Mobile Positioning Using Segmented Assistance Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices are limited in their positioning methods due to network compatibility issues, where they cannot perform alternate positioning methods unsupported by the network, even if they have the necessary data, leading to incompatibility and inability to compute position estimates.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allow a mobile device to ignore network-supported positioning methods and compute a position estimate using a subset of assistance data tailored for a different method, enabling the use of non-standard or proprietary positioning methods by discarding unnecessary data and adapting it for alternate methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a mobile device uses a positioning method not supported by the network, then the device can achieve better computational efficiency and battery life, but the device cannot obtain assistance data from the network and must fall back to common positioning methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidpositioning method compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments assistance data into method-specific portions and common portions. The mobile device receives assistance data containing both OTDOA-specific information and common positioning information, allowing it to use the common portion for alternative positioning methods while the network maintains support for standard methods. This segmentation enables the device to potentially use more efficient positioning methods while still receiving necessary assistance data from the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes assistance data universal by including both method-specific and common portions. The common portion of assistance data can be used by multiple positioning methods, not just the one originally intended. This multi-functionality allows the assistance data to serve both standard network-supported methods and alternative device-preferred methods, resolving the contradiction between compatibility and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If a mobile device requests assistance data for a specific positioning method, then the assistance data is tailored and shortened for that method, but the device cannot use alternate positioning methods even if they are more efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassistance data sizeVSAvoidpositioning method flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The assistance data is segmented into distinct portions: method-specific information and common information. This segmentation allows the data to be optimized for a specific method (reducing size for that method) while simultaneously providing general information that can support alternative methods. The mobile device can request tailored assistance data while retaining the ability to use it for alternate positioning methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by including only the necessary common portions of assistance data rather than complete method-specific data for all possible methods. This provides enough information for alternative methods without the full overhead of complete method-specific data, achieving a balance between data size and method flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If a mobile device and network support different positioning methods, then each can use their preferred method, but they become incompatible and cannot perform mobile-based positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning method preferenceVSAvoidpositioning compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates universal assistance data that serves multiple positioning methods. The common portion of assistance data can be used by both network-supported methods and device-preferred alternative methods, ensuring compatibility between device and network while allowing each to use their preferred methods. This universality resolves the incompatibility issue while maintaining method preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The common portion of assistance data acts as an intermediary between the network's supported methods and the device's preferred methods. This intermediary data structure enables communication and compatibility between the two different positioning method preferences, allowing both the network and device to operate with their preferred methods while maintaining overall system compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2440948B1Mobile-based positioning with non-conforming use of assistance data

Publication Date: 2020.03.11 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

Apparatus and methods for performing mobile-based positioning in a wireless communications system are presented. A position estimate is computed based on assistance data intended for a first position method. The mobile device ignores if a second positioning method is not specifically supported by a network and computes a position estimate using the second position method and a subset of assistance data intended for the first positioning method, which is supported by the network and is different from the second positioning method.