Real-time location and presence using a push-location client and server

• US 8,489,111 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2010
• Issued: 07/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: mPanion Incorporated
• Original Assignee: mPanion Incorporated
• Inventors: CHAWLA, NEERAJ
• Primary Examiner(s): DOAN, KIET M
• Application Number:
  US12/728,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20110159884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,214 Days
• Field of Search: 455/66.1, 455/569.1, 455/127.5, 455/557, 455/456.2, 455/404.1, 455/456.1, 455/446, 455/418, 455/413, 455/456.5, 370/352, 370/338, 701/411, 701/119, 701/532, 709/203, 709/206, 709/223, 705/41
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/48 by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/017 Detecting state or type of motion
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/019 Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0251 using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0258 controlling an operation mode according to history or models of usage information, e.g. activity schedule or time of day
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0274 by switching on or off the equipment or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A system for providing real-time always-on location is presented for maintaining the current location of a mobile device, while saving the battery by managing the GPS in a power-saving mode while the device is considered to be stationary. The system also provides a real-time location in an indoor environment where a GPS signal may not be available. Additionally, methods for driving detection are also presented.

Claims

1. A system for determining a location of a mobile device, comprising:

a mobile device comprising a push-client embedded in the mobile device, the push client configured to maintain a current location of the mobile device; and

a mobile positioning system comprising a push-server configured to receive location updates from the push-client, wherein

the push-client is configured to optimally send location updates only when the location of the mobile device changes,

the mobile positioning system further comprises a power-saving mode optimized for when the mobile device is determined to be stationary,

when in the power-saving mode, the mobile positioning system is configured to detect changes in location using positioning methods with a lower accuracy and with lower battery consumption,

when a change in location is detected by the mobile positioning system while in power-saving mode, the mobile positioning system is configured to determine the location with higher accuracy, and

the push-client is further configured to detect a driving or in transit status of the mobile device based on “

in vehicle”

detection methods, comprising one or more of;

a proximity sensor of the mobile device configured to detect proximity of the mobile device to a vehicle, an in-vehicle accessory configured to determine the proximity of the mobile device to the in-vehicle accessory, and by the mobile device determining a connection status to the in-vehicle accessory.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the push-client is further configured to manage a frequency of location requests based on a speed of the mobile device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the push-client is further configured to detect motion of the mobile device using an accelerometer embedded in the mobile device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the push-client is further configured to detect motion of the mobile device using activity detection methods available in an operating system of the mobile device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the push-client is further configured to detect motion of the mobile device based on a speed of the mobile device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the push-client is further configured to detect a driving status of the mobile device based on “

in vehicle”

detection methods, comprising one or more of;

a proximity sensor of the mobile device configured to detect proximity of the mobile device to a vehicle, an in-vehicle accessory configured to determine the proximity of the mobile device to the in-vehicle accessory, and by the mobile device determining a connection status to the in-vehicle accessory.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the push-server is further configured to maintain a location profile of predetermined locations of the mobile device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the system is configured to enable the power-saving mode of the positioning system when the mobile device is determined to be at one of the predetermined locations until the mobile positioning system detects a change in the location of the mobile device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein when the push-client detects that the mobile device is driving or in transit, the push-client is further configured to enable the power saving mode based on transit start and end points.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the push-client is configured to only send location updates when street information has changed.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

memory storing computer program instructions, wherein the computer program instructions are configured to cause the processor to;

maintain a current location of the apparatus determined by a mobile positioning system,

optimally compute location updates when the location of the apparatus changes, and

detect a driving or in transit status of the apparatus based on “

in vehicle”

detection methods, comprising one or more of;

a proximity sensor of the apparatus configured to detect proximity of the apparatus to a vehicle, an in-vehicle accessory configured to determine the proximity of the apparatus to the in-vehicle accessory, and by the apparatus determining a connection status to the in-vehicle accessory, wherein

the apparatus comprises a mobile positioning system comprising a power-saving mode optimized for when the apparatus is determined to be stationary,

when in the power-saving mode, the mobile positioning system is configured to detect changes in location with a lower accuracy and with lower battery consumption, and

when a change in location is detected by the mobile positioning system while in power-saving mode, the mobile positioning system is configured to determine the location with higher accuracy.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the power-saving mode is enabled when the apparatus is determined to be stationary.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the power-saving mode is enabled after the mobile positioning system has been enabled for a predetermined period of time.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the power-saving mode is disabled when a notification is received that the location of the apparatus has changed.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the power-saving mode is disabled when a cell-ID of the apparatus changes.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the mobile device is determined to be stationary when the location has not changed more than a predetermined threshold within a predetermined duration.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein when the apparatus detects that it is driving or in transit, the apparatus is further configured to enable the power saving mode based on transit start and end points.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the push-client is configured to only send location updates when street information has changed.