Predictive Navigation Task Scheduling for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices experience delays and power wastage when transitioning between indoor and outdoor environments due to the need to acquire new information and activate/deactivate various sensors and communication modules, leading to inefficient operation and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for predictive navigation tasks on mobile devices, which involves generating a list of tasks based on the expected route of travel, activating/deactivating sensors and communication modules accordingly, and obtaining necessary data before transitioning environments to expedite location determination and reduce power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the device continues operating sensors and modules required for other environments, then the device is prepared for future environment transitions, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereadiness for environment transitionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future environment transitions based on the planned route and proactively configuring the device before the transition occurs. When the device is approaching an environment transition point (e.g., from indoor to outdoor), the system preemptively activates or deactivates sensors and modules as needed, rather than waiting for the transition to occur. This ensures the device is ready for the new environment while avoiding continuous operation of unnecessary components, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the device obtains information and performs tasks required for the new environment before transitioning, then the device can operate seamlessly in the new environment, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system obtains map information, signal acquisition data, and other environment-specific information in advance based on the predicted route and upcoming environment transitions. By preparing these resources before the transition occurs, the device can immediately operate in the new environment without delays or interruptions, maintaining high productivity while managing complexity through predictive resource allocation rather than continuous readiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the device waits to obtain information and perform tasks until transitioning to the new environment, then the device complexity remains lower, but operational delays occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidoperational delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system predicts upcoming environment transitions based on the device's planned route and proactively obtains necessary information and configures the device before the transition occurs. This preliminary action eliminates operational delays that would occur if the device waited until after transitioning to gather map information, establish communication links, or activate required sensors. The system balances complexity by only performing preliminary actions for predicted transitions rather than continuously maintaining all systems ready.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If the device activates all sensors and modules continuously, then the device is always ready for any environment, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereadiness for any environmentVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously activating all sensors and modules, the system predicts future environment transitions based on the planned route and proactively configures only the necessary components before each transition. For example, when approaching an outdoor area, the system activates the GNSS receiver and obtains satellite assistance data in advance, while deactivating indoor-specific sensors when remaining indoors. This selective preliminary configuration maintains reliability for the specific upcoming environment while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous full-system activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

5Speed

If the device performs navigation tasks at the exact moment of environment transition, then the response time is minimized, but the device may experience operational pauses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidoperational continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs navigation tasks such as obtaining map information, activating sensors, and establishing communication links slightly before the device reaches the environment transition point, rather than waiting until the exact moment of transition. This timing strategy ensures that all necessary systems are already configured and ready when the transition occurs, maintaining continuous operation without pauses or delays, while still minimizing the overall response time by avoiding both premature and delayed task execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2909581B1Predictive scheduling of navigation tasks
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2909581B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2909581B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2909581B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are systems, apparatus, devices, methods, computer program products, and other implementations, including a method of controlling navigation tasks on a mobile device that includes obtaining data representative of a route of travel for the mobile device, obtaining a list of navigation tasks associated with the route of travel for the mobile device, and performing one or more navigation tasks in accordance with the list of navigation tasks based, at least in part, on proximity of the mobile device to one or more points on the route of travel. Performing the one or more navigation tasks includes one or more of, for example, obtaining satellite positioning assistance data in response to a determination that the mobile device is transitioning from an indoor area to an outdoor area, and/or establishing a communication link with an access point.