Adaptive Orientation Sensor Sampling for Mobile Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Positioning systems in mobile devices face challenges with high power consumption from orientation sensors and inefficiencies in sampling rates, particularly in indoor environments where navigation signals are unavailable, leading to reduced battery life and inaccurate location determination.

Innovation Solution

Adaptive sampling of orientation sensors based on map data and expected changes in motion, using a processing unit to determine location, direction, and anticipated movement, thereby adjusting sampling rates to optimize power usage and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If orientation sensors are sampled at high rates to improve positioning accuracy, then positioning accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling rate of orientation sensors is dynamically adjusted based on real-time positioning accuracy requirements and environmental context. The system transitions from static high-rate sampling to adaptive variable-rate sampling, where the sampling frequency changes according to the device's motion state and positioning precision needs, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining high positioning accuracy and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the sampling rate parameter of orientation sensors based on contextual information such as device motion state, location context from map data, and current positioning accuracy requirements. By adjusting this key parameter dynamically, the system achieves optimal balance between positioning accuracy and power consumption different from constant high-rate sampling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If orientation sensors are sampled continuously to maintain positioning accuracy, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous sampling, the system implements periodic sampling where orientation sensors are activated only during specific periods when positioning accuracy is critical. The sampling is synchronized with device motion events and location context changes, allowing the system to maintain positioning accuracy during critical periods while conserving battery life during less critical periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial sampling action by selectively activating orientation sensors only when needed based on motion detection and contextual information. Rather than excessive continuous sampling, the system uses just enough sampling at just the right moments to maintain positioning accuracy, thereby extending battery life without sacrificing essential positioning functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If map data and context information are processed to anticipate motion changes, then sampling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesampling efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary processing of map data and contextual information to anticipate future motion changes before they occur. By pre-analyzing location context and predicting probable device movements, the system can proactively adjust sampling rates in advance, improving sampling efficiency without requiring complex real-time processing during actual motion events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2917694B1Map-based adaptive sampling of orientation sensors for positioning
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2917694B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2917694B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2917694B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

Techniques are provided for adaptively sampling orientation sensors in positioning systems based on location (e.g., map) data. Embodiments can enable a device to use location, direction, and/or location information to anticipate an expected change in motion. The embodiments can then identify and prioritize a number of sampling strategies to alter sampling rates of orientation sensors, and implement at least one strategy, based on priority.