Mobile Device Radio Model Availability Check

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing location determination methods for mobile devices face inefficiencies due to the need for substantial memory and bandwidth to store and update radio models, and servers may lack necessary models for precise location estimation, leading to unnecessary resource consumption when models are outdated or unavailable.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the availability of radio models before sending location information to a server, allowing the device to assess whether a positioning request can be successfully made based on the availability of models, thereby avoiding unnecessary bandwidth and processing resource consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile device stores radio models locally, then location determination can be performed without network communication, but substantial memory and bandwidth are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination capabilityVSAvoidmemory and bandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the radio models from the mobile device and stores them on the network server instead. The mobile device only retains minimal information needed to request location services, while the server maintains the substantial radio model data structures. This extraction resolves the contradiction by eliminating local memory requirements and reducing bandwidth consumption for model updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The network server acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the radio models. Instead of the mobile device directly storing and managing radio models, it communicates with the server which handles model storage, maintenance, and provision. This intermediary approach allows the mobile device to perform location determination without substantial local memory while maintaining reliable access to current radio models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the server maintains radio models for on-line positioning, then mobile devices can perform location determination with network support, but the server may lack necessary models leading to unnecessary resource consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination accuracyVSAvoidbandwidth and processing resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the mobile device check for the availability of radio models on the server before initiating a full location determination request. The device queries the server to confirm that current radio models exist for its current location, and only proceeds with resource-intensive positioning operations when models are confirmed to be available. This preliminary check prevents wasteful consumption of bandwidth and processing resources when models are outdated or unavailable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If radio models are frequently updated to maintain accuracy, then location determination precision improves, but bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation estimation accuracyVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having the mobile device check with the server before each location determination to confirm that updated radio models are available. The server provides feedback about model availability and currency, allowing the device to intelligently decide whether to proceed with positioning requests. This feedback mechanism ensures location accuracy is maintained through updates while avoiding unnecessary bandwidth consumption when models have not changed or are unavailable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4021021A1Method and apparatus to enable selective positioning requests based upon the availability of radio models
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 HERE GLOBAL BV
  • EP4021021A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4021021A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4021021A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to efficiently determine the location of a mobile device based upon radio signals received by the mobile device. In the context of a method implemented by or on behalf of a mobile device, location information is received relating to a mobile device. The method also includes determining availability of one or more radio models in relation to a location estimate for the mobile device based upon the location information. The method further includes providing information to the mobile device regarding the availability of the one or more radio models in relation to the location estimate.