Companion Device Location in Enclosed Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional location services using GPS or triangulation techniques often fail to provide accurate device location in enclosed spaces like indoor environments, leading to difficulties in finding companions separated by a short distance.
Innovation Solution
Devices initiate local movement tracking and share tracking data to resolve their relative location by combining movement tracking data, using mechanisms like dead reckoning when the distance between them exceeds a threshold, providing location indications through graphical or textual means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS technology is used for location services, then fine location resolution accuracy is achieved, but signal reception fails in enclosed spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of local movement tracking and dead reckoning algorithms that bridge the gap between GPS unavailability and location determination needs. When GPS signals are unavailable in enclosed spaces, the system uses motion sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) to track device movement and calculate position changes relative to a known starting point, effectively mediating between the absent GPS signal and the required location information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic signal-based GPS system with a mechanical sensing approach using onboard motion sensors. Instead of relying on external satellite signals that penetrate poorly in enclosed spaces, the system uses accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other motion sensors to detect physical movement and compute position through integration of motion data over time
2Measurement precision
If triangulation techniques are used for location services, then fine location resolution accuracy is theoretically achieved, but insufficient devices and data prevent accurate triangulation in practice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables each device to independently determine its own location without requiring a network of other tracking devices. Each device uses its own onboard motion sensors to track its movement and calculate its position relative to a starting point, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for dense device networks required by triangulation methods
3Measurement precision
If local movement tracking is activated continuously, then accurate location determination is achieved in enclosed spaces, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic activation of movement tracking based on trigger conditions rather than continuous operation. The system monitors for specific events (such as device separation exceeding a threshold distance, entry into enclosed spaces detected by GPS signal loss, or user-initiated requests) and only activates the energy-intensive local tracking system when these conditions are met, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining accuracy when needed
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a method, including: collecting, at a first device, local movement tracking data comprising distance and direction travelled by the first device; receiving, at the first device, local movement tracking data of a second device; and providing, using combined local movement tracking data of the first device and the second device, a location indication of the second device using an output device of the first device. Other aspects are described and claimed.