Adaptive Radio Map Generation for Indoor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor positioning systems face challenges in achieving accurate positioning and floor detection indoors due to limitations in existing technologies, such as the inability of satellite signals to penetrate walls and the need for extensive infrastructure deployment and manual surveying, which are costly and time-consuming, and lack scalability.
Innovation Solution
A method using radio nodes to collect and broadcast fingerprints of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals, allowing for the creation of adaptive radio maps that can be updated in real-time, enabling efficient and scalable indoor positioning and floor detection without exhaustive manual surveying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual exhaustive radio surveying is performed to create radio maps for indoor positioning, then positioning accuracy and floor detection reliability are improved, but deployment time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The radio map creation system performs self-service by automatically collecting Wi-Fi measurement data from consumer devices in the environment without requiring manual surveying. Devices naturally generate measurement data as they move through the space, and the system automatically processes this data to create and update radio maps, eliminating the need for dedicated surveying teams and manual data collection processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual surveying process with an automated electronic system. Instead of physically moving surveying equipment through the environment and manually recording measurements, the system uses electronic data collection from Wi-Fi measurements on consumer devices, automatic processing algorithms, and digital map generation to create radio maps electronically and automatically.
2Measurement precision
If manual exhaustive radio surveying is performed to create radio maps for indoor positioning, then positioning accuracy and floor detection reliability are improved, but deployment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages existing consumer devices that already have Wi-Fi capabilities to perform the data collection work. These devices serve the dual purpose of their original function and as sensors for radio map creation, eliminating the need to deploy specialized surveying equipment or hire professional surveying teams, thereby reducing deployment costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes consumer devices multi-functional by using them both for their primary purposes (communication, navigation) and as sensors for indoor positioning data collection. This universal use of existing devices eliminates the need for specialized expensive equipment and reduces overall system deployment costs while maintaining positioning accuracy.
3Device complexity
If traditional positioning technologies are used indoors, then infrastructure requirements are reduced, but positioning accuracy and signal reception deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Wi-Fi measurement data as an intermediary element between the existing Wi-Fi infrastructure and the positioning function. Instead of relying directly on satellite signals that cannot penetrate walls, the system uses Wi-Fi signal strength measurements from existing indoor Wi-Fi access points as an intermediate indicator to infer position, thereby achieving indoor positioning without requiring new infrastructure deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the physical environment through radio maps that store Wi-Fi measurement data collected throughout the space. This digital replica allows the positioning system to determine location by comparing current Wi-Fi measurements against the stored radio map data, achieving accurate indoor positioning using existing Wi-Fi infrastructure without requiring additional physical infrastructure.
4Reliability
If new infrastructure is deployed for indoor positioning, then positioning coverage is improved, but deployment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves positioning coverage by leveraging the self-service capability of consumer devices to collect measurement data as they naturally move through the environment. This eliminates the need to deploy and configure specialized positioning infrastructure, reducing deployment complexity while achieving comprehensive coverage through organic data collection from device usage patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universal positioning coverage by using existing Wi-Fi infrastructure that is already present in most indoor environments. By making the system compatible with standard Wi-Fi access points and consumer devices, it achieves broad coverage without requiring deployment of specialized positioning infrastructure, thereby reducing both cost and complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, computer readable storage medium and system are disclosed for generating a radio map for indoor navigation and/or floor detection. The method includes obtaining one or more first fingerprints, which stem from one or more radio nodes comprised by an infrastructure of a venue. The one or more radio nodes are surrounding the first apparatus so that the first apparatus is located within each respective coverage area of the one or more radio nodes. The method also includes generating a radio map based at least partially on the one or more first fingerprints; and outputting the generated radio map.