Location Context Service Handoff Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Location-based services face interruptions and service loss when mobile devices travel outside coverage areas or are restricted, such as on aircraft, due to limitations in wireless data communication.

Innovation Solution

Implementing location context integration within mobile computing devices to enable admissive handoff between location-based services, allowing for seamless transition of location tracking responsibility to alternative service providers, such as airline services, and managing contextual guidelines to maintain continuous tracking or suspend services as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If location based services track the mobile device continuously, then location accuracy is improved, but service interruption occurs when the device travels outside coverage area or is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a handoff mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the mobile device's location tracking and alternative data sources. When the mobile device enters a restricted area or loses coverage, the system automatically transfers location tracking responsibility to alternative services (such as airline services for aircraft location), ensuring continuous location information flow without service interruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing handoff rules and alternative data source connections before service interruption occurs. The patent sets up predetermined conditions and alternative tracking methods in advance, so when coverage is lost or restrictions are encountered, the transition to alternative services happens automatically and seamlessly without service disruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the mobile device powers down to comply with restrictions, then energy consumption is reduced, but location tracking is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidlocation tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The handoff mechanism serves as an intermediary that maintains location tracking information flow even when the mobile device is powered down. By transferring tracking responsibility to alternative services (such as airline services that track aircraft location independently), the system preserves location information without requiring the mobile device to remain powered on

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a copy of the location tracking function by utilizing alternative data sources that can independently provide location information. Instead of relying solely on the mobile device's own tracking capabilities, the patent establishes alternative tracking channels that can supply location data even when the original device is inactive

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8165087B2Location context service handoff

Publication Date: 2012.04.24 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A location service providing system and method for repeatedly providing a location service.