GPS Signal Alignment for Accurate Copresence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to accurately determine the co-presence of user devices, particularly in urban areas or indoor environments where GPS signals are unreliable, leading to inefficiencies, resource waste, and potential fraud in transportation and delivery services.
Innovation Solution
A system that aligns and smooths GPS signals from multiple devices to calculate copresence probability, using Rician methods to account for noise and determine copresence events, enabling accurate trip duration computation and real-time feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS signals are used to determine co-presence, then location data can be collected, but accuracy and reliability deteriorate in urban areas or indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between raw GPS signals and co-presence determination. This intermediary layer includes signal alignment mechanisms, noise filtering algorithms, and probability calculation modules that mediate the relationship between unreliable GPS data and accurate co-presence detection, transforming noisy location data into reliable copresence probability assessments
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter used for co-presence determination from binary GPS presence/absence to a continuous probability scale. By transforming the determination metric from simple location matching to probability-based assessment, the system can accommodate signal reliability variations and provide nuanced co-presence determination that works accurately across diverse environments including urban areas and indoors
2Measurement precision
If express user input is required to detect co-presence, then accuracy can be maintained, but response time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service co-presence detection where the GPS signals and trip data automatically provide the information needed for fare computation without requiring explicit user input. The automated signal processing and probability calculation perform the detection function that would otherwise require user action, eliminating delays while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary signal alignment, noise filtering, and probability calculation before the actual co-presence determination is needed for fare computation. By preparing and processing the GPS signals in advance, the system eliminates the need for express user input at the moment of computation, significantly improving response time and productivity while maintaining measurement precision
3Device complexity
If GPS signals are used without alignment and smoothing, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing into distinct functional stages: GPS signal collection, signal alignment, noise filtering, probability calculation, and smoothing. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, managing overall complexity while improving measurement precision through specialized processing at each stage
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies continuous signal alignment and smoothing operations throughout the data processing pipeline rather than performing single-point corrections. This continuous processing ensures that noise is filtered and signals are aligned at every stage, maximizing measurement precision while the modular nature of continuous processing keeps device complexity manageable
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed examples are directed to systems and methods for computing copresence of devices using GPS signals. The systems and methods access a plurality of GPS signals comprising a first set of GPS signals associated with a first device and a second set of GPS signals associated with a second device. The systems and methods align the first set of GPS signals with the second set of GPS signals and compute copresence probability for each pair of GPS signals in the aligned first and second sets of GPS signals. The systems and methods smooth the copresence probability for each pair of GPS signals and determine one or more copresence events based on the smoothed copresence probability for each pair of GPS signals.