Mobile Terminal Location Determination Using Sensor Probability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining a mobile terminal's location relative to a vehicle in public transport systems are prone to errors, especially when mobile connections are poor or interrupted, which affects accurate travel time calculation and fare determination.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates sensor data from the mobile terminal to calculate a probability value indicating the likelihood of the terminal being in a vehicle, allowing for reliable location determination without the need for a mobile connection, using a combination of hardware and software sensors such as GNSS, accelerations, and external infrastructure signals, and cumulating probability values over time for increased reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile network connection is used for location determination, then communication with server is enabled, but reliability deteriorates when connection is poor or interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensor data as an intermediary medium between the mobile device and the location determination process. Instead of directly relying on mobile network connections, the system uses sensor data (accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer) as a mediator to infer location and movement state, enabling location determination to function reliably even when network connection is poor or interrupted
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device performs location determination autonomously using its own sensors without requiring continuous external communication. The device self-determines its location state by processing sensor data locally, reducing dependency on the mobile network and server communication, thus improving reliability in poor connection conditions
2Measurement precision
If sensor data from multiple sensors is processed, then location accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location determination process into distinct sensor data sources (accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, GNSS) and processes them separately before integration. Each sensor type evaluates specific movement characteristics, and their results are combined to form the final location determination, making the complex processing manageable and systematic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges data from multiple independent sensors to achieve more accurate location determination. By combining the strengths of different sensors (e.g., accelerometer for linear motion, gyroscope for rotation, barometer for elevation), the system achieves higher measurement precision while distributing the processing load across multiple data streams
3Reliability
If probability values are cumulated over time, then determination reliability is improved, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic evaluation of probability values at defined intervals rather than continuous accumulation. By periodically assessing whether the mobile device is in or out of the vehicle based on cumulated probability values, the system achieves reliable determination while controlling response time through regulated evaluation periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where probability values are continuously updated based on sensor data and previous determinations. The cumulated probability values provide feedback that adjusts the determination outcome, allowing the system to balance reliability and response time by adjusting the accumulation threshold and evaluation frequency based on confidence levels
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the location of a mobile device (2), in particular a smartphone, of a user (1) relative to a vehicle (3), in particular a public transport vehicle, in which sensor data from several sensors of the mobile device (2) are generated on the mobile device (2), in which at least one probability value (7) is determined using the sensor data, which is representative of a probability that the mobile device (2) is in the vehicle (3) or not, and in which the location is determined as a function of the at least one probability value (7).