Lawrence A. Downing

Bio: Lawrence A. Downing is an academic researcher from Motorola. The author has contributed to research in topics: Mobile station & Angle of arrival. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 8 publications receiving 449 citations.

Method and controller for providing a location-based game associated with a plurality of mobile stations

Abstract: A method (400) and a controller (210) for providing a location-based game associated with a plurality of mobile stations (170) are described herein. The controller (210) may determine a plurality of game parameters based on user input from one of a plurality of players. The plurality of game parameters may include, but is not limited to, a game area (500) having a plurality of activation locations (505). The controller (210) may determine location associated with at least one of the plurality of mobile stations (164). In response to one of the plurality of mobile stations (164) being within a proximity threshold (535) associated with one of the plurality of activation locations (530), the controller (210) may activate a game feature within one of the plurality of mobile stations (164). Accordingly, the controller (210) may provide a point value to one of the plurality of players in response to a trigger event associated with the game feature.

Network and method for monitoring location capabilities of a mobile station

Abstract: The present invention is a communication network (100) and method for monitoring location capabilities of mobile stations (102) in a database (120) of a communication network. Initially, the network receives an identification number from a mobile station (102). If the database (120) does not include a location capability corresponding to the identification number, then a processor (118) requests the location capability from the mobile station (102) and stores the requested location capability in the database (120). The location capability includes one or more of the following capabilities: an autonomous mode capability, an assisted mode capability and a legacy mode capability. To retrieve an entry from the database (120), the network reads the location capability corresponding to the identification number from the database (120). The network then assembles an assistance message based on the location capability of the mobile station (102) and transmits the assistance message to the mobile station (102).

Method and mobile stations for autonomously determining an angle of arrival (aoa) estimation

Abstract: A method (1000) and a mobile station (160) for autonomously determining an angle of arrival (AOA) estimation are described herein. The mobile station (160) may receive information associated with a plurality of sectors (200) from a base station (140) having a plurality of antennas. Each of the plurality of antennas may provide communication service to one of the plurality of sectors (200). The information associated with the plurality of sectors (200) may be an antenna pattern, a boresight, a downtilt, and a signal strength value associated with each of the plurality of antennas. Based on the information associated with the plurality of sectors (200), the mobile station (160) may determine an antenna gain difference, which in turn, is used to determine the angle of arrival (AOA) estimation.

Method and apparatus for altering mobile device behavior based on rfid tag discovery

Abstract: A communication system (100) is provided that comprises a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) network (132) coupled to a service provider network (150). An RFID reader (112) of the RFID network detects an RFID tag (104) associated with a mobile station (102) when the mobile station is present in, or proximate to, a controlled area. The RFID network routes information associated with the RFID tag to the service provider network and, based on the information received from the RFID network, the service provider network alters a behavior of the mobile station when the mobile station is entering, exiting, or present in the controlled area.

Method and system for operating a wireless device with a radio frequency identification tag

Abstract: A wireless device (108) having a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag (202) and method to operate the wireless device are disclosed. The wireless device includes a switching circuit (204) coupled to the RFID tag. After an RFID signal is received (402), a switching circuit controls a power state of the wireless device according to the RFID signal (404). After the wireless device is on, the RFID signal may direct the wireless device to send information regarding the identity of the wireless device (406), authenticate the identity of the wireless device (408), scan for available wireless communication systems (410), and send information regarding the location and power status of the wireless device (412) using one or more of the available wireless communication systems.

Location-based feature enablement for mobile terminals

Abstract: A computing device to enable a feature thereof according to a current location and a control method thereof, the computing device including: a location unit to determine the current location of the computing device; and a licensing unit to determine whether the current location corresponds to a predetermined authorized location, and to enable the feature if the current location corresponds to the authorized location. Accordingly, a permission to use a software feature or a hardware feature of the computing device can be controlled according to the current location of the computing device.

Intelligent backhaul radio and antenna system

Abstract: A intelligent backhaul radio have an advanced antenna system for use in PTP or PMP topologies. The antenna system provides a significant diversity benefit. Antenna configurations are disclosed that provide for increased transmitter to receiver isolation, adaptive polarization and MIMO transmission equalization. Adaptive optimization of transmission parameters based upon side information provided in the form of metric feedback from a far end receiver utilizing the antenna system is also disclosed.

SOLUTIONS FOR VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL (VoIP) 911 LOCATION SERVICES

Abstract: An E-9-1-1 voice-over-IP (VoIP) solution is provided wherein a 911 call from a mobile VoIP device is routed directly to the correct Public Safety Answer Point (PSAP) via dedicated trunks, together with correct location information and call-back number. VoIP gateways are implemented locally, at least one per LATA, and accept VoIP packetized data inbound, and convert it to standard wireline voice calls. Calls are routed to an IP address at the VoIP gateway, which then egresses the call to a voice port at a selective router. Mid-call updating of location of a moving VoIP terminal is provided to a PSAP. The location of the VoIP is validated using HTTP based protocol by pushing location information to a VoIP location server, and comparing it against a geographic location database to confirm that a contained street address is valid.

Wireless position determination using adjusted round trip time measurements

Abstract: One method for wirelessly determining a position of a mobile station includes measuring a round trip time (RTT) to a plurality of wireless access points, estimating a first distance to each wireless access point based upon the round trip time delay and an initial processing time associated with each wireless access point, estimating a second distance to each wireless access point based upon supplemental information, combining the first and second distance estimates to each wireless access point, and calculating the position based upon the combined distance estimates. Another method includes measuring a distance to each wireless access point based upon a wireless signal model, calculating a position of the mobile station based upon the measured distance, determining a computed distance to each wireless access point based upon the calculated position of the mobile station, updating the wireless signal model, and determining whether the wireless signal model has converged.