Mobile Map Updating With Adaptive Server Offloading for Localisation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Resource-constrained mobile devices face challenges in performing efficient localisation and mapping due to limited processing capabilities, especially when network conditions deteriorate, leading to reduced localisation accuracy and difficulty in loop closures.

Innovation Solution

A system that dynamically switches between standalone and cooperative modes based on network conditions, utilizing a server for map processing when conditions allow, and performing all processing locally when they do not, ensuring efficient map updates and improved localisation accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If map processing is performed locally on the mobile device, then processing independence and reliability are improved, but processing capability and map quality are limited due to resource constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing independenceVSAvoidprocessing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments map processing into two parts: quality enhancement processing (denoising, super-resolution, completion) is performed on the server, while basic localisation processing remains on the mobile device. This segmentation allows each component to operate at its optimal capability level without requiring the mobile device to handle all processing independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A communication interface acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and server, enabling the mobile device to offload computationally intensive map processing tasks to the server while maintaining processing independence through selective local execution of critical functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If map processing is offloaded to a server, then processing capability and map quality are improved, but network dependency increases and reliability decreases when network conditions are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidnetwork dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the degree of processing offloading based on network conditions. When network conditions are good, more processing is performed on the server to enhance map quality. When network conditions deteriorate, the system transitions to performing more processing locally on the mobile device, ensuring continuous operation without complete network dependency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of processing distribution between device and server based on network condition parameters. This allows flexible adaptation of system behavior to maintain reliability across varying network conditions while still benefiting from enhanced processing capability when available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the mobile device performs all map processing independently, then reliability is maintained, but localisation accuracy and loop closure capability are reduced due to resource constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing independenceVSAvoidlocalisation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments processing tasks by function and complexity: the mobile device performs essential localisation processing independently to maintain reliability, while the server performs quality enhancement processing (denoising, super-resolution, completion) to improve localisation accuracy and enable better loop closure detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication interface enables the mobile device to leverage server-based quality enhancement processing while maintaining independent operation. This intermediary connection allows the system to achieve improved localisation accuracy through server processing without sacrificing the reliability of independent mobile device operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If the system uses server-based map processing, then map quality and detail are improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemap qualityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial offloading of map processing to the server, focusing only on quality enhancement aspects (denoising, super-resolution, completion) rather than all processing. This partial action approach improves map quality while limiting bandwidth consumption by keeping essential processing local and only transmitting necessary data to the server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12571649B2Updating a map for use in localising a mobile device

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

It is provided a system for updating a map. The system includes: a server and a mobile device. The mobile device is configured to: obtain a metric set; determine that processing by the server is to be used for at least some map processing when the metric set indicates a network condition that is sufficiently good; instructing the server to perform at least some map processing, when processing by the server is determined to be used; perform all map processing within the mobile device, when processing by the server is determined not to be used; and update a local map in the mobile device based on a result from the map processing. The server is configured to: when instructed by the mobile device performing at least some map processing; and transmit at least part of the result of the map processing in the server, to the mobile device.