Portable Terminal GPS Power Control via Motion Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable terminals with low-capacity batteries face rapid power depletion when continuously using GPS for travel path recording, necessitating efficient power control to prevent battery exhaustion and memory overflow.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a power control section to activate the GPS function only when movement is detected by a motion sensor, such as a pedometer, and recording position information intermittently, reducing power consumption and memory usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the GPS function is kept active all the time for precise travel path recording, then the current position can be recognized precisely, but the battery quickly goes dead due to large power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS function is activated periodically at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously. The position measurement section acquires current position information only at these periodic intervals, reducing power consumption while still capturing travel path data points throughout the journey.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the pedometer's step count information to autonomously determine when the user is moving versus stationary. This self-service mechanism allows the GPS to activate only when necessary (when steps are detected), eliminating the need for continuous manual control or supervision.
2Reliability
If the GPS function is activated frequently to record travel path, then the travel path can be recorded reliably, but the battery capacity is depleted rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The pedometer automatically detects user movement through step counting and triggers GPS activation accordingly. This self-service approach ensures the GPS records position data reliably during movement while avoiding unnecessary activation during stationary periods, extending battery operation duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the pedometer's step detection to control GPS activation. When the pedometer detects steps indicating movement, it provides feedback to activate the GPS; when no steps are detected, the GPS remains inactive. This feedback mechanism balances recording reliability with battery conservation.
3Loss of information
If position information is recorded continuously, then the entire travel path can be captured, but the memory capacity is consumed excessively
Solution Approach 1:
Position information is recorded periodically at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously. This periodic recording captures the essential travel path data points while significantly reducing the volume of data stored in memory, preventing excessive memory capacity consumption.
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
This approach allows for reliable travel path recording while minimizing battery drain and memory requirements, enabling prolonged device operation and efficient data storage.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor that detects a movement of the portable terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A portable terminal includes: a position obtaining section that obtains a piece of position information of a current position of the portable terminal; a power control section that controls turning on and off of power before and after the piece of position information is obtained by the position obtaining section, respectively; and a motion sensor that detects a movement of the portable terminal. The portable terminal further includes: a storage section that stores a history of the pieces of position information; and a recording section that records, into the storage section, a piece of position information newly obtained by the position obtaining section activated by the power control section, only when a movement is detected by the motion sensor.