Mobile Device Positioning via Optimized Measurement Plans

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing positioning systems, such as GPS, struggle to determine the precise position of a mobile communication device relative to a specified destination while maintaining predetermined accuracy, especially when intermediate targets are involved, due to limitations in measurement planning and data collection.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that create and evaluate measurement plans to determine the position of a mobile communication device by using a GNSS receiver, collecting position and observation information, and applying optimization algorithms to ensure the desired accuracy is achieved at the main and intermediate geographical targets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS positioning is used to determine position, then position information can be obtained, but the positional accuracy is insufficient to meet predetermined accuracy requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional accuracyVSAvoidaccuracy fulfillment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the positioning task into multiple measurement plans, each targeting specific intermediate geographical points along the navigation route. By dividing the overall journey into segments with dedicated measurement plans, the system can accumulate positional information more accurately than a single GPS reading, thereby resolving the contradiction between obtaining position information and achieving predetermined accuracy requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates and evaluates measurement plans in advance before actual navigation. The system pre-calculates optimal measurement points, selects appropriate communication devices for measurements, and prepares observation information collection strategies beforehand. This preliminary action ensures that when navigation occurs, the positional accuracy requirements can be met through pre-planned measurement sequences rather than relying solely on real-time GPS accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple measurements are taken to improve accuracy, then positional precision increases, but the complexity of measurement planning and data collection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement plan complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where measurement plans are created, evaluated for feasibility, and refined based on evaluation results. The system assesses whether planned measurements can achieve desired accuracy, selects appropriate communication devices, and adjusts the measurement plan accordingly. This feedback loop automates the complexity management, allowing multiple measurements to be coordinated systematically rather than manually, thereby resolving the contradiction between improved precision and increased planning complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically performs measurement plan creation, evaluation, and optimization without requiring manual intervention. The automated processes include selecting communication devices, determining measurement sequences, evaluating feasibility, and adjusting plans based on expected outcomes. This self-service approach handles the inherent complexity of multi-measurement coordination through automation, allowing the system to achieve high positional accuracy without proportionally increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If measurement plans are created and evaluated before execution, then positional accuracy can be ensured, but the time required for planning and preparation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional accuracyVSAvoidplanning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs measurement plan creation and evaluation in advance during off-navigation periods. The system pre-calculates measurement sequences, selects communication devices, and prepares observation strategies before actual navigation begins. This preliminary action shifts the time investment to before navigation, allowing real-time execution to proceed efficiently while still achieving predetermined accuracy requirements through pre-planned measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts measurement plan parameters such as the number of measurements, selection of communication devices, and observation information types based on navigation requirements and available resources. By optimizing these parameters in advance, the system achieves the minimum necessary planning time while ensuring positional accuracy requirements are met during actual navigation execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2963450B1Method and position determination system for determining the position of a mobile communication device using a measuring plan
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP2963450B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2963450B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2963450B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a mobile, wireless communication device (10) which preferably automatically creates a measurement plan with respect to a predetermined main geographical target and, if desired or necessary, additionally a measurement plan with respect to at least one predetermined intermediate geographical target, each based on predetermined criteria, and can evaluate this or these before the respective actual implementation, in order to be able to calculate or estimate the position coordinates of the mobile, wireless communication device (10) with respect to a predetermined positional accuracy with respect to the main geographical target and optionally with respect to the at least one intermediate target for the time at which the mobile communication device (10) has substantially reached the main geographical target and optionally the intermediate geographical target.