Barometric Pressure Positioning for Mobile Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face challenges in maintaining battery life due to the high power consumption of GPS receivers, and they struggle with position determination in areas with poor signal reception, such as tunnels or tree canopies.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device uses barometric pressure measurements to estimate position by matching current pressure values with stored values, allowing the GPS receiver to be deactivated and reducing power consumption, and utilizes differential pressure values to enhance accuracy and reduce atmospheric corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS receiver is used for position determination, then position accuracy is improved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces barometric pressure as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine position changes. Instead of directly using GPS satellites, the system uses pressure sensor measurements as a mediator to track vertical movement and estimate position, thereby reducing GPS dependency and power consumption while maintaining acceptable accuracy for navigation purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic-based GPS system with a pressure-based measurement system. By substituting the mechanical/electromagnetic GPS receiver with a pressure sensor that measures atmospheric pressure changes, the system achieves position determination through a different physical principle, reducing power consumption while providing sufficient accuracy for navigation.
2Reliability
If GPS receiver is activated continuously, then position determination reliability is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic activation of the GPS receiver rather than continuous operation. The system activates GPS only when needed (e.g., when pressure-based positioning becomes inaccurate or when horizontal position updates are required) and deactivates it during periods when pressure-based vertical positioning is sufficient, thereby extending battery life while maintaining reliability through selective activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the operational state of the GPS receiver based on real-time conditions. The system monitors pressure sensor data and dynamically decides when to switch between pressure-based positioning and GPS-based positioning, optimizing the balance between reliability and battery life through adaptive, condition-based activation rather than static continuous operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If pressure sensor is used for position estimation, then power consumption is reduced, but position accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges pressure sensor data with GPS data to create a hybrid positioning system. By combining the low-power pressure-based vertical positioning with GPS-based horizontal positioning, the system achieves both power efficiency and high accuracy. The merged system leverages the strengths of both sensors, using pressure for energy-efficient vertical tracking and GPS for accurate horizontal location, thereby overcoming the limitations of either sensor alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the positioning system multi-functional by enabling it to operate in multiple modes: pressure-based mode for power-saving operation, GPS-based mode for high-accuracy requirements, and hybrid mode for optimal performance. This universality allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements, providing accurate positioning when needed while maintaining low power consumption during normal operation through pressure sensor alone.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively extends battery life by reducing GPS usage and maintains accurate position determination even in areas with poor signal reception, leveraging crowdsourced data for improved route tracking.
Implementation Method 1
uses barometric pressure measurements to estimate position by matching current pressure values with stored values
Data Source
AI summary
A method may perform assisted position determination based on pressure measurements which includes ascertaining a pressure value, and determining whether the ascertained pressure value is within a first threshold of a stored pressure value of the set of stored position and pressure values. The method may also include obtaining a stored position value, from the set of stored position and pressure values, which corresponds to the stored pressure value, in response to determining that the ascertained pressure value is within the first threshold of the stored pressure value, and providing the stored position value as a current location along the route.