Wireless Remote Location Marking for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in marking or recording a location without having hands-on access to their mobile computing device, particularly in situations where attention and hands are occupied, such as driving or engaging in outdoor activities.
Innovation Solution
A wireless remote with an operation unit and a wireless transmission unit that sends control signals to a mobile computing device equipped with a GPS sensor and processor, allowing the device to determine and store the current geographic location, and optionally count the number of locations marked, without requiring physical interaction with the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user manually marks location on a mobile computing device, then location information is recorded accurately, but the user cannot mark locations when hands are occupied with activities such as driving or outdoor tasks
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless remote control device acts as an intermediary between the user and the mobile computing device. The remote transmits control signals wirelessly to trigger location marking functions on the mobile device, allowing users to mark locations without physically handling the mobile device. This resolves the contradiction by providing hands-free operation capability while maintaining accurate location recording.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the location marking function from the mobile device itself by implementing it through a separate wireless remote control. The remote contains only the essential triggering mechanism, while the mobile device handles GPS coordinates acquisition and storage. This segmentation allows the marking function to be accessed independently from the main device, enabling hands-free operation.
2Ease of operation
If a wireless remote is introduced to enable hands-free location marking, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless remote control is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple mobile computing devices through standard wireless communication protocols. Rather than creating a complex dedicated system for each device type, the remote uses universal communication methods (such as infrared or radio frequency) that can interface with various smartphones and tablets, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining enhanced operational ease.
3Measurement precision
If the mobile computing device continuously monitors GPS location, then location accuracy is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous GPS monitoring, the system uses periodic location capture triggered by remote control signals. The GPS sensor on the mobile device remains in lower-power mode and only activates when a signal is received from the wireless remote. This periodic activation maintains location recording accuracy at marked positions while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile computing device's GPS sensor and processing capabilities serve themselves by remaining in low-power state and only activating when needed. The wireless remote triggers the GPS function only when location marking is required, allowing the device to self-manage its power consumption by avoiding unnecessary GPS activations while maintaining the ability to record accurate locations when triggered.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure include devices configured for wireless communication with a mobile computing device having GPS capability that allow a user to record the user's current location with the user's mobile computing device without having to physically access the mobile computing device. Such devices can allow a user to mark or record a location or waypoint to a mobile computing device, such as a GPS-enabled mobile phone, using a wireless remote and software configured to enable communication with the mobile computing device. Such devices can enable a user to mark and record locations for navigation without having to physically touch and operate the mobile computing device.