A system for wirelessly locating mobile station/units (MS) and using
resulting location determinations for providing a product or service is
disclosed. The system is useful for routing an MS user to a plurality of
desired locations, alerting an MS user to a nearby desired product or
service based on satisfaction of user criteria, and providing enhanced
security and 911 response. In one embodiment, the system responds to MS
location requests via, e.g., Internet communication between a distributed
network of location processing sites. A plurality of locating
technologies including those based on: (1) TDOA; (2) pattern recognition;
(3) timing advance; (5) GPS and network assisted GPS, (6) angle of
arrival, (7) super resolution enhancements, and (8) supplemental
information from low cost base stations can be activated, in various
combinations, by system embodiments. MS location difficulties resulting
from poor location accuracy/reliability and/or poor coverage are
alleviated via such technologies in combination with automatically
adapting and calibrating system performance according to environmental
and geographical changes so that the system becomes progressively more
comprehensive and accurate. Further, the system can be modularly
configured for use in location signaling environments ranging from urban,
dense urban, suburban, rural, mountain to low traffic or isolated
roadways. Accordingly, the system is useful for 911 emergency calls,
tracking, routing, people and animal location including applications for
confinement to and exclusion from certain areas.