Backtrack Route Location Logging Under Battery Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hikers, pedestrians, and cyclists often find themselves without prior route information when they need it, especially in areas with no network access, making it difficult for them to retrace their steps or for emergency services to locate them.
Innovation Solution
A device that detects specific conditions (e.g., lack of network access, unfamiliar routes) to proactively collect and classify historical positioning data, switching to a power-saving mode for intermittent GPS fixes, allowing users to backtrack when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous GPS positioning is used to track historical locations, then location accuracy is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the positioning mode based on detected conditions. When conditions indicate the user may need to backtrack (e.g., entering unfamiliar areas, venturing off trail), the system switches from power-saving mode to continuous GPS tracking mode, and vice versa, optimizing both accuracy and battery life
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic condition monitoring to determine when to activate continuous tracking. Instead of continuous tracking unconditionally, the system periodically evaluates contextual conditions (network availability, location type, user behavior patterns) and activates high-precision tracking only when necessary
2Reliability
If historical positioning data is collected continuously, then backtracking capability is improved, but device storage and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential historical positioning data needed for backtracking based on detected conditions. When continuous tracking is activated, only positions relevant to potential backtracking scenarios are stored, filtering out redundant data points that would consume storage and processing resources
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively collects historical positioning data in advance when conditions suggest the user may need to backtrack later. By detecting conditions such as entering wilderness areas or losing network connection, the system prepares the necessary location history before it is actually needed, ensuring backtracking capability without continuous high-level tracking
3Use of energy by moving object
If coarse location monitoring is used to save battery, then battery life is extended, but location precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between coarse and fine location monitoring based on contextual conditions. In familiar areas with network availability, coarse monitoring suffices for battery savings. When conditions indicate potential backtracking needs (unfamiliar terrain, off-trail detection), the system transitions to precise GPS monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, non-transitory machine-readable mediums, and system to provide historical positioning information are described. In an embodiment, a device detects one or more conditions in user contextual data that trigger collection of a set of historical positions for a lookback window, the device receives at least one historical position from the set of historical positions for the lookback window, the device classifies the at least one historical position based on one or more features as a candidate location for a backtrack route, and the device determines to provide the at least one historical position as part of the lookback window based on the classification.