Indoor Location Measuring Using Barycentric Coordinates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location measuring techniques, such as GPS-based methods, are ineffective in indoor environments due to satellite signal weakness and require hardware installation on mobile terminals, while WLAN-based methods lack precision and accuracy in determining terminal locations within buildings.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using access point information to calculate a barycentric coordinate based on nearby access points' location coordinates, selectively removing distant points to determine the communication terminal's location, enhancing accuracy and applicability in indoor settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS-based location measuring technique is used, then location measurement can be achieved, but it requires mounting a GPS receiver on a mobile terminal and has limited use in buildings where satellite signals are weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses access points as intermediary objects to enable location measurement. Instead of directly measuring location using GPS satellites, the system measures the signal strength of access points (which are distributed throughout indoor environments) and uses this information to determine location, thereby bridging the gap between GPS technology and indoor location needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/GPS-based location measurement system with a wireless signal-based system. Instead of using physical GPS receivers and satellite signals, the system uses wireless access points and their signal characteristics to determine location, enabling indoor application without requiring additional hardware on mobile terminals
2Adaptability or versatility
If WLAN-based location measuring method is used, then indoor location measurement becomes possible, but precision and accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used for location measurement from simple access point detection to measuring multiple parameters including signal strength, access point identifiers, and spatial relationships. By analyzing these parameters comprehensively and using barycentric coordinate calculation, the system achieves higher precision while maintaining indoor applicability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing access point information at multiple locations beforehand. This pre-collected data is then used to calculate barycentric coordinates that serve as reference frames for accurate location determination, enabling high precision measurements when needed
3Measurement precision
If access point information is collected at multiple locations, then location measurement accuracy improves, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex data processing into distinct stages: collecting access point information at multiple locations, extracting relevant features (signal strength, coordinates), calculating barycentric coordinates for each access point, and finally determining the terminal location. This segmentation makes the complex process more manageable and systematic
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for measuring a location of a communication terminal using an access point for a wireless local area network service is provided. The method includes storing access point information collected at each location, extracting information of nearby access points collected together at a location, where information of a reference access point is collected, from the access point information, calculating a barycentric coordinate using location coordinates of the extracted nearby access points, and determining the calculated barycentric coordinate as a final location of the communication terminal.