200b may be executed iteratively or repeatedly in order to continue determining the location/position of the UE.

Accuracy in the determination of the UE's location/position is one factor that may be taken into consideration in designing and implementing the systems and algorithms described herein. Another factor that may be taken into consideration deals with the use of network resources, spectrum used and a rate of signaling/messaging between various entities, such as for example the rate of signaling/messaging between the regional node 210a and the UE 214a as described above in connection with blocks 222b, 226b, 230b, and 234b. For example, if the rate/frequency of signaling/messaging between the regional node 210a and the UE 214a is sufficiently high (e.g., is greater than a first threshold), that may tend to improve/enhance the accuracy of the location determination over a given period of time, which is to say that the corrected location may quickly converge to the UE's actual location. However, if the rate/frequency of signaling/messaging between the regional node 210a and the UE 214a is too high (e.g., is greater than a second threshold), that may tend to over-monopolize/over-consume precious/scarce resources (e.g., transmission bandwidth).

In view of the foregoing, in some embodiments a trade-off may be made between accuracy and speed of convergence on the one hand, and utilization of resources on the other hand. To take things a step further, the resources that are used in the signaling/messaging may adhere to unicast transport technology and broadcast transport technology. Unicast transport technology-based resources may be suitable for signaling/messaging that is customized/particular to a specific user or device, whereas broadcast transport technology-based resources may be suitable for signaling/messaging that is applicable to a large pool/community of users or devices. In the context of determining a UE's location as set forth above, use of a unicast transport technology (featuring high messaging/signaling rates) may be appropriate initially to obtain a high degree of accuracy over a short period of time (e.g., may be appropriate to obtain a quick convergence). Once a sufficient level of accuracy in terms of the UE's location is obtained, broadcast transport technology (featuring low messaging/signaling rates) may be appropriate to reduce resource utilization.

To demonstrate the foregoing, FIG. 2C illustrates an example graph 200c that plots accuracy (on the vertical axis) relative to time (on the horizontal axis) in an embodiment that uses only broadcast transport technology (e.g., a pure broadcast model). In the pure broadcast model, messaging/signaling occurs at relatively low rates (e.g., once every sixteen seconds). Accordingly, on the graph 200c it may take until the time-point ‘b’ for the accuracy to converge to within, e.g., 20 cm. In this regard, the region of the graph 200c following time-point ‘c’ may be indicative of maintaining the accuracy to within, e.g., 20 cm. The region of the graph 200c between the time-points ‘a’ and ‘b’ may be indicative of accuracy between, e.g., 40 cm and 20 cm. The region of the graph 200c between time-point 0 and the time-point ‘a’ may be indicative of an initialization phase characterized by accuracy between, e.g., a few meters and 40 cm.

In sharp contrast to the graph 200c of FIG. 2C, the graph 200d of FIG. 2D demonstrates a much sharper/quicker convergence from time-point 0 to time-point ‘c’ (where the accuracy in each region of the graph 200d is the same as the accuracy in each counterpart region of the graph 200c). The rapid convergence of the graph 200d (relative to the slow convergence of the graph 200c) may be the result of a use of a hybrid model that incorporates both unicast transport technology and broadcast transport technology. For example, and initially at start-up (e.g., in the region between time-point 0 and at least time-point ‘b’), unicast transport technology may be used to deliver messages/signals at a high rate/frequency (to compare with the example set forth above in connection with FIG. 2C, whereby messages/signals were transmitted once every sixteen seconds, the messages/signals in the region between time-point 0 and time-point ‘b’ in FIG. 2D may be transmitted ten times more frequently or once every 1.6 seconds)). Once the threshold level of accuracy (e.g., within 20 cm in this example) is obtained, broadcast transport technology may be used to deliver messages/signals at a lower rate/frequency (e.g., once every 16 seconds in this example).

The particular values described in connection with FIGS. 2C-2D above are merely provided for the sake of illustration. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the values that are used (in terms of thresholds and/or accuracy) in a given embodiment may be selected based on the particular application at hand. What is important to understand, based on an apples-to-apples comparison of the graphs 200c and 200d on a relative basis, is that the use of the hybrid model (e.g., the use of unicast transport technology followed by broadcast transport technology) facilitates a quick convergence to a high-degree of accuracy while avoiding an over-consumption of resources for an extended duration of time. Stated slightly differently, the use of the hybrid model results in both: (1) accuracy and rapid convergence (due to the use of unicast transport technology) and, (2) efficient resource utilization (due to the use of broadcast transport technology).

As set forth above, the threshold at which the transition is made from using unicast transport technology to using broadcast transport technology as part of the hybrid model may be a function of the application at hand. The magnitude of the error (or, analogously, error correction data) may serve to indicate when the threshold has been reached/satisfied. All other conditions being equal, an application that requires/needs a high-degree of location/position precision quickly (e.g., performance of a robotic surgery in a sensitive area/region of a human's body) may tend to utilize unicast transport technology for a longer time duration than other applications that don't require/need such a high-degree of location/position precision in a short amount of time.

Referring now to FIG. 2E, a system 200e is shown. The system 200e may function within, or be operatively overlaid upon, the communication network of FIG. 1 and/or the system 200a of FIG. 2A in accordance with various aspects described herein. The system 200e may be incorporated as part of one or more networks, such as for example an LTE network, a 4G network, a 5G network, etc.

Superimposed in FIG. 2E are various methodological steps that are described in further detail below—one or more of these steps may be incorporated as part of one or more algorithms, programs, applications, software packages, etc. As described below, the steps may be implemented/executed to transfer data (such as for example error correction data, position/location data, etc.) over a data/user plane of the one or more networks. In some embodiments, one or more of the steps shown in FIG. 2E may be implemented/executed as part of one or more models. For example, the steps may be implemented/executed in conjunction with the unicast transport of the hybrid model described above in relation to FIG. 2D.

The system 200e may include a server 202e, a hyper precise positioning (HPP) proxy 206e, a serving gateway/packet data network gateway (SGW/PGW) 210e, an evolved Node B/next generation Node B (eNB/gNB) 214e, and a communication device 218e. In some embodiments, the server 202e may be included/incorporated as part of the reference node 202a (e.g., the computing device 202a-2) of FIG. 2A. In some embodiments, one or more of the HPP proxy 206e, the SGW/PGW 210e, and the eNB/gNB 214e may be included/incorporated as part of the regional node 210a of FIG. 2A. In some embodiments, the communication device 218e may be included/incorporated as part of the UE 214a (or vice versa) and/or the vehicle 218a of FIG. 2A.

In step 252e, the HPP proxy 206e may transmit a request for data to the server 202e, and the server 202e may receive that request. For example, the request may correspond to a request for error correction data.

In step 256e, the server 202e may provide to the HPP proxy 206e the data responsive to the request of step 252e. For example, the data may include: (1) error correction data, (2) a computation of a location of the server 202e as performed by the server 202e, and/or (3) an actual location of the server 202e.

In step 260e, the HPP proxy 206e may process the data of step 256e to generate processed data and transmit the processed data to the SGW/PGW 210e. The processing performed by the HPP proxy 206e in step 260e may include combining data, compressing the data, encoding the data, encrypting the data, or any combination thereof.

In step 264e, the SGW/PGW 210e and/or the eNB/gNB 214e may establish a tunnel. For example, the tunnel may be used to separate data or traffic into one or more communication flows. In some embodiments, the establishment and/or maintenance of a tunnel may adhere to a GPRS tunneling protocol (e.g., GTPv2). As part of step 264e, the SGW/PGW 210e may transmit, via the tunnel, the processed data of step 260e to the communication device 218e. In this regard, the communication device 218e may receive the processed data.

In response to receiving the processed data as part of step 264e, the communication device 218e may further process the processed data to generate second processed data. Such further processing performed by the communication device 218e may include decompressing the data, decoding the data, decrypting the data, or any combination thereof. Still further, the communication device 218e may apply error correction data of the processed data to a location/position computed by the communication device 218e to generate a corrected location/position.

Referring now to FIG. 2F, a system 200f is shown. The system 200f may function within, or be operatively overlaid upon, the communication network of FIG. 1 and/or the system 200a of FIG. 2A in accordance with various aspects described herein. The system 200f may be incorporated as part of one or more networks, such as for example an LTE network, a 4G network, a 5G network, etc.

Superimposed in FIG. 2F are various methodological steps that are described in further detail below—one or more of these steps may be incorporated as part of one or more algorithms, programs, applications, software packages, etc. As described below, the steps may be implemented/executed to transfer data (such as for example error correction data, position/location data, etc.) over a control plane of the one or more networks. In some embodiments, one or more of the steps shown in FIG. 2F may be implemented/executed as part of one or more models. For example, the steps may be implemented/executed in conjunction with the broadcast transport of the hybrid model described above in relation to FIG. 2D.

The system 200f may include the server 202e, the HPP Proxy 206e, a cell broadcast center (CBC) 210f, a mobility management entity (MME) 212f, the eNB/gNB 214e, and the communication device 218e. In some embodiments, one or both of the CBC 210f and the MME 212f may be included/incorporated as part of the regional node 210a of FIG. 2A.

Steps 252f, 256f, and 260f, may substantially correspond to steps 252e, 256e, and 260e of FIG. 2E, and so, a complete re-description of those steps is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. In this regard, it is noted that the recipient of the data transmitted in step 260f is the CBC 210f (whereas the recipient of the data transmitted in step 260e is the SGW/PGW 210e).

In step 264f, the CBC 210f may transmit the processed data of step 260f to the MME 212f. The MME 212f may process the data it receives as part of step 264f in accordance with information associated with various communication devices (e.g., the communication device 218e) in the network(s). Such information may include mobility information, load balancing information, resource management information, etc.

In step 268f, the MME 212f may transmit the data of step 264f (subject to any processing performed by the MME 212) to the eNB/gNB 214e. The eNB/gNB 214e may, in turn, transmit that data (subject to any processing performed by the eNB/gNB 214e) to the communication device 218e in step 272f. Based on the receipt of the data as part of step 272f, the communication device 218e may perform one or more operations on the data, such as for example one or more of the operations described above.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks or steps in FIGS. 2B, 2E, and 2F, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks/steps, as some blocks/steps may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks/steps from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks/steps may be required to implement the methods described herein. Additionally, while the blocks/steps were described separately above in some instances for the sake of convenience, aspects of a first of the blocks/steps may be combined with aspects of one or more other blocks/steps in some embodiments.

Aspects of the disclosure may incorporate machine-learning and/or artificial intelligence to facilitate a determination of a user/device location/position. For example, historical patterns of a user's or device's location may be obtained and analyzed to map the behavior of the user/device over time. Such historical patterns may serve as a factor in the location/position determination.

Aspects of the disclosure may provide for secure communications (e.g., signaling/messaging) between two or more entities. For example, encryption/decryption schemes may be utilized/employed between a transmitter and a receiver in order to enhance the security of communications. In some embodiments, a keyed-infrastructure (e.g., a public-private key infrastructure) may be utilized with respect to communications.

In some embodiments, communications may be subject to encoding/decoding. For example, the encoding/decoding may adhere to one or more communication protocols, standards, configurations, etc. The encoding/decoding may adhere to a proprietary communication format.

In some embodiments, communications may be subject to compression/decompression. Such compression/decompression may facilitate an efficient use of resources (e.g., transmission bandwidth). The amount of compression that is used may be a function of the application at hand and may be based on the potential loss of data/information at a receiver of a communication link/channel.

Aspects of the disclosure may incorporate accounting measures/principles to facilitate a generation of revenue, profits, etc. For example, in some embodiments a user or device may be charged/assessed a fee (e.g., a license fee, a subscription fee, etc.) by a network operator or service provider for receiving/participating in a service. The fee that is assessed may be on a per-use basis, may be based on a flat fee, etc. In some embodiments, a user/device may receive/participate in a service without an assessment of a direct charge. For example, aspects of the service may be subsidized via one or more advertisements, may be bundled with other products or services, etc.

Aspects of the disclosure may be implemented/leveraged as part of pre-existing/legacy infrastructure. In this regard, implementation of various aspects of this technology may occur with limited additional overhead/cost involved.

Aspects of the disclosure may be used to strike an appropriate balance between fast convergence with accuracy in terms of position determinations on the one hand and resource/network preservation on the other hand. Aspects of the disclosure may facilitate achieving the same degree of accuracy with a lower amount of signals/messages transmitted over a network relative to conventional technologies.

While some of the exemplary embodiments described above pertain to motor vehicle positioning and medical procedures, aspects of the disclosure may be applied in connection with any number of applications/environments. For example, aspects of the disclosure may be applied in connection with freight-tracking, space exploration, robotics, video gaming, etc. Still further, knowledge regarding a user or device location/position may be used to supplement other applications, such as for example post-crash/post-accident warnings/alerts, in-vehicle amber alerts, safety recall notices, hazardous location notifications, fleet management capabilities, etc.

In some embodiments, an output device (e.g., a display device, a speaker, etc.) may present a location (or corrected location) of a device/processing system. Such a location or corrected location may be used as a proxy/indication for a position/location of a vehicle. Still further, the output device may present additional indications of additional positions/locations, such as for example a destination associated with an operation of the vehicle. In some embodiments, directions for arriving at the destination may be included/provided.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular a virtualized communication network is presented that can be used to implement some or all of the subsystems and functions of communication network 100, the subsystems and functions of system 200a, method 200b, graphs 200c-200d, system 200e, and system 200f presented in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F. For example, virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in part transmitting a first plurality of signals via a unicast transport technology at a first rate of signaling, detecting that a determined first location of a communication device that receives the first plurality of signals is accurate within a threshold amount, responsive to the detecting, transmitting a second plurality of signals via a broadcast transport technology at a second rate of signaling, wherein the second rate of signaling is less than the first rate of signaling, and determining a second location of the communication device based on the second plurality of signals. Virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in part receiving a plurality of signals from a plurality of satellites, responsive to the receiving of the plurality of signals, computing a first location of a first processing system, receiving first error correction data from a second processing system via a unicast transport technology, responsive to the receiving of the first error correction data, applying the first error correction data to the first location to generate a first corrected location of the first processing system, and subsequent to the receiving of the first error correction data, receiving second error correction data from the second processing system via a broadcast transport technology. Virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in part computing a first location of a processing system, receiving first data via a unicast transport technology at a first rate, generating a first corrected location of the processing system in accordance with the first location and the first data, receiving second data via a broadcast transport technology at a second rate that is less than the first rate, and generating a second corrected location of the processing system in accordance with the second data.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leverages cloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via a transport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or one or more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, this cloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leverages application programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity from services and operations; supports more nimble business models; and rapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirements including traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity of performance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typically integrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communication network employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. that perform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrate of networking capability, often called Network Function Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of being directed with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocols to perform a broad variety of network functions and services. This infrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typical type of substrate being servers that support Network Function Virtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities based on generic computing resources, with specialized network technologies brought to bear when general-purpose processors or general-purpose integrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein as merchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communication services can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1), such as an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFV software modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. The software can be written so that increasing workload consumes incremental resources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it's elastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similar fashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edge caches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool. Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planning and growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wired and/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces to provide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distribution of content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, in some cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place, and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times, the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannot be abstracted or virtualized and might require special DSP code and analog front ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementation as VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included in transport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transport layer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specific NFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325 leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to support networking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334 can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-one mapping of traditional network element function or alternately some combination of network functions designed for cloud computing. For example, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain name system (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility management entity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers for IP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers and other network elements. Because these elements don't typically need to forward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributed across a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of the capability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higher availability than its former monolithic version. These virtual network elements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using an orchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualized network function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilities of the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expanded capabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. In particular, network workloads may have applications distributed across the virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computing environment 375 and in the commercial cloud or might simply orchestrate workloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these third-party locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a block diagram of a computing environment in accordance with various aspects described herein. In order to provide additional context for various embodiments of the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of the subject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computing environment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point 122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented via computer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers, and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 can facilitate in whole or in part transmitting a first plurality of signals via a unicast transport technology at a first rate of signaling, detecting that a determined first location of a communication device that receives the first plurality of signals is accurate within a threshold amount, responsive to the detecting, transmitting a second plurality of signals via a broadcast transport technology at a second rate of signaling, wherein the second rate of signaling is less than the first rate of signaling, and determining a second location of the communication device based on the second plurality of signals. Computing environment 400 can facilitate in whole or in part receiving a plurality of signals from a plurality of satellites, responsive to the receiving of the plurality of signals, computing a first location of a first processing system, receiving first error correction data from a second processing system via a unicast transport technology, responsive to the receiving of the first error correction data, applying the first error correction data to the first location to generate a first corrected location of the first processing system, and subsequent to the receiving of the first error correction data, receiving second error correction data from the second processing system via a broadcast transport technology. Computing environment 400 can facilitate in whole or in part computing a first location of a processing system, receiving first data via a unicast transport technology at a first rate, generating a first corrected location of the processing system in accordance with the first location and the first data, receiving second data via a broadcast transport technology at a second rate that is less than the first rate, and generating a second corrected location of the processing system in accordance with the second data.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the methods can be practiced with other computer system configurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors as well as other application specific circuits such as an application specific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine, programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals or data and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. It should be noted that while any functions and features described herein in association with the operation of a processor could likewise be performed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be also practiced in distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which can comprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media, which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows. Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media that can be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implemented in connection with any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured data or unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to store desired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or “non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquish rights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any information delivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media comprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4, the example environment can comprise a computer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, a system memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couples system components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406 to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as the processing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that can further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406 comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can be stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer 402, such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette 418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or, to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as the DVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can be connected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, a magnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428, respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external drive implementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies are within contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media provide nonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storage media accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format. Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refers to a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of storage media which are readable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the example operating environment, and further, that any such storage media can contain computer-executable instructions for performing the methods described herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412, comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs 432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions of the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and a pointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown) can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through an input device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408, but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected to the system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. It will also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444 can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display, a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving display information associated with computer 402 via any communication means, including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to the monitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remote computer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, a personal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typically comprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer 402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storage device 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprise wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which can connect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can be connected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communication network interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprise a modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN 454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal or external and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the system bus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are example and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers can be used.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wireless devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable data assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or location associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bed in a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with products that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can provide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform 510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156, and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitate in whole or in part transmitting a first plurality of signals via a unicast transport technology at a first rate of signaling, detecting that a determined first location of a communication device that receives the first plurality of signals is accurate within a threshold amount, responsive to the detecting, transmitting a second plurality of signals via a broadcast transport technology at a second rate of signaling, wherein the second rate of signaling is less than the first rate of signaling, and determining a second location of the communication device based on the second plurality of signals. Platform 510 can facilitate in whole or in part receiving a plurality of signals from a plurality of satellites, responsive to the receiving of the plurality of signals, computing a first location of a first processing system, receiving first error correction data from a second processing system via a unicast transport technology, responsive to the receiving of the first error correction data, applying the first error correction data to the first location to generate a first corrected location of the first processing system, and subsequent to the receiving of the first error correction data, receiving second error correction data from the second processing system via a broadcast transport technology. Platform 510 can facilitate in whole or in part computing a first location of a processing system, receiving first data via a unicast transport technology at a first rate, generating a first corrected location of the processing system in accordance with the first location and the first data, receiving second data via a broadcast transport technology at a second rate that is less than the first rate, and generating a second corrected location of the processing system in accordance with the second data.

In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 510 can generate and receive signals transmitted and received by base stations or access points such as base station or access point 122. Generally, mobile network platform 510 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, which facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobile network platform 510 can be included in telecommunications carrier networks and can be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 510 comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which can interface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephony network(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network 560; for instance, mobility data stored in a visited location register (VLR), which can reside in memory 530. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 512 can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specific operation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS gateway node(s) 518, and serving node(s) 516, is provided and dictated by radio technologies utilized by mobile network platform 510 for telecommunication over a radio access network 520 with other devices, such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic and signaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticate PS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions can comprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to the mobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550, enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can be embodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced with mobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to be noted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at least in part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Based on radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) or radio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packet data protocol contexts when a data session is established; other data structures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can be generated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 can comprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetized communication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises serving node(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) within technology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey the various packetized flows of data streams received through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that rely primarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s) can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s) 514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applications that can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows, and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Such application(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (for example, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided by mobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that are part of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gateway node(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a data session, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. In addition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utility server(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, an operations and maintenance server, a security server that can implement at least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as other security mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s) secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 to ensure network's operation and data integrity in addition to authorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512 and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s) can provision services from external network(s) like networks operated by a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or Global Positioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s) can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobile network platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same service provider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s) that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more network coverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processors configured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobile network platform 510. To that end, the one or more processors can execute code instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It should be appreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, which operates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related to operation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational information can comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served through mobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, or wireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also store information from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7 network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 can be, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as a remotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, FIG. 5, and the following discussion, are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in which the various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented. While the subject matter has been described above in the general context of computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on a computer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination with other program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as an illustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobile devices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devices for communication via either communications network 125. For example, computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part transmitting a first plurality of signals via a unicast transport technology at a first rate of signaling, detecting that a determined first location of a communication device that receives the first plurality of signals is accurate within a threshold amount, responsive to the detecting, transmitting a second plurality of signals via a broadcast transport technology at a second rate of signaling, wherein the second rate of signaling is less than the first rate of signaling, and determining a second location of the communication device based on the second plurality of signals. Computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part receiving a plurality of signals from a plurality of satellites, responsive to the receiving of the plurality of signals, computing a first location of a first processing system, receiving first error correction data from a second processing system via a unicast transport technology, responsive to the receiving of the first error correction data, applying the first error correction data to the first location to generate a first corrected location of the first processing system, and subsequent to the receiving of the first error correction data, receiving second error correction data from the second processing system via a broadcast transport technology. Computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part computing a first location of a processing system, receiving first data via a unicast transport technology at a first rate, generating a first corrected location of the processing system in accordance with the first location and the first data, receiving second data via a broadcast transport technology at a second rate that is less than the first rate, and generating a second corrected location of the processing system in accordance with the second data.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, a power supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, an orientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operations thereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, Wi-Fi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth® and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device 600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device 600 or an independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display 610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology for conveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In an embodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 with navigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a user interface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, the communication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interface having graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can be used to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the user interface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housing assembly of the communication device 600 or an independent device communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high-volume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audio system 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI 604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the communication device 600 to facilitate long-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can utilize external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618 can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. The orientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device 600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to also determine a proximity to a cellular, Wi-Fi_33, Bluetooth®, or other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the aforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communication device 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so on.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in the claims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only and doesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “a first determination,” “a second determination,” and “a third determination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determination is to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “data store,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any other information storage component relevant to operation and functionality of a component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components described herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile and nonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further, nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.