|
Newsletters
|
|
|
|
|
Wireless Developer Network - Daily News
Visit the WirelessDevNet Symbian DevZone
Today's News |
Yesterday's News |
Submit News |
News-"wireless" Top Stories! |
Around-The-Web
| Wireless DevZones!
SignalSoft Awarded Patent for Determining if the Location of a Wireless Communication Device is Within a Specified Area
URL(s): www.signalsoftcorp.com
BOULDER, Colo., April 19, 2001--
Quadtree data structure adds efficiency to a range of location-based services
SignalSoft Corporation (Nasdaq: SGSF), the developer of the Wireless Location Services(R) software suite, today announced it has been
awarded a location-based services patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent, No. 6,212,392 B1, describes various
methods for using a quadtree data structure to determine whether a wireless communication device is within a specified area, such as a service
zone of a location based services application. The quadtree effectively translates a subscriber's exact location into useful zones such as postal codes,
communities or emergency dispatch zones. This adds efficiency to a range of location-based services, including 911 emergency calls,
location-sensitive billing and localized content applications. The award of this patent further establishes SignalSoft as a leader in providing efficient
and reliable location-based services to wireless network operators worldwide.
"Since our inception in 1995, SignalSoft has placed a great emphasis on research and development initiatives," said David Hose, co-founder and
CEO of SignalSoft. "This patent speaks to the value that wireless network operators receive when deploying location-based services from
SignalSoft."
The quadtree representation of a geographical area facilitates the definition and re-definition of service zones on an application-by-application
basis, as well as the instantaneous comparison of a subscriber's location to the service zone definition. This assists in the provisioning of location
data, and the efficient use of memory and disk space in wireless networks. Using this method also provides wireless network operators the ability to
efficiently revise service zone boundaries and make other database revisions without disrupting the operation of service applications.
The quadtree method can be used for many types of location-based services, including SignalSoft's Wireless 911 (W911), Location Sensitive
Billing (LSB), and local.info(TM) products. SignalSoft's W911 product matches the cell phone location to the closest public safety answering point
(PSAP). The LSB product allows network operators to charge for calls based on a mobile subscriber's current location. SignalSoft's local.info
product provides information regarding a variety of local services and amenities based on the subscriber's location. In each case, the quadtree allows
for fast and efficient operation as well as improved ability to make database revisions on the fly.
SignalSoft Corp.'s (Nasdaq: SGSF) Wireless Location Services(R) software suite allows wireless network operators to provide location-based
services to their subscribers. Its software products transform raw location data into new revenue sources that help to differentiate wireless
operators and build subscriber loyalty. Some of the largest U.S. wireless operators, including AT&T Wireless, Cingular, and Sprint PCS, and
wireless operators in Europe, such as Libertel-Vodafone, Orange Switzerland and Sunrise, use SignalSoft's products. Founded in 1995, SignalSoft
has established partnerships with many position determination equipment providers and wireless network platform and infrastructure providers, and
with a broad range of application, content and service providers through its local.info(TM) Alliance program. SignalSoft is headquartered in Boulder,
Colo., USA, with offices in Canada, Singapore and the United Kingdom. For more information about SignalSoft and its products, please call
303-381-3000, email info@signalsoftcorp.com, or visit the company's Web site at www.signalsoftcorp.com.
|
|
|
|
