Augmented Reality Wi-Fi Coverage Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for visualizing Wi-Fi coverage in homes and businesses are often difficult for users to interpret, as they rely on simple meters, graphs, or floor plans, which do not effectively convey signal quality variations across different locations, potentially leading to impaired device operation and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device connects to access points, generates a real-time rendering of the environment, detects signal quality, and overlays a virtual path graphic with signal quality indicators, allowing users to visualize Wi-Fi coverage and recommend additional access points for improved coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple meters or graphs are used to visualize Wi-Fi coverage, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users find it difficult to interpret the coverage information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms Wi-Fi coverage data from traditional 2D floor plans or graphs into a 3D augmented reality spatial representation. The virtual path graphic and signal quality indicators are overlaid onto a live rendering of the physical environment, allowing users to perceive signal strength variations in the context of actual spatial relationships. This dimensional transformation makes the data more intuitive and easier to interpret while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If detailed signal quality data is collected at multiple positions, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of time increases due to the need to move through the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously tracking the mobile device's position and pre-processing signal quality data as it is collected. The virtual path graphic is generated in real-time by linking current and previous positions, and signal quality indicators are prepared for immediate overlay. This preliminary processing reduces the time needed to analyze and present detailed measurement data, allowing high-precision coverage mapping without proportionally increasing the time users must spend in the environment.
3Device complexity
If traditional floor plan overlays are used, then the device complexity is minimized, but the ease of operation worsens because users cannot easily relate the data to the actual physical environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a live rendering of the physical environment as an intermediary between the raw Wi-Fi coverage data and the user's perception. Instead of directly overlaying data on a static floor plan, the system creates a dynamic visual representation of the actual space and superimposes virtual path graphics and signal quality indicators onto it. This intermediary rendering layer helps users intuitively understand their location and the spatial relationships of signal strength variations, significantly improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, device, and computer program product for determining quality of a wireless network, includes: connecting, by a mobile device, to one or more access points of the wireless network in a physical environment; capturing, via a camera of the mobile device, a live rendering of the physical environment; generating, by the mobile device, a rendering of the physical environment; detecting, via the mobile device, a signal quality of the connection to each of the one or more access points; storing, in memory of the mobile device, each current position and a plurality of previous positions of the mobile device in the physical environment in association with the detected signal quality; and generating, in a processor of the mobile device, a virtual path graphic by linking the current positions and the plurality of previous positions of the mobile device in the physical environment.