Location Server Merging GPS and Cell Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location-based services (LBS) face challenges in accurately determining and sharing device locations, particularly in urban areas and indoors, due to reliance on single sources of location information like GPS, which may be unavailable, and lack of standards for interoperability and data sharing.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a device with a processor and memory to provide a user interface for location requests, retrieves location cues from multiple sources (GPS, RFID, mobile operator, wireless access points), and forwards them to a location server for accurate location determination and sharing, utilizing a database to correlate and merge location information from diverse sources, including temporal and user-specific data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS equipment is used to obtain real-time location accuracy, then location precision is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple location determination methods (GPS, cell tower triangulation, WiFi positioning) into a unified location service system. The location server integrates data from various sources to provide accurate location information without requiring GPS in every device, thus improving location precision while reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a location server as an intermediary that centralizes location determination logic. Instead of requiring complex GPS processing in each device, the location server acts as a mediator that receives location requests, processes multiple location sources, and returns location information, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high location accuracy.
2Device complexity
If cell ID positioning is used to determine device location, then device complexity is reduced, but location accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges cell ID positioning with other location determination methods such as GPS and WiFi positioning. The location server combines data from multiple sources including cell tower identifiers, GPS coordinates, and WiFi access point information to provide accurate location determination while keeping individual devices simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite location determination system that integrates multiple location sources (cell ID, GPS, WiFi, triangulation data) into a unified location service. This composite approach leverages the strengths of each method to achieve high location accuracy without requiring complex hardware in every device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If location information is shared across multiple devices and services, then service interoperability is improved, but information security and privacy protection become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The location server acts as a secure intermediary that manages location information sharing. It implements access control, authentication, and authorization mechanisms to protect user privacy while enabling location-based services. The server mediates between location requestors and users, ensuring that location information is shared only with authorized parties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic parameter changes in location information sharing, including precision parameters, time parameters, and reference parameters. These parameters can be adjusted based on user preferences, service requirements, and security considerations, allowing flexible control over what location information is shared and with whom.
4Measurement precision
If multiple sources of location information are integrated, then location accuracy in diverse environments is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The location server serves as a centralized intermediary that handles the complexity of integrating multiple location sources. It manages GPS data, cell tower information, WiFi positioning data, and triangulation calculations, providing a unified location determination service without requiring complex integration logic in individual devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The location server implements a universal platform that supports multiple location determination methods and serves various location-based applications. It provides a multi-functional system that can handle different location sources, different accuracy requirements, and different service types through a unified interface, reducing the need for separate systems for each location method.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, Application Programming Interface (API) and device for discovering a location of a device, for example, to provide location information for a Location Based Service (LBS). The device includes a memory, a display, and a processor operably coupled to the memory and the display. The processor may be arranged to provide a user interface (UI) on the display, retrieve location cues in response to a location request, forward location cues to a location server and receive location information back from the location server. The location information may be a location query page associated with a new place ID if the location cues do not correspond to the location server cues or the location information may be a previously discovered place ID associated with the server location cues if one or more of the location cues correspond to one or more of the server's location cues.