Mobile Terminal Positioning via Master-Slave Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning systems face challenges in power conservation, particularly outdoors where a large number of beacons are not available, leading to inefficient power usage in devices like GPS circuits.
Innovation Solution
A positioning system utilizing multiple mobile terminals, where one terminal acts as a master to actively perform positioning using a GPS device while others act as slaves, reducing GPS usage by leveraging Bluetooth Low Energy beacons to share positioning information and determine relative positions, thereby conserving power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all mobile terminals activate the positioning device to perform positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the positioning function by designating one mobile terminal as a master terminal that performs positioning using the positioning device, while other slave terminals obtain positioning information through communication. This divides the positioning task into separate functions performed by different terminals, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining positioning capability for all terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The master terminal acts as an intermediary that receives positioning information from the positioning device and transmits it to slave terminals via communication devices. This intermediary role allows slave terminals to obtain accurate positioning data without directly using power-intensive positioning devices, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If the positioning device is activated continuously, then positioning accuracy is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is segmented such that only the master terminal activates the positioning device intermittently to obtain positioning information, while slave terminals rely on receiving transmitted data. This segmentation reduces the cumulative activation time of positioning devices across all terminals, extending battery life while maintaining positioning accuracy through the master terminal's periodic measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The master terminal performs positioning measurements periodically rather than continuously, obtaining positioning information at intervals and transmitting updates to slave terminals. This periodic action reduces the total operating time of the positioning device, thereby conserving battery energy while still providing accurate positioning data when needed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If GPS circuit operation is stopped to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but positioning capability is lost in outdoor locations without beacons
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two positioning approaches: the master terminal uses GPS satellite-based positioning (effective outdoors) while slave terminals use communication-based relative positioning (effective indoors and outdoors). This combination allows the system to maintain positioning capability across both indoor and outdoor environments without requiring all terminals to continuously operate power-intensive GPS circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The master terminal serves multiple functions: it performs positioning using the positioning device and simultaneously acts as a positioning information source for slave terminals through communication. This multi-functionality ensures that positioning capability is maintained for the entire group in outdoor locations without requiring each terminal to independently operate the positioning device, thus reducing overall power consumption while preserving adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces overall power consumption among mobile terminals by limiting GPS usage to only necessary devices and using shared positioning data, enhancing battery life in outdoor scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a positioning device configured to use a radio wave to perform positioning
Implementation Method 2
a communication device having smaller power consumption than the positioning device and being configured to exchange information with another mobile terminal using wireless communication
Data Source
AI summary
In a positioning system configured to perform positioning using N mobile terminals, where N is an integer of two or greater, each of the mobile terminals includes a positioning device, a communication device configured to exchange information with another mobile terminal using wireless communication, and a battery configured to supply power to the positioning device and the communication device. Each of first mobile terminals that are some of the mobile terminals activates the positioning device to perform positioning of a first current position, and a second mobile terminal other than the first mobile terminals reduces at least power to be used by the positioning device, and uses information of the first current position positioned by the first mobile terminal, and the information exchanged with the first mobile terminal by the communication device to perform positioning of a second current position.