Mobile Device Scan Only Mode for Indoor Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face challenges in accurately determining location while conserving battery life, as traditional positioning systems like GPS consume more power and may not provide accurate indoor location data.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device is configured to use its wireless communication component to scan for available wireless access points for location determination, even when it is prohibited from connecting to nearby networks, allowing for improved accuracy and reduced power consumption by enabling a 'scan only' mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used to determine location, then location accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location determination function into multiple components: GPS for outdoor/accurate location and wireless access point scanning for indoor/location estimation. The system selectively activates GPS only when necessary (outdoor environments or when high precision is required) while using wireless scanning for routine indoor location determination, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adequate location accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication component is designed to serve multiple functions: both data communication and location determination. By enabling the wireless component to perform location scanning independently of communication needs, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated location hardware in many scenarios, reducing power consumption while maintaining location determination capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless component is enabled for data communication, then connectivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the wireless component's operations into distinct modes: full communication mode (when connectivity is needed) and scan-only mode (when only location determination is needed). This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary sub-functions, reducing power consumption when full connectivity is not required while maintaining the ability to provide location services.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of the wireless component based on current needs. The wireless component can transition between being fully active (for communication), partially active (for scanning only), or inactive, allowing the system to optimize power consumption in real-time based on whether communication or location determination is the priority.
3Measurement precision
If wireless component scans for access points, then location determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration where the wireless component's operational mode (full communication vs. scan-only) is automatically adjusted based on system state and application needs. This dynamic approach allows the system to provide enhanced location determination capability when needed while automatically returning to simpler operation modes when not required, effectively managing complexity without user intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Mobile devices and associated systems and methods are described. According to one example, a mobile device may include a unique scan only mode in which a wireless communication component of the mobile device is prevented from connecting to wireless networks for data communication, but may still be used to scan for available wireless access points for location determination purposes. According to another example, a mobile device may select which of a plurality of location-determination components that the mobile device should use to determine a location of the mobile device based on whether the mobile device is configured in a unique scan only mode.