Wireless Access Point Location Determination via Neighboring Signal Phase

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the location characteristics of wireless access points, such as angular orientation and two-dimensional location, are often costly and require dedicated hardware like accelerometers or magnetometers.

Innovation Solution

The system leverages wireless communication signals from neighboring wireless access points to automatically determine the location characteristics of a wireless access point without the need for dedicated location-detection hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If dedicated location-detection hardware (accelerometers or magnetometers) is used to determine wireless access point location characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation characteristic determination accuracyVSAvoidhardware components

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical sensing hardware (accelerometers and magnetometers) with a wireless communication-based system. The access point uses its existing wireless interface to receive signals from neighboring access points and processes these signals to determine location characteristics, eliminating the need for dedicated mechanical sensing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication signals from neighboring access points as an intermediary medium to transfer location information. Instead of direct hardware sensing, the system uses the wireless signal field as a carrier to convey spatial data, which is then processed by the access point's existing processors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If dedicated location-detection hardware is installed in each wireless access point, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation characteristic determination accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for expensive dedicated sensing hardware by utilizing the existing, inexpensive wireless communication infrastructure. The system repurposes standard wireless signals and existing processors to perform location determination, significantly reducing component costs while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the existing wireless interface and processor multi-functional. These components serve both their original communication functions and the additional function of location characteristic determination, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware and reducing overall manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If manual inspection methods are used to determine wireless access point location characteristics, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and time efficiency worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidlocation determination speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the wireless access point to autonomously determine its own location characteristics without human intervention. The access point automatically receives signals from neighboring access points, processes this information using its existing processor, and determines location characteristics independently, eliminating manual inspection while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs location characteristic determination as a preliminary automated function during normal operation. By continuously or periodically executing the location determination process without requiring manual triggers, the system maintains high productivity while keeping the overall system design simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12238673B1Systems and methods for automatically determining a location characteristic of a wireless access point

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 CABLE TELEVISION LAB INC

AI summary

A method for automatically determining a location characteristic of a wireless access point includes (1) receiving, via an array of at least three antenna elements of the wireless access point, a first neighboring wireless communication signal from a first neighboring wireless access point, (2) determining a location of the first neighboring wireless access point, and (3) determining the location characteristic of the wireless access point at least partially based on (a) the location of the first neighboring wireless access point and (b) difference in phase of the first neighboring wireless communication signal between the least three antenna elements of the wireless access point.