Barometric Fingerprint Localization for Indoor Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Seamless and accurate indoor positioning of mobile devices is challenging due to unreliable satellite-based navigation systems in enclosed environments and variations in barometric pressure sensor characteristics across different devices.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a pattern or signature of barometric data measurements along a traversed route, rather than absolute values, to localize mobile devices, which allows for robust and repeatable localization across different devices and varying environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If absolute barometric pressure values are used for localization, then localization can be performed using simple measurements, but localization accuracy deteriorates due to variations in sensor characteristics and environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocalization method simplicityVSAvoidlocalization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the localization approach by changing from using absolute barometric pressure values to using relative pressure differences between consecutive measurements. This parameter transformation makes the measurement invariant to sensor calibration variations and environmental baseline shifts, thereby improving localization accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calibration by establishing a reference barometric pressure profile for each location before actual localization occurs. This preliminary action creates a baseline that compensates for sensor characteristics and environmental conditions, enabling accurate localization without requiring complex real-time adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If barometric data from different mobile devices is used, then more devices can be localized, but data usefulness deteriorates due to varying sensor characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidbarometric data usefulness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal localization framework where the relative pressure difference approach can be applied across different mobile devices regardless of their specific barometric sensor characteristics. This universal method enables multi-device compatibility while maintaining data reliability by focusing on differential measurements that cancel out device-specific variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If absolute barometric pressure values are used, then measurements can be taken under varying environmental conditions, but localization reliability deteriorates due to temporal variations in ambient pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidlocalization reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the barometric pressure measurement into multiple consecutive samples and computes the difference between successive measurements. This segmentation approach isolates the localized pressure changes caused by device movement from temporal environmental variations, maintaining measurement capability under varying conditions while improving localization reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables reliable mobile device localization by normalizing barometric pressure trends, providing a unique signature that can identify positions within indoor facilities, even under temporally varying conditions and differing sensor characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

monitor mobile device barometric data along a sequence of positions describing a route being traversed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBarometric pressure measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS10352708B1Method and system for mobile device localization using barometric fingerprint

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 MAPSTED CORP

AI summary

A method and system of localizing a mobile device having a processor and a memory. The method comprises monitoring, using the processor and the memory, mobile device barometric data along a sequence of positions describing a route being traversed, accessing, using the processor, a repository of barometric fingerprint data associated with respective positions along the route, and using the processor, localizing the mobile device based at least in part on matching a mobile device barometric pattern segment with a correlating pattern segment of the barometric fingerprint data of the repository, the mobile device barometric pattern segment derived at least partly based on ambient barometric pressure measurements associated with at least a pair of contiguous positions in the sequence of positions describing the route.