Wireless Position Computation Session Integrating Multiple Aid Data Sources

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current assisted-global positioning systems (A-GPS) are limited in their ability to utilize assistance data from multiple sources, leading to inefficiencies in position computation, particularly when transitioning between different wireless networks, as they often require terminating existing sessions and discarding previous data, preventing the integration of multiple data sets for improved performance.

Innovation Solution

A wireless location/position computation system that allows a device to initiate and maintain a compute-position session across multiple aid-data sources, including network location servers and Internet-based providers, enabling the integration of location-related aid information from various sources to compute a more accurate and efficient position without terminating sessions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the device is restricted to choose only one location-information source to receive assistance data, then the device complexity is reduced, but the position computation accuracy and time-to-first-fix performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidposition computation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges assistance data from multiple location-information sources (different wireless networks and satellite constellations) into a unified position computation session. The device maintains a single session that integrates data from multiple sources simultaneously, combining the benefits of diverse data sources while avoiding the complexity of managing multiple separate sessions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The position computation session is designed to be universal, capable of receiving and processing assistance data from multiple types of location-information sources simultaneously. The session framework supports diverse data formats and sources without requiring separate specialized sessions for each source type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device transitions connectivity from one network to another, then the device adaptability is improved, but the position computation session is terminated and previous assistance data is discarded, causing loss of time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork transition adaptabilityVSAvoidtime to reinitialize position computation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The position computation session maintains continuity across network transitions. When the device moves between wireless networks, the session persists and continues to accumulate and process assistance data without termination. This eliminates the time loss associated with reinitializing sessions and discarding previously collected data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The session framework preliminarily establishes a persistent structure that can accommodate future network transitions. By pre-configuring the session to be session-independent of specific networks, the system prepares for potential transitions in advance, allowing seamless continuation without reinitialization delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If assistance data from two different sources is used, then the quantity of location information is increased, but the data becomes incompatible or unsynchronized, making position computation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of location informationVSAvoiddata integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The position computation session acts as an intermediary layer between multiple location-information sources and the position computation engine. It standardizes and synchronizes assistance data from diverse sources (different networks, satellite constellations) into a unified format, mediating the incompatibilities between sources while maintaining the benefits of using multiple data sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the device discards previous assistance data when switching networks, then the data reliability for the current network is improved, but the time-to-first-fix value increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reliabilityVSAvoidtime-to-first-fix
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of session persistence from network-specific to universal. By modifying the session structure to be independent of specific network parameters, the system can maintain assistance data from previous networks while adapting to current network conditions, thereby reducing time-to-first-fix without compromising data reliability through selective data retention and validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4089443B1Using multiple sources of location-aid data to determine position information
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 APPLE INC
  • EP4089443B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4089443B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A wireless location/position computation system, device, and method are directed to multiple aid-data sources each providing location-related aid information, a wireless device configured to communicate with the aid-data sources, and a location computation module either integrated with or external to the wireless device. The wireless device may include a transceiver to communicate wireless, data and other signals. The wireless device may receive a position request to compute a position of the wireless device, and in response, initiate a compute-position session. In the compute-position session, the wireless device sends aid requests to and retrieves the location-related aid information from the aid-data sources and processes the location-related aid information from the aid-data sources to generate integrated location information. The location computation module may compute the position of the wireless device based on the integrated location information and satellite location information received from a satellite.