Apparatus and method for identifying a moving WiFi access point and managing connections therewith
A server has a processor and a memory connected to the processor. The memory stores instructions executed by the processor to collect scan lists from client devices. Each scan list specifies a WiFi access point identifier collected by a client device and geographic coordinates of the client device when the WiFi access point identifier was collected. A cluster of geographic coordinates is formed around a designated WiFi access point. A centroid within the cluster is identified. The location of the centroid is ascribed as the geographic position of the designated WiFi access point. A client device is advised when the designated WiFi access point is a known mobile WiFi access point to facilitate connection between the client device and the known mobile WiFi access point.
1. A server, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory connected to the processor, the memory storing instructions executed by the processor to:
collect scan lists from client devices, wherein each scan list specifies a WiFi access point identifier collected by a client device and geographic coordinates of the client device when the WiFi access point identifier was collected,
form a cluster of geographic coordinates around a designated WiFi access point,
identify a centroid within the cluster,
ascribe the location of the centroid as the geographic position of the designated WiFi access point,
advise a client device when designated WiFi access point is a known mobile WiFi access point,
apply mobility criteria when the designated WiFi access point is unknown or is believed to be a stationary WiFi access point,
categorize the designated WiFi access point as a mobile WiFi access point or a stationary WiFi access point to form a categorized WiFi access point, and
add the categorized WiFi access point to a WiFi access point list.
2. The server of claim 1 further comprising instructions executed by the processor to rank the scan lists.
3. The server of claim 2 wherein the instructions executed by the processor to rank the scan lists is based upon a mobile device value, a signal value and a measure of geographic accuracy.
4. The server of claim 3 wherein the mobile device value is a function of whether global positioning data is enabled on the mobile device.
5. The server of claim 3 wherein the signal value is a measure of signal strength from the designated WiFi access point.
6. The server of claim 3 wherein the measure of geographic accuracy is derived from geographic accuracy information from the mobile device and a measure of the age of the geographic information.
7. A client device, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory connected to the processor, the memory storing instructions executed by the processor to:
determine that the client device is in an in-motion state or a stationary state;
test the stationary state against a threshold to establish a confirmed stationary state or an unconfirmed stationary state,
reapply the determine operation in response to an unconfirmed stationary state,
enable WiFi access point requests in response to a confirmed stationary state,
enable WiFi access point requests in response to the in-motion state and an available moving WiFi access point, and
disable WiFi access point requests in response to the in-motion state and no available moving WiFi access point.
8. The client device of claim 7 wherein the stationary state includes motion characteristic of an individual walking with the client device.
9. The client device of claim 7 further comprising instructions executed by the processor to send a scan list to a server, wherein the scan list specifies a WiFi access point identifier collected by the client device and geographic coordinates of the client device when the WiFi access point identifier was collected.
10. The client device of claim 7 wherein the instructions to determine that the client device is in an in-motion state or a stationary state include instructions to analyze client device accelerometer signals.