Communications Device Short-Range Positioning via Identifier Request

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communications devices cannot obtain position information of another communications device, despite being able to determine their own position using GPS.

Innovation Solution

A positioning method and communications device that utilize short-range wireless communications technologies to receive and obtain position information of another device by sending a positioning request message with the device's identifier, allowing for the determination and storage of the target device's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS is used for positioning, then the device can determine its own position accurately, but it cannot obtain position information of another communications device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition information acquisitionVSAvoiddevice functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communications device is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it can both determine its own position using GPS and obtain position information of other devices through short-range wireless communication. The device universally handles positioning tasks whether for self or for others by integrating different positioning methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Short-range wireless communication technology serves as an intermediary mechanism that enables the first communications device to acquire position information of the second device. The technology acts as a bridge between self-positioning capability and other-device positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If short-range wireless communication is added to obtain other device's position, then positioning versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition information acquisition capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system is segmented into independent functional modules: GPS positioning module for self-positioning, short-range wireless communication module for inter-device communication, and position information processing module for data handling. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3582560B1Positioning method and communications device
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3582560B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3582560B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3582560B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a positioning method and a communications device, where the method includes: receiving, by a first communications device, a first positioning request message, where the first positioning request message includes an identifier of a to-be-positioned communications device, and the first positioning request message is used to request position information of the to-be-positioned communications device; and obtaining, by the first communications device, the position information of the to-be-positioned communications device according to the identifier of the to-be-positioned communications device by using a short-range wireless communications technology. Therefore, it is implemented that the first communications device can obtain position information of another communications device.