Collaborative Navigation for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face challenges in determining their position and movement within indoor environments due to inadequate wireless positioning signals, as there may not be enough transmitting devices or their arrangement may be unsuitable, and GPS signals are often difficult to acquire in such settings.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of collaborative navigation techniques between mobile devices, where a first mobile device determines if a second mobile device is within a threshold distance and uses navigation parameters from that device to affect its own position and movement, utilizing sensors and wireless signals to share and apply proximity, navigation, and active constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If signal-based positioning systems (GPS, AFLT) are used for mobile device location determination, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the system becomes ineffective in indoor environments where satellite signals are unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple positioning approaches by merging signal-based positioning (GPS, AFLT) with sensor-based positioning (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) and wireless signal-based positioning (WiFi, cellular). This hybrid approach allows the system to switch between or combine different positioning methods depending on environmental conditions, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy both outdoors and indoors.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device is designed with multi-functional positioning capabilities that can operate in diverse environments. The device can function using satellite signals outdoors, switch to sensor-based dead reckoning indoors, or use wireless infrastructure signals in urban areas, making the positioning system universally applicable across different environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If terrestrial-based wireless signal transmitting devices are deployed for indoor positioning, then indoor positioning capability is improved, but the device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional wireless infrastructure (WiFi access points, cellular base stations) that serve both communication and positioning purposes. By using standard wireless communication signals for positioning alongside their primary communication function, the system avoids dedicated positioning infrastructure while still achieving indoor positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device uses its own sensors and processing capabilities to determine position without relying heavily on external positioning infrastructure. The device performs sensor fusion and dead reckoning calculations autonomously, reducing the need for complex external positioning systems while maintaining indoor positioning functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensor-based positioning is used for mobile devices, then positioning can be provided without external signals, but measurement accuracy deteriorates over time due to sensor drift and accumulation of errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors sensor data and compares it with expected motion patterns and environmental features. When discrepancies are detected indicating drift or error accumulation, the system can correct its position estimate by referencing known locations, recognizing motion patterns, or switching to alternative positioning methods when signals become available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges sensor-based positioning with signal-based positioning and wireless infrastructure-based positioning. The system fuses data from multiple sources, using sensors for continuous tracking between signal updates and using external signals to periodically correct and reset the sensor-based position estimates, thereby maintaining accuracy while preserving independence.
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods, apparatuses and/or articles of manufacture are provided which may be implemented to perform and/or otherwise support collaborative navigation between a plurality of mobile devices. In one example, a first mobile device, in response to a determination that at least a second mobile device is located within a threshold distance of the first mobile device, may obtain a navigation parameter indicative of an initial position and/or movement of the second mobile device which was determined based, at least in part, on a measurement from a sensor at the second mobile device. The first mobile device then affect a determined position and/or movement of the first mobile device based, at least in part, on the navigation parameter.