Wireless communication network with distributed device location determination
AssigneeXirrus, Inc.
InventorsJack Horner, Dirk I. Gates
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There are disclosed methods and access points for estimating a location of a user device in a wireless communications network. A plurality of access points define respective received signal strength indicator (RSSI) values for transmissions received from the user device. Each of the plurality of access points sends the respective RSSI values to the other access points of the plurality of access points. One of the plurality of access points self-elects to estimate the location of the user device. The self-elected access point estimates a location of the user device based, at least in part, on the RSSI values.
Claims24
A method for estimating a location of a user device in a wireless communications network, comprising:
- a plurality of access points defining a respective received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value for transmissions received from the user device;
- all of the plurality of access points sending the respective RSSI values to the other access points of the plurality of access points;
- each of the access points determining whether or not it is responsible for estimating the location of the user device, wherein one of the plurality of access points determines it is responsible for estimating the location of the user device;
- and
- the responsible access point estimating a location of the user device based, at least in part, on the RSSI values.
A method performed by an access point (AP) in a wireless communications network, comprising:
- defining an own received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value for transmissions received from a user device;
- receiving respective other AP RSSI values for transmissions received from the user device at two or more additional access points;
- determining whether or not to estimate a location of the user device;
- and
- when a determination is made to estimate the location of the user device, estimating the location of the user device based, at least in part, on the own RSSI value and the other AP RSSI values.
An access point (AP) for a wireless communications network, comprising:
- a receiver to define an own received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value for transmissions received from a user device;
- a network interface;
- a processor coupled to the receiver and the network interface;
- and
- a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the access point to perform actions comprising:
- receiving, via the network interface, respective other AP RSSI values for transmissions received from the user device at two or more additional access points;
- determining whether or not to estimate a location of the user device;
- and
- when a determination is made to estimate the location of the user device, estimating the location of the user device based, at least in part, on the own RSSI value and the other AP RSSI values.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.