Augmenting Mobile Location Data via Temporal Transmitter Info
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location determination methods for mobile devices, particularly in indoor environments or with temporary communication transmitters, face challenges due to latency and inaccuracy when relying on satellite or network-based systems, as these systems struggle to quickly update with changing transmitter locations.
Innovation Solution
A method for augmenting location data on mobile devices by utilizing third-party temporal location data from communication transmitters, which includes determining the availability of this data and integrating it with existing location services to improve positioning accuracy, especially in environments where GPS is unreliable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellite-based positioning systems (GPS) are used to determine location, then location determination is possible in outdoor environments, but location accuracy deteriorates in indoor environments or when satellite signal reception is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces communication transmitters (such as Wi-Fi routers, cellular base stations, or Bluetooth devices) as intermediary elements to enable location determination in indoor environments where satellite signals are unavailable. These transmitters act as mediators between the mobile device and the location service, providing reference points for triangulation and location estimation without requiring direct satellite signal access.
2Ease of operation
If transmitter location data is propagated to location databases to enable location services, then location determination becomes available, but latency increases due to the time required for data propagation and database updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the mobile device retrieve and store transmitter location data from local sources (such as cached database entries or pre-configured transmitter information) before location determination is needed. This allows the device to perform location calculations using already-available data, eliminating the need to wait for real-time database updates and significantly reducing latency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If temporary communication transmitters are deployed for event-specific location services, then location coverage is extended to new areas, but location data accuracy deteriorates due to periodic location changes and lack of persistent database entries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the mobile device to dynamically retrieve transmitter location information from local sources and update its internal location data cache in real-time. This allows the system to adapt to changing transmitter locations (such as temporary event transmitters that may be relocated) without requiring persistent database updates, maintaining location accuracy despite the temporary and mobile nature of these transmitters.
Data Source
AI summary
Mobile devices are able to determine their location based radio transmitters that are visible at the device to provide geographic location services. A knowledge of the location of the transmitters is required for the mobile device to determine a location estimate, however this can be difficult in network environments where the transmitters are temporary and their locations are not identified in location databases. Locations of temporary transmitters can be provided to mobile devices in order to augment the available location data used in determining the mobile device location. 3rd parties can provide temporal location data on transmitters that are set up for short period of time, as well as better control the distribution of the location data.