Multiple pass location processor
View Patent ↗A multiple pass location processing method, for use in a wireless location system (WLS), comprises identifying a received transmission as requiring multiple pass location processing whereby the WLS produces a first, lower quality location estimate and then subsequently produces a second, higher quality location estimate. The WLS then produces the first location estimate and provides it to a first location application, and then produces the second location estimate. The second location estimate may be a more accurate estimate than the first location estimate and/or of a higher confidence than the first location estimate. This method is suitable, but not limited, for use in connection with locating a wireless transmitter involved in an emergency services call and routing the call to a call center.
1. A method for use in a Wireless Location System (WLS) capable of locating a mobile transmitter and delivering location estimates to one or more location-based applications, wherein a location estimation process is performed according to one or more quality-of-service parameters, comprising the steps of:
(a) assigning at least a first and a second set of predetermined quality-of-service parameters to a specific call class or mobile transmitter identity;
(b) producing a first location estimate in a process whereby the collection of signal data and location calculation processing have been constrained by the first set of quality-of-service parameters;
(c) delivering the first location estimate to at least one of the said one or more location-based applications;
(d) producing a second location estimate with a process whereby the collection of signal data and location calculation processing have been constrained by the second set of quality-of-service parameters; and
(e) delivering the second location estimate to at least one of the said one or more location-based applications.
2. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters is determined by the type of location-based application to which a location estimate is to be provided.
3. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters is determined by the called number.
4. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters is determined by the calling number.
5. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters is determined by the mobile transmitter's identification.
6. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters includes a priority level.
7. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters includes a time limit on signal collection.
8. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters includes a time limit on signal processing.
9. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters includes a time limit on total latency.
10. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters include a signal power threshold.
11. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters include a time limit for delivery of a location estimate.
12. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters includes a location accuracy threshold.
13. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters includes a velocity accuracy threshold.
14. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the second location estimate is independent of the first location estimate.
15. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the second location estimate is at least partially based on the first location estimate.
16. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the first location estimate and the second location estimate are determined in parallel.
17. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the location-based application of step (e) is not the same as the location-based application in step (c).
18. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein step (d) comprises multiple location estimations with the period between estimates set by the second set of quality-of-service parameters.
19. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein step (d) comprises multiple location estimations with the number set by the second set of quality-of-service parameters.
20. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein step (d) comprises multiple location estimations with the total time period set by the second set of quality-of-service parameters.
21. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the first location estimate and second location estimate include an information element identifying the location estimate as either the first location estimate or second location estimate.
22. A multiple pass location processing method for use in a wireless location system (WLS) capable of locating a wireless transmitter based on a transmission received from the wireless transmitter, comprising the steps of:
(a) selecting a first location technology based on a first set of quality-of-service parameters and a stored radio environmental and propagation model;
(b) producing a first, lower quality location estimate and providing said first location estimate to a first location application;
c) selecting a second location technology based on the first set of quality-of-service parameters and the stored radio environmental and propagation model; and
(d) subsequently producing a second, higher quality location estimate for delivery to a second location application.
23. A method as recited in claim 22 , wherein a site density factor is employed in determining the technology used for the first location estimation.
24. A method as recited in claim 22 , wherein the first set of quality-of-service parameters contains a time limit to be used in determining the technology to be used for the first location estimation.
25. A method as recited in claim 22 , wherein the first set of quality-of-service parameters contains a confidence factor used in determining the technology to be used for the first location estimation.
26. A method as recited in claim 22 , wherein the first set of quality-of-service parameters contains an accuracy parameter used in determining the technology used for the first location estimation.
27. A method as recited in claim 22 , wherein the second set of quality-of-service parameters contains a confidence factor used in determining the technology used for the second location estimation.
28. A method as recited in claim 22 , wherein the second set of quality-of-service parameters contains an accuracy requirement used in determining the technology used for the second location estimation.
29. A method as recited in claim 22 , wherein the second set of quality-of-service parameters contains a time limit used in determining the technology used for the second location estimation.
30. A Wireless Location System (WLS) capable of locating a mobile transmitter and delivering location estimates to one or more location-based applications, wherein a location estimation process is performed according to one or more quality-of-service parameters, comprising:
(a) means for assigning at least a first and a second set of predetermined quality-of-service parameters to a specific call class or mobile transmitter identity;
(b) means for producing a first location estimate in a process whereby the collection of signal data and location calculation processing have been constrained by the first set of quality-of-service parameters;
(c) means for transmitting the first location estimate to at least one of the said one or more location-based applications;
(d) means for producing a second location estimate with a process whereby the collection of signal data and location calculation processing have been constrained by the second set of quality-of-service parameters; and
(e) means for transmitting the second location estimate to at least one of the said one or more location-based applications.
31. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters is determined by the type of location-based application to which a location estimate is to be provided.
32. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters is determined by the called number.
33. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters is determined by the calling number.
34. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters is determined by the mobile transmitter's identification.
35. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters includes a priority level.
36. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters includes a time limit on signal collection.
37. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters includes a time limit on signal processing.
38. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters includes a time limit on total latency.
39. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters include a signal power threshold.
40. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters include a time limit for delivery of a location estimate.
41. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters includes a location accuracy threshold.
42. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein at least one of the quality-of-service parameters includes a velocity accuracy threshold.
43. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein the second location estimate is independent of the first location estimate.
44. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein the second location estimate is at least partially based on the first location estimate.
45. The system recited in claim 30 , wherein the first location estimate and the second location estimate are determined in parallel.
46. The system recited in claim 30 , comprising means for producing multiple location estimations with the period between estimates set by the second set of quality-of-service parameters.
47. The system recited in claim 30 , comprising means for producing multiple location estimations with the number set by the second set of quality-of-service parameters.
48. The system recited in claim 30 , comprising means for producing multiple location estimations with the total time period set by the second set of quality-of-service parameters.
49. A multiple pass location processing system for use in a wireless location system (WLS) capable of locating a wireless transmitter based on a transmission received from the wireless transmitter, comprising the steps of:
(a) means for selecting a first location technology based on a first set of quality-of-service parameters and a stored radio environmental and propagation model;
(b) means for producing a first, lower quality location estimate and providing said first location estimate to a first location application;
(c) means for selecting a second location technology based on the first set of quality-of-service parameters and the stored radio environmental and propagation model; and
(d) means for subsequently producing a second, higher quality location estimate for delivery to a second location application.
50. A system as recited in claim 49 , wherein a site density factor is employed in determining the technology used for the first location estimation.
51. A system as recited in claim 49 , wherein the first set of quality-of-service parameters contains a time limit to be used in determining the technology to be used for the first location estimation.
52. A system as recited in claim 49 , wherein the first set of quality-of-service parameters contains a confidence factor used in determining the technology to be used for the first location estimation.
53. A system as recited in claim 49 , wherein the first set of quality-of-service parameters contains an accuracy parameter used in determining the technology used for the first location estimation.
54. A system as recited in claim 49 , wherein the second set of quality-of-service parameters contains a confidence factor used in determining the technology used for the second location estimation.
55. A system as recited in claim 49 , wherein the second set of quality-of-service parameters contains an accuracy requirement used in determining the technology used for the second location estimation.
56. A system as recited in claim 49 , wherein the second set of quality-of-service parameters contains a time limit used in determining the technology used for the second location estimation.