Bulk Propagation Timing Measurement Messaging for Indoor Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location-detection services in wireless networks, such as Wi-Fi fine timing measurement, face challenges in scalability and accuracy, especially in indoor environments with multiple mobile devices, due to high message exchange requirements and limited bandwidth, leading to performance degradation and the need for complex hardware configurations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of bulk propagation timing measurement (BPTM) messages that convey propagation times between mobile devices, allowing for scheduled transmission of these messages to reduce the number of messages exchanged and enhance location mapping efficiency, using BFTM and BPTM messages to batch timing information and propagate it among devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional timing measurement messages are exchanged between mobile devices to determine location, then location detection service is provided, but the number of messages increases dramatically with device density, causing bandwidth exhaustion and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple timing measurement messages into a single bulk timing measurement message. Instead of exchanging individual timing messages between each pair of devices, the system consolidates these measurements into one aggregated message that contains timing information from multiple devices, thereby reducing the total number of messages while maintaining location detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The bulk timing measurement message serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides timing measurements for multiple device pairs, enables location detection for multiple devices, and reduces network traffic all in one message exchange. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by making a single message perform the work of many traditional messages
2Measurement precision
If Wi-Fi fingerprint technology is used for location detection, then indoor location service is provided, but previous calibration phase is required whenever physical topology changes, increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically establishing timing relationships between devices without requiring manual calibration procedures. The bulk timing measurement messages enable devices to self-organize and determine their relative positions dynamically, eliminating the need for complex pre-calibration phases when topology changes occur
3Measurement precision
If hardware-implemented solutions manipulate physical layer signal properties for location detection, then location accuracy is improved, but all new hardware must be developed or managed, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-based physical layer manipulations with software-based timing measurement protocols. Instead of requiring specialized hardware to manipulate signal properties at the physical layer, the system uses higher-layer timing messages to achieve location detection, thereby eliminating the need for complex hardware development and management while maintaining accuracy
4Adaptability or versatility
If contention-based wireless technologies are used in dense deployment scenarios, then wireless communication is enabled, but many nodes compete for limited frequency bandwidth, causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple timing measurement operations into a single bulk message exchange, reducing the number of contention events in dense deployments. By consolidating what would be multiple separate message exchanges into one aggregated message, the system reduces competition for bandwidth while maintaining communication capabilities across many devices
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples disclosed herein relate to the scheduling, generation, and transmission of propagation measurements between mobile computing devices to aid the location detection of the devices. A bulk propagation fine timing measurement (BFTM) allocation message is generated by a scheduling mobile computing device that identifies other mobile computing devices in the area. The BFTM allocation message generated by the scheduling mobile computing device indicates a scheduling order for the identified mobile computing devices, and contention-free periods for the mobile computing devices to transmit the timing measurement messages. The responding mobile computing devices generate bulk propagation timing measurement (BPTM) messages that include propagation times between pairs of mobile computing devices-either two other devices or the responding device and another device. These BPTM messages are then transmitted during scheduled times frames indicated in the scheduling order.