Wireless Headset A-GPS Circuitry Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional satellite positioning systems in battery-operated devices, such as GPS receivers in personal digital assistants and cellular telephones, face challenges in quickly acquiring a position fix due to power consumption constraints, leading to delays in location-based applications and services when users do not request location updates for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A navigation system enabled wireless headset that receives Assisted GPS (A-GPS) data via a Bluetooth channel, allowing for rapid position calculation and repeated reporting of current position to location-based services, while merging Bluetooth and GPS location receiver circuitry to optimize performance and minimize interference from other radio technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If GPS receiver is enabled continuously in battery-operated devices, then position fix acquisition speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by receiving and storing assist data (ephemeris, almanac, satellite status) from the cellular network before GPS signal acquisition is needed. This pre-loaded data enables the GPS receiver to quickly acquire satellite signals and calculate position fix without requiring continuous operation or extensive signal searching, thereby reducing time to first fix while avoiding continuous power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If GPS receiver is enabled on demand only, then power consumption is reduced, but position fix acquisition delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously receiving and storing assist data from the cellular network even when GPS is not actively being used. This pre-acquired information is retained in memory and immediately available when location-based services are activated, enabling rapid position fix acquisition without requiring the receiver to search for satellite signals from scratch, thus minimizing acquisition delay while maintaining low power consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by using assist data from the cellular network as a mediator between the GPS receiver and satellite signals. This assist data (containing satellite ephemeris, almanac, and status information) bridges the gap between cold start and hot start scenarios, enabling the receiver to quickly lock onto satellite signals without continuous operation, thereby achieving fast position fix acquisition on demand with minimal power consumption.
3Device complexity
If Bluetooth and GPS circuitry are merged in headset, then device complexity is reduced, but radio interference may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the Bluetooth and GPS receiver circuitries into distinct functional modules within the headset. This modular segmentation allows each radio system to operate independently with dedicated signal processing paths, reducing mutual interference while maintaining integrated device architecture. The segmented design enables selective activation and independent optimization of each radio subsystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing dedicated shielding and filtering specific to each radio frequency band within the integrated headset. The Bluetooth and GPS circuits are equipped with localized electromagnetic shielding and frequency-selective filters tailored to their respective operating frequencies, thereby minimizing cross-interference while maintaining compact integrated design. This local quality approach addresses interference at the source rather than requiring complete physical separation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of enabling navigation from a headset is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) receiving a first signal transmitted by a device to the headset through a wireless personal area network, the first signal carrying assist data transmitted by an Assisted Global Positioning System server, (B) receiving a plurality of navigation signals transmitted by a navigation system to the headset and (C) calculating a current position of the headset at a first time using the assist data to lock onto the navigation signals.