Wireless Device Localization Using Beacon Embedded Geographic Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for localizing a wireless device in an environment with a wireless network face challenges such as dependence on network authentication, high hardware costs for accurate positioning, and inability to easily modify geographic reference points, especially in emergency situations where GPS signals are unavailable or unreliable.
Innovation Solution
The method involves embedding geographic information about radio frequency identifiers into the beacon signal transmitted by access points, using the 'Vendor Specific Information' field of the IEEE 802.11 standard, allowing wireless devices to determine their position without network authentication and enabling easy modification of localization points without altering the network infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If access points are added to improve localization accuracy, then positioning precision increases, but hardware costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses RFID tags as virtual copies of physical access points. Instead of deploying numerous physical access points for triangulation, the system creates virtual reference points through RFID tags whose positions are obtained from a database. This allows localization calculations to proceed with software-based virtual access points, eliminating the need for expensive hardware expansion while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a database as an intermediary between the localization device and the reference points. The database stores and provides position information of RFID tags, acting as a mediator that eliminates the need for direct physical infrastructure expansion. The localization device queries the database to obtain reference point positions, enabling accurate localization without adding physical access points.
2Ease of operation
If database access is used to obtain reference point positions, then localization can be performed, but network connection and authentication are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the position information retrieval process from the network authentication framework. Instead of requiring full network connection and authentication to access reference point data, the system separates the position query function from the network access control mechanism. The localization device can obtain necessary position information through simplified database queries without undergoing complete network authentication procedures.
3Ease of manufacture
If RFID tags are used instead of access points, then hardware costs are reduced, but the system requires a database connection to obtain tag positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing the position information of all RFID tags in a database before the localization process begins. This advance preparation ensures that when the localization device needs position data, the information is already available in the database, eliminating any loss of information or unavailability issues. The database is populated with reference point positions in advance, ensuring data readiness.
4Reliability
If memory-preloaded data is used, then network connection is not required, but the environment must be well-known and data cannot be updated easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the reference point database updatable and flexible. Instead of using static memory-preloaded data that requires reprogramming the device, the system uses a dynamic database that can be updated remotely. The localization device can query the updated database to obtain new position information, allowing the system to adapt to environment changes without requiring device reprogramming or physical modifications.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is described for localizing the position of a wireless device (7) in an environment (2) comprising a wireless network (1) having at least one access point (3), wherein said method comprises the step of receiving, by said wireless device (7), a radio frequency signal (10) which is transmitted by said at least one access point (3) and which comprises basic information for connecting to said at least one access point (3), wherein said radio frequency signal (10) comprises geographic information (20) about the geographic position of at least one electronic radio frequency device (5) located in said environment (2) and not connected to said wireless network (1).