Calibrated Time Delay Location Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location determination technologies for communication devices are inadequate for indoor/outdoor solutions, particularly in dense urban areas and indoor environments, as GPS-based solutions are unreliable and network overlay solutions compromise accuracy for coverage, while dedicated systems are costly.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a reference device to determine the distance of a communication device by calibrating a time delay through a training process, allowing accurate location determination using a combination of narrowband and wideband channels, and translating delay differences into distance measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS based solution is used, then outdoor location determination is provided, but reliability deteriorates in dense urban areas and indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location determination system into multiple independent components: outdoor GPS receivers, indoor wireless access points, and hybrid integration logic. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its optimal environment while the integrated system provides seamless cross-environment operation, resolving the contradiction between reliability in specific environments and adaptability across environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal location determination system that functions across both outdoor and indoor environments by integrating GPS capabilities with indoor wireless positioning infrastructure. The system automatically selects or combines positioning methods based on environmental context, achieving both environmental adaptability and maintained reliability through multi-functional operation.
2Area of stationary object
If network overlay solution is used, then outdoor coverage is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning approach into wide-area network overlay components for coverage and localized precision components for accuracy. By separating these functions and integrating their outputs, the system achieves both extensive coverage and acceptable precision without compromising one for the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges network overlay positioning with enhanced measurement techniques and hybrid indoor/outdoor integration. This combination allows the system to leverage the broad coverage of network overlay while compensating for its precision limitations through additional positioning data sources and processing methods.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated system is used, then both coverage depth and accuracy are improved, but device complexity and infrastructure cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing infrastructure (GPS receivers, wireless access points, mobile devices) perform multiple functions: standard communication, navigation, and location determination. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated specialized infrastructure while maintaining high accuracy through intelligent integration and processing of data from these universal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables existing devices and infrastructure to serve the location determination function without requiring separate dedicated systems. Mobile devices use their own sensors and processors, existing wireless infrastructure provides positioning data, and the system self-organizes to achieve accurate location determination without additional specialized infrastructure.
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
Enables accurate and cost-effective indoor-outdoor location tracking of communication devices, improving upon existing solutions by providing reliable distance calculations and reducing infrastructure costs.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a time delay between transmitting a signal and receiving an acknowledgment of the signal
Data Source
AI summary
A reference device determines its distance from a communication device by first using a training process to determine a calibrated time delay for the communication device when the communication device is at a known distance from the reference device. The calibrated time delay is a steady state internal processing delay for the communication device. Subsequently, when the reference device is at an unknown distance from the communication device, the reference device determines the unknown distance using the previously determined calibrated time delay along with a measured signal travel time at the unknown distance.