providing position-based information to a mobile device with at least one imaging device includes obtaining, using the imaging device, an image including a stationary pattern of pixels, searching through a database of pixel patterns for a pixel pattern that most closely matches the pattern of pixels in the obtained at least one image, the database containing pixel patterns and positional information about the pixel patterns, and retrieving from the database as a result of the searching, positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pattern of pixels in the obtained at least one image. Data is provided to the mobile device, i.e., to a data output device or functionality thereof, dependent on the retrieved positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pattern of pixels in the obtained at least one image.

Method and computer program for providing location data to mobile devices

In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein a wireless computing device both consumes and provides geographic locations for Wi-Fi access points to a collaborative database. The wireless computing device receives signals from one or more first Wi-Fi access points. Using the collaborative database, a geographic location of each of the one or more first Wi-Fi access points is determined and a position of the wireless computing device is estimated. The wireless computing device may receive signals from one or more second Wi-Fi access points. A Wi-Fi access point of the one or more second Wi-Fi access points may be determined to be a new Wi-Fi access point whose geographic location is not contained in the collaborative database and the wireless computing device may update the collaborative database based, at least in part, on one or more positions of the wireless computing device.

Monitoring technique includes identifying objects in images and associating color characteristics with each identified object. When the color characteristics of an object in one image is above a color resemblance threshold to the color characteristics of an object in another image, the object in both images is considered the same. Otherwise, the respective object in both images are considered to be different. Data about time that each image including an identified object was obtained and location of each object when each image including an identified object was obtained is derived. An information conveyance system is activated to convey the time and location-related data about identified objects relative to defined areas of the site or movement of the identified objects or people into, between or out of the defined areas of the site or a communication resulting from such data satisfying one or more conditions.

Method, system and computer program for generating a database of pixel patterns includes obtaining images using an imaging system of mobile devices, each image including a pixel pattern, and determining a position of the mobile device using a positioning system at least partly situated on the mobile device when each image is obtained using the imaging system of the mobile device. Positional relationships between a size and/or angular orientation of the pattern of pixels and an associated determined position of the mobile device when the at least one image including the pattern of pixels was obtained are generated and enables retrieval of an estimation of the position of the mobile device upon input of another image including the pattern of pixels. The generated positional relationships between the size and/or angular orientation of the pattern of pixels and the associated determined position of the mobile device are stored in a database.

Method and computer program for generating a database for use in locating mobile devices based on imaging

Method for determining position of a mobile device having an imaging device includes obtaining an image of a mark on a known-position object from the imaging device, the mark having an encoded position, decoding the mark to derive data about the position of the mark using a database of marks and their positions, and analyzing appearance of the mark in the image in combination with the derived data about the position of the mark to derive the position of the mobile device. Mark appearance analysis may involve analyzing an angle between an imaging direction of the imaging device and a surface of the mark.

Method for generating and using a database of pixel patterns includes obtaining images using a mobile device including a common pixel pattern and processing each image based on a size of the pixel pattern and/or angular orientation of the pixel pattern relative to an imaging direction to derive positional information about the pixel pattern. Location of the mobile device is determined by obtaining an image including a stationary pixel pattern, searching the database for the obtained pixel pattern, and retrieving positional information about a closest match pixel pattern. With the retrieved positional information, an angle between an imaging direction in which the image including the closest match pixel pattern was obtained and an imaging direction in which the image was obtained and/or a size differential between the closest match pixel pattern and the pixel pattern in the obtained image is/are analyzed to derive positional information about the mobile device's location.

Method, system and computer program for locating mobile devices based on imaging

Method includes maintaining a collaborative database on a database server containing geographic location information pertaining to Wi-Fi access points. The collaborative database includes database records for Wi-Fi access points including a MAC address and geographic location. A position location request from a Wi-Fi enabled wireless device is received at a server, and includes a respective MAC address of at least one Wi-Fi access point for which a wireless beacon is detected by the wireless device. Via a query issued to the database server using at least one MAC address included in the position location request, geographic location data for one or more Wi-Fi access points is retrieved from the database. A processor determines geographic location of the wireless device based at least on the retrieved geographic location data, and returns, via the server, geographic location data to the wireless device corresponding to the geographic location of the wireless device.

Methods for providing location of wireless devices using Wi-Fi

Method and system for monitoring location of a mobile device relative to a region of interest includes defining a geographic region of interest, receiving a request to obtain notification when the mobile device leaves from, is present in or enters into the region of interest, determining when the mobile device leaves, is present in or enters into the region of interest, and automatically generating a notification signal upon departure of the mobile device from, presence of the mobile device in or entry of the mobile device into the region of interest without manual intervention by a user of the mobile device. It is therefore possible to monitor the departure of a mobile device, and thus presumably the user thereof, from one or more defined regions, the presence of the person in one or more defined regions, and also the entry of the person into one or more defined regions.

Method and system for location-based monitoring of a mobile device

Method, system and computer program for obtaining information about telecommunications devices that transmit signals seeking available Wi-Fi connectivity. One or more Wi-Fi beacons are configured to detect probing signals from any telecommunications device in its range, a processor at each Wi-Fi beacon extracts an identifier of each telecommunications device from detected probing signals and each Wi-Fi beacon is associated with the identifier of any telecommunications devices whose probing signals have been received by that Wi-Fi beacon to thereby determine the presence and optionally position of any telecommunications devices within the range of the Wi-Fi beacon. The telecommunications devices are not involved in the method other than providing in their usual manner of operation, probing signals containing identifiers.

Growing community of inventors

Miami Beach, FL, United States of America

Cyril Houri