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In one embodiment, a carrier-managed system such as the cellular network or the Global Positioning System (GPS), is leveraged to directly determine or triangulate geographic locations of the dual mode device and then the access point. Advantageously, a service provider may constantly and automatically update its database with the geolocation of APs and associated devices to thereby provide accurate information and improved emergency services.

Inventor: Cary FitzGerald
Current U.S. Classification: 455/456.1

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Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first transceiver for communicating with a carrier-managed system to receive geographic location data for the dual mode apparatus;

a second transceiver for communicating with an access point supporting a wireless local area network (LAN); and

a processor for determining geographic location data for the access point using the geographic location data for the dual mode apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carrier-managed system is selected from the group consisting of a radio access network (RAN), CDMA, GSM, TDMA, WiMax, 3G, and 4G.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first transceiver receives geographic location data for the dual mode apparatus via the Global Positioning System (GPS).

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first transceiver is capable of transmitting a signal querying the carrier-managed system for geographic location data of a carrier-managed system antenna from which the dual mode apparatus is receiving a signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first transceiver is capable of transmitting data to the carrier-managed system to update a database with geographic location data for the access point.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the access point supports a wireless networking standard selected from the group consisting of 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the access point supports a networking standard selected from the group consisting of wireless fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth, and ultra wideband (UWB).

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless LAN allows for connectivity to the Internet.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second transceiver is capable of detecting signals of different strengths from the access point.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is capable of processing geographic location data of the dual mode apparatus to triangulate a geographic location of the access point.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

means for communicating with a carrier-managed system to receive geographic location data for the dual mode apparatus;

means for communicating with an access point supporting a wireless local area network (LAN); and

means for determining geographic location data for the access point using the geographic location data for the dual mode apparatus.

12. A method comprising:

detecting an access point with a dual mode device;

receiving geographic location data for the dual mode device from a carrier-managed system; and

determining geographic location data for the access point using the geographic location data for the dual mode device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the geographic location data for the dual mode device is determined via the Global Positioning System (GPS).

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the geographic location data for the dual mode device is determined via triangulation of carrier-managed system antennae.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the geographic location data for the access point is determined by triangulating access point signal strength along three pathways using the dual mode device.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting the geographical location data for the access point to a service provider via the carrier-managed system to update a database with information about the access point.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising detecting devices associated with the access point and attributing the geographical location data for the access point to the associated devices.

18. A method comprising:

detecting an access point with a dual mode device;

obtaining geographic location data for the dual mode device for a plurality of access point signal strengths along a first pathway;

obtaining geographic location data for the dual mode device for a plurality of access point signal strengths along a second pathway;

obtaining geographic location data for the dual mode device for a plurality of access point signal strengths along a third pathway; and
processing the geographic location data for the dual mode apparatus along the first, second, and third pathways to triangulate the geographic location data for the access point.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the geographic location data for the dual mode device is determined via the Global Positioning System (GPS).

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the geographic location data for the dual mode device is determined via triangulation of carrier-managed system antennae.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising transmitting the geographic location data for the access point to a service provider via a carrier-managed system to update a database with information about the access point.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising detecting devices associated with the access point and attributing the geographical location data for the access point to the associated devices.

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