Mobile Location Accuracy via Context-Aware Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the location of mobile devices, such as GPS and cell triangulation, often fail to provide accurate and precise location information, especially in complex environments like buildings or vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enhance location information by processing location data in conjunction with context information obtained from additional data sources like audio, visual, and text data, using sensors and machine learning algorithms to refine the location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS and cell triangulation methods are used to determine location, then location determination is achieved, but location accuracy and precision are insufficient in complex environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple location determination methods (GPS, cell triangulation, Wi-Fi positioning, inertial sensors) into a hybrid system that integrates their respective strengths. This merging allows the system to maintain location accuracy across diverse environments by compensating for the weaknesses of individual methods with complementary approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters based on environmental conditions. When GPS signals are unavailable in complex environments, the system switches to alternative parameters such as cell tower triangulation, Wi-Fi hotspot positioning, or inertial navigation data, thereby adapting the location determination approach to maintain precision across varying environmental contexts.
2Measurement precision
If additional data sources and processing are added to enhance location information, then location accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the location determination process into distinct functional modules: GPS processing module, cell triangulation module, Wi-Fi positioning module, inertial sensor module, and integration module. Each module handles specific data sources independently, and the integration module combines their outputs. This segmentation manages complexity by organizing multiple data sources into structured, manageable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal location determination system that can process multiple types of data (GPS coordinates, cell tower signals, Wi-Fi hotspot data, accelerometer readings) through a common integration framework. This multi-functional approach allows the same system architecture to handle diverse data sources, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each data type.
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AI summary
A method (100), system (200) and apparatus for obtaining enhanced location information for a mobile device. The mobile device (310) is configured to allow a determination of its location, for example via GPS. Location data for the mobile device, exemplarily obtained via GPS, may be further specified using context information for the mobile device. Additional data is obtained (140) and processed (160) to obtain context information for the mobile device. Enhanced location information (250) is determined (180) for the mobile device at least in part based on processing the location data in association with the context information. Additional data (230) may comprise, for example, ambient noise, speech, images or text.