Beacon Location Database for Indoor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is ineffective for determining the position of devices within buildings due to weak signal propagation, leading to a need for precise positioning systems within enclosed spaces.
Innovation Solution
A method that assigns building position coordinates to beacons within a building, converts these coordinates to physical position coordinates, and uses a beacon location database to compute the location of client devices by communicating with and analyzing the physical locations of accessed beacons, leveraging Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools and advanced wireless communication protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS is used for position determination, then positioning can be achieved outdoors, but GPS signals cannot propagate into buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces beacons as intermediary devices installed within buildings to mediate position determination. These beacons receive GPS coordinates and convert them to local building coordinates, serving as intermediaries that enable positioning inside buildings where GPS signals cannot reach. The beacons transmit their known positions to client devices, allowing triangulation and position calculation without direct GPS signal access.
2Reliability
If beacons are installed within buildings to enable indoor positioning, then position determination inside buildings is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the beacon database server multi-functional by having it perform both beacon position management and client position computation. The same server that stores beacon location information also receives client device data and calculates client positions using the stored beacon information. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity despite the addition of beacons, as one server handles multiple functions.
3Measurement precision
If building position coordinates are converted to physical position coordinates, then accurate physical locations are obtained, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs coordinate transformation in advance during the beacon setup phase rather than in real-time during client positioning. Beacon positions are initially defined in building coordinates (e.g., floor plans), then pre-transformed to GPS coordinates and stored in the beacon database. When determining client position, the system only needs to perform reverse transformation using the pre-stored beacon data, significantly reducing real-time computational complexity while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method to support client device position discovery within a building includes ascribing building position coordinates to beacons within the building. The building position coordinates are converted to physical position coordinates. The physical position coordinates are augmented with at least one additional parameter that supports position resolution. A client device communicates with accessed beacons positioned within the building. A beacon location database characterizing the physical locations of the accessed beacons is also accessed. The physical location of the client device is computed based upon the physical locations of the accessed beacons.