Portable App Distribution Server for GPS-Weak Areas
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing app distribution services are limited in areas where GPS signals are weak or unavailable, such as buildings or tunnels, preventing terminal devices from receiving associated applications.
Innovation Solution
An information processing method using a portable app distribution server equipped with a location measuring device, which acquires location information and determines if it is within a defined distribution area, then distributes associated applications to terminal devices via a network, regardless of GPS availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS receiver is used for location measurement, then location information can be obtained in open areas, but location information cannot be obtained in areas where GPS signals are weak or unavailable (buildings, tunnels)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the terminal device and the location determination system. The server receives location information from the terminal device (which may have limited or no GPS capability) and determines the terminal's location by matching with distribution area information stored on the server. This intermediary approach enables location-based app distribution in areas where direct GPS reception is unavailable.
2Measurement precision
If GPS receiver is required for app distribution service, then accurate location-based service can be provided, but terminal devices without GPS receivers cannot use the service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the location determination function from the terminal device and relocates it to the server. Instead of requiring the terminal device to have GPS capabilities for accurate location measurement, the system uses the terminal device's basic location information (from any available sensor) and performs the accurate location determination and app distribution matching on the server side, thereby enabling compatibility with terminal devices that lack GPS receivers.
3Reliability
If GPS receiver is used for location determination, then location information can be obtained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive GPS receiver with a lower-power alternative. Instead of continuously using GPS to determine location, the terminal device uses a simple sensor (such as a basic location sensor or cellular-based location service) to obtain rough location information, transmits it to the server, and relies on the server's pre-stored distribution area information to determine the appropriate app. This approach significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining location information availability.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing method executed by a processor included in an information processing device, the information processing device including a sensor, the information processing method includes acquiring information of a location of the information processing device using the sensor; determining a distribution area with which one or more applications are associated; specifying a terminal device that communicates with the information processing device via a network; extracting one or more applications associated with the distribution area where the location of the information processing device is included; and transmitting the extracted one or more applications to the specified terminal device.