Telematics Location Accuracy via Network-Based Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telematics safety and security systems face challenges in providing accurate and reliable location information to emergency services during E911 calls, particularly in urban environments where GPS signals are weak, leading to potential delays in emergency response due to inaccurate or conflicting location data.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that transmit telematics device location information via a voice channel using audio or textphone messages, incorporating current and previous position coordinates, and utilizing network-based location determination to ensure accurate location reporting to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) without the need for commercial call centers or map databases in the telematics control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS-based location determination is used in urban environments, then the system can provide location information, but the accuracy deteriorates due to weak GPS signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces network-based location determination as an intermediary method when GPS signals are weak or unavailable. The system uses cellular tower triangulation and network infrastructure to mediate location determination, providing accurate location data in urban environments where GPS signals are blocked by buildings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the location determination parameter from GPS satellite-based to network-based methods when signal conditions deteriorate. By monitoring signal strength and availability, the system switches between different location determination parameters (GPS coordinates vs. network-based coordinates) to maintain accuracy.
2Reliability
If multiple location determination methods are used, then the reliability of location information improves, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects and switches between GPS-based and network-based location determination methods based on real-time signal conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain simplicity by using only the necessary method while ensuring reliability through automatic switching capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of signal availability and strength before initiating location determination. By evaluating GPS signal quality in advance, the system can pre-select the appropriate location determination method, avoiding the need for complex real-time decision-making and reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If network-based location determination is used, then the accuracy in urban areas improves, but the loss of time for location determination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checks of GPS signal strength and availability before initiating location determination. When GPS signals are already assessed as weak or unavailable, the system immediately switches to network-based methods, avoiding unnecessary delays. This preliminary assessment prevents time loss by proactively selecting the appropriate method.
Solution Approach 2:
The system skips the GPS-based location determination process entirely when signal conditions are poor, rushing directly to network-based methods. This skipping approach eliminates wasted time attempting to obtain accurate GPS coordinates in environments where they are unavailable, immediately proceeding with the alternative method that will succeed.
Data Source
AI summary
System, devices and methods are provided to automatically initiate an enhanced 911 (E911) call from a telematics control unit (TCU) (e.g., a TCU deployed with cellular modem or mobile phone in a vehicle) to an answering point (e.g. public safety answering point or access point (PSAP)). A wireless carrier (e.g., mobile service center (MSC)) employs a positioning determining entity (PDE) and algorithm to improve caller location determination using information provided by the TCU (e.g., GPS and dead reckoning information generated at the vehicle) and network location information when needed, and provides PDE estimated location of the caller to the PSAP (e.g., using a data channel and optionally a voice channel) to mitigate errors in TCU location data and reduce potentially conflicting location information provided to PSAPs from TCUs and wireless carriers or other phone service providers.