Crowdsourcing Measurement Control for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for accurately locating mobile devices using crowdsourced measurement data from terrestrial transmitters face inefficiencies, including overloading of servers, unnecessary resource consumption, and uncontrolled data transmission, which can lead to battery drain and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for controlling crowdsourcing of measurement data by mobile devices, where a server sends control and measurement parameters to the device, allowing it to report measurements at optimized times and frequencies, thereby managing resource usage and ensuring only necessary data is transmitted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mobile devices continuously send crowdsourcing measurements to the server, then the server receives comprehensive location data, but the server becomes overloaded and mobile device battery is drained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation data completenessVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic measurement reporting where mobile devices send crowdsourcing measurements at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. The location server controls the reporting frequency through configuration parameters, allowing comprehensive data collection over time while reducing instantaneous transmission load and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts measurement and reporting parameters based on location accuracy requirements, device capabilities, and network conditions. The location server configures measurement intervals, reporting thresholds, and data formats to optimize the balance between data completeness and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If mobile devices send all types of measurement data, then the server has complete information for positioning, but unnecessary data transmission consumes network resources and increases costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different measurement and reporting configurations to different mobile devices based on their specific capabilities, location requirements, and environmental contexts. The location server tailors measurement parameters, reporting frequencies, and data types individually for each device, ensuring optimal resource utilization while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements selective measurement reporting where only necessary measurement types and subsets of data are transmitted based on current positioning needs. The location server requests specific measurement categories and receives partial data sets that are sufficient for accurate positioning without transmitting all possible measurement information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If the server requests frequent measurements from mobile devices, then location tracking accuracy improves, but mobile device resources are overconsumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation tracking accuracyVSAvoiddevice resource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic measurement and reporting configurations where the location server adjusts measurement intervals, reporting frequencies, and data collection intensity based on real-time positioning requirements, device status, and environmental factors. This allows high-precision tracking when needed while conserving resources during stable conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3066814B1Controlling crowdsourcing measurements from a mobile device
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3066814B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3066814B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3066814B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Systems, apparatus and methods for crowdsourcing measurements of wireless base stations, access points and/or other transmitters from a mobile device to a server are presented. A crowdsourcing request sent by a server to a mobile device may comprise control parameters and measurement parameters. Control parameters may determine when a mobile obtains and reports measurements and measurement parameters may determine which types of measurements a mobile device obtains. Control parameters may comprise trigger parameters for crowdsourcing activation, measurement, reporting and duration. Crowdsourcing may be instigated by a control server and reported to a different data server. Crowdsourcing may be anonymous and may comprise basic or advanced reporting.