Geolocation methods and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of operating a geolocation device comprising determining the duration of a time interval during which the device is configured to remain active as a result of comparing an estimate of benefit of remaining active for that time interval and an estimate of cost of remaining active for that time interval wherein at least one of the estimate of the benefit and the estimate of the cost is derived responsive to measures of at least one of expected interval between fixes, expected usage, expected battery life, and minimum operational period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and associated apparatus and programs for computers for operating geolocation devices are provided. The methods include determining the duration of a time interval during which the device is configured to remain active, responsive to a comparison between an estimate of benefit of remaining on for that time interval and an estimate of cost of remaining on for that time interval. The estimates of cost and benefit may be determined in response to user-selected parameters where by the end-user may effect a trade-off between battery life and receiver sensitivity. The methods also include varying the maximum duration of each listening period whereby to conserve battery power.
9 Citations
13 Claims
- 1. A method of operating a geolocation device comprising determining the duration of a time interval during which the device is configured to remain active as a result of comparing an estimate of benefit of remaining active for that time interval and an estimate of cost of remaining active for that time interval wherein at least one of the estimate of the benefit and the estimate of the cost is derived responsive to measures of at least one of expected interval between fixes, expected usage, expected battery life, and minimum operational period.
- 10. A geolocation device controller arranged to determine the duration of a time interval during which a geolocation device is to be configured to remain active responsive to a comparison between an estimate of benefit of remaining on for that time interval and an estimate of cost of remaining on for that time interval wherein at least one of the estimate of the benefit and the estimate of the cost is derived responsive to measures of at least one of expected interval between fixes, expected usage, expected battery life, and minimum operational period.
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13. A program for a computer for operating a geolocation device, the program comprising code portions, when executed by the computer, for performing a method comprising determining the duration of a time interval during which the device is configured to remain active responsive to a comparison between an estimate of benefit of remaining on for that time interval and an estimate of cost of remaining on for that time interval wherein at least one of the estimate of the benefit and the estimate of the cost is derived responsive to measures of at least one of expected interval between fixes, expected usage, expected battery life, and minimum operational period.
Specification