Building Altitude Envelope Modeling for Floor Number Estimation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the exact location of a mobile device within a building, particularly in urban environments, often result in imprecise altitude estimates, which can lead to delayed emergency responses and user confusion due to the lack of easily accessible floor number information.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation of altitude envelope distributions for a physical building, using a set of constraints to compute floor numbers and labels computationally, without requiring costly surveys, by associating altitude envelopes with respective floor numbers and determining an aggregate altitude envelope distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If exhaustive databases of building floor levels are constructed using survey operations, then floor number information becomes available, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes altitude envelope distributions and aggregate distributions for buildings before they are needed for actual floor number estimation. By performing these computational preparations in advance and storing them in databases, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming survey operations when floor number information is required at runtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates computational models (copies) of building altitude distributions that replicate the physical building's floor level characteristics. These digital models include aggregate altitude envelope distributions that mimic the actual building's vertical structure, allowing floor number estimation without physical surveying of each building.
2Measurement precision
If exhaustive databases of building floor levels are constructed using survey operations, then floor number information becomes available, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical survey operations with computational methods. Instead of using physical surveying equipment and personnel to measure building floor levels, the system uses algorithms to compute altitude envelope distributions from available building data, significantly reducing costs while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates computational models (copies) of building altitude distributions that replicate the physical building's floor level characteristics. These digital models include aggregate altitude envelope distributions that mimic the actual building's vertical structure, allowing floor number estimation without physical surveying of each building.
3Productivity
If altitude is reported using HAE or AMSL, then altitude information is readily available, but the information is not intuitive for end users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces aggregate altitude envelope distributions as an intermediary layer between raw altitude measurements (HAE/AMSL) and user-interpretable floor numbers. This computational intermediary processes the readily available altitude data and translates it into meaningful floor level information, maintaining both availability and interpretability.
4Productivity
If imprecise altitude estimates are provided, then emergency response can proceed, but response times are delayed and user navigation is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic threshold-based matching that adapts to the estimated altitude uncertainty. The system determines floor numbers by comparing altitude estimates against aggregate altitude envelope distributions with dynamically adjusted confidence thresholds, allowing the system to provide accurate floor level information even when altitude measurements have varying degrees of precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method involves selecting a set of altitude envelope distribution constraints for a building and generating a set of altitude envelope distributions for the building in accordance with the constraints. Each altitude envelope distribution includes one or more first altitude envelopes. An aggregate altitude envelope distribution is generated for the building using the set of altitude envelope distributions and in accordance with the constraints. The aggregate altitude envelope distribution includes one or more second altitude envelopes. A reference altitude of the building is determined, and an absolute aggregate altitude envelope distribution is determined using the reference altitude and the aggregate altitude envelope distribution. The aggregate altitude envelope distribution includes one or more third altitude envelopes, each corresponding to a respective estimated floor number of the building.