Intelligent global positioning system (GPS) information detection

A system for intelligently caching global positioning system (GPS) location information on a portable device, said portable device being configured for receiving signals broadcast by a GPS satellite and determining a location of the portable device as a function thereof, said system comprising:

• a transceiver adapted for receiving and transmitting signals from the GPS satellite;
• a processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions for:
• determining an increase in the GPS satellite signal strength received from the GPS satellite via the transceiver from a first level to a second level, said second level corresponding to at least a minimum signal strength for determining the location of the portable device;
• determining when the GPS location information is stale;
• reading a current location of the portable device in response to the determined increase in the GPS signal strength to the second level as received at the portable device and the GPS location information being stale, wherein the reading occurs within a pre-set time interval;
• and
• a memory for caching, on the portable device, the read current location information of the portable device based on a timestamp of the read current location information provided by the processor;
• wherein the processor is configured to monitor the GPS satellite signal strength from the first level to the second level and wherein the memory stores the monitored GPS satellite signal strength information, wherein the memory removes the monitored GPS satellite signal strength information after a pre-determined period of time has lapsed;
• and
• wherein the processor is further configured to retrieve the read location information from the memory when the transceiver is unable to receive signals from the GPS satellite at a next location and to provide the read current location information.

A method for intelligently caching global positioning system (GPS) location information from GPS satellites, wherein the GPS satellites broadcasting GPS signals to a portable device, said portable device receiving broadcasted signals as a function of a cellular radio signal strength, wherein the cellular radio signal strength is initially at a first level indicative of a low GPS signal reception strength, said method comprising:

• determining when the GPS location information is stale;
• monitoring the cellular radio signal strength at the portable device;
• detecting a second level of the monitored cellular radio signal strength at the portable device, said second level indicative of an increase in GPS reception strength when the second level is greater than the first level;
• speculatively reading GPS location information from the GPS satellites associated with the portable device in response to the detected second level and the increase of the GPS reception strength and the GPS location information being stale, wherein the reading occurs within a pre-set time interval;
• storing the read GPS location information on the portable device as a function of the cellular radio signal strength received at the portable device such that the read GPS location information is available to the portable device at times when the GPS location information is unavailable for update from the GPS satellites due to the low GPS reception strength at the first level;
• providing a timestamp to the stored GPS location information on the portable device;
• and
• removing the stored GPS location information after a pre-determined period of time has lapsed with respect to the timestamp.