Abstract:
The present disclosure relates generally to electronic systems, and more particularly, to systems, methods, and various other disclosures related to locating a structure in large spaces.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This patent application is a continuation in part of, and claims priority to: United States Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/456,311 titled: “A Unified Address Enhanced Locator System and Method” filed Jun. 15, 2009; United States Non-Provisional Continuation In Part patent application Ser. No. 12/462,992 titled: “Unified Address Enhanced Locator System And Method For Providing User Information” filed on Aug. 11, 2009; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/264,593 titled: “System and Method of Locating A Structure in Large Spaces” filed Nov. 25, 2009. The entire disclosures of the afore-mentioned patent applications are incorporated by reference as if fully stated herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to electronic systems, and more particularly, to systems, methods, and various other disclosures related to locating a structure in large spaces. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Shopping malls are ideally designed with anchor stores positioned at strategic locations to direct users to visit an area of the mall that they may not otherwise visit, but for the presence of the anchor store. The expectation is that users will make additional purchases in stores located en route to/from the anchor store. In this business model, a non-anchor store is therefore heavily dependent on the sales traffic to the proximal anchor store. However, in multi-storied mega malls, this business model fails as too often the non-anchor stores cannot be readily located as tired, frustrated users will choose to forego searching for a particular store or item. 
         [0004]    Shopping malls attempt to mitigate the issue by placing location maps at various locations throughout the malls. However, many users are directionally challenged and/or have difficulty transposing the visual location information from the location maps to their immediate surroundings. As such the users remain lost and/or unable to locate their destination. Thus there is a need for users to have a simple system and method of locating indoor structures that is easy to use where the location information is readily understood by the general public. 
         [0005]    The prior art teaches a navigation system for navigating in open spaces, where a user&#39;s location is determined based on a location determining device in direct contact with a satellite network system. However, once the location determining device loses its sky view, e.g. entering a tunnel or an enclosed structure, the signal is compromised and the navigational system becomes non-functional. Thus, there is a need for a navigational system that remains operable in enclosed spaces, or areas that lack a sky view that is independent of a satellite signal for determining location. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, the various embodiments and disclosures described herein satisfies these long felt needs and solves the limitations of the prior art in a new and novel manner. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The systems and methods described herein disclose a system and method comprising of: providing at least one communications means configured to receive at least one signal from a positioning system; providing at least one computer processor configured to determine geographical location of a mobile device by using the at least one computer processor to triangulate the mobile device&#39;s geographical location based on the at least one positioning system signal; and generating directions to/from a structure based on the geographical location of the mobile device. System and method further comprise of publishing the directions to the mobile device, wherein the directions may be published in any one or more of the following formats: audio, text or graphical. In this manner, once the structure is located the directions may be published in a map, audibly or by text with step by step instructions. 
         [0008]    Communications means includes a radio frequency transceiver, configured to communicate wirelessly over a wireless area network. Communications means is also configured to receive the at least one signal from a positioning system over a wireless area network. 
         [0009]    System and method also includes a mobile device which comprises of at least one positioning system receiver, wherein the positioning system receiver is a global positioning system receiver which includes but is not limited to: a positioning system receiver, such as a global positioning system receiver and a local positioning system receiver, such as a wi-fi positioning system receiver. 
         [0010]    The processing unit is operative to communicate using a short range wireless protocol, wherein the short range wireless protocol includes any one or more of the following: WiHLoN™, Bluetooth®, ZigBee, and 802.11 series. 
         [0011]    According to one embodiment, the systems and methods described herein disclose a system and method for locating a structure in large spaces using preloaded maps featuring detailed directions to any structure within an enclosed space that will allow a user to “search and find” any structure within a large enclosed space. In that embodiment, a requestor may input a starting location and a final destination; or perform a keyword search and the systems and methods described herein will locate the exact structure. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the systems and methods described herein includes maps customized to a specific venue or vicinity, either indoors or out, wherein the systems and methods are applicable to a wide variety of personal and business uses that range from simple to elaborate, involving complex maps, points of interest, and even suggestions of best routes and methods of reaching a destination. 
         [0013]    The systems and methods described herein may be used for indoor large spaces, e.g. indoor shopping malls, convention centers, hospitals, hotels, theatres, museums, airports and even parking garages, to name a few. The systems and methods could also be used in large outdoor areas such as theme parks, transportation systems, sports arenas, parking lots, communities and the service sector. Accordingly, the various embodiments and disclosures described herein solve the limitations of the prior art in a new and novel manner. 
         [0014]    Additional objectives of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
         [0015]    The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Further objectives and advantages of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1A &amp; 1B  are diagrams illustrative of exemplary embodiments of the system of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary embodiment of the mobile device of the system of the invention according to one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a flowchart of an exemplary method  300  in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B  shows an exemplary method block diagram depicting an alternate method in accordance with various embodiments. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram representing an apparatus according to various embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     System Level Overview 
       [0022]    The following discussion describes in detail an embodiment of the system and methods for related to locating a structure in large spaces. However, this discussion should not be construed, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, as practitioners skilled in the art will appreciate that a system may vary as to configuration and as to details of the parts, and that a method may vary as to the specific steps and sequence, without departing from the basic concepts as disclosed herein. Similarly, the elements described herein may be implemented separately, or in various combinations without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1A &amp; 1B  are diagrams illustrative of exemplary embodiments of the system  100  of the invention. System  100  comprises of at least one communications means  102  configured to receive at least one signal  104  from a positioning system  106 ; and at least one computer processor  108  configured to determine geographical location  110  of a mobile device  112  by using the at least one processor  108  to triangulate the mobile device&#39;s geographical location  110  based on the at least one positioning system&#39;s signal  104  and wherein the at least one computer processor  108  is configured for generating directions  114  to or from a structure  116  based on the geographical location  110  of the mobile device  112 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1B , communication means  102  include location determining means  118 . Communication means  102  may be either electrically or mechanically connected to the computer processor  108 . In the case of electronic connections, the electronic connections may be wired and/or wireless. In some embodiments, location determining means  118  may comprise of the communication means  102 , where the communication means  102  may be a wireless communication means  102 , which employ short range wireless protocol, such as, but not limited to, a radio frequency transceiver, a radio frequency receiver, and/or a radio frequency transmitter. In embodiments where the wireless communication means  102  is a radio frequency receiver, the radio frequency receiver may be any type of radio frequency receiver, including, but not limited to, a positioning system  106  receiver, such as a global positioning system receiver and a local positioning system receiver, such as a Wi-Fi positioning system receiver. In other embodiments, communication means  102  may employ wireless protocols like Blue Tooth, ZigBee, 802.11 series, or a wireless modem, such as, but not limited to, a global system for mobile communications (GSM) modem, or any other short range wireless protocol that is well known and used in the arts. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, at least one storage means  120  may be connected either electrically or mechanically to the at least one computer processor  108 . In the case of electronic connections, the connections may be wired and/or wireless connections. Storage means  120  may comprise of a storage device and may include memory, such as, but is not limited to, read-only memory, such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, floppy disks, and the like, read and write memory, such as a hard drive, floppy disc, CD-RW, DVD-RW, solid state memory, such as solid state hard drives, flash memory, and the like, and random access memory. Storage means  120  may be used to store information, such as user preferences, including, but not limited to, points of interests, indoor locations, preloaded maps for the indoor structure  116 , rated merchants, preferred merchants, and the like. The information may be retrieved from storage means  120  using the at least one processor  108 . As such, the invention may be used for indoor large spaces, e.g. indoor shopping malls, convention centers, hospitals, hotels, theatres, museums, airports and even parking garages, or large outdoor areas such as theme parks, transportation systems, sports arenas, parking lots, communities and the service sector. 
         [0026]    Computer&#39;s at least one processor  108 ′ may be any type of processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a front end processor, a coprocessor, a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, as well as any known processor  108 ′ that&#39;s used in the arts. The at least one processor  108  is may be configured to determine the geographical location  110  of the mobile device  112 , and determine the directions to or from the mobile device  112  to a desired location, e.g. an indoor structure  116  like a store. Such determinations may include triangulating the location of the mobile device  112  based on at least one positioning system signal  104  received by location determining means  118 . 
         [0027]    System  100  may also comprise of hardware and software components. Such software components include but are not limited to computer executable instructions  122  readable and executable by the computer&#39;s at least one processor  108 , and operative to perform the varied system  100  functions and methods disclosed herein. Computer executable instructions  122  may be loaded directly on the computer&#39;s processor  108 , or may be stored in computer&#39;s storage means  120 , such as, but not limited to, computer readable media, such as, but not limited to, a hard drive, a solid state drive, a flash memory, random access memory, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and the like. Computer executable instructions  122  may be any type of computer executable instructions  122 , which may be in the form of a computer program, the program being composed in any suitable programming language or source code, such as C++, C, JAVA, JavaScript, HTML, XML, and other programming languages. Computer executable instructions  122  executable by the at least one processor  108 ′ configured to perform any one or more of the following: determine geographical location  110  of a mobile device  112  based on the positioning system signal  104  by using the at least one processor  108  to triangulate the mobile device&#39;s geographical location  110  based on the at least one positioning system signal  104 ; generating directions to or from a structure  116  based on the geographical location  110  of the mobile device  112 ; and/or publishing the directions  114  to the mobile device  114 . 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, determining the geographical location  110  of the mobile device  112  includes determining the latitude and longitude coordinates of the current location of the mobile device  112 , using the device&#39;s location determining means  118  receiving a signal  112 , such as a location determination signal, from a positioning system  106 , such as a global positioning system (GPS), or local positioning system, such as a Wi-Fi positioning system, which may originate from a satellite, or a ground based antenna. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary embodiment of the mobile device  112  of the system  100  of the invention according to one embodiment. Mobile device  112  includes communication means  102 ′ equipped with location determining means  118 ′ either electrically or mechanically connected to its processor  108 ′. In the case of electronic connections, the electronic connections may be wired and/or wireless. In some embodiments, location determining means  118 ′ may comprise of communication means  102 ′, where the communication means  102 ′ may be a wireless communication means  102 ′ employing short range wireless protocol, such as, but not limited to, a radio frequency transceiver, a radio frequency receiver, and/or a radio frequency transmitter. In embodiments where the wireless communication means  102 ′ is a radio frequency receiver, the radio frequency receiver may be any type of radio frequency receiver, including, but not limited to, a positioning system  106  receiver, such as a global positioning system receiver and a local positioning system receiver, such as a Wi-Fi positioning system receiver. In other embodiments, the communication means  102 ′ may employ wireless protocols like Blue Tooth, ZigBee, 802.11 series, or a wireless modem, such as, but not limited to, a global system for mobile communications (GSM) modem, or any other short range wireless protocol that is well known and used in the arts. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, mobile device  112  may include at least one storage means  120 ′ either electrically or mechanically connected to mobile device&#39;s processor  108 ′. In the case of electronic connections, the electronic connections may be wired and/or wireless. Storage means  120 ′ may comprise of a storage device and may include memory, such as, but is not limited to, read-only memory, such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, floppy disks, and the like, read and write memory, such as a hard drive, floppy disc, CD-RW, DVD-RW, solid state memory, such as solid state hard drives, flash memory, and the like, and random access memory. Storage means  120 ′ may be used to store information, such as user preferences, including, but not limited to, at least one select point of interest targeted for an alert, categories of points of interests, preferred ratings for: gas stations, neighborhoods, merchant stores, maps, rated merchants, preferred merchants, and the like. The information may be retrieved from storage means  120 ′ using the mobile device&#39;s at least one processor  108 ′. 
         [0031]    Mobile device&#39;s processor  108 ′ may be any type of processor, such as, but not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a video processor, a front end processor, a coprocessor, a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, and the like. In some embodiments at least one processor  108 ′ is connected to the mobile device  112  where the mobile device&#39;s processor  108 ′ may be configured to determine the geographical position of the mobile device  112 , and determine the proximity of the mobile device  112  to at least one point of interest  110  from a category of points of interests  110 ,  110 ′. Such calculations may include triangulating the location of mobile device  112  based on at least one positioning system signal  104  received by its location determining means  118 ′. In another embodiment, mobile device&#39;s processor  108 ′ may be wirelessly connected to location determining means  118 ′ so that the location determination may be performed remotely. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, determining geographical position of the mobile device  112  includes determining the latitude and longitude coordinates of the current geographical position of the mobile device  112 , such as, the device&#39;s location determining means  118 ′ receiving a signal  112 , such as a location determination signal, from a positioning system  106 , such as a global positioning system (GPS), or local positioning system, such as a Wi-Fi positioning system, which may originate from a satellite, or a ground based antenna  118 . 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, positioned within the mobile device  112  is alarm means  124 . Such alarm means  124  may include, but is not limited to, a vibrating alarm, a sounding or audible alarm, or a visual alarm, e.g. a flashing light or icon, which alerts the user that his or her mobile device  112  and by extension the user has reached the intended destination, e.g. the structure  116 . In other embodiments, alarm means  124  may be included and/or incorporated in mobile device&#39;s processor  108 ′. Processor  108 ′ is configured to provide the at least one alert using the alarm means  124  when the geographical location  110  of the mobile device  112  is within a predefined radius from the at least one point of interest. The at least one alert  122  may be provided in any one or more of the following formats: audio, text or graphical on the device&#39;s display means  126 . 
         [0034]    Mobile device  112  includes display means  126  such as, but not limited to, an LCD screen, a monitor, an LED screen, and the like. In some embodiments, display means  126  is electronically connected to processor  108 . In other embodiments, display means  126  is wirelessly connected to mobile device&#39;s processor  108 ′. In yet further embodiments, display means  126  may include a control means, such as, but not limited to, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, a stylus, and the like. Display means  126  may display at the generated directions  114  in text and or graphical format, e.g. a map. 
         [0035]    Mobile device&#39;s processor  108 ′ include computer executable instructions  122 ′ readable and executable by the mobile device&#39;s at least one processor  108 ′, and operative to perform the varied system  100  functions and methods disclosed herein. Computer executable instructions  122 ′ may be loaded directly on the mobile device&#39;s processor  108 ′, or may be stored in its storage means  120 ′, such as, but not limited to, computer readable media, such as, but not limited to, a hard drive, a solid state drive, a flash memory, random access memory, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and the like. Computer executable instructions  122 ′ may be any type of computer executable instructions  122 , which may be in the form of a computer program, the program being composed in any suitable programming language or source code, such as C++, C, JAVA, JavaScript, HTML, XML, and other programming languages. Computer executable instructions  122 ′ executable by the at least one processor  108 ′ configured to perform any one or more of the following: control the communications with the computer processor  108  to determine geographical location  110  of a mobile device  112 ; generating directions to or from a structure  116  based on the geographical location  110  of the mobile device  112 ; and/or publishing the directions  114  in text, graphical or audio format. Mobile device&#39;s processor  108 ′ is also configured to generate and publish directions to at least one point of interest for a preselected alert on the display means  126  and/or to solicit instructions once the alert has been published, e.g. whether directions  114  are needed, format required for publishing the directions, messages, or other like instructions. In some embodiments, other information may be provided for the structure  116 , e.g. telephone number, names of manager, times of operation, brief history of the point of interest  110 , and the like. 
       Methods 
       [0036]      FIG. 3  shows a flowchart of an exemplary method  300  in accordance with one embodiment. Method  300  includes providing at least one communications means  102  configured to receive at least one signal  104  from a positioning system  106  (step  302 ). In some embodiments, the communication means  102  include location determining means  118  either electrically or mechanically connected to the computer processor  108  that controls the system  100  of the invention. In the case of electronic connections, the electronic connections may be wired and/or wireless. In some embodiments, location determining means  118  may comprise of communication means  102 , where the communication means  102  may be a wireless communication means  102 , which employ short range wireless protocol, such as, but not limited to, a radio frequency transceiver, a radio frequency receiver, and/or a radio frequency transmitter. In embodiments where the wireless communication means  102  is a radio frequency receiver, the radio frequency receiver may be any type of radio frequency receiver, including, but not limited to, a positioning system  106  receiver, such as a global positioning system receiver and a local positioning system receiver, such as a Wi-Fi positioning system receiver. In other embodiments, communication means  102  may employ wireless protocols like Blue Tooth, ZigBee, 802.11 series, or a wireless modem, such as, but not limited to, a global system for mobile communications (GSM) modem, or any other short range wireless protocol that is well known and used in the arts. 
         [0037]    Computer&#39;s at least one processor  108 ′ may be any type of processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a front end processor, a coprocessor, a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, as well as any known processor  108 ′ that&#39;s used in the arts. The at least one processor  108  is may be configured to determine the geographical location  110  of the mobile device  112 , and determine the directions to or from the mobile device  112  to a desired location, e.g. an indoor structure  116  like a store. Such determinations may include triangulating the location of the mobile device  112  based on at least one positioning system signal  104  received by location determining means  118 . 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, at least one storage means  120  may be connected either electrically or mechanically to the at least one processor  108 . In the case of electronic connections, the electronic connections may be wired and/or wireless connections. Storage means  120  may comprise of a storage device and may include memory, such as, but is not limited to, read-only memory, such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, floppy disks, and the like, read and write memory, such as a hard drive, floppy disc, CD-RW, DVD-RW, solid state memory, such as solid state hard drives, flash memory, and the like, and random access memory. Storage means  120  may be used to store information, such as user preferences, including, but not limited to, points of interests, indoor locations, maps for the indoor structure, rated merchants, preferred merchants, and the like. The information may be retrieved from storage means  120  using the at least one processor  108 . 
         [0039]    Computer&#39;s at least one processor  108 ′ may be any type of processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a front end processor, a coprocessor, a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, as well as any known processor  108 ′ that&#39;s used in the arts. 
         [0040]    Method  300  further comprises of providing the at least one processor  108  configured to determine geographical location  110  of a mobile device  112  to triangulate the mobile device&#39;s geographical location  110  based on the at least one positioning system  106  signal (step  304 ) and generating directions  114  to or from a structure  116  based on the geographical location  110  of the mobile device  112  (step  306 ). In some embodiments, at least one processor  108  is wirelessly connected to the mobile device  112  where the computer processor  108  is configured to determine the geographical location  110  of the mobile device  112 , and determine the directions to or from the mobile device  112  to a desired location, e.g. an indoor structure  116  like a store. Such determinations may include triangulating the location of the mobile device  112  based on at least one positioning system signal  104  received by location determining means  118 . The computer processor  108  controls its communication means  102  which communicates with the mobile device&#39;s communication means  102 ′ such that the any information required to perform the triangulation of the mobile device&#39;s geographical location  110  can be exchanged 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, the communications means  102 ,  102 ′ may be a wireless communications means, such as, but not limited to, a radio frequency transceiver, a radio frequency receiver, and/or a radio frequency transmitter. In embodiments where the wireless communications means  102 ,  102 ′ is a radio frequency receiver, the radio frequency receiver may be any type of radio frequency receiver, including, but not limited to, a positioning system receiver, such as a global positioning system receiver and a local positioning system receiver, such as a wi-fi positioning system receiver. In other embodiments, the communications means  102 ,  102 ′ may be a wireless modem, such as, but not limited to, a global system for mobile communications (GSM) modem. In some embodiments, the communications means  102 ,  102 ′ may receive a signal from a positioning system  106 , such as a global positioning system or local positioning system, which may originate from a satellite, or a ground based antenna (not shown). The communications means is configured to receive the at least one signal  104  from a positioning system  106  over a wireless area network. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B  show exemplary block diagrams depicting an alternate method in accordance with various embodiments. A user may use the system  100  and method  400  by accessing the system (step  402 ) over the Internet, from which the system  100  may display options  40  (step  404 ), from which the user may select how the system will be used. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 4B  options  40  may include but not limited to making selections by: categories  42 , keyword  44  searches, names  46 , and offers  48  from participating merchants. Categories  42  may include but is not limited to accessories, jewelry stores, electronic stores, etc. as well as any known categories  42  that are used in the arts. Keyword  44  searches may include but not limited particular keywords that may be inclusive of categories  42  as well as brand names, store names, etc. Some users will prefer to locate a particular store by name  46 , and as such will choose to find the intended destination structure  116  preferably by providing the name  46  as their preferred option  40 . 
         [0044]    The system  100  and method  400  also includes providing rebates, coupons, discounts, special offers to users from participating vendors such that users may experience the most favorable pricing as a participant of this system  100  and method  400 . In one embodiment, the system  100  may provide directions  114  for a first selected indoor structure  116  and based on the keyword  44 , category  42  or name  46  previously provided to the system  100  generate directions  114  for the second and third structure  116 ,  116 ′ that may be related to that option  40 . In this manner, if a user is unable to locate an item in one store, the user may use the second structure  116  to find an alternate store that may have the item for sale. 
         [0045]    Referring back to  FIG. 4A , once the user selects the option  40 , the system  100  receives the option  40  (step  406 ) and if it pertains to categories  42 , keyword  44 , or name  46  selection system will proceed directly to step  316 . However, if the user selected the option  40  to display offers  48 ,  48 ′ (step  408 ), then the offer will be displayed (step  410 ). User will have the option to request a new structure  116  for which he/she will need directions  114 , in which case the system  100  will display command for locating new structure (step  412 ). If the user does not want any additional location information (step  314 ) then user can effectively opt out of the system  1000 . However, if user requested directions  114  (step  414 ) the system  1000  searches its storage means  120  (step  316 ) and generates directions  114  (step  420 ) and publishes the information to the mobile device  112  where it may be displayed in graphics or text and or broadcasted in audio. (step  422 ). 
         [0046]    While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments and applications, the inventor does not intend to restrict the description to the examples shown. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the above system  100  and methods  12 ,  12 ′ may be modified or changed without departing from the general scope of the present description, the intention of the inventor being to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods  12 ,  12 ′ differing from the type described above. 
         [0047]    In yet another embodiment, apparatus  100  further comprises computer executable instructions readable by the processor and operative to determine the location of apparatus  100  by calculating the location of apparatus  100 , such as by triangulating the location of apparatus  100  based on at least one positioning system signal received by the communications means described above. The computer executable instructions may be any type of computer executable instructions, which may be in the form of a computer program, the program being composed in any suitable programming language or source code, such as C++, C, JAVA, JavaScript, HTML, XML, and other programming languages. 
       Hardware and Operating Environment 
       [0048]    This section provides an overview of example hardware and the operating environments in conjunction with which embodiments of the inventive subject matter can be implemented. 
         [0049]    A software program may be launched from a computer readable medium in a computer-based system  100  to execute the functions defined in the software program. Various programming languages may be employed to create software programs designed to implement and perform the methods  200 ,  300 , disclosed herein. The programs may be structured in an object-orientated format using an object-oriented language such as Java or C++. Alternatively the programs may be structured in a procedure-oriented format using a procedural language, such as assembly or C. The software components may communicate using a number of mechanisms, such as application program interfaces, or inter-process communication techniques, including remote procedure calls. The teachings of various embodiments are not limited to any particular programming language or environment. Thus, other embodiments may be realized, as discussed regarding  FIG. 4  below. 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram representing an apparatus  100  according to various embodiments. Such embodiments may comprise a computer, a memory system, a magnetic or optical disk, some other storage device, or any type of electronic device or system. The apparatus  500  may include one or more processor(s)  502  coupled to a machine-accessible medium such as a memory  504  (e.g., a memory including electrical, optical, or electromagnetic elements). The medium may contain associated information  506  (e.g., computer program instructions, data, or both) which, when accessed, results in a machine (e.g., the processor(s)  502 ) performing the activities previously described herein. 
         [0051]    The principles of the present disclosure may be applied to all types of computers, systems, and the like, include desktop computers, servers, notebook computers, personal digital assistants, microcomputers, and the like. However, the present disclosure may not be limited to the personal computer. 
         [0052]    While the principles of the disclosure have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.