Beacon Positioning via Overlapping Directional Sectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beacon-based systems for position and orientation awareness in mobile devices face limitations in accuracy and antenna size, particularly in indoor settings, due to omnidirectional signal propagation and multipath fading, which affect the precision of Received Signal Strength Level (RSL) measurements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a 'logical' beam system using phased array antennas that transmit directional signals in overlapping angular sectors, allowing for improved position resolution without the need for larger antenna sizes, by creating narrower beams through beam pairing and intersection, and utilizing wireless protocols like Bluetooth and WLAN.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If omnidirectional signal propagation is used in beacon-based systems, then coverage area is improved, but position resolution and measurement accuracy deteriorate due to multipath fading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the omnidirectional signal into multiple directional beams, each covering a specific angular sector. By segmenting the coverage area into discrete directional sectors, the system achieves both broad coverage (through multiple sectors) and high position resolution (within each sector), while avoiding multipath fading effects that plague omnidirectional propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular dimension to the signal propagation by transmitting beams in different directions rather than uniformly in all directions. This dimensional change from omnidirectional (2D spherical coverage) to directional (1D angular sectors) enables the system to resolve position more accurately by determining which angular sector the client device resides in, while maintaining comprehensive coverage through multiple sectors.
2Measurement precision
If larger antenna sizes are used to improve position resolution, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phased array technology that enables electronic beam steering and dynamic beam formation without physically moving or resizing antennas. The system dynamically adjusts beam directions and angular sectors through phase shifting of signals across multiple antenna elements, achieving high position resolution with a compact, fixed-size antenna array rather than requiring large static antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the antenna system by using phase differences and signal interference patterns to create directional beams. By manipulating the phase and amplitude parameters of signals from multiple antenna elements, the system achieves directional transmission and position resolution enhancement without increasing the physical dimensions of the antenna structure.
3Measurement precision
If directional signals in overlapping angular sectors are transmitted, then position resolution is improved, but signal complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary organization of directional signals by pre-defining overlapping angular sectors and assigning specific beam patterns to each sector. The client device receives pre-structured signals with embedded sector identification information, allowing it to determine its position by comparing signal strengths from predefined sectors rather than having to process and analyze complex raw directional signals from all directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of the beacon signal, each transmitted in a different angular sector with identical content but different spatial directions. The client device receives these signal copies from different directions and compares their strengths to determine position. This copying approach simplifies processing because each signal copy is identical and easily comparable, rather than requiring complex analysis of fundamentally different signal types.
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 enhances position resolution by approximately 50% for a given antenna size, providing higher accuracy in location and orientation determination, especially in indoor environments, while maintaining smaller antenna dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
The implementation of a 'logical' beam system using phased array antennas that transmit directional signals in overlapping angular sectors
Implementation Method 2
Wireless beacons transmit data packets... transmit, in at least one plane, a plurality of directional signals
Implementation Method 3
calculate a signal strength level (RSL) value for each of said received directional signals, and determine that said client device is located within a said logical sector
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising: a transmitting device configured to transmit, in at least one plane, a plurality of directional signals each covering an angular sector, wherein every adjacent pair of said angular sectors overlaps partially to create a logical sector, and wherein each of said plurality of directional signals encodes at least an indication regarding each said logical sector associated therewith; and a client device comprising program instructions executable by at least one hardware processor to: cause the client device to receive at least some of said plurality of directional signals, calculate a signal strength level (RSL) value for each of said received directional signals, and determine that said client device is located within a said logical sector, when two highest said RSL values (i) are related to two said directional signals associated with said logical sector, and (ii) are within a specified value range of each other.