Mobile Device Location State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile devices face challenges in accurately determining location in areas with weak or obstructed GPS signals, leading to errors and prolonged transition times when switching between location determination methods.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device manages states of location determination using multiple sensors to switch between GPS and wireless access gateway-based location determination, employing a state machine to confirm transitions and adjust user interfaces accordingly, ensuring accurate and efficient location calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the mobile device uses GPS signals for location determination, then location accuracy is improved in outdoor environments, but location determination fails or becomes inaccurate in indoor environments with weak or obstructed GPS signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional location determination system that can operate in both outdoor GPS-based mode and indoor wireless access gateway-based mode. The mobile device incorporates multiple location determination subsystems (GPS receiver and wireless access gateway detector) that can be selectively activated based on the operating environment, making the system universally applicable across different locations and conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic switching between different location determination methods based on real-time environmental conditions. The system continuously monitors GPS signal availability and automatically transitions between GPS-based location determination and wireless access gateway-based location determination, adapting its operation to the current environment rather than using a fixed method.
2Reliability
If the mobile device switches location determination methods when GPS signals are unavailable, then location determination reliability is improved, but transition time increases due to signal availability checking taking many seconds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of wireless access gateways while GPS signals are still being monitored. The mobile device maintains a ready state by pre-identifying available wireless access gateways in the vicinity, so when GPS signals become unavailable, the switch to alternative location determination can occur immediately without the delay of searching for available gateways at the moment of transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors GPS signal strength and quality, and based on this feedback, automatically triggers the appropriate location determination method. When GPS signal quality falls below a threshold, the system receives feedback indicating poor signal conditions and automatically switches to wireless access gateway-based location determination, ensuring reliable operation without manual intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile device uses wireless access gateway signals for location determination, then location determination works in indoor environments, but location accuracy decreases compared to GPS signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different location determination methods with appropriate quality characteristics to different local environments. In outdoor environments with clear GPS reception, the high-precision GPS method is used. In indoor environments where GPS signals are obstructed, the wireless access gateway-based method is used, which provides sufficient accuracy for indoor navigation despite being less precise than GPS. The system selects the method that provides adequate quality for the specific local context.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device can be in multiple states of location determination. In each state, the mobile device can use a distinct subsystem to determine a location. A state machine of the mobile device can manage the states, including determining which state the mobile device is in and whether a transition between the states has occurred. A transition can be triggered by a sensor of the mobile device and confirmed by another sensor of the mobile device. When the state machine detects a transition, the mobile device can switch location determination from one subsystem to another subsystem, and change a map user interface to one that is best suited for the new subsystem.