Hybrid Positioning System with Dynamic GPS Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-driven terminals like mobile phones face challenges in obtaining accurate position information, especially in areas with weak GPS signals, and require efficient power management to reduce consumption.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid positioning system that combines GPS position information with data from multiple peripheral base stations, using a position information detection unit with a monitor cycle control mechanism to optimize GPS usage based on movement detection and signal availability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS receiver operates continuously to obtain accurate position information, then position accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts GPS receiver operation based on movement detection. When movement is detected, GPS positioning is activated; when stationary, it is suspended. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making position accuracy available only when needed (during movement) while conserving power during stationary periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses acceleration sensor data as feedback to control GPS receiver operation. The acceleration information provides real-time feedback about device movement state, enabling the system to intelligently switch between GPS positioning and power-saving modes, thus balancing position accuracy and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If GPS receiver is stopped to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but position information accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidposition information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary movement detection using the acceleration sensor before activating GPS positioning. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for positioning only when movement is detected, ensuring position information accuracy is maintained during movement while avoiding unnecessary GPS operation during stationary periods, thus reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the device's own acceleration sensor data to determine when GPS positioning should be activated, making the system self-regulating. This self-service approach ensures position accuracy is maintained when needed (during movement) while automatically conserving power during stationary periods without external control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If hybrid positioning combines GPS and base station information, then position accuracy in various environments is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracy in various environmentsVSAvoidposition information detection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal position information detection unit that can handle both GPS positioning and base station positioning through a unified processing framework. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware and software infrastructure to support multiple positioning methods, improving position accuracy across different environments while minimizing the increase in device complexity through resource sharing and integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2453262B1Position information detection device
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2453262B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2453262B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2453262B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A position detection device includes a first position obtaining unit obtaining position information by receiving a GPS signal, a second position obtaining unit obtaining position information based on information obtained from a plurality of peripheral base stations, a position information obtainment determining unit determining whether or not the first position obtaining unit obtains position information, a movement detection unit detecting a movement of the first position obtaining unit, a first ON and OFF state control unit controlling ON and OFF states of the first position obtaining unit, a second ON and OFF state control unit controlling ON and OFF states of the second position obtaining unit, a monitor cycle control unit controlling a monitor cycle that the first position obtaining unit obtains position information, and an output unit selecting and outputting one piece of position information obtained by the first position obtaining unit and the second position obtaining unit.