(12) United States Patent
`Trethewey et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,213,057 B2
`May 1, 2007
`
`US007213057B2
`
`(54) METHOD FOR CONFIGURATION OF
`NOTEBOOK COMPUTER BASED ON
`LOCATION
`
`(75) Inventors: James R. Trethewey, Hillsboro, OR
`(US); Manoj Agnihotri, Lake Oswego,
`OR (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, CA
`(US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 405 days.
`
`21) Appl. No.: 10/816,392
`(21) Appl. No
`9
`(22) Filed:
`Mar. 31, 2004
`65
`Prior Publication D
`rior Publication Data
`US 2005/0221844 A1
`Oct. 6, 2005
`• Ys
`(51) Int. Cl
`Goof i 5/16
`(52) U.S. Cl
`
`Oa -
`
`- - -
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`s
`
`• us 455/43 s
`
`2001/0053999 A1 12/2001 Feinberg
`2002fO155844 A1* 10, 2002 Rankin et al. .............. 455,456
`2003/0022673 A1
`1/2003 Bantz et al. ................ 455,456
`2003/0060211 A1
`3/2003 Chern et al.
`2004.0102197 A1
`5, 2004 Dietz
`2004/0110530 A1* 6/2004 Alone et al. ............. 455,552.1
`2004/0203768 A1* 10, 2004 Yitalo et al. ............ 455,435.1
`2004/0203900 A1 10, 2004 Cedervall et al.
`2005/0060575 A1
`3/2005 Trethewey et al.
`2005/O131715 A1
`6/2005 Trethewey et al.
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Jeffrey Pwu
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Joni D. Stutman-Horn
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method for configuring a mobile computer based on
`location. Th
`hod including d
`ining a change i
`OCat1On. The method 1ncluding determin1ng a Change 1n
`location of the mobile computer, scoring a current location
`signature for the mobile computer against previously stored
`location profiles having location signatures to obtain a
`highest scoring location profile, and determining whether
`the highest scoring location profile exceeds a threshold. If
`then the computer settings for the highest scoring location
`profile are activated on the mobile computer. If the highest
`scoring location profile does not exceed the threshold, a new
`location profile is generated and stored for the current
`location signature. The new location profile is then activated
`on the mobile computer.
`
`the highest scoring location profile exceeds the threshold,
`
`27 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`(2006.01)
`709/218. 455/4.56.1:455/552.1:
`n.
`(58) Field of Classign Sarth 435.1. 357.6
`S
`lication fil fo s
`l
`• us h hi
`• W is
`ee application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,845,400 B2
`1/2005 Macpherson et al.
`
`(56)
`
`-- 102
`Start
`)
`
`Determine location
`signature
`
`Ly
`
`Specify location-specific 106
`computer settings for
`location signature
`
`Save signature and
`settings in location-----
`profile
`
`
`
`
`
`Notebook
`computer change
`location
`
`114
`
`retrieve location profiles from
`
`- - - -
`
`- - -
`
`determine whether a location signature
`from a retrieved location profile
`matches the current location signature
`
`11o
`
`
`
`
`
`122
`Generate a new location
`profile for the current
`location signature
`
`124
`Store location signature
`and new location profile
`in database
`
`-mm----
`- -120
`Apply computer
`settings and send
`location alert
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 1 of 13
`
`SAMSUNG EX-1017
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2007
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 7,213,057 B2
`
`
`
`102
`
`1OO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`m- 104
`Determine location
`signature
`
`Specify location-specific 106
`computer settings for
`location signature
`
`108
`Save signature and
`Settings in location ----
`profile
`
`
`
`From FIG. 1B
`B
`
`:
`C D
`110
`
`Data
`
`s
`
`Notebook
`Computer change
`location
`2
`
`114
`
`Retrieve location profiles from
`database
`
`
`
`
`
`Determine whether a location signature
`from a retrieved location profile
`matches the Current location signature
`
`From FG 1B
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`118
`
`-120
`Apply Computer
`settings and send
`location alert
`message to user
`
`To FG 1B
`
`
`
`F.G. 1A
`
`Page 2 of 13
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2007
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 7,213,057 B2
`
`From FG 1A
`
`Generate a new location
`profile for the current
`location signature
`
`
`
`-mm
`
`r r-me
`
`4 kiln
`
`Store location signature
`and new location profile
`in database
`
`m
`
`TO FIG 1A
`
`F.G. 13
`
`Page 3 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2007
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 7,213,057 B2
`
`S. Intel Location profiler O. O1
`Location Profile
`Can automatically activate syster settings you choose based upon
`the observed Wireless LAN access points in vous area.
`
`Radio Signature of nearby access points
`G
`Profiles Name
`Home
`
`2
`
`Settings for this location
`Status: Active
`2- - ity activate settings for matched
`ocation profiles.
`216?
`Copyright & 2003 fried Corporation.
`
`F.G. 2
`
`
`
`s: Radio Signature Profile
`g
`Radio Signature Profile
`Collect the radio signature of nearby access points (AFs) to define a
`ge location profile.
`
`Select network adaptor to use for scarring access points
`NETGEAR WAB501 802.11a/bwireless Adapter. Packet scheduler Mini
`MAC
`-S-S-2 F-5E-3
`GUD: 952GB3F8-A37-442A-ADA-E474724.942
`Nearby Access Points
`
`at-e-2Sai Sese T-S
`3.SS
`
`Add APS
`
`&
`
`Erase List
`
`look for new location matches ewery 60 Y seconds.
`N 312
`
`F.G. 3
`
`Page 4 of 13
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2007
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 7,213,057 B2
`
`
`
`S. Location specific settings
`location Specific Settings
`Configure the system settings that you want to take effect when
`2- this location profile is activated.
`
`Inernet Protocol (TCPAP) Settings
`PAddress: Automatic using DHCP)
`40 DNS Serves: Autonatic using
`CP
`Internet Proxy Settings
`
`Proby: None
`
`WPN Client Autolaunch
`
`Corf
`XX
`lontigure >>
`
`Configure
`
`-
`
`VPN Client intet Netstructure VPN cier
`Browser Settings
`r You can change which page to use for your horne page.
`1 address. http://www.intel.com/
`- Tra
`- You can shafe your location with web sites you Yisit resulting
`?'
`in web content more relevant to your location.
`-- 420 Warning do not check this box if you want to keep
`your location private
`Default Frinter
`You can pick which printer to use when at this location.
`HF Lasee EP
`
`--
`
`412
`
`414
`
`416
`
`418
`
`422
`
`424
`
`FIG 4
`
`Page 5 of 13
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2007
`
`Sheet S of 6
`
`US 7,213,057 B2
`
`Score current location signature
`against saved location signatures in
`location profile database
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`Does highest scoring
`profile exceed threshold?
`
`Location profile match found as
`highest scoring location profile
`
`
`
`
`
`No location profile match found
`
`F.G. 5
`
`Page 6 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2007
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 7,213,057 B2
`
`SOO
`
`(
`
`Start
`
`6O2
`)
`
`-604
`Assign an initial score of
`100 to a previously seen
`access point
`
`606
`
`Subtract one point per 1
`dB difference in signal
`strength
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F.G. 6
`
`Page 7 of 13
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`

`

`US 7,213,057 B2
`
`1.
`METHOD FOR CONFIGURATION OF
`NOTEBOOK COMPUTER BASED ON
`LOCATION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is generally related to the field of
`location based computing. More particularly, the present
`invention is related to a method for configuring a notebook
`computer based on location.
`
`10
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`2
`FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary radio
`signature dialog window according to an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary location
`specific settings dialog window according to an embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram describing an exemplary method
`for location matching according to an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram describing an exemplary method
`for scoring location signatures found in location profiles
`according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`While the present invention is described herein with
`reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applica
`tions, it should be understood that the invention is not
`limited thereto. Those skilled in the relevant art(s) with
`access to the teachings provided herein will recognize
`additional modifications, applications, and embodiments
`within the scope thereof and additional fields in which
`embodiments of the present invention would be of signifi
`cant utility.
`Reference in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an
`embodiment' or “another embodiment of the present
`invention means that a particular feature, structure or char
`acteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
`included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.
`Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or
`“in an embodiment' appearing in various places throughout
`the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
`embodiment.
`Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a
`method for configuring a notebook computer based on
`location. This is accomplished by defining multiple profiles,
`wherein each profile is associated with a location signature.
`When a notebook computer, having multiple location sig
`natures and profiles stored in a database, roams between
`different locations, the notebook computer automatically
`identifies the correct location signature, selects the associ
`ated profile, and configures itself properly. Although
`embodiments of the present invention are described with
`respect to notebook computers, other mobile computing
`devices may also be used.
`FIG. 1 is a flow diagram 100 describing an exemplary
`method for configuring a notebook (or laptop) computer
`based on location according to an embodiment of the present
`invention. The invention is not limited to the embodiment
`described herein with respect to flow diagram 100. Rather,
`it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s)
`after reading the teachings provided herein that other func
`tional flow diagrams are within the scope of the invention.
`The process begins with block 102, where the process
`immediately proceeds to block 104.
`In block 104, a location signature is determined. In
`embodiments where a notebook computer (e.g., laptop) has
`the ability to determine its own location using radiobased
`location determination technologies, such as, for example, a
`WLAN (Wireless Local-Area-Network), a wireless LAN
`interface scans for radio waves of nearby access points
`(APS). In this instance, the location signature may be defined
`as a set of WLAN APs audible around a specific location.
`The specific location may be a site, a building, a floor of a
`building, a room of a building, an area within a room of a
`building, etc. The captured characteristics of each detectable
`access point (AP) are grouped together as a location signa
`
`Marketing research has shown that employees, character
`ized as being office or road warriors, are business people
`who move around a lot due to the daily responsibilities of
`their jobs. Such business people may move from conference
`room to conference room attending meetings. In other
`instances, their job responsibilities may require frequent
`travel. They may also telecommute one or more days per
`week.
`Difficulties arise when the office or road warrior moves
`from one location to another and tries to log on to their
`corporate network, a network offered by the hotel in which
`they are staying, a wireless LAN (local area network), or
`some other network via their notebook computer. Often
`times the settings they need to allow Such a connection are
`different than the settings that were initially installed in a
`profile on their notebook computer. For example, proxy
`settings to connect to the Internet may be different at home
`than they are in the office. Printer IP (Internet Protocol)
`addresses used to access a particular printer are different for
`each printer. Therefore, a printer located in or nearby a
`conference room has a different IP address than a printer
`located near the persons office or at the person's home. In
`Such instances, office warriors must reconfigure their note
`book computer profile settings by hand when they change
`their location in order to enable the notebook computer to
`connect to the network, utilize current peripherals, etc. in the
`new location.
`Thus, what is needed are location-based profiles in which
`multiple profiles are defined, wherein each profile is asso
`ciated with a location signature. What is also needed is a
`method for enabling a notebook computer, having the ability
`to determine its own location, to automatically identify the
`correct location signature, select the associated profile, and
`configure itself properly.
`
`15
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`25
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`30
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`40
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`45
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated
`herein and form part of the specification, illustrate embodi
`ments of the present invention and, together with the
`description, further serve to explain the principles of the
`invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent
`art(s) to make and use the invention. In the drawings, like
`reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally
`similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in
`which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost
`digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.
`FIG. 1 is a flow diagram describing an exemplary method
`for configuring a notebook (or laptop) computer based on
`location according to an embodiment of the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary main dialog
`window for a location profile according to an embodiment of
`the present invention.
`
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`3
`ture. The captured characteristics may include, but are not
`limited to, the identification (ID) of the access point and the
`signal strength of the access point for a particular location.
`In block 106, location specific computer settings for the
`location signature are determined. In one embodiment, dia
`log boxes are used as pop-up graphical user interfaces to
`enable a user to enter specific computer settings for the
`location signature.
`An exemplary main dialog window for a location profiler
`is shown in FIG. 2. Location profiler 200 is used to enable
`automatic activation of system settings based upon observed
`WLAN access points for a specific location.
`Location profiler 200 comprises a radio signature section
`202 and a settings section 204. Radio signature section 202
`comprises a Profile Name select box 206, an “Add New
`button 208, and a Configure button 210. Profile Name select
`box. 206 allows a user to manually select a previously
`defined location profile. If no profiles have been defined, a
`default location profile is provided. Add New button 208
`may be used to assign a name to a new location profile.
`Configure button 210 may be used to bring up a radio
`signature dialog window 300 to enable radio signatures to be
`captured by the user. Radio signature dialog window 300 is
`described below with reference to FIG. 3.
`Settings section 204 comprises a Configure button 212, an
`Activate button 214, an Automatic activate check box 216,
`and a Close button 218. Configure button 212 may be used
`to define all of the settings that apply to a location profile.
`Activate button 214 allows manual activation of the settings
`for a location profile. Activate check box 216 allows for the
`immediate application of the selected settings for a location
`profile when the profile has been selected. This may occur
`manually when the user chooses a profile from profile name
`select box 206 or when a profile is automatically chosen
`based on the location of the user. Close button 218 termi
`nates the program. When a user wants to continuously scan,
`the user may minimize location profiler window 200.
`Radio signature dialog window 300 is shown in FIG. 3.
`Radio signature dialog window 300 comprises the radio
`signatures of nearby access points used to define a location
`profile. Radio signature dialog window 300 includes a Select
`network adaptor select box 302, a Nearby Access Points list
`304, an Add APs button 306, an Erase List button 308, a
`Look for new location matches check-box 310, and a Close
`button 314.
`Select network adaptor select box 302 allows the user to
`choose from available NICs (Network Interface Cards)
`present on the system. As each NIC (Network Interface
`Card) is selected, identifying characteristics about the NIC
`are displayed (as shown below Select network adaptor select
`50
`box 302). Radio signatures are collected using a WLAN
`network interface card (NIC). In a computer where more
`than one WLAN NIC is installed, the user may select which
`NIC is going to be used for Scanning.
`Add APS button 306 causes the WLAN NIC to Scan the
`surrounding area for the presence of APs. Any APs that are
`found will be shown in Nearby Access Points list 304. When
`a user clicks button 306 more than once, additional readings
`will be taken and added to list 304. This feature may be
`useful when a user is defining a single location profile for a
`long building, where a different collection of APs may be
`audible at the opposite end of the long building. Erase List
`button 308 clears Nearby Access Points list 304.
`Look for new location matches check-box 310 allows for
`periodic scans of APS using a chosen interval of seconds
`(shown in selection box 312). If Look for new location
`matches check-box 310 is checked, automatic scanning will
`
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`US 7,213,057 B2
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`4
`occur. With each scan, the application will compare and
`score each stored location profile and select a best match.
`Location matching is described below with reference to
`FIGS. 5 and 6. To disable automatic scanning and best
`match profile selection, check-box 310 must be disabled
`(i.e., unchecked). Close button 314 allows one to close radio
`signature dialog window 300.
`A settings dialog window 400 is shown in FIG. 4. Settings
`dialog window 400 comprises the system settings to con
`figure when a location profile is activated. Settings dialog
`window 400 includes, but is not limited to, IP (Internet
`Protocol) Settings 402, Internet Proxy Settings 404, VPN
`(Virtual Private Network) Client Autolaunch 406, Browser
`Settings 408, and Default Printer 410. Although embodi
`ments of the present invention are described with the above
`settings, other settings may also be used. Such settings
`include, but are not limited to, time and time Zone, login
`authentication credentials, etc.
`IP Settings 402 comprises details of the currently defined
`IP address and DNS (Domain Name Service) server address
`(es). IP Settings 402 includes a Configure button 412.
`Configure button 412 opens an IP Settings dialog so that a
`user can enter parameters manually. The parameters include
`IP address, IP subnet mask, gateway, preferred DNS server,
`and alternate DNS server. Although manual settings may be
`entered, the user may choose to apply automatic address
`assignment via DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Proto
`col). DHCP is well known to those skilled in the relevant
`art(s).
`Internet Proxy Settings 404 comprises details of the
`currently defined proxy. Internet Proxy Settings 404 also
`includes a Configure button 414 for opening a Proxy Set
`tings dialog to enable a user to enter parameters manually.
`Such parameters may include an address to enable use of an
`automatic configuration script, address and port for use of a
`proxy server for the user's LAN, a check-box for bypassing
`the proxy server for local addresses, advanced settings for
`defining different proxy servers for different protocols, and
`exceptions for domains that do not require proxy.
`VPN Client Autolaunch 406 comprises a select box 416 to
`enable a user to select one of the VPN clients to launch. The
`select box may contain VPN clients that are detected on the
`system.
`Browser Settings 408 comprise a home page text box 418
`and a share your location check-box 420. Home page text
`box 418 allows a user to enter the browser home page the
`user would like to be activated when a particular location
`profile is activated. For example, while at work the user may
`want the organizations intranet home page to be displayed,
`and while at home the user may prefer a different home page,
`such as, for example, http://www.google-com (It should be
`noted that periods have been replaced with equal signs in
`URLs within this document to avoid inadvertent hyper
`links.). Share your location check-box 420 allows a user to
`share its location with web sites the user visits to enable web
`content to be tailored or more relevant to the user's location.
`When check-box 420 is checked, the name of the currently
`selected location profile and the Universal Location Frame
`work (ULF) determined location fix (latitude, longitude, and
`altitude) are reported in the HTTP header of requests sent to
`web sites. Web server applications may extract this infor
`mation to tailor their display to provide information that is
`more relevant to the user's location. If the user desires not
`to provide their location and keep it private, check-box 420
`is left unchecked.
`Default printer 410 comprises a select box 422 to enable
`the user to select one of the system printers to set as the
`
`Page 9 of 13
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`

`US 7,213,057 B2
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`10
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`15
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`5
`default printer when a particular location profile is activated.
`In one embodiment, the printers listed are those already
`installed on the system. Thus, the user must pre-install any
`printers of interest at locations visited, including any nec
`essary device drivers. In another embodiment, UPnP (uni
`versal plug and play) protocols or other techniques may be
`used to automatically discover and configure printers at new
`locations.
`Also included in Settings dialog window 400 is a close
`button 424. Close button 424 may be used to close Settings
`dialog window 400.
`Returning back to FIG. 1, block 106, the user may enter
`new profile data into the dialog boxes described above.
`When no profile exists for a location in the system, the
`pop-up dialogs may automatically be displayed to the user to
`enable the user to input profile data for the new location.
`In one embodiment, an Information Technology (IT)
`Department may set up profiles to be used in various
`locations, on or off the campus grounds of the employer, and
`make the profiles available on a server. When a user logs
`onto the server, the server may indicate that new profiles are
`available. In one embodiment, the user may select which
`profiles the user desires to have on the notebook computer
`and request that the selected profiles be downloaded. In
`another embodiment, the server may automatically down
`25
`load the new profiles to the user's notebook computer. The
`user may then roam the campus of the employer without
`having to develop or modify new profiles while roaming the
`campus.
`As previously indicated, the user may have the network,
`via DHCP configure the profile prior to the dialog boxes
`appearing. In this instance, the user may decide to keep the
`profile as populated by DHCP or the user may change some
`of the parameters to fit the user's needs.
`In block 108, the location signature and profile settings
`are stored as a location profile in a database. Such as database
`110. In one embodiment, the location profiles may be stored
`in an encoded format called XML. In one embodiment,
`when a user saves a location profile, the location profile may
`be automatically translated into XML and stored on the hard
`40
`disk.
`In decision block 112, it is determined whether the
`notebook computer has changed locations. If the notebook
`computer has not changed locations, the process remains at
`decision block 112. If the notebook computer has changed
`locations, the process proceeds to block 114.
`In block 114, all location profiles are retrieved from
`database 110. In block 116, each location signature from
`each location profile is compared with the current location
`signature of the notebook computer to determine whether
`there is a match between a location signature stored in a
`location profile and the current location signature. In one
`embodiment, a location matching algorithm may be used to
`determine whether the current location matches the location
`signature stored in the location profile. The location match
`ing algorithm is described below with reference to FIGS. 5
`and 6. The process then proceeds to decision block 118.
`In decision block 118, it is determined whether a match to
`the current location signature has been found. If it is
`determined that a match has been found, the process pro
`ceeds to block 120.
`In block 120, the location profile settings from the match
`ing location profile are applied to the notebook computer
`and a location alert message is sent to the user. In one
`embodiment, the location alert message may be in the form
`of a pop-up dialog box to indicate to the user that the current
`location is within Sufficient proximity to a previously saved
`
`50
`
`6
`location profile. In another embodiment, the location alert
`message may be sent to the user via email, a network packet,
`or some other means for informing the user that a previously
`saved location profile has been applied.
`Returning to decision block 118, if it is determined that a
`match has not been found, then the process proceeds to
`block 122 in FIG. 1B. In block 122, a new location profile
`is generated in a similar manner as described with reference
`to block 106 in FIG. 1A. In one embodiment, a default
`location profile may be activated for the current location
`signature. DHCP may be used to define the default location
`profile. In one embodiment, profile pop-up windows dis
`playing the default values for the default location profile
`may be launched to enable the user to modify the default
`location profile to fit the user's needs. The process then
`proceeds to block 124.
`In block 124, the location signature and new location
`profile are saved in database 110. The process then proceeds
`to block 120 in FIG. 1A, where the settings are applied to the
`notebook computer and the user is sent an alert message to
`inform the user that the current location is within sufficient
`proximity to the new location profile that was just defined.
`FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow diagram 500 describing an
`exemplary method for location matching according to an
`embodiment of the present invention. The invention is not
`limited to the embodiment described herein with respect to
`flow diagram 500. Rather, it will be apparent to persons
`skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the teachings
`provided herein that other functional flow diagrams are
`within the scope of the invention. The process begins with
`block 502, where the process immediately proceeds to block
`SO4.
`In block 504, the current location signature is scored
`against saved location signatures in the location profile
`database. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram 600 describing an
`exemplary method for scoring location signatures according
`to an embodiment of the present invention. The invention is
`not limited to the embodiment described herein with respect
`to flow diagram 600. Rather, it will be apparent to persons
`skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the teachings
`provided herein that other functional flow diagrams are
`within the scope of the invention. The process begins with
`block 602, where the process immediately proceeds to block
`604.
`In block 604, an initial score of 100 is assigned for each
`access point (AP) that was seen previously. The absolute
`value of one (1) point per 1 dB difference in signal strength
`for the AP is subtracted from the initial score to obtain a final
`score for the stored location profile. For example, if a
`location profile was previously stored with only one AP
`having a measured signal strength of -32 db, and at a later
`time the same AP was seen, but with a lower signal strength
`of -54 dB, then the final score would now be 78 (i.e.,
`(100-abs(-54-32))).
`Returning to FIG. 5, in an embodiment of the invention,
`a hysteresis threshold may be incorporated to provide a level
`of confidence in the selected match prior to Switching
`location profiles. In one embodiment, the hysteresis thresh
`old may be determined by the user. In another embodiment,
`a default value for the hysteresis threshold may be used.
`In decision block 506, it is determined whether the highest
`scoring profile exceeds the threshold. If the highest scoring
`profile exceeds the threshold, then the process proceeds to
`block 508.
`In block 508, the highest scoring location profile is
`designated as a match.
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`Returning to decision block 506, if it is determined that
`the highest scoring profile does not exceed the threshold,
`then a match has not been found. In this instance, none of the
`currently scanned APs are a match with any previous
`location profile.
`While embodiments of the present invention have been
`described using the presence of access points and the signal
`strengths of the access points, other methods to determine
`the location signature and scoring may be used without
`departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
`For example, in one embodiment, the location of an access
`point, such as longitude, latitude, and altitude, may be stored
`inside an access point memory. When the notebook com
`puter performs scans for access points, the access point may
`provide its location (i.e., longitude, latitude, and altitude). A
`15
`triangulation may then be performed to determine the loca
`tion of the notebook computer. Using the signal strength of
`the access point(s), an associated matching location profile
`may be found. In other embodiments, other sensor tech
`niques may be utilized. For example, a GPS receiver
`installed in a notebook computer may be used to determine
`the location of the notebook computer using satellites. The
`satellites provide a location for the notebook computer in the
`form of a tuple (i.e., longitude, latitude, and altitude) which
`may be used to find a location profile in the database that has
`the closest longitude, latitude, and altitude. In another
`embodiment, cellular modems found in notebook computers
`may be used to communicate with cell phone towers. The
`cell phone towers may send information to the network
`interface card in the notebook computer. Such information
`may be used to triangulate the position of the notebook
`computer. Once the position of the notebook computer has
`been determined, the location profile stored on the notebook
`computer closest to the notebook computer's location may
`be found. In yet another embodiment, radio frequency (RF)
`identification (RFID) tags may be used that send out a serial
`number. The RFID tags may be placed on stationary items,
`Such as walls, doors, servers, printers, and other stationary
`equipment to enable each item in an enterprise to broadcast
`a serial number. The serial numbers of the RFID tags may be
`read by an RFID reader installed in the notebook computer.
`A list of the stationary items along with the corresponding
`serial number and location of the item may be stored in a
`database on a corporate LAN to provide the notebook with
`its location. The location of the notebook may then be
`compared with the locations of the stored profiles to deter
`mine the closest profile match.
`Certain aspects of embodiments of the present invention
`may be implemented using hardware, software, or a com
`bination thereof and may be implemented in one or more
`50
`computer systems or other processing systems. In fact, in
`one embodiment, the methods may be implemented in
`programs executing on programmable machines such as
`mobile or stationary computers, personal digital assistants
`(PDAs), set top boxes, cellular telephones and pagers, and
`other electronic devices that each include a processor, a
`storage medium readable by the processor (including vola
`tile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at
`least one input device, and one or more output devices.
`Program code is applied to the data entered using the input
`device to perform the functions described and to generate
`output information. The output information may be applied
`to one or more output devices One of ordinary skill in the art
`may appreciate that embodiments of the invention may be
`practiced with various computer system configurations,
`including multiprocessor Systems, minicomputers, main
`frame computers, and the like. Embodiments of the present
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`invention may also be practiced in distributed computing
`environments where tasks may be performed by remote
`pr