Multiple pass location processor

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.

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.

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.