Methods and apparatuses for position determination and other operations. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile station uses wireless signals from a plurality of wireless networks (e.g., with different air interfaces and/or operated by different service providers) for position determination (e.g., for data communication, for obtaining time and/or frequency information, for range measurement, for sector or altitude estimation). In one embodiment of the present invention, mobile stations are used to harvest statistical data about wireless access points (e.g., the locations of mobile stations that have received signals from the wireless access points, such as from cellular base stations, wireless local area network access points, repeaters for positioning signals, or other wireless communication transmitters) and to derive location information (e.g., position and coverage area of the wireless access points) for the wireless networks from the collected statistical data.

Method and apparatus for wireless network hybrid positioning

A method for logging and reporting driver activity and vehicle operation includes identifying a driver of a vehicle, recording operating data with an on-board recorder that is hard-wired to an engine control module, coupled to a mileage sensing system, and linked to a global navigation satellite system, and recording duty status of the driver. An hours of service log and a fuel tax log are created from the operating data. The method includes comparing the driver's hours of service log to an applicable requirement, indicating to the driver whether the driver is in-compliance or out-of-compliance with the applicable requirement, automatically uploading the logs to a receiver external to the vehicle using a wireless telecommunications network, and emitting a compliance signal representative of whether the driver is in-compliance or out-of-compliance with the applicable requirement to a second receiver external to the vehicle and under control of authorities.

Driver activity and vehicle operation logging and reporting

Techniques for positioning access points and terminals in WLANs and other wireless networks are described. For access point positioning, measurements are obtained for at least one access point in a WLAN. The measurements may be based on transmission sequences (e.g., beacon frames) transmitted periodically by each access point. The measurements may be made by multiple terminals at different locations or a single mobile terminal at different locations. The location of each access point is determined based on the measurements and known locations of the terminal(s). For terminal positioning, measurements for at least one access point in a WLAN are obtained. The location of the terminal is determined based on the measurements and known location of each access point. The measurements may be round trip time (RTT) measurements, observed time difference (OTD) measurements, time of arrival (TOA) measurements, signal strength measurements, signal quality measurements, etc.

Positioning for WLANS and other wireless networks

A method and apparatus for determining a position of a base station in a wireless communication network that includes a mobile station in communication with base stations. A BTS calibration server is networked with the base stations. A BTS calibration program is programmed into a group of mobile stations that have position location capabilities. Using the BTS calibration program, calibration information may be requested by the BTS calibration server, or a session may be initiated by the mobile station. The BTS calibration program also provides privacy features that allow user of the mobile station to prevent it from being used for base station location. If authorized, the BTS calibration program determines the position of the mobile station, and provides calibration information, such as position and base station phase measurements, to the server. The calibration information may be used to calibrate the base station almanac.

Method and apparatus for determining location of a base station using a plurality of mobile stations in a wireless mobile network

A messaging unit (16) equipped with a cellular transceiver (38) is attached to a mobile item (12) located within a communications network (10). The messaging unit (16) issues a feature request having data digits that represent information on the mobile item (12). The cellular transceiver (38) transmits the feature request using the network (10). The feature request is received at an MTSO (20) and then routed to a platform (24), a clearinghouse (22), or the platform (24) through the clearinghouse (22). The data digits are translated into information on the mobile item (12) and stored at the platform (24) or the clearinghouse (22) for access by a host (26).

Data messaging in a communications network using a feature request

A control station (12) initiates a system timing signal transmission which is re-transmitted from a satellite (14). In response to receiving the system timing signal, the control station (12) then generates a time correction factor which is distributed to a plurality of transmission stations (16, 18). The transmission stations (16, 18) in response to receiving the system timing signal transmission and the time correction factor distributed from the control station (12) generate a time adjustment factor which is used to correct the local transmission clocks (36, 36'), thereby providing time synchronization of data transmissions generated from the transmission stations (16, 18).

Simulcast synchronization and equalization system and method therefor

Base stations (101, 103, and 105) transmit, and a remote unit (117) receives a radio frequency (RF) location signal. The remote unit (117) then computes an observed-time-difference (OTD) for each base station at particular time t1. Observed differences in received signal times, and are reported to a Mobile Location Center (MLC) (111). Additionally, a Real-Time-Difference receiver (115) receives an RF signal from two or more base stations. The Real Time Differences between the base stations (101, 103, and 105) are computed at a second time. These differences are also reported to the MLC (111). The MLC (111) computes an estimated RTD for the time period t 1 via standard curve fitting algorithms, or simple interpolating algorithms. A corrected Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) as determined by the remote unit (117) is computed based on the OTD measurements and the estimated RTD measurements.

Method for calculating a location of a remote Unit utilizing observed time difference (OTD) and real time difference (RTD) measurements.

Base stations (101-105) transmit, and a remote unit (117) receives a radio frequency (RF) location signal. The remote unit (113) then computes an observed-time-difference (OTD) for each base station at particular time t1. Observed differences in received signal times, and are reported to a Mobile Location Center (MLC) (111). Additionally, a Real-Time-Difference receiver (115) receives an RF signal from two or more base stations. The Real Time Differences between the base stations (101-105) are computed at a second time. These differences are also reported to the MLC (111). The MLC (111) computes an estimated RTD for the time period t1 via standard curve fitting algorithms, or simple interpolating algorithms. A corrected Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) as determined by the remote unit (117) is computed based on the OTD measurements and the estimated RTD measurements.

A method for locating a remote unit within a communication system

A control station (12) initiates a system timing signal transmission which is re-transmitted from a satellite (14). In response to receiving the re-transmitted system timing signal, the control station (12) then generates a time correction factor signal which is distributed to a plurality of transmission stations (16, 18). The transmission stations (16, 18) in response to receiving the system timing signal transmission and the time correction factor signal distributed from the control station (12) generate a time adjustment factor signal which is used to correct the local transmission clocks (36, 36'), thereby providing time synchronization of data transmissions generated from the transmission stations (16,18).

Jan Peter Ii Vanderspool

Papers

Simulcast synchronization and equalization system and method therefor

Method for calculating a location of a remote Unit utilizing observed time difference (OTD) and real time difference (RTD) measurements.

A method for locating a remote unit within a communication system

Simulcast synchronization and equalization system