Mobile Device Location Tracking Using GPS and RFID Zone Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile device location systems rely solely on GPS, leading to reliability issues and server overload when users move from open spaces to indoor areas, as GPS signals are disrupted, causing inaccurate location tracking and increased server load.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize both GPS and RFID tags to continuously locate mobile devices indoors, performing space calculations on the device to generate alarm signals when entering or exiting predefined zones, thereby reducing server load and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS-based location tracking is used, then outdoor location accuracy is maintained, but indoor location tracking fails and server load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the location tracking function by deploying distributed location servers in different zones (indoor and outdoor) rather than relying on a single centralized GPS server. Each location server handles location requests for its specific zone, dividing the overall server load and improving reliability for zone-specific tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces zone information as an intermediary layer between the mobile device and the location server. The mobile device obtains zone information and uses it to determine location status locally, reducing the need for continuous server-based GPS calculations and lowering server load while maintaining tracking reliability.
2Measurement precision
If GPS signal is relied upon for location, then outdoor positioning works, but indoor positioning fails when GPS signal is discontinued
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements multi-functionality by enabling the location tracking system to operate in both outdoor (GPS-based) and indoor (zone-information-based) environments. The mobile device and location servers are designed to handle multiple location determination methods, making the system adaptable to different environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between GPS-based location determination and zone-information-based location determination depending on the environment. When GPS signal is available outdoors, it uses GPS; when indoors where GPS is discontinued, it transitions to using zone information from distributed location servers, maintaining continuous location tracking capability.
3Productivity
If centralized server-based location calculation is used, then location service is provided, but server load increases rapidly with number of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized location server into multiple distributed location servers deployed across different zones. Each location server handles a subset of location requests for its specific zone, dividing the computational load and enabling the system to scale with the number of devices without overwhelming a single server.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device performs self-service by obtaining zone information and independently determining its location status within a zone. This reduces the need for continuous server-based calculations, as the device can determine zone entry/exit status locally based on received zone information, significantly reducing server computational load.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for locating a mobile device includes a receiving unit receiving a trigger profile including predetermined zone information and a triggering rule about the generation of an alarm signal at the moment of entering and exiting of the predetermined zone, a location identifying unit locating a present location, a zone in/out detection unit generating the alarm signal according to the triggering rule based on the trigger profile and the present location located by the location identifying unit when entering the predetermined zone or exiting the predetermined zone, and a transmission unit transmitting the present location information identified by the location identifying unit when the alarm signal is generated.