3D Positioning Using Barometric Pressure and Signal Similarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning techniques, such as GPS, are inaccurate in indoor environments and fail to provide reliable elevation data, especially in buildings and urban areas due to multipath errors and the inaccuracy of barometer measurements.
Innovation Solution
A system that collects atmospheric pressure measurements and signal strength data from multiple devices to generate similarity metrics, allowing for the determination of 3D geometry and calibration of barometers using weather data, enabling accurate elevation estimation and mapping of indoor spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS positioning techniques are used, then outdoor positioning is achieved, but indoor positioning accuracy deteriorates due to signal obscuration and multipath errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces barometric pressure sensors as an intermediary measurement tool to determine elevation when GPS signals are unavailable or unreliable indoors. The system uses pressure measurements as a mediator to infer vertical position changes, complementing horizontal GPS positioning with vertical barometric data to achieve complete 3D positioning in environments where traditional GPS fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is designed to be multi-functional by integrating both GPS-based horizontal positioning and barometer-based vertical positioning. The system automatically selects or combines these different positioning methods based on environmental conditions, making it universally applicable both outdoors and indoors, and in various elevation scenarios.
2Measurement precision
If barometer measurements are used to determine elevation, then vertical position data is obtained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to weather conditions and calibration issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where barometric pressure measurements are continuously monitored and compared against expected values based on known elevation data and weather models. When discrepancies are detected, the system adjusts calibration parameters or flags measurements for correction, ensuring maintained accuracy despite changing environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses barometer inaccuracy by dynamically adjusting measurement parameters based on environmental conditions. The system modifies pressure readings by applying corrections for temperature, humidity, and weather-related pressure changes, transforming raw inaccurate measurements into accurate elevation data through parameter adjustment and calibration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple data sources are integrated for 3D positioning, then positioning completeness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges GPS positioning data with barometric pressure measurements into a unified 3D positioning system. By combining horizontal position data from GPS with vertical elevation data from the barometer, the system achieves complete three-dimensional positioning capability, merging multiple data sources into a single comprehensive location determination process.
Data Source
AI summary
Positioning mobile devices in a three-dimensional space includes receiving multiple traces, each trace corresponding to a sequence of atmospheric pressure readings from a respective mobile device, receiving indications of signals received by the mobile devices from signal sources concurrently with the atmospheric pressure readings, generate similarity metrics for the multiple traces using the indications of other signals received by the mobile devices, the similarity metrics being indicative of associations between the signal sources and the atmospheric pressure readings, and determine estimated changes in elevation over time for the multiple traces using the generated similarity metrics.