Ad-hoc Network Location Sharing for Emergency Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices often lack the capability to provide accurate location information, especially in emergency situations, as not all devices are equipped with GPS receivers, and existing methods like triangulation from cell towers may not be sufficiently accurate or reliable.
Innovation Solution
The technology enables mobile devices to form an ad-hoc network using short-range radiofrequency transceivers to share and exchange location information, allowing devices without GPS to obtain location data from neighboring devices equipped with GPS or other position-determining subsystems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mobile devices are not equipped with GPS receivers to reduce device complexity and cost, then device complexity is reduced, but location information accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces neighboring mobile devices as intermediaries to provide location information. When a device lacks GPS capability, it requests location data from neighboring devices that do have GPS receivers. The neighboring devices act as mediators, sharing their location information through short-range radiofrequency communication to resolve the contradiction between device complexity and location accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If GPS receivers are installed in all mobile devices to improve location information accuracy, then location information accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes mobile devices universal by enabling them to serve multiple functions: devices with GPS receivers can both determine their own location and assist neighboring devices by sharing location information. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high location accuracy across all devices without requiring every device to have GPS hardware, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If triangulation from cell towers is used to determine mobile device position, then location information can be obtained without GPS, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using indirect triangulation methods from cell towers, the patent directly copies location information from neighboring mobile devices that have GPS receivers. This copying approach provides accurate location data without the precision losses inherent in triangulation, while still maintaining adaptability for devices without GPS capability.
4Measurement precision
If location information is requested from neighboring devices via short-range radiofrequency communication, then location information accuracy is improved for devices without GPS, but device complexity increases due to additional communication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having mobile devices autonomously request and receive location information from neighbors when needed. The system automatically manages the communication protocol, message exchange, and data processing without requiring complex user intervention or additional hardware, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving high location accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
An emergency locator component for a mobile communication device enables the mobile communication device to obtain location information from other neighbouring mobile devices in the event that the mobile communication device is unable to determine its own location. The mobile communication device employs a short-range radiofrequency transceiver to broadcast a request for location information to the neighbouring mobile devices. A response containing location information may be received from another mobile device equipped with a similar emergency locator component. Accordingly, this technology enables mobile devices to exchange location information by setting up an ad-hoc network. The location information can be included, for example, in an emergency phone call to an emergency services call center.