Inferred GPS Position Tracking Using Statistical Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Commercially available GPS receivers often fail to provide accurate location fixes due to low power satellite signals, leading to incomplete information, which prevents precise position determination and results in devices reporting an inability to achieve a fix.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize incomplete GPS information by calculating a normalized center position from historical data and detecting movement using inertia sensors, allowing for accurate position inference even without complete GPS fixes, and adjusting error radii to validate new fixes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If GPS receiver uses low power satellite signals for position determination, then device power consumption is reduced, but position determination accuracy deteriorates due to insufficient signal information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice power consumptionVSAvoidposition determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing multiple incomplete GPS fixes in a historical table before a complete fix can be obtained. These accumulated sub-optimal readings are then processed through statistical analysis to infer the accurate position, thereby reducing the need for frequent high-power GPS acquisitions and lowering overall power consumption while maintaining position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces statistical analysis as an intermediary process between the incomplete GPS signal data and the final position determination. By applying statistical methods to multiple sub-optimal readings, the system bridges the gap between insufficient signal information and accurate position calculation, resolving the contradiction between low power consumption and high position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If GPS receiver waits for complete signal information to calculate accurate position, then position accuracy is improved, but time to determine position increases due to signal unavailability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidtime to determine position

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by accepting and processing incomplete GPS fixes rather than waiting for complete signal information. Multiple partial readings are collected and subjected to statistical analysis, allowing the system to determine position accuracy without requiring full signal availability for each individual measurement, thereby reducing position determination time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through continuous monitoring of GPS signal quality and the accumulation of historical position data. The system uses feedback from multiple incomplete readings to progressively refine position estimates through statistical analysis, enabling accurate position determination even when complete signal information is not immediately available, thus reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If tracking device reports inability to achieve fix due to insufficient GPS information, then position accuracy is maintained, but continuity of location tracking is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidcontinuity of location tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system ensures continuity of useful action by continuously collecting and storing incomplete GPS fixes in a historical table rather than discontinuing tracking when complete fixes are unavailable. This continuous accumulation of data enables uninterrupted location tracking, with the statistical analysis process maintaining position accuracy throughout by processing the accumulated sub-optimal readings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enhances tracking device accuracy by inferring position from incomplete GPS data, ensuring continuous location tracking without external sensors or knowledge of road segments, and conserving battery power by reducing the need for frequent GPS fixes.

Implementation Method 1

Commercially available GPS receivers for use in tracking devices calculate cold-fix position information based on information received from the GPS constellation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGPS signal reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Movement of the tracking device is detected using an inertia sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial sensing: Inertia

Data Source

PatentUS9207331B2Using statistical analysis to infer an accurate GPS location for use in tracking devices

Publication Date: 2015.12.08 SIERRA WIRELESS AMERICA

AI summary

A system method for improving the accuracy of a tracking device is described where the tracking device cannot achieve an accurate GPS fix due to low observability. The system and method improves accuracy determining a current position for the tracking device using incomplete information from the GPS. The current position is added to a historical table of previous position determinations and a normalized center position is calculated from the current position and previous position determinations. The position of the tracking device is inferred from the normalized center position.