Camera-Based Indoor Location Recognition Using Optical Tags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional location determination methods face accuracy and speed issues, particularly in environments with signal interference or indoor areas where GPS signals are unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using a built-in camera in a mobile terminal to photograph location recognition tags, measuring distances, analyzing images, and calculating user location through triangulation with multiple tags, enabling accurate and quick location recognition independent of wireless communication and geographical environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If GPS signals are used for location determination, then location information can be obtained in outdoor environments, but accuracy deteriorates in indoor areas and shadow regions where signals cannot reach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces location recognition tags as intermediary objects placed in the environment. These tags serve as mediators between the camera system and location determination, enabling accurate indoor and shadow area location recognition by photographing and analyzing tag patterns rather than relying on GPS signals that cannot penetrate buildings or reach shadow regions
2Reliability
If network-based location methods are used, then location information can be obtained using base station information, but recognition speed and accuracy deteriorate due to signal interference and processing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex network-based mechanical system (base station signal transmission, time difference measurement, server processing) with a simplified optical system using camera photography and image pattern recognition. This substitution eliminates signal interference issues and reduces processing time by directly recognizing location from photographed tag patterns rather than calculating from multiple base station signals
3Measurement precision
If conventional GPS modules are used, then location information can be received from satellites, but the system becomes complex and expensive, and performance deteriorates in indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture optical images of location recognition tags, creating a visual copy of the tag pattern that can be analyzed to determine location. This copying approach replaces the need for complex GPS hardware and satellite communication systems, achieving accurate indoor location recognition through simple image capture and pattern recognition algorithms
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a location recognition device for recognizing a location by a mobile terminal having a camera and a method thereof. In the above method, the location recognition device photographs a location recognition tag storing location recognition information, and measures a distance to the location recognition tag. Subsequently, the location recognition device analyzes an image of the photographed location recognition tag, and recognizes location information corresponding to the location recognition tag and direction information of the photographed location recognition tag. Accordingly, a location of the mobile terminal is measured by using information of the measured distance and the recognized location information and direction information. In this case, an absolute location coordinate or a logic location coordinate is stored in the location recognition tag. In addition, the location recognition tags are arranged so that using the location recognition tags achieves a desired precision in a predetermined physical area.