Wireless Signal Trigger for Position Fix Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile computing devices face challenges in reducing power consumption and efficiently updating position assist data, particularly when sufficient position information is known, and in utilizing changing wireless signal characteristics for automated position acquisition and navigation.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system and method that reduces the activity of location determination circuitry when sufficient position information is available, and uses changing wireless signal characteristics to automate position acquisition and associate position information with objects of interest for later retrieval and navigation, by configuring the device to update position assist data autonomously or periodically based on usage patterns and wireless communication events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If location determination circuitry remains active to provide continuous position updates, then position information availability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition information availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by monitoring wireless communications for triggering events and only activating location determination circuitry when needed, rather than keeping it continuously active. The system periodically checks for position requests or wireless events that would trigger a position fix, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining position information availability when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs self-service mechanisms where the wireless communication module autonomously monitors for triggering events and automatically initiates position fix requests when necessary, eliminating the need for continuous manual monitoring or intervention. This self-service approach allows the location determination circuitry to remain dormant until needed, reducing overall power consumption while ensuring position information is available when triggered.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If position assist data is updated frequently to ensure accuracy, then position fix accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition fix accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing wireless communication monitoring and triggering event detection before actual position fixes are needed. The system prepares position assist data in advance based on wireless communication state, so when a position fix is actually requested, the data is already available or can be quickly acquired, reducing processing time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the wireless communication module provides status information about triggering events and communication state to the location determination circuitry. This feedback allows the system to intelligently determine when position assist data updates are necessary, avoiding unnecessary processing while ensuring accuracy is maintained when position information is actually needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If the system monitors wireless communications continuously for position triggers, then automated position acquisition responsiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speed to location requestsVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic action by monitoring wireless communications at intervals rather than continuously, activating the monitoring function only when triggering events are detected or at predetermined time intervals. This periodic monitoring maintains responsive automated position acquisition while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication module performs self-service monitoring for triggering events, autonomously detecting when position fixes are needed based on communication state changes. This self-service approach eliminates the need for continuous system-wide monitoring, reducing energy consumption while maintaining fast automated response to location requests when triggers are detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9071701B2Using wireless characteristic to trigger generation of position fix

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A wireless characteristic of a wireless signal may be used to trigger generation of a position fix. A mobile computing device may include a wireless transceiver, a location determination circuit and a processing circuit. The wireless transceiver may be configured to receive a wireless signal over a short range wireless network from a wireless system. The processing circuit may be configured to detect a change in the wireless signal and, in response to the detected change, to generate a position fix using the location determination circuit.