Robust location estimation
A method of collecting information for supplementing a trusted estimate of position. The method comprises: receiving first information sufficient to derive a trusted estimate of a first position; receiving an indication that a supplementary estimate of a second position in the vicinity of the first position may be required; in response to the indication, sensing information comprising the identity of at least one terrestrial wireless source observable in the vicinity of the first position; and storing the sensed information in association with the first position. The method enables the trusted estimate of the first position to subsequently be used to estimate any said second position from which the at least one wireless source is observable.
1. A method performed by a processor of a receiving apparatus of collecting information for supplementing a trusted estimate of position, the method comprising:
receiving, at the receiving apparatus, first information sufficient to derive a trusted estimate of a first position;
receiving, at the receiving apparatus, an indication that a supplementary estimate of a second position in the vicinity of the first position may be required because a trusted estimate of the second position will be unreliable or unavailable;
in response to the indication, sensing information comprising the identity of at least one terrestrial wireless source observable in the vicinity of the first position; and
storing the sensed information in association with the first position, whereby the trusted estimate of the first position can subsequently be used to estimate any said second position from which the at least one wireless source is observable.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first information comprises satellite positioning signal data.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the satellite positioning signal data comprises data samples of an intermediate frequency signal.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first information is input manually by a user.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indication comprises at least one of:
activation or deactivation of a portable device for receiving a satellite positioning signal or activation or deactivation of a location function of such a portable device; and
detected weakening, loss or restoration of reception of a satellite positioning signal.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indication comprises a movement characteristic of a portable device for receiving a satellite positioning signal.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the indication comprises at least one of:
detected slow speed of the portable device;
detected reducing speed or stopping of the portable device; and
detected starting or increasing speed of the portable device.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, after the initial sensing step in response to the indication, suppressing further sensing steps.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensed information comprises additional information about the environment at the first position.
10. A computer program comprising computer program code embodied on a non-transitory a computer readable medium adapted to control a physical computing device to perform all the steps of claim 1 if said program is run on a computer.
11. A portable navigation device adapted to perform all the steps of claim 1 , the device comprising:
sensing apparatus, for sensing information in response to the indication, comprising the identity of at least one terrestrial wireless source observable in the vicinity of the first position; and
a memory, for storing the sensed information in association with the first position.