Satellite Positioning Unit Operation Condition Setting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable information processing devices with positioning functions face high power consumption due to continuous satellite signal searching, even in environments where satellite signals are weak or blocked, leading to inefficient power usage.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that includes a satellite positioning unit, an environment information acquiring unit, a reception information acquiring unit, and an operation condition setting unit, which sets optimal operation conditions for satellite signal searching based on environment-specific reception information, allowing the device to adjust its power usage accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the satellite positioning unit continuously searches for positioning satellites, then positioning availability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the operation conditions of the satellite positioning unit adjustable and location-dependent. The control unit dynamically changes search parameters (search area, search method, time period) based on received location information and stored environment information, allowing the system to adapt between continuous searching in open areas and reduced searching in signal-blocked areas, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning availability and power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through the control unit that receives location information from the location information acquisition unit, compares it with stored environment information, and adjusts the operation conditions accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically optimize power consumption while maintaining positioning availability based on real-time location context

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the satellite positioning unit performs high-sensitivity searching in weak signal environments, then positioning precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by storing and applying different operation conditions for different location types (e.g., open area vs. building interior). The control unit selects specific search parameters tailored to the current location's signal characteristics, enabling high-sensitivity searching only where necessary while using standard searching in adequate signal areas, thus optimizing the balance between positioning precision and power consumption locally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying search parameters (search area size, search method intensity, time period duration) based on location-specific conditions. The control unit adjusts these parameters according to the received location information and stored environment data, allowing the system to optimize positioning precision in weak signal areas while reducing power consumption in areas with adequate signal coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the satellite positioning unit stops searching in blocked sky environments, then power consumption is reduced, but positioning availability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpositioning availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing environment information (signal characteristics, location types, optimal operation conditions) for various locations before actual positioning needs arise. When the positioning unit needs to operate, the control unit quickly retrieves and applies the pre-determined optimal conditions for the current location, enabling the system to maintain positioning availability when necessary while avoiding unnecessary power consumption when signal blocking is expected

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10082582B2Information processing apparatus for reception and processing of a positioning signal

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is provided an information processing apparatus including a satellite positioning unit, an environment information acquiring unit, a reception information acquiring unit and an operation condition setting unit. The satellite positioning unit performs positioning based on a positioning signal received from a positioning satellite. The environment information acquiring unit acquires environment information unique to a current location. The reception information acquiring unit acquires reception information indicating a state of the positioning signal at the current location based on the environment information The operation condition setting unit sets an operation condition of the satellite positioning unit based on the reception information.