Position Reference Data Collection for Location Accuracy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices, such as mobile phones, often cannot determine their absolute position because they lack information about the location of remote communication access points they are communicating with, hindering their ability to calculate their position using received radio frequency signals.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that collect and transmit position reference data, enabling other devices to determine their position based on wireless signals, comprising collection circuitry, receiver circuitry, transmitter circuitry, and processing circuitry that control the collection and transmission of this data in response to control signals, facilitating the creation of a database of position reference data for improved location determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If position reference data is collected and transmitted by all devices, then location determination accuracy is improved, but network load and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements geographical area-based segmentation where devices are assigned to different geographical areas. Position reference data collection and transmission is optimized locally - devices in areas with sufficient data coverage reduce or stop transmission, while devices in areas with insufficient coverage continue collecting and transmitting data. This local quality approach ensures energy efficiency while maintaining location determination accuracy in each geographical region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If position reference data is continuously collected and transmitted, then location determination accuracy is improved, but network load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination accuracyVSAvoidnetwork data load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the service area into multiple geographical areas and applies different data transmission strategies to each area based on local data coverage conditions. In areas with sufficient position reference data, transmission is reduced or stopped, while in areas with insufficient data, transmission continues. This eliminates unnecessary network traffic while maintaining adequate data coverage for location determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the server monitors position reference data coverage in each geographical area and sends control data back to devices. This control data instructs devices whether to continue, reduce, or stop collecting and transmitting position reference data based on current coverage conditions. The feedback loop ensures network load is optimized while maintaining sufficient data coverage for accurate location determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If position reference data is collected from all geographical areas, then location determination coverage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeographical coverageVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the service area into multiple geographical areas and assigns devices to specific areas. Each device collects and transmits position reference data primarily for its assigned geographical area rather than attempting to contribute data for all areas. This segmentation reduces the amount of data each device must manage while ensuring comprehensive geographical coverage through coordinated efforts of multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary that coordinates data collection efforts across geographical areas. It receives position reference data from devices, determines which geographical areas have sufficient coverage, and sends control data back to devices to optimize their collection activities. This intermediary management simplifies the complexity for individual devices while achieving comprehensive geographical coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8515448B2Upload and download of position reference data
Publication Date: 2013.08.20 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • US8515448B2 patent drawing
  • US8515448B2 patent drawing
  • US8515448B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus, a method and a computer program, the apparatus comprising: collection circuitry configured to collect position reference data, wherein the collected position reference data is for assisting another apparatus to determine a position of the another apparatus based upon wireless signals received by the another apparatus; receiver circuitry configured to receive control data relating to controlling the transmission of collected position reference data by the apparatus; transmitter circuitry configured to transmit collected position reference data; and processing circuitry configured, in dependence upon the received control data, to selectively control transmission of collected position reference data by the transmitter circuitry.