Mobile Device Location Determination Using Wireless Network Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location-based services for mobile devices face challenges such as GPS signal unavailability indoors and in urban areas, power consumption issues, and inability to distinguish devices on different floors, with existing techniques providing limited accuracy and being more suitable for networks rather than devices.
Innovation Solution
A method where a mobile device communicates with a wireless network to obtain location information, updating its local tracking operations with network-provided location data, allowing for improved location determination accuracy and reduced network dependency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS system is used for location determination, then absolute geographic location can be obtained, but GPS signal is unavailable indoors or in urban areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless network infrastructure (base stations, access points) as intermediary elements to enable location determination in environments where GPS signals are blocked. The device uses signals from these network intermediaries to calculate its position through triangulation or multilateration methods, thereby overcoming GPS unavailability in urban canyons and indoor settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the mobile device itself capable of performing location determination functions, transforming it from a passive GPS receiver to an active positioning system. The device locally processes signals from multiple network sources, performs calculations to determine its position, and maintains location tracking independently, thereby universalizing the positioning capability across different environments without relying solely on external GPS infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If GPS system is used for location determination, then location information can be obtained, but extensive power is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the mobile device to perform its own location determination calculations locally using received signals from network infrastructure. By processing signals and computing position independently without requiring continuous assistance from network entities, the device reduces signaling overhead and power consumption associated with constant network communication for location updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements location determination as a periodic or event-triggered process rather than continuous operation. The device determines its location at specific intervals or when certain conditions are met (e.g., entering a new cell, significant movement detected), thereby reducing the frequency of power-intensive operations while maintaining adequate location tracking.
3Reliability
If 3GPP positioning techniques or Wi-Fi based techniques are used, then location can be obtained, but accuracy is only cell or access point level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from coarse-grained cell-level or access point-level location identification to fine-grained geometric position calculation. By using signal strength measurements from multiple network sources and applying triangulation or multilateration mathematics, the system converts qualitative network cell identification into quantitative coordinate-based positioning, adding dimensional precision to the location data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary signal measurements and processing at the device level before final location calculation. The device continuously monitors and stores signal strength data from multiple network sources, maintaining a ready pool of measurement data that can be quickly processed into accurate position information when needed, rather than waiting for network-initiated positioning procedures.
4Measurement precision
If network-based location tracking is used, then location information can be obtained, but dependency on wireless signalling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent empowers the mobile device to independently perform location determination calculations using locally received signals. The device autonomously processes signal measurements, applies positioning algorithms, and generates location information without requiring complex network-based processing or continuous network coordination, thereby reducing network dependency while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the location calculation functionality from the network infrastructure and places it within the mobile device itself. By separating the signal reception function (performed by network infrastructure) from the position calculation function (performed by the device), the system reduces the computational burden and signaling requirements on the network while enhancing device autonomy.
Data Source
AI summary
Method, system and device for obtaining location information of a mobile device coupled to a wireless network. A request for a location of the device at a first set of times is transmitted by the mobile device toward a first function. A location of the device at the set of times is determined. In response to receipt of the request, the first function replies with an indication of location of the device at the specified times. The mobile device then performs a local tracking operation to determine a location of the device at another time. The local tracking operation is based on the location of the device at the specified times and local input indicative of motion of the device between at least one of the set of times and the other time.