Systems and Methods for Determining Geographic Location of a Mobile Device

Abstract

A method for determining geolocation of a mobile device, and a system for performing the method. The mobile device includes a location component, a local positioning component, and a reference positioning component. The method includes determining a local-positioning period based on an identified factor, and obtaining a location fix for the device from the reference positioning component. The method further includes commencing the period and measuring movement using the location component. The method also includes determining a present location of the device, using the location component, based on the location fix and the movement data and, during the period, repeating the measuring and determining steps. The method further includes, after the period expires, updating the location fix with a new location fix from the reference positioning component, resetting the local-positioning period; and repeating the steps for determining location during the reset period using the new location fix.

1 . A method for determining geographic location of a mobile device having a location component, a local positioning component, and a reference positioning component, the method comprising:
 a) determining a local-positioning period based on at least one identified factor;   b) obtaining a location fix for the mobile device from the reference positioning component;   c) commencing the local-positioning period;   d) measuring movement of the mobile device using the local positioning component and producing corresponding movement data;   e) determining a present location of the mobile device, using the location component, based on the location fix and the movement data;   f) during the local-positioning period, repeating steps (d) and (e), above;   g) after the local-positioning period expires:
 i. updating the location fix with a new location fix from the reference positioning component; 
 ii. resetting the local-positioning period; and 
 iii. repeating steps (d)-(g), above. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the local-positioning period is a previous local-positioning period;   the method further includes the location component receiving an instruction including a new local-positioning period, being different than the previous local-positioning period; and   resetting the local-positioning period following the location component receiving the instruction includes the location component commencing the new location-position period.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the local-positioning period based on at least one factor includes determining the local-positioning period based on an amount of remaining battery power for the mobile device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the local-positioning period based on at least one factor includes determining the local-positioning period based on a user preference. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the local-positioning period based on at least one factor includes determining the local-positioning period based on an instruction from the user indicating a desired locating accuracy. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the local-positioning period based on at least one factor includes determining the local-positioning period based on requirements of a location-based service (LBS). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein determining the local-positioning period includes receiving an instruction from a LBS application indicating the local-positioning period or a desired location accuracy. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing, onboard the mobile device, various locating accuracies in connection with corresponding locating-accuracy levels;   wherein determining the local-positioning period based on at least one factor includes determining an applicable locating-accuracy level of the locating-accuracy levels.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the local positioning component includes a micro-electromechanical system for inertial navigation (MEMS-IN);   the reference positioning component includes a global navigation satellite system (GNSS);   obtaining and updating the location fix for the mobile device includes obtaining the location fix using the GNSS; and   measuring movement of the mobile device includes measuring movement using the MEMS-IN.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the current location fix for the mobile device includes obtaining position-related data from a wireless communications network in which the mobile device operates. 
     
     
         11 . A mobile device comprising:
 a processor;   a local positioning component configured to measure movement of the mobile device;   a reference position component configured to determine geographic location of the mobile device;   a location component operatively linked to the processor, the local positioning component, and the reference positioning component, and including computer-readable instructions executable by the processor to make the location component operable to
 receive a location fix from the reference positioning component; 
 commence a local-positioning period; 
 receive movement data from the local positioning component corresponding to movement of the mobile device; 
 determine a present location of the mobile device based on the location fix and the received movement data during the local-positioning period; and 
 after the local-positioning period:
 receive a new location fix; 
 reset the local-positioning period; and 
 continue to determine the present location of the mobile device based on the new location fix and movement data from the local positioning component until the local-positioning period is reset. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The mobile device of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions, in being executable by the processor to make the location component operable to determine the local-positioning period based on at least one factor, are executable by the processor to make the location component operable to determine the local-positioning period based on an amount of remaining battery power for the mobile device. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile device of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions, in being executable by the processor to make the location component operable to determine the local-positioning period based on at least one factor, are executable by the processor to make the location component operable to determine the local-positioning period based on a user preference. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile device of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions, in being executable by the processor to make the location component operable to determine the local-positioning period based on at least one factor, are executable by the processor to make the location component operable to determine the local-positioning period based on requirements of a location-based service (LBS). 
     
     
         15 . The mobile device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a memory storing various amounts of locating accuracy in association with corresponding locating-accuracy levels;   wherein the instructions, in being executable by the processor to make the location component operable to determine the local-positioning period based on at least one factor, are executable by the processor to make the location component operable to determine an applicable locating-accuracy level of the locating-accuracy levels.   
     
     
         16 . A computer-readable medium for use in determining location of a mobile device, the computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor make the processor operable to:
 receive a location fix from a reference positioning component;   commence a local-positioning period corresponding to an identified accuracy for locating the mobile device;   receive movement data from a local positioning component of the mobile device, the movement data corresponding to movement of the mobile device;   determine a present location of the mobile device based on the location fix and the received movement data during the local-positioning period; and   after the local-positioning period:
 receive a new location fix; 
 reset the local-positioning period; and 
 continue to determine the present location of the mobile device based on the new location fix and new movement data from the local positioning component until passage of the reset local-positioning period. 
   
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium, in being executable by the processor to make the processor operable to determine the local-positioning period based on at least one factor, are executable by the processor to make the processor operable to determine the local-positioning period based on an amount of remaining battery power for the mobile device. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium, in being executable by the processor to make the processor operable to determine the local-positioning period based on at least one factor, are executable by the processor to make the processor operable to determine the local-positioning period based on a user preference. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium, in being executable by the processor to make the processor operable to determine the local-positioning period based on at least one factor, are executable by the processor to make the processor operable to determine the local-positioning period based on requirements of a location-based service (LBS). 
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium, in being executable by the processor to make the processor operable to determine the local-positioning period based on at least one factor, are executable by the processor to make the processor operable to determine an applicable locating-accuracy level of a plurality of locating-accuracy levels.