Method of estimating position of a device using geographical descriptive data

Data processing apparatus comprising:

• a geographical descriptive data processing module in communication with a database of location specific geographical descriptive data, the geographical descriptive data processing module being configured to:
• select an indoor region dependent on location data relating to the position of a device;
• retrieve geographical descriptive data specific to the indoor region from the database;
• subsequently estimate a position of the device taking into account the retrieved data and/or to output data from the retrieved data or data derived from the retrieved data which is usable for estimating a position of the device;
• predict one or more possible future positions of the device using the retrieved data;
• compare the one or more predicted future positions of the device with a provisional estimated position of the device to determine whether the provisional estimated position of the device matches one of the predicted possible future positions;
• and
• adjust the provisional estimated position of the device to match one of the predicted possible future positions.

A method of estimating the position of a device, the method comprising:

• providing a database of location specific geographical descriptive data;
• obtaining location data relating to the position of the device;
• retrieving geographical descriptive data specific to an indoor region from the database, the indoor region being selected dependent on the location data;
• and
• subsequently estimating the position of the device taking into account the retrieved data, wherein the method comprises:
• retrieving one or more reference movement patterns, which are specific to the indoor region, from the database;
• comparing movement of the device to the one or more reference movement patterns retrieved from the database to determine whether the device has passed through or interacted with a topological feature;
• and
• adjusting an estimated position of the device in response to a determination that the device has passed through or interacted with the topological feature, wherein the reference movement patterns are representative of successive movements expected by the device when it passes through or interacts with the topological feature.

Data processing apparatus comprising a computer processor, the data processing apparatus being configured to:

• provide a database of location specific geographical descriptive data;
• provide location data relating to the position of a device;
• retrieve geographical descriptive data specific to an indoor region from the database, the indoor region being selected dependent on the location data;
• subsequently estimate the position of the device taking into account the retrieved data;
• retrieve one or more reference movement patterns, which are specific to the indoor region, from the database;
• compare movement of the device to the one or more reference movement patterns retrieved from the database to determine whether the device has passed through or interacted with a topological feature;
• and
• adjust an estimated position of the device in response to a determination that the device has passed through or interacted with the topological feature, wherein the reference movement patterns are representative of successive movements expected by the device when it passes through or interacts with the topological feature.

A method of estimating the position of a device, the method comprising:

• providing a database of location specific geographical descriptive data;
• obtaining location data relating to the position of the device;
• retrieving geographical descriptive data specific to an indoor region from the database, the indoor region being selected dependent on the location data;
• subsequently estimating the position of the device taking into account the retrieved data;
• predicting one or more possible future positions of the device;
• comparing the one or more predicted future positions of the device with a provisional estimated position of the device to determine whether the provisional estimated position of the device matches one of the predicted possible future positions;
• and
• adjusting the provisional estimated position of the device to match one of the predicted possible future positions.