Indoor Positioning Using Compass and Wireless Signal Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor positioning technologies for handheld devices in private areas require multiple signal sources, leading to high costs and limited flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A positioning system that uses a wireless signal source at a known fixed location and a handheld electronic device with a compass and wireless transmission module to determine the device's absolute location within an area by calculating the azimuth angle and distance based on signal strength or round trip time, potentially aided by a multi-antenna unit and compass application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple signal sources are used for indoor positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the positioning function into two parts: a simple wireless signal source fixed at known locations that emits signals, and a handheld device that performs all complex processing including compass data integration, azimuth calculation, and position determination. This segmentation allows the infrastructure to remain simple while the mobile device handles complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld electronic device uses its own built-in compass and processing capabilities to determine its position. The device self-services by integrating compass direction data with wireless signal strength measurements to calculate azimuth and position, eliminating the need for complex external infrastructure.
2Reliability
If multiple signal sources are deployed for positioning, then positioning reliability is improved, but deployment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless signal sources are simple, low-cost devices that can be deployed easily at known locations. Rather than investing in expensive, complex positioning infrastructure, the system uses affordable signal sources that can be strategically placed, with the complexity shifted to the user's existing handheld device.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld electronic device performs multiple functions: it uses its compass for direction sensing, its wireless transmission module for signal reception, and its processing module for positioning calculations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated expensive positioning hardware.
3Measurement precision
If complex positioning infrastructure is installed, then positioning precision is improved, but system flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is dynamic and adaptable to different environments. Wireless signal sources can be easily added, moved, or removed based on positioning needs, and the handheld device adapts to various locations by using the compass to determine orientation relative to the signal source. The system flexibly adjusts to private areas without requiring pre-installed complex 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 positioning without the need for multiple signal sources, allowing for flexible deployment and quick determination of device location within the area.
Implementation Method 1
determines a first azimuth angle among the handheld electronic device, the wireless signal source, and the fixed direction according to a first-maximum-signal-strength direction of the wireless transmission module
Implementation Method 2
The processing module retrieves an information of a fixed direction from the compass
Implementation Method 3
the first wireless transmission parameter is a round trip time of the wireless signal transmission between the wireless transmission module and the wireless signal source
Implementation Method 4
the first wireless transmission parameter is a received signal strength of the wireless signal transmission between the wireless transmission module and the wireless signal source
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning system and method are provided. The positioning system includes a wireless signal source disposed at a known fixed location in an area and a handheld electronic device. The handheld electronic device includes a compass, a wireless transmission module and a processing module. The processing module retrieves information of fixed direction from the compass, determines a first azimuth angle among the handheld electronic device, the wireless signal source, and the fixed direction according to a maximum signal strength between the wireless transmission module relative to the wireless signal source, and determines a first distance between the handheld electronic device and the wireless signal source according to a first wireless transmission parameter between the wireless transmission module and the wireless signal source. The processing module further determines a first absolute location of the handheld electronic device according to the first azimuth angle and the first distance.