Method and device for positioning

The present invention relates to methods and devices for position determination.

By incorporating various positioning methods into a portable terminal device, it is possible for a user of this terminal device to measure its geographical position. The use of satellites for position-fixing has created a global GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation system. Advances in mobile communication systems and terminals are also based on measuring the difference in reception time of signals sent from several base stations at mobile terminals, for example, other types of positioning, such as E-OTD (extended time difference observation) systems. Created a method.

In the development of method and device for position fixing, the emphasis has been mainly on the interrelationship between one application and one positioning method used in the device. An example of such a device is a portable GPS navigation device, which allows users to measure their position using a global positioning system, for example, positioning information including latitude and longitude information of the device. It can be displayed on the display. Under different geographic conditions, the reliability of different positioning methods varies, and the resulting problems for device users are solved by allowing multiple positioning methods to be used on a single terminal. It has been. In this way, the most appropriate positioning method for a given situation can be used, for example, by selecting the method to be used from among the plurality of available methods. For example, GPS positioning systems are particularly well suited for use while driving on the road in a car. In places where the GPS system is not the most reliable, such as inside a building, other better positioning methods can be used, such as the E-OTD or TOA (Time to Alive) method.

This type of method and device is disclosed in the UK Patent Gazette GB2,322,248A, in which the terminal uses several different positioning systems to automatically perform the positioning method if the positioning method fails. It has a single positioning application that can change. In GB2,322,248 of the same gazette, an application that uses positioning data provided by various positioning methods provides the user with only information related to position determination. In other words, this application uses positioning data only in a limited way. However, in the future, as applications evolve and diversify, the various applications of mobile terminal devices will extend beyond the simple presentation of positioning-related information to device users, to more complex and diverse methods. Will be expanded to use positioning information. It is expected that a single terminal will include several applications and services that utilize positioning information and several available positioning methods. For example, future mobile terminal devices, such as those developed in connection with third-generation mobile communication networks, will provide a much wider variety of positioning-based applications than those currently available. This type of application can be, for example, a navigation system that incorporates a map-based display to track the user's location, or to find a particular type of service or retailer closest to the user's current location. The application to be designed is conceivable.

As the number of applications for mobile terminal devices that need to access positioning data increases and the number of positioning methods that an application can access increases, it becomes necessary to manage and control the use of positioning methods by applications in an efficient manner. It will be. The need for efficient control of positioning methods by an application becomes even greater as the complexity of positioning-related tasks performed by the application increases.

<p> By the method and device for position determination invented here, for example, a positioning method selected by using a positioning method integrally incorporated in a terminal device and connectable, or a positioning method provided by a mobile communication network. Multiple applications are used with the help of the device (PMSD). The present invention allows one or more applications to obtain and use positioning data provided by one or more positioning methods through PMSD at the same time or at different times.</p><p> At any given time, PMSD is based on the requirement to specify the quality of service (positioning quality QoP) specified by the user or application, without knowing how the positioning methods available under various conditions behave. , The terminal device application can automatically determine the best positioning method available. By using the positioning method selection device according to the present invention, each application requests positioning data centrally from the positioning method selection device rather than separately from each positioning method, so that the application in use executes it. The number of tasks to be done is reduced. Therefore, PMSD manages and controls the use of various positioning methods by the application and ensures that the positioning data provided meets the quality requirements specified by the user and / or the application as much as possible. Acts as an interface between.</p><p> In a method according to the invention, each available application of the terminal device sends a positioning request to the positioning method selection device when it needs positioning information. The PMSD knows the number of positioning methods available at any given time, its operating state at that time (eg, in use / not in use), and its capabilities under dominant conditions. The application does not need to know which positioning method is used at a particular time point, or how and in what format each positioning method provides the positioning data required by the application.</p><p> A terminal device is used for personal positioning, especially (but not always), for example, when a user attempts to measure his or her position with the help of a terminal device, such as a GPS locator. If so, the PMSD can take into account the priorities of the various positioning methods, that is, the user's conditions, such as which positioning method the user wants to use as a first choice. However, it is a condition that the positioning method can be used. In addition, the user can specify the positioning method that the user wants the PMSD to use at a particular point in time by permitting or prohibiting the use of a particular positioning method. Users can specify criteria for positioning method selection directly to the PMSD (independent of the application) through the user interface rather than through the application in use. This advantageous feature reduces and simplifies the exchange of information between the application and the PMSD. In addition, the conditions set by the user regarding the selection of the positioning method can include the desired accuracy of the required positioning data (for example, latitude, longitude, distance from a specific point). Since each positioning method has its own characteristic capabilities and characteristics, the PMSD is the specific used in connection with the positioning request from this particular application, depending on the task performed by that particular application. Positioning method can be selected.</p><p> The centralized configuration for PMSD directly affects all applications, so the user does not need to configure it separately for each application. For example, if a service connected by WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) or other browser requires the browser to provide information about its location with certain accuracy, the location information will ultimately be the user. It is displayed according to the conditions set by. For example, if the user has specified a positioning method for use at that time and this positioning method is unable to provide positioning data with the accuracy required by the application, the browser application will provide location information to the service. Do not send. Instead, the user can predefine the positioning method of the location information provider that each particular application can receive from the PMSD. This is an advantageous feature, especially when the cost of using the positioning method is based on the positioning data required frequency.</p><p> The PMSD can also detect positioning methods that are connected through a terminal device and are in or out of use. For example, when the terminal device is used in a car, the user can connect the terminal device to a car navigation system such as a GPS system through a serial port or other equivalent port or connector. In this way, it is possible to use the vehicle's own positioning system, which is probably more accurate and versatile (eg, providing map data and other information about the road network) than the terminal device's internal GPS locator. Instead, if the terminal device does not have an internal GPS device, an automotive system can be used.</p><p> Upon arriving at the destination by car, the user carries the terminal device, the external GPS system can no longer be used with PMSD, PMSD is the best method from the available positioning methods or the method prescribed by the user in advance. For example, the internal GPS device of the terminal device is searched. When the user enters the building, the terminal's internal GPS receiver may enter an environment where it cannot receive the required satellite signals (so-called "out of service"). In this case, the operation is blocked. In such situations, PMSD will search for new systems that work better indoors, such as E-OTD or Bluetooth systems or WLAN services, among the re-available positioning methods. In other words, PMSD automatically registers which positioning device or method is available. For example, the external positioning device can be detected based on the connection of the terminal device to the connector or by an equivalent method known in the art. The application can also automatically inform the PMSD of its requirements.</p><p> According to a first aspect of the present invention, one or more positioning method selection devices (PMSDs) are deployed to centrally control the use of one or more positioning methods. A method for positioning using a further positioning method is provided.</p><p> The method according to the first aspect of the present invention -A step of holding a centralized register for at least one positioning characteristic of the one or more positioning methods described above. -A step that holds a centralized register containing at least one specification condition for selecting a positioning method, and -Steps in which one or more application programs can send positioning requests, and -Steps to select for use a positioning method that meets at least one specified condition for selecting a positioning method, and Including, it is advantageous.</p><p> According to a second aspect of the present invention, one or more positioning method selection devices (PMSD) for centrally controlling the use of one or more positioning methods are provided. A device for positioning using a positioning method is provided.</p><p> A device according to the second aspect of the present invention -A first storage means for holding centralized registers for at least one positioning characteristic of the one or more positioning methods. -A second storage means for holding centralized registers for at least one specified condition for selecting a positioning method, -Means to allow one or more application programs to send positioning requests, and -A selection method for selecting a positioning method for use that meets at least one specified condition for selecting a positioning method, and It is advantageous to have.</p><p> According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer program means for executing a positioning method selection device (PMSD) for centrally controlling the use of one or more positioning methods is included. , Computer program products for positioning using one or more positioning methods are provided.</p><p> A computer program product according to a third aspect of the present invention is -A computer program means for holding a first centralized register for at least one positioning characteristic of the one or more positioning methods. -Computer programming means to hold a second centralized register for at least one specification condition for selecting a positioning method, -A computer program means by which one or more application programs can send positioning requests, and -Computer programming means for selecting a positioning method for use that meets at least one specified condition for selecting a positioning method, and It is advantageous to have.</p><p> INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, one or more applications can request PMSD for positioning data according to a parameter value (one or more) indicating the required positioning quality, and the PMSD is one or more. Send the required quality of positioning data to the application using a better positioning method. The application (one or more) forms a parameter value (one or more) that indicates the required positioning quality and sends it to the PMSD, after which the PMSD receives the parameter (one or more). Based on the above), the optimum positioning method for sending the positioning data can be selected, and the positioning data can be sent to the application (one or more) in an accurate format, that is, in the format required by the application. The PMSD can also form positioning data by combining data obtained from several positioning methods for best positioning accuracy.</p><p> The application can form one parameter value. In this case, for example, accuracy can be one criterion. Instead, several parameters can be formed, in which case the parameter value (one or more) will be charged if the use of the positioning method is subject to billing, in addition to accuracy. It is a cost, and the positioning method may be the speed at which the positioning data is sent. It should be seen that the parameter values are not limited to the above example and other parameters can be used.</p><p> The user can directly specify to the PMSD conditions related to the positioning method, such as priority and whether the user wants to enable or remove a particular positioning method. The positioning method is usually provided as a commercial service, and the cost of the service used by the user is based on the frequency required for the positioning data, so that it is considerably costly if each application accesses the positioning method individually. Become. Therefore, since multiple applications can use the positioning data already obtained by one application through PMSD, the method and device according to the present invention reduce the user's cost for using the positioning method. It has the advantage of.</p><p> Next, the system according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.</p>

<figref num="1">FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an apparatus according to the present invention in which a method for selecting a positioning method according to the present invention is realized.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 2 shows the interrelationship between the positioning method and the application using the positioning method selection device according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 3 shows a general description of the method according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the positioning method selection device according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 is an information transmission diagram showing the interrelationship between two different applications and a positioning method selection device according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="6">FIG. 6 is an information transmission diagram showing the operation of the device according to the present invention when two different positioning methods are in use.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 7 shows the interrelationship between positioning-based services and applications in the absence of a positioning method selection device according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a mobile terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.</figref>

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example of an embodiment of the positioning method selection device PMSD (100) according to the present invention. As an example, two different applications 101 and 102, as well as three different positioning methods are shown. However, the number of applications and positioning methods is not limited to the above number. Applications 101 and 102 request positioning data through PMSD, which further forms positioning data using information received from positioning methods 103-105. Users can specify parameters for positioning tasks and positioning methods using user interfaces 106-108. The above parameters are stored in register 118.

Applications 101 and 102 are connected to the PMSD through interface 109 by requesting positioning data from the PMSD. Applications 101 and 102 can specify parameters for the required positioning data, such as the accuracy or type and format of the positioning data.

Positioning methods 103 to 105 are connected to the PMSD through interface 110. The interface 110 can include, for example, a serial port for connecting an external positioning method, and an interface for a positioning method incorporated in a terminal device and for positioning-related services provided by, for example, a mobile communication network. ..

The control means 111 to 113 control the operation of various functional blocks of the PMSD and the data transmission between them. The control means includes a controller 111, which is implemented, for example, as a microprocessor or equivalent for controlling the functionality of the PMSD. The control means further includes a random access memory 112 and a fixed memory 113 that stores commands necessary for controlling the PMSD function.

Parameters (one or more) that describe the quality of the positioning data (position quality QoP), such as the positioning accuracy required by application n, are stored in register 114. Where n is the application in use and is an integer between 1 and the maximum number of applications. The above parameters (one or more) can be received directly from each application depending on the operating state of the application or, for example, when the application is installed on the terminal device.

The parameters (one or more) that describe the quality of the positioning data provided by the positioning method x are stored in register 115. Here, x indicates the positioning method in use and is an integer between 1 and the number of positioning methods available. This parameter (one or more) represents the expected value and the application can expect the PMSD to provide data to the application accordingly. The above parameters (one or more) can be automatically provided directly from each positioning method and are updated, for example, at regular intervals or when a particular positioning method is in use.

The default value of the parameter representing the quality of the positioning data provided by the positioning method x is stored in the register 116. The PMSD can obtain parameters representing the quality of positioning data from the positioning method at regular intervals, or continuously monitor the situation and update the default values when necessary. The default value is a parameter value that the positioning method follows when providing positioning data to the PMSD.

When the positioning method x returns the positioning data requested by application N to the PMSD, the value of the parameter (one or more) that represents the quality that the positioning data provided by the positioning method x actually achieves is in register 117. It will be remembered. In addition to the implementation method shown in FIG. 1, the positioning method selection device can also be realized as a computer program, in which case the functional block of the device is realized as a program code.

FIG. 2 illustrates the interrelationship between the positioning method and the application when using the positioning method selection device (PMSD) according to the present invention. As an example, two different applications are shown in this case, WAP Browser 201 and Navigation Guide 202, but other applications can be used. Various positioning methods 205-209 are also shown, along with the user interface 203 that the user uses to define positioning-related parameters (reference number 210). The positioning method includes, for example, GPS and / or E-OTD described above. Positioning data such as address, geographic coordinates (eg latitude and longitude) can be entered directly through the user interface or to access positioning data stored in a database such as a contact card or point of interest (POI) database. You can also give the user a choice.

The PMSD (204) receives the positioning request from applications 201, 202 (reference numbers 211, 212) and forms a response to the positioning request from the data provided by the user by the positioning methods 205-209 or through the user interface. To do. The PMSD can also receive information on the positioning accuracy of the positioning request and information on the type and format of positioning data required by the application. When a particular application requests positioning data, the PMSD can receive "on-off" positioning requests and parameters related to the particular positioning task, or can receive them sequentially and sequentially. This situation occurs, for example, if the application is intended to give the user an up-to-date estimate of the location as the user moves from location to location.

The PMSD204 also serves to monitor the functions of various positioning methods 205-209 under dominant conditions and always use the optimal positioning method to obtain positioning data (reference numbers 213-217). .. When receiving repetitive or continuous requests for positioning data from a given application, PMSD will select the appropriate positioning method when it first receives the positioning request and then from this same application until the end of this series of requests. This method can be used to provide positioning data on demand of. In another embodiment of the invention, the PMSD uses its monitoring function to select the best positioning method for each of a series of requirements.

If positioning methods that are external to the terminal device, such as a GPS receiver in a car, are also available, PMSD may add information about this external positioning method to a list that includes all available positioning methods, for example. The possibility of using an external positioning method can be recorded. This list can be, for example, a user-defined priority list, in which the new positioning method is set, for example, as the first-choice positioning method. Therefore, when an external positioning method is removed from use by disconnecting the external positioning device from the mobile terminal device, the PMSD may remove this positioning method data from the list of available positioning methods, for example. Exclude positioning methods.

In embodiments of the present invention, the PMSD can further combine positioning data provided by multiple positioning methods to achieve the positioning quality required by a particular application. This can be done, for example, by continuously receiving positioning data from a plurality of positioning methods and combining the data in an appropriate manner to achieve the desired positioning quality. In another embodiment, the PMSD can access the pre-stored positioning data obtained from the appropriate positioning method and combine it with the newly received positioning data. In this embodiment, it is advantageous to be able to associate a time stamp with each positioning request and select recently obtained positioning results for coupling. It is also possible to specify the validity period of the positioning data so that it is deleted when the validity period of the stored positioning data has expired.

The user can specify parameters for direct positioning to PMSD204 through user interface 203 instead of specifying them separately for each application 205-209. For example, the user can specify the accuracy of the positioning data received by the applications 201 and 202, or the positioning methods 205 to 209 that the user wants to use as the first-choice positioning method. Depending on the application used, this application may automatically provide the parameters for positioning (one or more) as long as the application is capable of doing so. Thus, the tasks of applications 201 and 202 simply request positioning data from PMSD204. That is, the application does not need to request information about the operation of the various existing positioning systems 205-209 for which PMSD is available, or other positioning systems that will be realized in the future. If the management of positioning methods is centralized by the user and / or the application acting directly on the PMSD rather than separately and decentralized for each positioning method, the load on the application in this regard can be reduced to some extent. Capabilities can be diverted to other functions of the application. Nevertheless, in some situations it may be advantageous to allow a particular application to directly select and use a positioning method. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, any application disables or prohibits PMSD operation and uses any positioning method available in a manner similar to that known in prior art systems. can do.

FIG. 3 generally illustrates a method according to the present invention. Through the user interface 307, the user can specify parameters that represent the criteria for selecting the positioning method to be used. The above-mentioned conditions can include, for example, a positioning method that allows the user to be used by a specific application at a predetermined point in time and a priority of the positioning method that the user wants to use. User-supplied parameters are stored in register 308 (reference number 310) from which the PMSD can retrieve the parameters (reference number 312). User-specified parameters also include positioning accuracy, positioning reliability, positioning data update interval or the time allowed to elapse after the activation of a positioning method before the first positioning data is provided. be able to. Other types of parameters can be used in addition to the above parameters.

Application n (reference number 301), where n is an integer between 1 and the number of applications available, requests positioning data from the Positioning Method Selector (PMSD) 303 (reference number 309). Refers to the application in use at a particular point in time, such as the WAP browser. Parameters representing the quality of positioning data requested by the application are sent from application 301 to PMSD303 (reference number 309) and stored in register 304 for use in connection with the positioning request. This is done, for example, once when a new application is installed on the terminal device or when the application is launched. It can also be done in connection with each positioning request or when the required quality of positioning data changes. The parameters specified by the user and stored in register 308 can also be used when selecting the positioning method to be used.

PMSD303 requests data on available positioning methods as well as the positioning characteristics of the positioning methods (reference number 311). Next, PMSD303 puts the positioning method x in use (reference number 302). Where x indicates the positioning method and is an integer between 1 and the total number of available positioning methods. The default value of the parameter representing the quality of the positioning data provided by the positioning method is stored in the register 306. As mentioned above, these default values represent the quality of positioning data that the positioning method can provide to the PMSD. The default value is stored in advance or updated when the positioning method 302 provides the PMSD with the first new value of the parameter (one or more) under dominant conditions (reference number 311). .. The PMSD receives a new real-time parameter (one or more) and stores it in register 305 (reference number 315). PMSD selects the positioning method with the help of decision-making algorithms. An example of an embodiment of this algorithm is shown in FIG. This algorithm represents the quality of positioning data achieved by the positioning method and the parameters (one or more) stored in register 305 are required by the application making the positioning request according to the conditions specified by the user. It acts to select the positioning method that best matches the parameter (one or more) in register 304 that represents the quality of the positioning data.

The decision-making algorithm shown in FIG. 4 will be described in detail below. In step 401, the application sends a positioning request to the PMSD, and in step 402, the PMSD sets the value of the variable x, which indicates the positioning method to be considered at a given point in time, to zero, and represents the total number of positioning methods. Set maxMethod to match the total number of positioning methods available to PMSD at that time. In step 403, the value of the variable x increases and the method proceeds to step 404. In this step, the value of the variable x is examined to determine if it is less than or equal to the total number of maxMethods in the positioning method.

If the condition in step 404 is true and the value of x is less than or equal to the total number of positioning methods maxMethod, the method proceeds to step 405, where the highest priority is given in the priority specified by the user and / or application. Unverified positioning methods are checked by ranking. The PMSD can monitor the number of positioning methods available and the operational status of each positioning method, or use each method in turn, if a particular positioning method is not available at a particular time. The following positioning methods can be selected for use.

The positioning method x then proceeds to step 406, where the value (one or more) QoP_APPn_REQ of the parameter (one or more) indicating the quality of the positioning data required by application n is provided by the positioning method x. It is checked whether or not the expected value (one or more) of the parameter (one or more) indicating the quality of the positioning data is QoP_METx_EXP or more. The parameter values QoP_APPn_REQ and QoP_METx_EXP can be a single value, multiple values, or the average of several values. If the value (one or more) of the parameters (one or more) provided by the positioning method x is not greater than or equal to the value required by application n, the method returns to step 403, where the next use Until a possible positioning method is investigated and a positioning method is found that indicates a value (one or more) that matches the parameter (one or more) indicating the quality of positioning data required by application n as its default value. , Steps 403 to 406 are repeated.

In step 407, the positioning method POS_METHODx identified in steps 402-406 is a parameter (one or more) value (one or more) representing the quality actually achieved by the positioning data and the positioning data provided by POS_METHODx. Above) Receive the request of QoP_METx_ACT. In step 407, the PMSD establishes a connection with the positioning method and receives the positioning data generated by this positioning method.

In the next step 408, the value (one or more) of the parameter (one or more) that represents the quality that the positioning data provided by POS_METHODx actually achieves is the quality of the positioning data required by the application. It is checked whether or not the value (one or more) of the parameter (one or more) indicating is QoP_APPn_REQ or more. If the parameters actually achieved (one or more) QoP_METx_ACT is not greater than or equal to the required parameters (one or more) QoP_APPn_REQ, the method returns to step 403, where the variable indicating the positioning method under consideration is Will be increased again. Then, in steps 404 to 408, the following positioning method is investigated.

Then if the condition in step 404 is incorrect (ie x is not less than or equal to maxMethod), then all positioning methods have been validated and none of them are of the quality specified to the PMSD by the user and / or application at that time. Does not reach. In this case, the method proceeds to step 411, where several measures can be taken depending on the implementation method. The simplest implementation is to inform the application or through the application that none of the available positioning methods can provide sufficient quality positioning data at that time. PMSD also applies the results obtained from the last validated measurement method (QoP_METx-1), along with its quality parameters, or the results and quality parameters obtained from the method that showed the best results. Can be provided to. In addition, the application will be notified that it probably contains a warning that the quality requirement (one or more) was not met and a QoP parameter (one or more) that the positioning data did not meet that requirement. Can be provided.

In the third embodiment, the positioning data obtained from the first positioning method (MET1) is returned to the application together with the quality parameter (QoP) according to the priority specified by the user, and the notification is sent to the user. Is also returned to the application. This notification may include a warning that the quality requirement (one or more) was not met and a QoP parameter (one or more) that the positioning data did not meet that requirement.

The user can receive reports of all results through the application and can request to make choices such as selecting the positioning method that best meets the application's positioning requirements based on positioning accuracy or other criteria. .. Positioning data can also be provided to the application along with the QoP parameters provided by the positioning method that gives the closest result to the requirements set by the application for the QoP parameters. For example, PMSD can return the most accurate positioning results if none of the positioning methods in use provide the accuracy required by the application. Again, a notification sent to the user is returned to the application, which is a warning that the quality requirement (one or more) was not met and the QoP parameter (positioning data did not meet that requirement). One or more) can be included.

If the parameter (one or more) QoP_METx_ACT that represents the quality of the actually achieved positioning data is greater than or equal to the parameter value QoP_APPN_REQ required by the application, the method proceeds to step 409, where the expected value (one). (Or more) QoP_METx_EXP is updated with QoP_METx_ACT and the positioning data is returned to the application. The PMSD can continuously update the expected value (one or more) QoP_METx_EXP of the parameters (one or more) related to the positioning data of each positioning method, for example, at regular intervals. Expected value updates are especially advantageous when several applications use the same positioning method, in which case other applications will not only receive the positioning data it requires, but also the expected value updated by the PMSD. You can also access (one or more) QoP_METx_EXP directly.

FIG. 5 is an information transmission diagram showing the interrelationship between two different applications and the positioning method selection device PMSD according to the present invention. As an example, two different applications APP1 and APP2 are shown as using PMSD. First, in step 501, application APP1 establishes a connection with PMSD. Then, in step 502, the PMSD generates a parameter (one or more) value (one or more) QoP_APP1_REQ that indicates the quality of the positioning data required by this application. QoP_APP1_REQ is of the type required by this application and is advantageous. As can be seen from FIG. 3, QoP_APP1_REQ is stored in register 304 of the PMSD, and an acknowledgment (reference number 515) that a parameter (one or more) has been generated is sent to the application.

In step 503, the application APP1 sends a positioning request to the PMSD, and then in step 504, the PMSD provides a positioning method that implements the parameter (one or more) QoP_APP1_REQ that indicates the quality of the positioning data required by the application. To find out, run the algorithm according to Figure 4. Then, in step 505, application APP2 also establishes a connection to PMSD, and then in step 506 PMSD sets a parameter value (one or more) QoP_APP2_REQ that represents the quality of positioning data required by application APP2. Generate. At the same time, the PMSD sends an acknowledgment to application APP2 indicating the generation of the parameter (one or more) (reference number 516).

In step 507, the PMSD sends the positioning data to the application APP1. In the next step 508, application APP2 sends a positioning request to PMSD. If the parameter (one or more) QoP_APP2_REQ indicating the quality of positioning data required by application APP2 matches the parameter (one or more) QoP_APP1_REQ of application APP1, PMSD sends the same positioning data to application APP2. be able to. In this case, the PMSD does not need to investigate another positioning method and can send the already generated positioning data to the application APP2. For example, if the positioning data sent to application APP1 cannot be sent to application APP2 as a result of different quality requirements, or if different parameters (one or more) are specified for application APP2, the PMSD will , It operates in the same manner as in step 504. Then, in steps 511 and 513, after application APP1 and application APP2 close the connection with PMSD, PMSD then from its registers the parameters QoP_APP1_REQ (step 512) and QoP_APP2_REQ (step 514) for said application. To provide an acknowledgment to the application that the parameter has been removed (steps 517 and 518).

It should be seen that the order of positioning requests made by applications APP1 and APP2 and the time required for the requests can vary. Moreover, in another embodiment, the above parameters are retained and retained and can be used later if necessary. Quality requirements can be presented to the PMSD when a new application is installed, in which case it is not necessary to present the quality requirements to the PMSD in connection with each positioning request.

FIG. 6 is an information transmission diagram showing the operation of the device according to the present invention when two different positioning methods are in use. As an example, the PMSD device is shown to use two different positioning methods, POS_MET1 and POS_MET2, from which the user has already selected POS_MET2 as their first preferred positioning method. In step 601, the positioning method POS_MET1 is registered in PMSD. Registration is done, for example, when an external GPS system is connected to the terminal device through a serial port or when a positioning method that was inoperable becomes operational, for example due to improved geographical conditions, or to the terminal device. This is done when the built-in positioning method is activated. The PMSD generates a default value (one or more) QoP_MET1_DEF of a parameter (one or more) that represents the quality of the positioning data provided by the positioning method (step 625) and stores it in a register (Figure). 3 reference number 306), increment the value of the variable maxMethod, which indicates the total number of positioning methods that can be used at the same time. In step 602, the PMSD sends an acknowledgment of its registration to the positioning method PoS_MET1. In step 603, the positioning method PoS_MET2 is registered, after which the PMSD generates a parameter (one or more) QoP_MET2_DEF value (one or more) (step 626) and increments the maxMethod value by one. And send a confirmation of registration (step 604).

In step 605, the user specifies the setting of positioning method parameters such as priority or desired accuracy of positioning data. Other quality criteria not mentioned herein can also be used. At step 627, the PMSD stores the user's settings in a register as a parameter (one or more) POS_PREF (reference number 308 in Figure 3) and sends an acknowledgment to the user (step 606).

At step 607, the user launches application APP1, which establishes a connection to the PMSD (step 608). At step 628, the PMSD generates a parameter (one or more) value (one or more) QoP_APP1_REQ that indicates the quality of the positioning data required by the application APP1. This parameter is, for example, the positioning accuracy automatically specified by the application APP1 or the positioning accuracy specified by the user. In step 609, the PMSD sends an acknowledgment to application APP1 in response to establishing a connection, after which application APP1 makes a positioning request to PMSD in step 610.

At step 629, the PMSD executes the algorithm according to FIG. In step 611, the PMSD first sends a positioning request to the positioning method PoS_MET2 selected as the user's first-choice positioning method. In step 612, the positioning method POS_MET2 sends the positioning data as well as the actually achieved parameter (one or more) value (one or more) QoP_MET2_ACT to the PMSD. At step 630, the PMSD stores the actually achieved parameter (one or more) value (one or more) QoP_MET2_ACT as the expected value (one or more) QoP_MET2_EXP. The PMSD algorithm is executed again, after which the PMSD actually achieves the value of the parameter (one or more) (one or more), but the application or user has the value of the parameter (one or more). (One or more) Notifies that the value is not greater than or equal to the value specified as QoP_APP1_REQ. In this way, the next positioning method of priority specified by the user, that is, POS_MET1, is then verified.

In step 613, the PMSD sends a positioning request to the positioning method POS_MET1, which sends a positioning data and a parameter (one or more) value (one or more) QoP_MET1_ACT to the PMSD in step 614. In step 631, the PMSD stores the value QoP_MET1_ACT of the actually achieved parameter (one or more) as the expected value QoP_MET1_EXP and the PMSD algorithm is executed. The expected value (one or more) QoP_MET1_EXP is now greater than or equal to the value (one or more) QoP_APP1_REQ specified for application APP1, and positioning data is sent to application APP1 in step 615.

At step 616, the application terminates the connection to the PMSD, and then at step 632, the PMSD can remove the parameter (one or more) QoP_APP1_REQ from its registers to verify that the connection is terminated. (Step 617). At this point, application APP1 notifies the user that the search for positioning data has been completed, and the user can stop application APP1 in step 618 if desired. Instead, application APP1 can continue execution in step 616, but at this point informs the PMSD that it no longer needs positioning data. The application APP1 then terminates the connection to the PMSD. If the positioning data is needed again, the application APP1 registers with the PMSD again while it is needed to receive the positioning data.

FIG. 7 shows another implementation of a system with several applications and several positioning methods running without a PMSD device. The system comprises two different applications that use positioning methods, such as WAP Browser 701 and Navigation Guide 702. The system also has a user interface 703 that can be used by the user to define parameters and conditions for positioning tasks performed by the application (reference numbers 109, 110), a GSP receiver 705 built into the terminal device, and It also includes various positioning methods 704-708, including, for example, an external GPS device 706, which can be connected to a terminal device through a serial port. In this system, each application must communicate with each of its own available positioning methods, process the positioning data received from the positioning method, and select which positioning method the application should use at a particular point in time. Must. In addition, if the user wants to set conditions regarding the quality of positioning data required by each application, for example, they must be set separately for each application.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a mobile station 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processor 801 is a user interface having various functional blocks included in the operation of the mobile terminal device, namely random access memory RAM802, radio frequency RF block 803, non-volatile or read-only memory ROM805, and at least a display and keyboard. Control UI806. In FIG. 8, the mobile terminal device 800 is shown as including the GPS receiver 807. The operation instructions of the processor 801 which is the program code corresponding to the basic functions of the mobile station are stored in the read-only memory ROM 805 and can be executed as required by the processor 801 under the user control of the terminal device, for example. is there. According to the program code, the processor 801 uses the RF block 803 and the antenna 804 to form a connection with the mobile communication network, and the mobile terminal device sends information to the mobile communication network through a wireless path and information from the mobile communication network. To be able to receive.

In this example, the mobile terminal device also includes hardware and program code that enable the terminal device to use the E-OTD positioning method provided by the mobile communication network. Further, a positioning method selection device (PMSD) realized according to the present invention is also provided. The PMSD808 receives a positioning data request from an application running on the mobile terminal device 800, such as a navigation system and / or a web browser. The PMSD808 monitors the operating status of the GPS receiver 807 and the E-OTD positioning method according to the program code stored in ROM and executed by the microprocessor 801. According to the method described above, PMSD808 provides the application with positioning data that meets the specified quality requirements and requirements. The PMSD808 receives quality requirements and positioning method selection conditions directly from the user through the application and / or user interface UI806. The PMSD808 uses RAM802 as a working memory for storing registers that store various quality parameters and for comparing between the required positioning data quality parameters and the actually achieved parameters. The PMSD808 also displays a user interface UI, for example, if neither the internal GPS receiver 807 nor the E-OTD positioning method can provide sufficient quality positioning data to meet the application and / or user requirements. Give instructions to the user through.

In the present specification, the realization method and the embodiment of the present invention have been described as an example. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the embodiments described above and that the invention can be realized in other ways without departing from the features of the invention. The embodiments described above should be considered as exemplary without limitation. The methods and possibilities of use of the present invention are limited only by the accompanying claims. Therefore, various other realization methods for realizing the present invention as defined by the claims, including equivalent realization methods, are included in the scope of the present invention.