Peer Device Location via Broadcast Scanning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile device location techniques using fixed or semi-fixed terrestrial elements, such as WiFi access points, become less accurate when APs are relocated or shut down, and fail to utilize new APs without pre-known locations.
Innovation Solution
A method where a querying mobile device broadcasts a location message that is received and reported by nearby participating mobile devices, which then transmit their location information to a location provider system to estimate the querying device's location, using a combination of communication networks like cellular and WiFi.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed or semi-fixed terrestrial elements (WiFi APs) are used to locate a mobile device, then location determination can be achieved when GPS is unavailable, but location accuracy deteriorates when APs are relocated or shut down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables mobile devices to autonomously determine their locations and assist other devices in location determination without relying on centralized infrastructure. Each mobile device acts as both a client and a server, broadcasting its known location and allowing other devices to use this information for triangulation, thereby making the system self-sufficient and resilient to infrastructure changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static infrastructure-based location parameters (fixed AP locations) to dynamic mobile device-based parameters. By changing the source of location data from fixed terrestrial elements to moving mobile devices that continuously update their positions, the system maintains accuracy even as individual devices move or become unavailable
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed or semi-fixed terrestrial elements are used for location determination, then a established locating system can be implemented, but the system fails to utilize new APs without pre-known locations
Solution Approach 1:
Mobile devices automatically determine their own locations using available methods (GPS, network-based location) and broadcast this information to the network. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual configuration or pre-registration of new devices, allowing the system to automatically incorporate new mobile devices as they join the network
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, pre-configured location infrastructure to a dynamic system where mobile devices continuously update their location information. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt in real-time to new devices entering the network without requiring manual setup or infrastructure changes
3Measurement precision
If peer mobile devices are used to locate a querying device, then location accuracy is enhanced and reliance on specific APs is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes mobile devices multi-functional by enabling them to simultaneously perform standard communication functions and location determination functions. Each device serves as both an end-user device and a location server for other devices, eliminating the need for separate dedicated location infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity despite the distributed nature of the solution
Data Source
AI summary
To determine the location of a querying mobile device, a request is received from the querying mobile device via a communication network. One or several participating mobile devices that potentially are physically proximate to the querying mobile device are identified. A request to scan for a location broadcast message transmitted by the querying mobile device is sent to the participating mobile devices. One or more location broadcast reports from participating mobile devices are received, where each received location broadcast report indicates that the location broadcast message was received at the corresponding participating mobile device. The location of the querying mobile device is estimated based on (i) the received one or more location broadcast reports and (ii) respective locations of the participating mobile devices from which the one or more location broadcast reports were received.