User Terminal Location Estimation via Movement Pattern Clustering

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high power consumption of GPS receivers in mobile terminal apparatuses and their reduced functionality in areas with satellite obstructions necessitate an alternative method for estimating user location without relying solely on GPS signals.

Innovation Solution

A user terminal apparatus equipped with sensors to detect movement patterns, a storage system to match these patterns with location information, and a processor to estimate the user's location based on previously collected data, reducing the need for continuous GPS usage by clustering coordinate information and updating place information accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS receiver is used to obtain exact location, then location accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides location determination into two segments: GPS-based exact location detection and sensor-based movement pattern recognition. The system uses GPS periodically or when movement patterns change, while relying on sensor data for continuous location estimation, thereby reducing GPS power consumption while maintaining location accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-collecting movement data from sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer) and pre-processing this data to identify movement patterns. This preliminary data collection allows the system to estimate location without continuously activating the power-intensive GPS receiver

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If GPS receiver is used in areas with satellite obstructions, then location accuracy deteriorates, but alternative methods increase power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces sensor data (accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer) as an intermediary to bridge the gap when GPS is unavailable. These sensors indirectly track movement and infer location changes without requiring direct satellite signals, thus maintaining functionality in obstructed areas while consuming less power than continuous GPS

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If continuous GPS signal reception is implemented, then location tracking accuracy is improved, but battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation tracking accuracyVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic GPS signal reception rather than continuous reception. GPS is activated at predetermined time intervals or when movement pattern changes are detected, allowing the system to maintain location tracking capability while significantly reducing power consumption and extending battery life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10045155B2User terminal apparatus and controlling method thereof
Publication Date: 2018.08.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A user terminal apparatus is provided. The user terminal apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense a movement of the user terminal apparatus, a storage configured to store a plurality of movement patterns and place information for each time period matching with each movement pattern, and a processor configured to, in response to the movement sensed by the sensor corresponding to one of the plurality of movement patterns, determine a place where the user terminal apparatus is located using a movement pattern corresponding to the sensed movement and place information matching with a present time.