Mobile Device Position Accuracy via Sensor Consistency Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining the exact position of a mobile device, especially in urban or building environments, is challenging due to imprecise location estimates, which can have critical consequences such as delayed emergency responses or incorrect navigation.
Innovation Solution
A method using a processor on the mobile device to determine and compare reported 2D positions with additional information like altitude, pressure, and activity context, identifying and removing problematic positions from the dataset to improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If GNSS or network-based location systems are used to determine mobile device position, then location coverage is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates in urban or building environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple location determination systems (GNSS, network-based location, trilateration, multilateration) to determine mobile device position. By merging these different location generation systems, the patent achieves both wide location coverage and improved measurement precision, as each system compensates for the weaknesses of the others particularly in urban or building environments where GNSS signals may be blocked or degraded
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms by comparing reported 2D positions with additional device information (such as altitude, pressure, activity context) to identify and remove problematic positions from the dataset. This feedback loop continuously refines position accuracy by validating location data against multiple consistency criteria, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the benefits of multiple location systems
2Measurement precision
If multiple location determination systems are combined, then position accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified location determination framework that handles multiple location generation systems (GNSS, network-based, sensor-based) through a single consistent processing architecture. The system uses universal comparison criteria (altitude consistency, pressure consistency, activity context consistency) that apply across all location sources, thereby improving position accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity. The processor executes a standardized algorithm that works regardless of which location system provides the data
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device performs self-validation of its location data by comparing reported positions against additional device information stored locally (altitude data, pressure sensor readings, activity context). This self-service approach allows the device to identify and remove problematic positions autonomously without requiring complex external validation infrastructure, thereby improving position accuracy while keeping the system relatively simple and self-contained
Data Source
AI summary
A method to identify a problematic 2D position of a mobile device can include: determining a reported 2D position of the mobile device; determining a piece of information about the mobile device; and comparing the reported 2D position and the piece of information about the mobile device. Upon determining that the reported 2D position and the piece of information about the mobile device are consistent with each other, the reported 2D position of the mobile device is used as an estimate of the actual 2D position of the mobile device, or upon determining that the reported 2D position and the piece of information about the mobile device are not consistent with each other, the reported 2D position is determined to be problematic, and the reported 2D position of the mobile device is removed from a list of reported 2D positions of the mobile device.