Context Vector Indoor Location Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In indoor environments or urban areas where GPS is unreliable, existing location technologies are costly and inefficient, and available environmental data is not effectively utilized to improve communication and location services.
Innovation Solution
The method employs context vectors formed from environmental conditions such as light, temperature, pressure, and gas levels to modify the operation of location technologies in communication devices, activating or suspending specific technologies based on detected context transitions, thereby reducing processing needs and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS location technology is used continuously to provide location services, then location accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation state of GPS based on context transitions. When indoor context is detected, GPS is suspended; when outdoor context is detected, GPS is activated. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making location accuracy high only when needed (outdoor), while conserving power during indoor periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of GPS from continuous operation to conditional operation based on environmental context parameters. By monitoring context vectors and transitioning between operational states (suspended/activated), the system optimizes the balance between location accuracy and power consumption.
2Reliability
If multiple location technologies are deployed to improve location reliability in indoor environments, then location accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the location provision task into two parts: context detection (using sensors and context vectors) and location technology selection (activating/suspending GPS). This segmentation allows the system to use simple, low-cost sensors for context detection while selectively activating complex location technologies only when needed, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The context vector system acts as an intermediary between environmental sensors and location technologies. Instead of directly managing multiple location technologies, the system uses context vectors as a mediator to intelligently control when and how location technologies are activated, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If environmental sensors are continuously monitored to detect context transitions, then location service optimization is improved, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic context vector updates and matching rather than continuous monitoring. By periodically sensing environmental conditions, updating context vectors, and matching against stored vectors, the system achieves location service optimization with intermittent processing, reducing the continuous processing burden while maintaining effective location technology management.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (100) and method (300) of using a context vector and database (202) for location applications can include a transceiver (104), a plurality of environmental sensors (114, 116, 118, 120, 121) including at least two location technology devices (110, 112), and a processor (102) coupled to the transceiver and the plurality of environmental sensors. The processor can be programmed to sense (302) an environmental condition for a given location, define (310) a context vector for the given location, detect (312) a context transition corresponding to a change in the environmental condition, and modify (314) an operation of the at least two location technology devices based on the context transition detected. The processor can be further programmed to form (320) a new context vector based on the context transition and attempt to match the new context vector with a pre-stored context vector.