GPS Fix Frequency Adjustment for Wireless Device Battery Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
GPS fix operations in wireless devices consume significant time and battery life, necessitating a reduction in their frequency, especially in situations where satellite signals are unreliable.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a computer-implemented method that adjusts GPS fix frequency based on previous successful fix locations, using a schedule adjustment module that reduces fix attempts when unsuccessful, and employs location and user databases to determine optimal fix intervals, such as increasing intervals when near known locations like home or work, and decreasing when probability of a successful fix is low.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS fix operations are performed frequently to ensure accurate location tracking, then location accuracy is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of GPS fix frequency based on real-time conditions. The system monitors location change thresholds and time intervals, automatically adjusting the GPS polling rate to match actual movement patterns. When the device is stationary or moving slowly, GPS fixes are reduced; when rapid movement is detected, frequency increases to maintain accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters including time interval between GPS fixes and distance threshold for triggering new fixes. These parameters are dynamically adjusted based on detected movement patterns, historical location data, and application requirements, optimizing the balance between accuracy and power consumption.
2Loss of time
If GPS fix operations are performed frequently to maintain up-to-date location information, then location information freshness is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic GPS fix operations with dynamically adjusted intervals. Instead of continuous polling, the system uses time-based periodic checks combined with movement detection. The interval between periodic fixes is adjusted based on historical patterns and current movement state, reducing unnecessary operations while maintaining information freshness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from previous GPS fixes and movement detection to adjust future fix timing. By analyzing whether location changes exceed thresholds and how long the device has been stationary, the system intelligently determines optimal moments to perform next GPS fix, minimizing time waste while ensuring information remains current.
3Loss of energy
If GPS fix frequency is reduced to save battery life, then power consumption is improved, but location tracking reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary movement detection using accelerometers or other sensors before triggering GPS fixes. By detecting motion in advance, the system can proactively schedule GPS operations only when movement is likely to change location significantly, avoiding unnecessary fixes while maintaining reliability during actual movement events.
Data Source
AI summary
Adjusting the GPS fix frequency of a wireless device is described. For example, a computer-implemented method according to one embodiment comprises: attempting GPS fix operations on a wireless device according to a first schedule; detecting one or more unsuccessful GPS fix operations; determining whether a location identified by a previous successful GPS fix operation is at or within a specified range from a first specified location; if the location identified by the previous successful GPS fix operation is at or within a specified range from a first specified location, then adjusting the wireless device to perform GPS fix operations according to a second schedule; and if the location identified by the previous successful GPS fix operation is not at or within a specified range from a first specified location, then adjusting the wireless device to perform GPS fix operations according to a third schedule.