Mobile Friend Location Sharing With Adaptive GPS and Cell Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location-aware applications on mobile devices consume excessive power due to frequent GPS usage, significantly reducing battery life, especially when sharing location information with friends or family.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a central server to cache and manage location information, allowing for both approximate and detailed location requests, minimizing direct GPS device interactions by using cell tower triangulation for approximate locations and GPS only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS device is frequently activated to determine location, then location accuracy is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts location determination frequency and method based on application needs. The system determines whether to use GPS or network-based location methods by evaluating factors such as whether the device is moving, current location accuracy, and application requirements, thereby optimizing power consumption while maintaining sufficient location accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of location determination by switching between different methods (GPS vs. network-based) and adjusting the frequency of location updates. The system modifies location update intervals based on whether the device is in motion or stationary, and whether high or standard accuracy is required, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
2Productivity
If location information is frequently updated and shared, then location sharing service quality is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial location updates by determining only whether the device has moved a significant distance since the last update, rather than continuously tracking exact position. This partial action approach maintains location sharing service functionality while significantly reducing the frequency of GPS activations and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic location updates with variable intervals based on device state. When the device is stationary, updates are less frequent; when moving, updates occur more often. This periodic action with adaptive timing maintains service quality while optimizing battery life.
3Use of energy by moving object
If network-based location determination is used, then power consumption is reduced, but location accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically selects between network-based and GPS-based location determination methods based on current conditions. The system evaluates whether the device is moving, the required accuracy level, and network availability to dynamically choose the most appropriate method, thereby achieving acceptable accuracy with reduced power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses network infrastructure (cell towers, Wi-Fi access points) as an intermediary to determine location when GPS is not activated. This intermediary approach provides location information without requiring direct GPS satellite communication, reducing power consumption while providing sufficient accuracy for many applications.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method of locating "friends" having mobile devices connected to a network and associated with a user account is disclosed. The method includes sending a request to a mobile device, the mobile device determining its present geographic location and responding to the requestor with this information. This information may be in the form of a coordinate location such as a GPS location or it may be in the form of a name that the mobile device owner assigned to a particular area (e.g., "home"). Having this location information, a user is able to view the location of the friend that is associated with the mobile device.