Smart Wearable Device Gets Better at Finding Its Location
A new patent, with the title "Method for Positioning Smart Wearable Device, and Device," aims to address the core problem faced by smart wearable gadgets in accurately determining their location. The patent, with the number US20240176027A1, introduces a revolutionary method that utilizes data from surrounding devices, combined with signals from specialized satellites, to enhance the device's geolocation capabilities.
The problem arises due to the slow transmission speed of GPS data, which can result in time-consuming calculations for satellite selection. In open regions, it can take approximately ten to twenty minutes for the GPS positioning function to be fully implemented. Additionally, in cases where the device has been powered off for an extended period or has experienced a significant change in geographic position, restarting the GPS positioning process requires a time-consuming cold start procedure.
To alleviate these issues, the patent introduces an Assisted GPS (A-GPS) technology that leverages base station address information to establish a connection between the positioning server and the A-GPS terminal. Through this connection, the server transmits GPS auxiliary information corresponding to the approximate position of the device, including ephemeris, azimuth angle, and elevation angle of GPS satellites.
The A-GPS terminal receives the transmitted GPS original signal and demodulates it to calculate pseudo-ranges, which are distance estimates accounting for various GPS errors. This information is then relayed back to the positioning server for processing. By utilizing both GPS pseudo-range data and auxiliary information from other positioning devices, the server estimates the position of the A-GPS terminal, which is subsequently transmitted to a positioning gateway or application platform.
While A-GPS technology has significantly improved positioning accuracy, it is limited to open environments such as outdoor settings. Indoor locations often hinder the acquisition of signals from multiple satellites, affecting positioning accuracy. Furthermore, the A-GPS terminal's reliance on multiple network transmissions (up to six one-way transmissions) consumes substantial air resources, incurs higher network traffic costs, and increases power consumption, ultimately reducing device standby time.
The patented method offers several advantages. It allows smart wearable gadgets to acquire reference positioning data sent by surrounding devices autonomously, without direct data interaction. This eliminates the need for continuous data exchange, reducing air resource utilization, and data communication frequency band occupancy. This approach improves data acquisition speed, shortens reference positioning data retrieval time, reduces power consumption, and extends device standby time.
Furthermore, the patent introduces the concept of preset full ephemeris data within smart wearable gadgets. By comparing this data with the reference positioning data, the positioning satellite for the device can be rapidly determined, facilitating quick positioning. Consequently, the time required to lock onto the positioning satellite is significantly reduced, enhancing the overall positioning speed and accuracy of smart wearable gadgets.
Once this problem of accurate geolocation is resolved, it opens up new possibilities and applications for smart wearable gadgets. Imagine a world where your smartwatch can accurately track your running route, even in dense urban areas, thanks to enhanced positioning capabilities. Additionally, smart glasses can seamlessly provide augmented reality experiences, overlaying useful information like directions or historical facts about landmarks in real-time. These advancements revolutionize the way we interact with wearable technology, making our lives more convenient and seamless.
It's important to note that this patent represents significant progress in the field of smart wearable gadgets. However, there is no guarantee that it will appear in the market. As with any patent, further development, refinement, and commercialization are required before this technology becomes widely available.
P.S. This article is based on a recently published patent, US20240176027A1, and its corresponding invention. While the patent demonstrates promising advancements for smart wearable gadgets, there is no certainty regarding its availability on the market.