System, method and devices for determining a location of a device

Abstract

A system and method for locating a target device. A calibration process is initiated in a wireless environment. A user utilizing a host device is prompted to navigate a pattern. Measurements are performed along the pattern utilizing the host devices that receives the wireless signals form a number of environmental devices in the wireless environment. The signal strength for each of the plurality of environmental devices is analyzed to determine calibration information. The calibration information is saved for subsequent reference.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for locating devices, comprising:
 initiating a calibration process in a wireless environment;   prompting a user utilizing a host device to navigate a pattern;   performing measurements along the pattern utilizing the host device that receives wireless signals from a plurality of environmental devices in the wireless environment;   analyzing a signal strength for the wireless signals of each of the plurality of environmental devices to determine calibration information; and   saving the calibration information for subsequent reference.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of environmental devices are not placed within a pattern in the wireless environment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user is prompted to navigate the pattern stopping at points along the pattern for the host device to perform the measurements. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining identifiers associated with each of the plurality of environmental devices as part of the calibration information.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a request to locate a target device, wherein the request is received based on user input to the host device, and wherein the location of the target device is determined utilizing the calibration information including signal strength to distance equations of a portion of the plurality of environmental devices.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 communicating the location of the target device to one or more devices or users including instructions for reaching the target device from the host device.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of environmental devices are randomly positioned within the wireless environment. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the environmental devices communicate utilizing at least a Bluetooth signal. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the location of the target is communicated in three dimensions. 
     
     
         10 . A device for processing wireless signals in a wireless environment, comprising:
 a processor for executing a set of instructions;   a memory for storing the set of instructions;   one or more interface components for interacting with a user based on the execution of the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are executed to:   initiate a calibration process in the wireless environment in response to a request;   prompt a user utilizing a host device to navigate a pattern;   perform measurements along the pattern utilizing the host device that receives the wireless signals from a plurality of environmental devices in the wireless environment;   analyze the signal strength for the wireless signals of each of the plurality of environmental devices to determine calibration information; and   save the calibration information for subsequent reference.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of environmental devices are positioned within the wireless environment as naturally used by one or more users. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the set of instructions are further executed to:
 prompt the user to navigate the pattern and stop at the points for the host device to perform the measurements   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the set of instructions are further executed to:
 determine an identifier associated with each of the plurality of environmental devices as part of the calibration information;   associate the identifier with the signal strength for each of the plurality of environmental devices, wherein a target device is located utilizing signal strength to distance equations for a portion of the plurality of environmental devices.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the set of instructions communicate instructions for reaching a target device from the host device utilizing the calibration information. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the set of instructions represent an application for locating devices. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the calibration information is communicated to a plurality of devices or users. 
     
     
         17 . A device for locating devices, comprising:
 a processor for executing a set of instructions;   a memory for storing the set of instructions;   a transceiver for receiving wireless signals from available environmental devices and identifying the available environmental devices, wherein the set of instructions are executed to:   initiate a calibration process in a wireless environment in response to a request;   prompt a user utilizing a host device to navigate a pattern;   perform measurements along the pattern utilizing the host device that receives wireless signals from the available environmental devices in the wireless environment;   analyze a signal strength for the wireless signals of each of the environmental devices to determine calibration information; and   save the calibration information for subsequent reference.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the set of instructions are further executed to:
 communicate instructions for reaching a target device from the host device utilizing the calibration information.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the instructions are communicated in a mapping application. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the user is prompted to navigate the pattern stopping at points along the pattern for the host device to perform the measurements.