Dead Zone Location Server for Mobile Device Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location determination systems, such as cellular telephone networks, face inaccuracies and unavailability in 'location service dead zones' caused by topographical features and human-made structures, hindering precise user device location calculation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a dead zone location server that identifies and computes a user device's location within dead zones by analyzing user device activity, triangulation data, and environmental factors, using modules for dead zone identification, triggering events, and location computation to provide approximate location data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional triangulation methods are used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved in open areas, but location determination fails in dead zones caused by topographical features and human-made structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dead zone identification data as an intermediary element that mediates between the triangulation system and the user device. This data identifies areas where triangulation fails, allowing the system to switch to alternative location determination methods (such as cellular tower signal strength analysis or Wi-Fi positioning) when entering dead zones, thus maintaining location determination availability while preserving accuracy in open areas
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the location determination method based on the user device's position relative to identified dead zones. When the device is outside dead zones, traditional triangulation is used for high accuracy; when entering dead zones, the system transitions to alternative methods. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible enough to handle both open areas and dead zones effectively
2Reliability
If location determination is attempted in dead zones, then location availability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal interference from topographical features and structures
Solution Approach 1:
Dead zone identification data serves as a mediator that prevents the system from attempting inaccurate triangulation in dead zones. Instead, the system uses this intermediary information to activate alternative location determination methods that are specifically designed to work in signal-challenged environments, thereby maintaining both availability and acceptable accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of location determination by switching from triangulation-based methods to alternative methods (such as multilateration using cellular tower signal strengths or Wi-Fi fingerprinting) when dead zones are detected. This parameter change allows the system to maintain location determination availability while achieving acceptable accuracy despite signal interference
3Reliability
If a comprehensive dead zone identification system is implemented, then location determination reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional modules and data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-identifying and storing dead zone locations in a database before users encounter them. This advance preparation eliminates the need for real-time complex analysis when a user enters a dead zone, as the system can simply query the pre-computed dead zone database and switch to appropriate alternative methods, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing the complexity burden on active devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by allowing user devices to autonomously query the dead zone database and determine their status relative to known dead zones. Each device independently makes location determination decisions based on its position and the stored dead zone information, eliminating the need for complex centralized real-time control and reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A system may be configured to receive first information regarding a location service dead zone; receive second information regarding a location of a user device; identify, based on the first information and the second information, that the user device is within the location service dead zone at a particular time; compute a location of the user device, within the location service dead zone, at the particular time, based on at least one of the second information regarding the location of the user device, history data associated with the user device, or history data associated with one or more other user devices; and store or output information regarding the computed location of the user device at the particular time.