Geolocation Device Active Duration Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery life remains a significant issue in geolocation devices like GPS trackers, despite efforts to vary the listening cycle interval, as they continuously consume power to maintain positioning data, leading to a trade-off between battery life and receiver sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine the active duration of geolocation devices based on a comparison between the estimated benefit and cost of remaining active, allowing users to adjust parameters such as expected interval between fixes, usage, and battery life to optimize battery conservation while maintaining positioning data, incorporating a cost-benefit analysis to vary listening periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the device remains active for longer periods to maintain positioning data, then receiver sensitivity and positioning accuracy are improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the active duration adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adapts the listening period length based on real-time conditions such as signal acquisition status, battery charge level, and operational requirements. This allows the device to extend active periods when positioning reliability is critical and reduce active periods when battery conservation is prioritized, thereby resolving the contradiction between positioning data availability and battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of active duration based on multiple factors including battery charge level, signal-to-noise ratio, and operational mode. By varying this key parameter dynamically, the system optimizes the trade-off between maintaining positioning reliability and conserving battery energy, directly addressing the technical contradiction presented.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the listening cycle interval is increased to conserve battery power, then battery life is extended, but receiver sensitivity and positioning accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the listening cycle interval based on current operational conditions, battery charge level, and signal acquisition status. Rather than using a fixed interval, the device adapts the timing parameters in real-time to balance power conservation with positioning data quality, resolving the contradiction between battery life and positioning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic listening cycles with variable intervals. The device performs periodic checks for positioning data at intervals that are adjusted based on battery charge level and operational requirements. This periodic action with adaptive timing allows the system to conserve battery power while maintaining positioning capability when needed, addressing the trade-off between battery life and positioning data quality.
3Reliability
If the active duration is extended to improve positioning data availability, then receiver sensitivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts active duration based on real-time conditions including battery charge level, signal acquisition status, and operational mode. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to extend active periods only when positioning data availability is critical and reduce active periods when power conservation is prioritized, thereby resolving the contradiction between positioning data availability and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the active duration parameter based on multiple factors including battery charge level, signal-to-noise ratio, and operational requirements. By varying this key parameter dynamically, the system optimizes the trade-off between maintaining positioning data availability and conserving power, directly addressing the technical contradiction presented.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and associated apparatus and programs for computers for operating geolocation devices are provided. The methods include determining the duration of a time interval during which the device is configured to remain active, responsive to a comparison between an estimate of benefit of remaining on for that time interval and an estimate of cost of remaining on for that time interval. The estimates of cost and benefit may be determined in response to user-selected parameters where by the end-user may effect a trade-off between battery life and receiver sensitivity. The methods also include varying the maximum duration of each listening period whereby to conserve battery power.