Terminal Positioning via Battery-Aware Single-Node Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The frequent transmission of positional information by mobile communication terminals increases power consumption and reduces access time to the mobile communication network, as it requires continuous GPS measurements and data transmission through the mobile network.

Innovation Solution

A terminal apparatus with a positioning unit, a first communication unit for mobile communication, and a second communication unit for short-range communication, which collects battery information from other terminals and selects the terminal with the highest remaining battery to transmit positional information, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption and data traffic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If each mobile communication terminal transmits positional information timely via the mobile communication network, then the position management system can effectively manage terminal positions, but the traffic amount in the mobile communication network increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition management accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple terminal apparatuses merge their positional information transmission functions into a single selected terminal. The selection is based on battery remaining amounts collected through short-range communication, ensuring that only one terminal transmits positional information to the base station at any given time, thereby reducing overall network traffic and power consumption while maintaining position management effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of transmission frequency from continuous/per-terminal to periodic/single-terminal. By selecting one terminal based on battery status and having only that terminal transmit positional information at specific intervals, the system reduces the total volume of transmitted data and the associated power consumption across the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If GPS receivers continuously measure positions to provide timely positional information, then position management accuracy is improved, but the batteries of mobile communication terminals are consumed faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition measurement accuracyVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement and transmission functions are merged and concentrated in a single selected terminal apparatus. Other terminals that would otherwise continuously measure and transmit positions instead use short-range communication to share battery status information, reducing their power consumption while the selected terminal performs the GPS measurement and transmission to the base station.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Terminal apparatuses serve each other by sharing battery status information through short-range communication. This self-service mechanism allows the network to automatically select the most suitable terminal for positional information transmission based on real-time battery status, eliminating the need for each terminal to independently continuously measure and transmit positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If multiple terminal apparatuses transmit positional information simultaneously, then comprehensive position data is collected, but the load on the mobile communication network increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional information coverageVSAvoidnetwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the transmission function of multiple terminals into a single terminal. By selecting one terminal based on battery status and having it transmit positional information on behalf of the group, the system maintains position data collection while significantly reducing network traffic and improving network efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having all terminals transmit positional information, the system applies partial action by selecting only one terminal to perform the transmission function. This partial participation approach reduces network load while still achieving the objective of position management, as the single terminal's transmission suffices for the position management system's needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9781680B2Terminal apparatus, communication system, communication method for transmitting the measured positional information

Publication Date: 2017.10.03 JVC KENWOOD CORP

AI summary

A collection unit collects the identification information on each terminal apparatus and the remaining amount information on a remaining amount of battery by having each terminal apparatus mutually communicate the identification information on each terminal apparatus and the remaining amount information on the remaining amount of battery by way of a second communication unit. The collection unit also collects the identification information on its own terminal apparatus and the remaining amount information on the remaining amount of battery of the own terminal apparatus. A selector selects a single terminal apparatus, based on the remaining amount information collected. When the selector selects the own terminal apparatus, the positional information on the own terminal is acquired and the acquired positional information and the identification information collected by the collection unit are transmitted by the first communication unit to the base station apparatus.