CA2843081C

Position indication controls for device locations

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to localizing mobile devices. In one example, a first location method associated with a first accuracy value may be used to estimate a location 62, 70, 70a, 90 of the mobile device 10. A confidence circle indicative 64 of a level of confidence in the estimation of the location 62, 70, 70a, 90 is calculated. The confidence circle 64, 72, 72a, 82, 92 may be displayed on a mobile device 10. When other location methods become available, the size of the displayed confidence circle 72a may be expanded based on information from an accelerometer of the client device 10 or the accuracy of the other available location methods. This may be especially useful when the mobile device 10is transitioning between areas which are associated with different location methods that may be more or less accurate.

CA2843081C, drawing sheet 1
Sheet 1 of 14

Term

6.2 yearsleft in the term

Expires 19 November 2032.

  1. Priority
  2. Filed
  3. Granted
  4. Today
  5. Expires

20 claims: 8 independent, 12 dependent

  1. 1
    CA 02843081 2014-02-10 CLAIMS:1. Ά method comprising: using, by a processor of a mobile device, a first location method associated with a first accuracy value to estimate a location of the mobile device;calculating a confidence circle indicative of a level of confidence in the estimation of the location;display the confidence circle on a display of the mobile device;when a second location method associated with a second accuracy value less than the first accuracy value is available, increasing a size of the displayed confidence circle based on data from an accelerometer of the mobile device indicating that a step has been taken by a user associated with the mobile device, wherein the second location method is different from the first location method;and after a threshold period of time has passed since the second accuracy value became available, adjusting the size of the displayed confidence circle by a fixed amount per second based on the second accuracy value.
  2. 9
    The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first location method is an indoor location method using WiFi signals .
  3. 10
    The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second location method is an outdoor location method using GPS signals.
  4. 11
    The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second location method is a cellular tower based position.
  5. 12
    A method comprising:CA 02843081 2014-02-10 using, by a processor of a mobile device, a first location method associated with a first accuracy value to estimate a location of the mobile device;calculating a confidence circle indicative of a level of confidence in the estimation of the location;display the confidence circle on a display of the mobile device;when a second location method associated with a second accuracy value less than the first accuracy value is available, increasing a size of the displayed confidence circle based on data from an accelerometer of the mobile device indicating that a step has been taken by a user associated with the mobile device, wherein the second location method is different from the first location method;and when the second accuracy value becomes greater than the first accuracy value, adjusting the size of the displayed confidence circle by a fixed amount per second based on the second accuracy value.
  6. 16
    A mobile device comprising:a display to providing information to a user of the mobile device;a processor coupled to the display, the processor being configured to: use a first location method associated with a first accuracy value to estimate a location of the mobile device;calculate a confidence circle indicative of a level of confidence in the estimation of the location;display, on the display, the confidence circle;when a second location method associated with a second accuracy value less than the first accuracy value is available, increase a size of the displayed confidence circle based on data from an accelerometer of the mobile device indicating that a step has been taken by a user associated with the mobile device, wherein the second location method is different from the first location method;and after a threshold period of time has passed since the second accuracy value became available, adjust the size of the CA 02843081 2014-02-10 displayed confidence circle by a fixed amount per second based on the second accuracy value.
  7. 19
    A mobile device comprising:a display to providing information to a user of the mobile device;a processor coupled to the display, the processor being configured to: use a first location method associated with a first accuracy value to estimate a location of the mobile device;calculate a confidence circle indicative of a level of confidence in the estimation of the location;display, on the display, the confidence circle;CA 02843081 2014-02-10 when a second location method associated with a second accuracy value less than the first accuracy value is available, increase a size of the displayed confidence circle based on data from an accelerometer of the mobile device indicating that a step has been taken by a user associated with the mobile device, wherein the second location method is different from the first location method;and when the second accuracy value becomes greater than the first accuracy value, adjust the size of the displayed confidence circle by a fixed amount per second based on the second accuracy value.
  8. 20
    A non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage medium on which computer readable instructions of a program are stored, the instructions, when executed by a processor of a mobile device, cause a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:using a first location method associated with a first accuracy value to estimate a location of the mobile device;calculating a confidence circle indicative of a level of confidence in the estimation of the location;display the confidence circle on a display of the mobile device;when a second location method associated with a second accuracy value less than the first accuracy value is available, increasing a size of the displayed confidence circle based on data from an accelerometer of the mobile device indicating that a step has been taken by a user associated with the mobile device, wherein the second location method is different from the first location method;and CA 02843081 2014-02-10 after a threshold period of time has passed since the second accuracy value became available, adjusting the size of the displayed confidence circle by a fixed amount per second based on the second accuracy value. Doc:383297