Wireless Location Broker Integrating Multiple Estimators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless location technologies face challenges in providing cost-effective location services for people and objects, especially in emergency and roaming situations, due to varying reliability and accuracy characteristics, and the need for multiple location techniques to be integrated for seamless service provision.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that integrates multiple wireless location techniques into a single wireless location broker or gateway, allowing for simultaneous activation of location estimators to provide location services without requiring knowledge of the specific technique used, and enabling location requests to be fulfilled across different network coverage areas, including hybrid systems that utilize both handset and network-centric processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple wireless location techniques are integrated into a single location broker, then reliability and accuracy of location services are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent location techniques (handset-centric, network-centric, and hybrid estimators) into a unified location broker system. This merging allows the system to leverage the strengths of each technique while providing seamless location services, resolving the contradiction by integrating diverse methods under a single coordinating architecture that manages complexity centrally rather than distributing it across multiple standalone systems
Solution Approach 2:
The location broker acts as an intermediary between location requestors and multiple location estimators. It receives location requests, determines which estimators to activate based on available information, coordinates their operation, and consolidates results. This intermediary role shields users from the underlying complexity while enabling reliable multi-technique location determination
2Measurement precision
If multiple location estimators are activated simultaneously, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically activates and deactivates location estimators based on real-time conditions such as available measurement data, current location uncertainty, and service requirements. Rather than running all estimators continuously, the location broker activates only those needed for the current situation, reducing energy consumption while maintaining precision when required
Solution Approach 2:
The location broker adjusts operational parameters of estimators based on available information quality and service needs. When high precision is required and data is available, multiple estimators are activated; when data is limited or precision requirements are lower, fewer estimators run or they operate in reduced modes, optimizing the balance between precision and energy use
3Measurement precision
If handset-centric location processing is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The location processing functionality is segmented into distinct components: handset-centric estimators that run on the mobile station for high-precision measurements, network-centric estimators that run on the network side, and a location broker that coordinates them. This segmentation allows precision-critical functions to reside on the handset while keeping overall system complexity manageable through clear separation of responsibilities
Solution Approach 2:
The location broker provides a universal interface that handles both handset-centric and network-centric estimation approaches, as well as hybrid combinations. This multi-functional broker can activate different estimator types based on what the mobile station is capable of and what the network can provide, accommodating devices with varying levels of onboard processing capability without requiring each device to implement all location functions
Data Source
AI summary
A location system is disclosed for commercial wireless telecommunication infrastructures. The system is an end-to-end solution having one or more location centers for outputting requested locations of commercially available handsets or mobile stations (MS) based on, e.g., CDMA, AMPS, NAMPS or TDMA communication standards, for processing both local MS location requests and more global MS location requests via, e.g., Internet communication between a distributed network of location centers. The system uses a plurality of MS locating technologies including those based on: (1) two-way TOA and TDOA; (2) pattern recognition; (3) distributed antenna provisioning; (5) GPS signals, (6) angle of arrival, (7) super resolution enhancements, and (8) supplemental information from various types of very low cost non-infrastructure base stations for communicating via a typical commercial wireless base station infrastructure or a public telephone switching network. Accordingly, the traditional MS location difficulties, such as multipath, poor location accuracy and poor coverage are alleviated via such technologies in combination with strategies for: (a) automatically adapting and calibrating system performance according to environmental and geographical changes; (b) automatically capturing location signal data for continual enhancement of a self-maintaining historical data base retaining predictive location signal data; (c) evaluating MS locations according to both heuristics and constraints related to, e.g., terrain, MS velocity and MS path extrapolation from tracking and (d) adjusting likely MS locations adaptively and statistically so that the system becomes progressively more comprehensive and accurate. Further, the system can be modularly configured for use in location signaling environments ranging from urban, dense urban, suburban, rural, mountain to low traffic or isolated roadways. Accordingly, the system is useful for 911 emergency calls, tracking, routing, people and animal location including applications for confinement to and exclusion from certain areas.