Heuristic Location Tracking for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices face challenges in efficiently determining arrival at a destination while minimizing battery drain, as continuous location tracking consumes significant power.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a heuristic algorithm that calculates the estimated time to a destination and disables continuous location tracking during travel, re-enabling it when nearing the destination, thereby conserving battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous location tracking is used to determine arrival at destination, then location accuracy is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic location tracking instead of continuous tracking. The system determines location at scheduled intervals (e.g., every 30 seconds or 1 minute) during transit, which maintains sufficient location accuracy for arrival determination while significantly reducing GPS usage and battery consumption compared to continuous tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating estimated time of arrival (ETA) and predicting when location checks should occur. The heuristic algorithm determines ahead of time when the mobile device is approaching the destination based on current location, travel direction, and ETA, allowing the system to schedule location tracking updates in advance rather than continuously monitoring.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If continuous location tracking is disabled to conserve battery, then battery life is extended, but arrival detection reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the heuristic algorithm continuously monitors current location, compares it with the destination, and adjusts the timing of location tracking updates accordingly. When the algorithm predicts arrival is imminent (based on ETA and current position), it triggers location tracking to re-enable, ensuring reliable arrival detection while maintaining battery conservation during longer transit periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The location tracking system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time conditions. Rather than being static (either fully on or fully off), the system transitions between different states: continuous tracking when at destination, periodic tracking during transit, and on-demand tracking when approaching destination. This dynamic adaptation ensures both battery efficiency and reliable arrival detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile computing device comprises a wireless transceiver and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to store a data set for a predetermined location, the data set comprising location data and a location name. The processing circuit is further configured to compare a current location to the location data, to compare an updated location to the location data at a time calculated based on heuristic data, and to generate a notification message based on the mobile computing device arriving at or near the predetermined location.