Sensor-Assisted Location Fix for GPS Accuracy and Battery Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Primary location technologies, such as GPS, can be unreliable in certain environments (e.g., urban canyons) and consume excessive power, leading to inaccurate location data and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing sensors like accelerometers, compasses, and gyrometers to supplement GPS by calculating relative distance and direction, enabling estimation modes and adjusting sampling intervals to enhance location accuracy and conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If primary location technology (GPS) is used continuously to determine location, then location accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the location determination process adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically switches between different location determination modes (sensor-based vs. GPS-based) based on environmental conditions and motion detection, optimizing the balance between accuracy and power consumption in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by using sensors to detect motion events and triggering GPS location updates only when motion is detected. This periodic activation of GPS based on motion events reduces continuous power consumption while maintaining location accuracy when needed
2Loss of information
If primary location technology (GPS) is used in urban canyons, then location data is obtained, but reliability deteriorates due to signal blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sensor data as an intermediary to bridge the gap when GPS fails in urban canyons. Sensors continuously track motion and position changes, providing reliable location information when GPS signals are blocked by buildings in urban environments
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of location determination by switching from GPS-based absolute positioning to sensor-based relative positioning when GPS reliability deteriorates. This parameter change allows continuous and reliable location tracking in challenging environments
3Measurement precision
If sensor data is used to supplement location determination, then location accuracy in difficult environments is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using multi-functional sensors that serve both as motion detection devices and as location determination tools. The same sensors that detect general device motion are also used to calculate precise location changes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated location sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Sensor-assisted location technology is disclosed. Primary location technologies, such as GPS, can be used to determine the current location (e.g., a location fix) of a location-enabled device. In some instances, the primary location technology may be unreliable and/or consume more power than an alternative location technology. Sensors, such as accelerometers, compasses, gyrometers, and the like, can be used to supplement and/or increase the accuracy of location data. For example, a location-enabled device can identify an area with unreliable GPS location data and use sensors to calculate a more accurate location. Areas identified may be crowd-sourced. Sensors can be used to identify errors in the location data provided by primary location technology. Sensors can be used to modify a sampling interval of the primary location technology. Sensor can be used to smooth motion on a user interface between sampling intervals of the primary location technology.