Other cell sites used as reference point to cull satellite ephemeris information for quick, accurate assisted locating satellite location determination

摘要

A geometric shape (e.g., an inverted cone) is computed above a given ‘reference point’ defined from locations of cell sites OTHER than the cell site currently servicing a given wireless device, to provide a best-guess as to a near-future location of a mobile wireless device. Locating satellites (e.g., GPS) are culled into a preferred group and communicated to mobile devices within a particular region (e.g., serviced by a particular base station). The culled locating satellites may select visible locating satellites, or more preferably those locating satellites currently within a cone of space above the relevant base station, for communication by a mobile device within the service area of a base station. Thus, cell sites other than the one in use by the relevant wireless device may be specifically used to determine a reference point for culling the ephemeris information used to expedite Assisted GPS location determinations.