Access Point Geospatial Tags for Precise Indoor Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional location determination methods, such as using GPS or cellular towers, often provide insufficient precision for locating a user device within indoor environments, leading to delays in emergency response due to imprecise location information.
Innovation Solution
Augmenting location information with geospatial data and identification tags of access points to enhance location determination, using a location server to create and maintain a coverage map of access points, enabling precise location tracking and route planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS or cellular towers are used for location determination, then the system can provide broad coverage, but the location precision is insufficient for indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location determination system into multiple components: GPS/cellular towers for broad outdoor coverage, and Wi-Fi access points for precise indoor localization. This segmentation allows each subsystem to operate optimally in its suitable environment, with the access point information specifically addressing indoor precision needs that GPS cannot meet
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces Wi-Fi access points as intermediary elements for indoor location determination. These access points serve as mediators between the user device and the location server, providing reference points for triangulation and enabling precise indoor positioning where traditional GPS-based methods fail
2Measurement precision
If access point geospatial information is collected and processed, then location precision is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where access points automatically broadcast their geospatial information and identification tags, and user devices automatically collect and transmit this information to the location server. This automation reduces manual configuration complexity while maintaining high location precision through continuous access point information gathering
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual coverage map that copies and stores access point geospatial information in a structured format on the location server. This digital replica allows the system to process and reference access point locations efficiently without requiring direct real-time communication with each physical access point, thereby reducing system complexity
3Measurement precision
If detailed access point information is transmitted to the server, then location tracking accuracy is enhanced, but the data transmission volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential access point information needed for location determination, specifically geospatial coordinates and identification tags, and transmits only these critical data elements to the location server. This selective extraction maintains location tracking accuracy while minimizing unnecessary data transmission volume
Data Source
AI summary
An example method executed by a user device to provide access point information can include obtaining, by the user device from an access point, geospatial information of the access point. The method can further include assigning an identification (ID) tag to the access point, and transmitting, to a server, at least the geospatial information of the access point and the ID tag assigned to the access point by the user device. In an example implementation, the server may include the geospatial information of the access point and the ID tag assigned to the access point, in a database containing information about one or more access points. In an example implementation, the server may create a coverage map based on the information received from the user device and such information received from one or more other user devices.