LBS Client Broker Position Refinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional location-based services (LBS) systems face challenges in quickly acquiring a position fix in harsh signal propagation environments and maintaining low power consumption, especially when mobile devices are out of range of supporting networks like WiFi, WiMAX, and GNSS.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for a location-based broker service (LBS) client broker that enables a GNSS-enabled handset to receive signals from various resources, calculate multiple position fixes using different approaches (GNSS, WiFi, WiMAX, cellular), and refine the position fix based on confidence levels, allowing for accurate location determination even without continuous network connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the mobile phone quickly acquires a position fix using multiple positioning approaches, then the location determination speed improves, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the positioning approach based on current conditions. It starts with GNSS positioning when available, and seamlessly transitions to alternative approaches (cellular triangulation, WiFi positioning) when GNSS is unavailable or signal quality is poor. This dynamic adaptation allows rapid location determination while managing power consumption by avoiding unnecessary use of power-intensive positioning methods when not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different positioning modes based on signal availability and quality. When GNSS signals are strong, it uses satellite-based positioning; when signals are weak or unavailable, it transitions to network-based positioning methods. This parameter change enables the system to maintain location determination speed while adapting power consumption to actual environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If the mobile phone operates in harsh signal propagation environments, then the positioning reliability improves, but the signal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple positioning approaches into a unified positioning solution. It combines GNSS satellite positioning with cellular network-based positioning and WiFi positioning, evaluating results from each method and selecting or combining them to achieve reliable location determination. This merging allows the system to maintain positioning reliability in harsh environments where individual methods would fail due to poor signal propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer that processes and evaluates positioning data from multiple sources. This intermediary evaluation mechanism assesses the quality and reliability of signals from different positioning methods and selects the most reliable result, enabling accurate position fixing even when direct signals from any single source are degraded by harsh propagation conditions.
3Area of stationary object
If the mobile phone is out of range of supporting networks for extended periods, then the network coverage area improves, but the position fix acquisition capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-acquiring and storing positioning data when network coverage is available. It caches GNSS satellite ephemeris data, cellular base station location information, and WiFi access point data during periods of good signal coverage. This preliminary data acquisition enables the device to rapidly determine its position when temporarily out of range of supporting networks, maintaining position fix acquisition capability despite extended periods outside network coverage areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A GNSS enabled handset receives signals from different resources comprising GNSS satellites and/or from a wireless network. The GNSS enabled handset acquires location information comprising various positioning resource data comprising GPS data and/or WiFi data from the received signals. The GNSS enabled handset calculates a plurality of possible position fixes based on the acquired location information using various positioning approaches. A current position fix associated with the GNSS enabled handset is determined based on the plurality of calculated possible position fixes via running a location-based service (LBS) client on the GNSS enabled handset. The LBS client determines the plurality of possible position fixes using various positioning approaches in a particular or determined order. Confidence levels for each of the calculated plurality of possible positions are determined and used to refine the current position fix. The refined current position fix is used for a location-based service from a LBS application server.