GPS Receiver Power Control for Mobile Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management techniques for GPS-enabled communication terminals, such as cellular devices, fail to effectively reduce power consumption when the position measurement function is not in use, leading to unnecessary battery drain, especially in scenarios where the user is not actively utilizing the position measurement feature.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus and power supply control program that suspend power to the GPS receiver circuit when the user is not actively using the position measurement application, using sensors like folding detection switches or timers to determine non-use, thereby reducing power consumption without requiring a predetermined time lapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power supply to the GPS receiver circuit is suspended during a call, then battery consumption is reduced, but position measurement cannot be conducted immediately after the call ends
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining GPS receiver power supply during calls when the device is moving (detected via acceleration sensor), so that position measurement data is already available or nearly available when the call ends, eliminating the need for immediate re-initialization and reducing the delay after call termination.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply control strategy is made dynamic by continuously monitoring acceleration data to determine device movement state. The system adaptively adjusts GPS power supply based on real-time movement detection, maintaining power when moving and suspending it when stationary, thereby optimizing both battery consumption and position measurement responsiveness.
2Reliability
If power supply to the GPS receiver circuit is maintained continuously, then position measurement is always available, but battery is exhausted quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts GPS receiver power supply based on real-time acceleration data. When the device is detected to be moving, the GPS receiver remains powered to ensure continuous position measurement availability. When the device is stationary, power is suspended to conserve battery, thus achieving both reliable position measurement and extended battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the acceleration sensor to continuously monitor device movement state and adjusts GPS power supply accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that power is supplied only when position measurement is actually needed (during movement), optimizing the balance between measurement availability and energy consumption.
3Loss of energy
If power supply to the GPS receiver circuit is suspended for a long period, then battery consumption is reduced, but position changes during calls cannot be tracked
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by maintaining GPS power supply during calls when movement is detected, ensuring position information is continuously captured. This prevents loss of position data during calls while still allowing power suspension during stationary periods, thus reducing overall battery consumption without sacrificing necessary position information.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is obtained a communication terminal and a position measuring power source control program capable of reducing power consumption associated with position measurement in relation to use of a position measuring system by a user. A position measurement processing module 105 conducts position measurement by use of a position measuring antenna 106. A CPU 101 of an arithmetic processing module 102 controls operation of a particular application program, which uses a result of the positon measurement, to implement, for example, a navigation system. When the CPU 101 judges absence of use of the particular application program by the user, the CPU 101 activates a timer 108, and after a lapse of a predetermined period of time, a power supplying module 112 suspends supply of power to the position measurement processing module 105.