High-rate proximity detection with the ability to provide notification

Abstract

Techniques are presented for identifying mobile devices within a coverage legion of a wireless station Positions for mobile devices, if any, within the coverage region are determined. It is then determined whether the positions are within one or more defined areas, called “notification areas” herein. Additionally, selected mobile devices within notification areas are sent messages. The selected mobile devices ale selected via certain criteria, including, for instance, campaign specifications and subscriber information A message can be sent to a mobile device if the subscriber corresponding to the mobile device has indicated an acceptance of a category of notifications for the message and for the publisher who is publishing the notifications. The category could be traffic conditions and the publisher could be a Department of transportation having responsibility for a particular freeway. These are two examples of multiple criteria for selecting mobile devices to which messages could be sent.

1 . A method for determining a position of one or more mobile devices, the method comprising the steps of: 
 identifying mobile devices within a coverage region of a wireless station, wherein one of a plurality of coverage region processors is assigned to the coverage region;    determining a position for at least one of the mobile devices identified to be within the coverage region of the wireless station; and    reporting said position, wherein said report is generated by said assigned coverage region processor.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said determining step is performed periodically.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said report is generated in response to a query.  
   
   
       4 . An article of manufacture for determining a position of one or more mobile devices, comprising: 
 a computer readable medium containing one or more programs which when executed implement the steps of;    identifying mobile devices within a coverage region of a wireless station, wherein one of a plurality of coverage region processors is assigned to the coverage region;    determining a position for at least one of the mobile devices identified to be within the coverage region of the wireless station; and    reporting said position, wherein said report is generated by said assigned coverage region processor    
   
   
       5 . The article of manufacture of  claim 4 , wherein said determining step is performed periodically.  
   
   
       6 . The article of manufacture of  claim 4 , wherein said report is generated in response to a query  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for determining a position of one or more mobile devices, comprising: 
 a memory; and    at least one processor, coupled to the memory, operative to:    identify mobile devices within a coverage region of a wireless station, wherein one of a plurality of coverage region processors is assigned to the coverage region;    determine a position for at least one of the mobile devices identified to be within the coverage legion of the wireless station; and    report said position, wherein said report is generated by said assigned coverage region processor.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said determining step is performed periodically  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said report is generated in response to a query.