Updating position assist data on a mobile computing device

• US 20080242312A1
• Filed: 03/29/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Mahe, Isabel Ge, Paulson, Janell, Ramaswamy, Gurunath, Hamilton, Craig C., Kansal, Sachin S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,032,151 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/05 providing aiding data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/25 involving aiding data received from a cooperating element, e.g. assisted GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 414/134 Handicapped person handling

Abstract

A mobile computing device comprises a memory, a processor and a transceiver. The memory is configured to store at least one type of position assist data. The processor is configured to provide a position fix based on the position assist data. The transceiver is configured for wireless communication. The memory is configured to store updated position assist data for the type of position assist data. The processor is operable in a first operating mode in which the type of position assist data is not updated and operable in a second operating mode in which the type of position assist data is updated in response to at least one triggering event.

Claims

1. A mobile computing device, comprising:

a memory configured to store at least one type of position assist data;

a processor configured to provide a position fix based on the position assist data; and

a transceiver configured for wireless communication, wherein the memory is configured to store updated position assist data for the type of position assist data, wherein the processor is operable in a first operating mode in which the type of position assist data is not updated and operable in a second operating mode in which the type of position assist data is updated in response to at least one triggering event.

2. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the device moves from the first operating mode to the second operating mode in response to receiving a request for a position fix.

3. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the device does not move from the first operating mode to the second operating mode in response to a request for position fix as part of an E-911-request.

4. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the device moves from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on an indication of whether any application configured to request a position fix is stored in memory.

5. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein in the first operating mode none of the types of position assist data are updated autonomously.

6. A mobile computing device, comprising:

a memory configured to store at least one type of position assist data;

a processor configured to provide a position fix based on the position assist data; and

a transceiver configured to establish a wireless communication call unrelated to a request for position assist data, wherein the processor is configured to communicate a request for updated position assist data for the type of position assist data during the wireless communication call.

7. The mobile computing device of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to communicate the request for updated position assist data based on a time period since the position assist data was last updated.

8. The mobile computing device of claim 6, wherein the request for updated position assist data is communicated during a data call.

9. The mobile computing device of claim 6, wherein the request for updated position assist data is communicated during a voice call.

10. The mobile computing device of claim 6, wherein the type of position assist data is almanac data.

11. The mobile computing device of claim 6, wherein the type of position assist data is ephemeris data.

12. The mobile computing device of claim 6, wherein the type of position assist data is mobile station-assist data.

13. A mobile computing device, comprising:

a memory configured to store at least one type of position assist data;

a processor configured to receive a request for a position fix from a requester and to provide the position fix based on the position assist data, wherein the processor is configured to generate updated position assist data a predetermined time period after the position fix is provided.

14. The mobile computing device of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to change the predetermined time period between subsequent steps of generating updated position assist data.

15. The mobile computing device of claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to change the predetermined time period based on whether a subsequent request for position fix is received from the requester.

16. The mobile computing device of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to increase the time period a plurality of times between each subsequent request for updated position assist data during a time period in which no subsequent request for position fix is received.

17. The mobile computing device of claim 13, wherein the position assist data is coarse data and the processor is configured to generate the updated coarse data by generating an updated position fix.

18. The mobile computing device of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to periodically generate updated coarse data without regard to whether a request for a position fix is received, to compare a plurality of coarse data points, to determine that the mobile computing device is substantially stationary, and to cease generating further updated coarse data if the device is substantially stationary.

19. The mobile computing device of claim 13, wherein the position assist data is ephemeris data and the processor is configured to generate the updated position assist data by receiving the ephemeris data via a transceiver.