Adaptive Mobile Location Tracking for Battery Conservation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered devices face significant battery drain and resource consumption when using GPS or similar technologies for location determination, leading to limited location updates and increased latency, especially when the device is in motion.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that determines a mobile device's location at varying frequencies based on stationary or motion states, conserving power and resources by reducing location updates when the device is stationary and increasing them when in motion, using cell sector changes and other signal data to trigger location determinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If location determination is performed at a constant rate to ensure accurate location tracking, then location accuracy is improved, but battery power is drained quickly and system resources are overused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static constant-rate location determination approach to a dynamic approach where the location determination frequency adapts based on device motion state. The system monitors motion detectors and adjusts location update rates accordingly - performing frequent determinations when motion is detected and reducing frequency when stationary, thereby resolving the contradiction between location accuracy and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of location determination frequency based on motion state. By monitoring motion parameters and adjusting the location update rate parameter dynamically, the system achieves accurate location tracking when needed while conserving battery power during stationary periods, directly addressing the technical contradiction.
2Loss of time
If location determination frequency is increased to reduce latency when device is in motion, then location update timeliness is improved, but battery power is drained faster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring motion detector output and using this information to control location determination frequency. When motion is detected, the system increases location update rate to reduce latency; when stationary, it reduces the rate to conserve power. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction between location update timeliness and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts location determination frequency based on real-time motion state detection. By making the location update rate adaptive rather than constant, the system achieves low latency during motion while minimizing power consumption during stationary periods, resolving the time-energy tradeoff.
3Reliability
If GPS and similar location technologies are used continuously to provide location stream, then location availability is improved, but battery power is drained significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent location determination based on motion events rather than continuous GPS operation. The system performs location updates periodically when motion is detected and remains dormant during stationary periods, ensuring location availability when needed while dramatically reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the location determination function from continuous operation and activates it only when necessary (during motion). By separating the always-on motion monitoring from the power-intensive GPS location determination, the system maintains location availability during motion while eliminating unnecessary power consumption during stationary periods.
4Reliability
If motion detection process is continuously enabled to prevent communication while moving, then safety is improved, but battery power is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the mobile device's existing motion detection capabilities (accelerometer, gyroscope) that are already present in modern smartphones for dual purposes: both for safety-related communication prevention and for optimizing location determination frequency. This eliminates the need for separate continuous motion monitoring systems while achieving safety goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the motion detection process multi-functional by using it both for safety (preventing communication while driving) and for location management (optimizing GPS update frequency). This single motion detection mechanism serves multiple purposes, improving safety while minimizing additional power consumption compared to dedicated separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for preventing communication using a mobile communication device is provided. The method includes enabling a motion detection process and detecting with the motion detection process at a first instance the mobile device is in motion. The motion detection process is disabled in response to detecting the mobile device is in motion. An attempted communication is detected via the mobile device, and the motion detection process is re-enabled in response to detecting the attempted communication. The method further includes detecting with the motion detection process at a second instance if the mobile device is in motion. If the mobile device is detected at the second instance in motion, the attempted communication is disabled. If the mobile device is detected at the second instance not in motion, the attempted communication is enabled.