Method and system for detecting position of mobile terminal

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a method for acquiring position information and a device thereof in a mobile terminal capable of seamlessly detecting position information locally (outdoor to indoor) and accurately (high accuracy to low accuracy).

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Conventional position information utilization terminals usually have a single position detection means such as GPS position detection and PHS position detection. Alternatively, even those having a plurality of position detection means are limited to an auxiliary role when one of the position detections cannot be detected, or an auxiliary means such as a main position detection accuracy correction.

【0003】

Recently, with the prospect of position detection even in an indoor space, it is becoming possible to have a plurality of position detection means in combination and appropriately select a method that can be used according to the location or the detection accuracy. ..

【0004】

However, since a method for integrating a plurality of position detection means has not been established, there is no method for using the position information obtained from these or a criterion for selection. Therefore, in order to realize a mobile terminal, the data format depends on the dedicated terminal and the application, which may adversely affect the degree of freedom in design and the terminal cost.

【0005】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

An object of the present invention is to obtain one position information by integrating and comparing and evaluating position information detecting means under different conditions (outdoor and indoor) and with different accuracy. It is also possible to convert this information into a format that is easy for the application to use.

【0006】

[Means for solving problems]

The first feature of the present invention is to have a plurality of different position detecting means. For example, there are GPS and PHS outdoors, PHS indoors, infrared rays, and weak radio waves. Each of these methods differs in usage range, position detection accuracy, cost for terminal side equipment (GPS antenna, etc.), cost for communication, etc. due to its characteristics.

【0007】

The position information obtained by different methods is grasped by the following three characteristics. Is it available at the current location? Accuracy of position detection Cost for position detection [0008]

Have the logic to select the best one from the evaluation results, or make an inquiry to the user.

【0009】

Convert the resulting location information into a unified format so that it can be processed by various application programs.

【0010】

The user does not need to be aware of which position detection means the position information was obtained by. That is, the location information is seamless.

【0011】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows an image of the entire system.

【0012】

The mobile terminal 1 shall have a plurality of different position detection mechanisms. In this example, it is assumed that there are three methods of GPS position detection, position detection by weak radio, and position detection by infrared reception.

【0013】

The mobile terminal user detects the position by GPS in the outdoor GPS-enabled part. Furthermore, in places where weak wireless services can be received, such as local community areas, location information with higher accuracy than GPS is detected. Furthermore, in the indoor space, it is an example of using this in the area where the position detection service by infrared rays can be received.

【0014】

In this case, the detection means to be used differs depending on the position, but the areas covered by the detection means overlap. That is, it is common that a plurality of positions can be detected at the same point. (If there is only one means, the solution is of course trivial.

【0015】

Even if the user uses the different location information of these methods, the obtained service can be seamlessly received. That is, it is not necessary to be aware of the difference due to the difference in the position detecting means.

【0016】

Figure 2 shows the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal.

【0017】

Among the mobile terminals 1, there are different position detection devices 6 (for example, A method, B method, and C method). The detection result is converted to a unified format by the format conversion device 7, controlled by the control device 8, and taken out as needed.

【0018】

The control device 8 performs sorting by using data (evaluation table) as an evaluation standard stored in the storage device 9. At this time, if necessary, a confirmation message can be sent to the user via the input / output device 10 to obtain approval.

【0019】

Next, the operation in the position information selection is shown in the block diagram (Fig. 3).

【0020】

Position detection is performed for a plurality of position detection methods having zero cost. (11) [0021] [0021]

The format of these information is converted to a unified format. (12) [0022]

If there is data that can obtain the highest detection accuracy among these, that data is adopted as it is. (13) [0023]

If better cost and accuracy data can be detected otherwise and is available at that point, perform this detection according to the default criteria (eg accuracy priority, user confirmation, etc.). .. (14, 14-1) [0024]

The data obtained here is also converted to a unified format (14-2), and a final comparison is made. (15) [0025]

Select one of the results. (16) [0026]

This value is passed to the application program to provide the service. (17) [0027]

Figure 4 shows an example of the evaluation table for selecting location information.

【0028】

Each method (18) is characterized by having three points: accuracy of position detection (19), cost of position detection (20), and availability at the current position (21). In this example, in the case of "A method", the accuracy of position detection is "100 m or more" and the cost is "0 yen / time". However, it is "No" that cannot be used at the current location.

【0029】

The information shown in this table is not fixed to the location, such as "availability at current location". Other factors (position detection accuracy, cost) may also change dynamically depending on the location. For example, in the case of GPS, in the case of a place where correction information (differential GPS) can be used, the position detection accuracy is improved, and the communication cost for confirming the cost to the information center may change depending on the place, etc. ..

【0030】

If the amount of change cannot be specified, the value may have a range. For example, the accuracy of position detection may be "30m to 100m".

【0031】

In any case, when comparing each method, it is important to always refer to the evaluation table at the current position to make a judgment. In other words, it is necessary to update the evaluation table dynamically and make dynamic judgments.

【0032】

A specific example method for determining the comparison method will be described with reference to FIG.

【0033】

Figure 5 shows the range of each method in the coordinate space for the accuracy and cost of each method available at the current location.

【0034】

The conditions specified by the user are as follows, for example. Accuracy priority (select the method that gives the highest accuracy, and ignore the cost) Cost priority (select the lowest cost method and ignore accuracy) Judge the above intermediate compound conditions User inquiry (If the cost is greater than 0, be sure to confirm the user in advance) [0035]

In the figure, a method considering the third compound condition will be described. By determining the distribution ratio of cost (y) and accuracy (x), a straight line with a certain slope (k1, k2) can be drawn. y = k1x + α1 (α = a, b, c, d) y = k2x + α2 (α = a, b, c, d) [0036]

The closer it is to the lower right of this straight line, the more desirable it is. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 5, in the case of the inclination k1, the D method is the best, followed by the C method, the A method, and the B method.

【0037】

When the distribution ratio of cost and accuracy is changed, the slope of the straight line changes. For example, in the case of slope k2, the order of the methods is D method, C method, B method, and A method.

【0038】

Figure 6 shows an example of the unified format of location information.

【0039】

The location information and (22) include latitude (23), longitude (24), and altitude (25). The format uses the coordinate system commonly used in GPS. However, the number of significant digits may change depending on the detection accuracy. Furthermore, regarding altitude, it is possible to replace it with the number of floors of the building as well as the height from the reference plane. (In this case, it may be necessary to make corrections such as entering the floor of the building by the user.) [0040]

Furthermore, the accuracy (27) and cost (28) information is included as the attribute information (26) of this information in a part of the position information.

【0041】

Other optional items (29) such as direction, moving speed, and time can be included. This optional item may be used depending on the position detection means or the application program.

【0042】

Figure 7 shows information on the detection accuracy of position information.

【0043】

The detection accuracy shown in these is expected to change in the future with future technological progress. Furthermore, the technologies and methods listed are, of course, not exhaustive.

【0044】

[Effect of the invention]

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a mobile terminal capable of seamlessly detecting position information in terms of location (outdoor to indoor) and accuracy (high accuracy to low accuracy), and to make a difference in position detection method for an application program. There is no need to be specially aware of it.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a figure explaining the whole system of this invention.

[Figure 2]

It shows the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal used in this invention.

[Fig. 3]

The operation of selecting one from a plurality of position detection information will be described.

[Fig. 4]

An example of an evaluation table for selecting one from a plurality of position detection information is shown.

[Fig. 5]

It is a figure explaining the specific method for selecting one from a plurality of position detection information.

[Fig. 6]

It shows an example of a unified format of position information.

[Fig. 7]

It shows information about the detection accuracy of position information.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Mobile terminal 2 users 3 GPS satellites 4 Weak wireless transmitter 5 infrared ID transmitter 6 Position detector 7 Format converter 8 Control unit 9 storage device 10 I / O device 11 Cost = 0 position detection 12 Unified location information format 13 Choices by certain criteria 14 Get another location 14-1 Position detection with cost> 0 14-2 Unification of location information format 15 comparison 16 Get one location information 17 Handing over to the application 18 methods 19 Position detection accuracy 20 Position detection cost 21 Availability at current location 22 Location information 23 latitude 24 longitude 25 altitude 26 Attribute information 27 accuracy 28 cost 29 Optional items