Network Positioning Database Filtering for Accuracy and Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location determination methods for mobile devices in wireless communications networks face challenges in accuracy and efficiency, especially when GPS signals are weak or unavailable, and require frequent updates, leading to bandwidth consumption and interference with normal communication.
Innovation Solution
A network-based positioning system manages a location database by calculating average geographic locations of access points based on data from location-aware mobile devices, filtering access points by popularity, stability, and freshness, and transmitting only necessary location information to mobile devices for precise location estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS signals are used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved, but the system fails in areas with weak or unavailable GPS signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces access points as intermediary objects that mediate location determination when GPS is unavailable. Mobile devices determine location by detecting access points and querying their geographic locations, serving as a backup mechanism that maintains system reliability in GPS-denied environments while preserving accuracy where access points are available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the positioning parameter source based on GPS availability. When GPS signals are weak or unavailable, the system switches from GPS-based coordinates to access point-based location determination, changing the fundamental parameter source while maintaining location accuracy through the alternative method.
2Reliability
If location database is frequently updated to provide up-to-date location information, then location freshness is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases and interference with normal communication occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic updates of access point location information in the database rather than continuous real-time updates. Access points report their geographic locations at scheduled intervals, providing sufficiently fresh location data without requiring constant communication, thus reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining acceptable location freshness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary location determination using cached access point location data stored in the database. Mobile devices query pre-stored access point locations rather than requiring real-time updates, allowing the system to maintain up-to-date locations for most purposes without frequent bandwidth-intensive updates, only refreshing when necessary.
3Loss of information
If all access point location information is transmitted to mobile devices, then location determination completeness is improved, but data transmission volume and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary location information from the complete access point database and transmits it to mobile devices. Rather than transmitting all access point locations, the system identifies and transmits only those access points relevant to the mobile device's current area, reducing data transmission volume while maintaining location determination completeness for the device's context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides location information with local quality optimized for each mobile device's specific context. Access point location data is tailored and transmitted based on the mobile device's current geographic area and needs, rather than providing uniform comprehensive data to all devices, thus reducing overall data transmission volume while maintaining local completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, program products, and systems for managing a location database are described. A server computer can receive location information from location-aware mobile devices (e.g., GPS-enabled devices) located within a communication range of access points of a wireless communications network. The server computer can calculate average geographic locations using the received locations for each access point. Based on the average geographic locations, the server computer can assign the access points to cells of a geographic grid. The server computer can filter the access points in each cell based on popularity, stability, longevity, and freshness of the access point and the received data. When a second mobile device connects to an access point in a cell, the server computer can transmit locations of the access points in the cell and in neighboring cells to the second mobile device such that a location of the second mobile device can be estimated.