Smartphone Navigation Accuracy via Vehicle Heading Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smartphones struggle to accurately acquire location and heading information when used in vehicles, especially at low speeds and in GPS shadow areas, due to limitations in GPS module technology and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A location information system that establishes a communication path between a vehicle's control unit and a smart device, allowing the vehicle to transmit heading and location data, which is then compared and updated by the smart device to provide accurate navigation information, even in GPS shadow areas or at low speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If location information is acquired using only a GPS module of a smartphone inside the vehicle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of location and heading information deteriorates, especially at low speeds and in GPS shadow areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the GPS module in the smartphone with the vehicle's navigation system components (GPS receiver, heading sensor, speed sensor). The smartphone acquires both location information from its GPS module and heading information from the vehicle's navigation system, combining multiple data sources to achieve accurate positioning and orientation without increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The smartphone is given multiple functions: it serves as both a standalone navigation device with its own GPS module and as a display/interface unit that receives and processes heading information from the vehicle's navigation system. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high measurement precision without adding dedicated specialized devices
2Measurement precision
If a high-performance GPS module is built into the vehicle to provide accurate location information, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to requiring separate antenna, housing, and coaxial cable
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's existing navigation system components (GPS receiver, antenna, housing) are made multi-functional by enabling them to serve both the vehicle's native navigation system and the smartphone's navigation application. The smartphone acts as a universal interface that can display and process navigation data from the vehicle's GPS module, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware for smartphone navigation
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's navigation system components serve themselves by providing location information to both the vehicle's own navigation system and to connected smartphone applications simultaneously. The system uses its existing infrastructure (antenna, GPS receiver) to fulfill multiple navigation needs without requiring additional dedicated hardware installations
3Device complexity
If heading information is acquired by comparing GPS coordinates measured at two or more different times, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of heading information deteriorates when the vehicle travels at low speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the smartphone's GPS module with the vehicle's heading sensor (part of the navigation system). Instead of relying solely on time-based GPS coordinate comparison, the system merges GPS location data with direct heading measurements from the vehicle's sensor, achieving accurate heading information even at low speeds without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's heading sensor serves multiple functions: it provides heading information for the vehicle's own navigation system and simultaneously provides accurate heading data to smartphone navigation applications. This multi-functionality allows smartphones to achieve precise heading measurements without implementing complex sensor systems
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a location information system in a vehicle includes: establishing a communication path between a control unit equipped in the vehicle and a smart device; acquiring, by the control unit of the vehicle, first data including a first heading value and first location information; transmitting, by the control unit of the vehicle, the measured first data to the smart device; receiving, at the smart device, the first data from the control unit of the vehicle via the communication path; acquiring, by the smart device, second data including a second heading value and second location information; comparing, by the smart device, the first data with the second data; and updating, by the smart device, information of a navigation function of the smart device based on the first data or the second data depending on the comparing of the first data with the second data.