RF Device Location via Mobile Proximity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional location-based services face limitations in accurately determining the location of RF communication devices, particularly in scenarios where direct positioning methods are impractical or unreliable, such as in environments with limited satellite visibility or complex infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize proximity-based determination, where a mobile device, equipped with RFID or NFC capabilities, communicates with a nearby RF communication device to determine its location, which is then stored and used for location-based services, leveraging existing communication networks and satellite data for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional location-based services use network-based or satellite-based positioning technologies, then location determination can be achieved, but accuracy and reliability deteriorate in environments with limited satellite visibility or complex infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile devices as intermediary nodes that carry RF communication devices. The mobile device's known location (determined by conventional methods) serves as a reference point, and the RF device's location is inferred relative to this reference through proximity detection. This intermediary approach enables location determination in environments where direct satellite or network-based positioning is unreliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the mobile device's existing location capabilities and communication functions to provide location services for RF devices. Instead of requiring the RF device to have its own positioning hardware, the mobile device uses its own location data and communication infrastructure to serve the positioning need, making the system self-sufficient in terms of positioning capability.
2Measurement precision
If proximity-based location determination is used, then location accuracy improves in limited satellite visibility environments, but device complexity increases due to additional communication components
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs multiple functions: it determines its own location using conventional methods, detects proximity of the RF communication device through communication capabilities, and provides location information for LBS applications. This multi-functionality approach avoids adding dedicated positioning hardware to the RF device while achieving improved location precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If location information is stored and used for location-based services, then service functionality improves, but information management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and stores only the essential location information (coordinates and timing data) rather than maintaining complex tracking systems. The location data is extracted from the proximity detection process and stored in a simplified format that can be directly used by LBS applications without requiring complex information management infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device may be operable to determine, based on a known location of the mobile device, a location for a RF communication device that communicates with the mobile device, whenever the mobile device is within proximate range of the RF communication device. The determined location for the RF communication device may be stored in a location database in a location server and/or a memory in the RF communication device. The stored location of the RF communication device may then be used to determine a location for other mobile devices that may communicate with the RF communication device and are within proximate range of the RF communication device. The RF communication device may comprise a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device and/or a near field communication (NFC) device. The determined location for the RF communication device may comprise the known location of the mobile device.