Broadcom Corporation

Yan Lu

Vladimir Belov

Anning Chen

Frank Van Diggelen

Steven Malkos

Stephen Mole

Alexander Makovskiy

An apparatus and method is provided for indoor/outdoor transition detection of devices to improve selection of the navigation algorithms. To determine whether an outdoor-to-indoor transition has occurred, a mobile device can determine whether a difference between an indoor position determined using indoor position information and outdoor position determined using outdoor position information is less than a threshold and can conclude that the mobile device transitioned from outdoor to indoor of the structure, if the difference is less than the threshold. Also, to determine whether an indoor-to-outdoor transition has occurred, the mobile device can determine whether an indoor position survey area exists, determine whether an outdoor position determined based on outdoor position information is outside of the survey area, and determine whether a signal strength associated with the outdoor position location information is greater than a threshold.

Indoor/outdoor transition determination

A wireless communication device capable of more accurately estimating its location in an indoor environment is disclosed. In an indoor environment, the wireless communication device may seek to generate a fingerprint map so as to later identify its location within the environment. However, the map requires the device to at least estimate its current position. Therefore, the device includes one or more sensors to identify each of a bearing and a speed of the device. For example, the speed may be determined based on sensed steps and a stored step length. This information may then be used to estimate the device's location as it moves through the indoor environment.

Wireless communication device capable of accurately performing position estimations

A wireless communication device capable of determining its location in an indoor environment is disclosed. In an indoor environment, a wireless communication device may have insufficient access to GNSS satellites or cellular towers to make an accurate determination as to its location. Therefore, the wireless communication device generates a fingerprint map of the environment by estimating its position and scanning multiple positions within the environment for accessible access points and characteristics. The device stores this information in memory, which it can later refer to for determining its current position.

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Cupertino, CA, United States of America

Yan Lu