Adaptive Location Determination for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location determination technologies for mobile devices, such as GPS and AGPS, often fail in indoor environments or during ongoing calls due to poor signal conditions, leading to inefficiencies and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A system that employs a combination of Assisted GPS (AGPS), pilot beacons, and pseudo-hold modes to determine a mobile device's location without disrupting ongoing calls, using network resources and alternative positioning methods like pilot beacons to provide location information even in areas with weak GPS signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS or AGPS is used to determine location, then location information can be obtained, but the system fails in indoor environments or during ongoing calls due to poor signal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts location determination methods based on environmental conditions and device state. It switches between GPS, AGPS, pilot beacon, and cell tower triangulation methods depending on signal availability, indoor/outdoor context, and whether a call is active, ensuring reliable location determination across diverse scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting which location determination method is active based on detected conditions. When GPS signals are weak or unavailable, it transitions to alternative methods with different operational characteristics, such as using pilot beacons indoors or cell tower triangulation when GPS is unavailable
2Measurement precision
If AGPS is used to determine location during an ongoing call, then location can be determined, but the call must be stopped which disrupts communication
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessments to determine the most appropriate location method before initiating location determination. When a call is active, it pre-evaluates whether pilot beacon or cell tower methods can provide sufficient location accuracy without interrupting the call, avoiding the need to stop communication
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces alternative location determination methods (pilot beacons, cell tower triangulation) that can operate independently of the voice communication channel. These intermediaries provide location information without requiring the voice channel to be freed, allowing simultaneous call and location determination
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple location determination methods are available, then location can be determined in various conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments location determination into distinct methods (GPS, AGPS, pilot beacon, cell tower triangulation), each optimized for specific conditions. This modular segmentation allows the system to select and activate only the necessary method for the current environment, managing complexity through structured division of functions
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic method selection that adapts to current conditions rather than maintaining all methods in constant readiness. The complexity is managed through intelligent routing logic that activates only the appropriate location determination method based on environmental context, device state, and signal availability
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes connecting to a call center by a user equipment (UE) device via a voice call and receiving a request for a current location. The device is determined to be in an outdoor environment if the signal strength of satellite signals used by a global positioning system (GPS) is greater than a threshold. The device is determined to be in an indoor environment if a beacon signal strength is greater than a further threshold. If the device is in an outdoor environment, the current location is determined using a standalone or assisted GPS method. If the device is in an indoor environment, the current location is the known location of the beacon or an assisted GPS method. If neither the signal strength of the satellite signals nor the signal strength of the beacon exceeds its respective threshold, the current location is determined as a last stored location.