Grouped Location Data Transmission to Reduce Network Wake-Ups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Location sharing applications consume significant power due to frequent wireless network wake-ups for sending location data, particularly when multiple devices are involved.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where only one client device in a group sends location data to the server using Bluetooth, with probe requests and responses handled as background processes to reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If multiple client devices send location data individually over wireless network, then location sharing functionality is provided, but power consumption increases due to frequent wake-ups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines location data from multiple client devices into a single transmission. A designated client device in each group aggregates location information from other devices and sends it collectively to the server, reducing the number of individual wake-ups and transmissions required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary client device that acts as a representative for a group of devices. This intermediary receives location data from group members, consolidates it, and transmits it to the server on behalf of the entire group, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
2Reliability
If each client device sends location data independently, then complete location information is available, but network wake-ups increase frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges location data from multiple client devices into single consolidated transmissions. By combining data from multiple sources into one transmission event, the system maintains complete location information while reducing the frequency of wake-ups and extending battery life.
3Use of energy by moving object
If grouped transmission is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases for managing groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where client devices automatically join groups based on proximity detection and automatically select or rotate through designated transmitters. This automation reduces the need for manual group management and minimizes the perceived complexity for users.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for grouped transmission of location data in a location sharing system. Consistent with some embodiments, a first client device of a first user receives, over a wireless communication network (e.g., a wireless local area network (WLAN)), a request for location data. The first client device, broadcasts a probe request via a first wireless communication channel using a more energy efficient communication technology (e.g., Bluetooth®) than the wireless communication network. The first client device receives, from one or more second client devices running the location sharing client application, each second client device being associated with a second user, a probe response. Upon receiving the one or more probe responses, the first client device sends, to the server, over the wireless communication network, an electronic communication containing location data of the first and of the one or more second users.