Mobile Delivery Position Switching Between GPS and Inertial Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing GPS systems are inaccurate in areas with tall buildings, trees, or indoors, leading to errors and inaccuracies in tracking and delivering items in logistics networks.
Innovation Solution
Integrating gyroscope and accelerometer data with GPS to switch between GPS-based tracking and inertial navigation systems based on accuracy and availability, using a mobile delivery device to analyze and optimize delivery routes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS-based tracking is used, then the system is simple and low-cost, but tracking accuracy deteriorates in areas with tall buildings, trees, or indoors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS receiver with inertial navigation system components (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) into an integrated mobile delivery device. The processor fuses data from both GPS and inertial sensors to maintain accurate tracking when GPS signals are unavailable or inaccurate, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by merging multiple sensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The inertial navigation system acts as an intermediary when GPS tracking fails. The processor detects GPS signal quality and switches to inertial navigation data (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) as a mediator to maintain continuous accurate position tracking in environments where GPS is blocked by tall buildings, trees, or indoor structures.
2Reliability
If GPS-only tracking is used, then the device complexity is low, but reliability deteriorates when GPS signals are unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by switching between GPS-based tracking and inertial navigation-based tracking based on signal availability. The processor monitors GPS signal quality parameters and transitions to inertial navigation parameters (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer data) when GPS parameters indicate unavailability, thereby maintaining tracking reliability without requiring complex manual intervention.
3Measurement precision
If inertial navigation system is always used, then tracking accuracy is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation modes where the processor switches between GPS-based tracking and inertial navigation-based tracking based on real-time signal conditions. Instead of continuously running the energy-intensive inertial navigation system, the device dynamically activates inertial sensors only when GPS accuracy deteriorates or signals are blocked, thereby maintaining position accuracy while minimizing energy consumption through adaptive operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic monitoring of GPS signal quality and switches to inertial navigation periodically when signal degradation is detected. This periodic action allows the device to maintain accuracy during GPS outages without continuously operating the full inertial navigation system, thus reducing overall energy consumption while preserving measurement precision when needed.
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
Improves tracking accuracy and efficiency by providing precise location data even in areas where GPS is unreliable, reducing delivery time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
sensing, in a mobile delivery device, a position of a mobile delivery device using a geolocation circuit
Implementation Method 2
transitioning to sensing the position of the mobile delivery device with an inertial navigation system
Implementation Method 3
comparing, by the processor, the first indicator to a first threshold; based on the comparison of the first indicator to the first threshold, transitioning to sensing the position of the mobile delivery device with an inertial navigation system
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for improving accuracy of a mobile delivery device traversing a route. The system includes a mobile delivery device, a geolocation circuit and an inertial navigation system in communication with the mobile device, and a processor configured to compare accuracy indicators to thresholds to determine when to switch sensing the position of the mobile delivery device between the geolocation circuit and the inertial navigation system.