Mobile Device GNSS Receiver Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices equipped with GNSS receivers face battery drain issues due to continuous operation of location-based applications in background states when not actively collecting new location data.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method to disable or reduce the power consumption of the GNSS receiver by determining if the device has remained stationary within a defined geographic area based on application type and movement patterns, re-enabling it when the device exits this area or enters a foreground state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the GNSS receiver operates continuously to provide location data for background applications, then location data availability is improved, but battery power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation data availabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the power state of the GNSS receiver based on real-time determination of device movement. The receiver transitions between active and disabled states according to whether the device has exited or remained within a geographic area, optimizing the balance between location data availability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter (power state) of the GNSS receiver based on movement detection. When the device remains within a defined geographic area, the receiver is disabled to conserve power; when the device exits the area, the receiver is enabled to provide location data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the GNSS receiver is disabled to conserve battery power, then power consumption is reduced, but location data accuracy and availability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidlocation data availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors device movement and uses this feedback to control the GNSS receiver state. Movement detection provides feedback that triggers the receiver to transition between active and disabled states, ensuring location data is available when needed while conserving power when the device is stationary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the system continuously monitors location to determine movement status, then movement detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement detection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses partial monitoring by relying on accelerometer data and geographic area comparisons rather than continuous high-precision GNSS tracking. This partial action approach provides sufficient movement detection accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous full-monitoring modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10440651B2Operating geographic location systesm

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 APPLE INC

AI summary

In general, in one aspect, a method includes receiving, on a mobile device, an indication that an application executing on the mobile device has entered a background state, determining, based on data received from a location system of the mobile device, that the mobile device has remained within a geographic area during a time interval, the geographic area being defined by a radius determined according to an application type of the application, and disabling at least a portion of the location system of the mobile device.