Context-Based Parameter Maps for Indoor Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing navigation systems face challenges in accurately determining the location of mobile stations indoors due to the unreliable reception of satellite signals, and current methods for indoor positioning are not sufficiently accurate or efficient.

Innovation Solution

The use of context-based parameter maps, which associate sensor measurements from mobile stations with expected sensor signature values and user profiles to estimate the location within indoor environments, combining techniques such as particle filtering and probabilistic positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If satellite positioning systems are used for navigation, then outdoor positioning capability is enabled, but indoor positioning reliability deteriorates due to unreliable satellite signal reception

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidsignal reception reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces terrestrial wireless access points as intermediary elements to enable positioning in indoor environments where satellite signals are blocked. These access points serve as mediators between the mobile station and the positioning system, allowing range measurements to be performed using terrestrial infrastructure instead of satellite signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameters from satellite-based pseudorange measurements to terrestrial signal-based range measurements. By measuring ranges to multiple terrestrial wireless access points at known locations using signal strength and round trip delay characteristics, the system adapts to indoor environments where satellite signals are unavailable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If terrestrial wireless access point measurements are used for indoor positioning, then indoor positioning capability is enabled, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to signal propagation challenges in indoor environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindoor positioning capabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the mobile station measures ranges to multiple terrestrial access points and compares these measurements against expected values. The system uses feedback from multiple measurement sources (signal strength, round trip delay) to iteratively refine the position estimate and compensate for indoor signal propagation challenges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple measurement techniques and data sources to create a composite positioning solution. By integrating range measurements from multiple terrestrial access points, combining signal strength and round trip delay measurements, and using feedback loops, the system creates a composite approach that overcomes the limitations of individual measurement methods in indoor environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2938966B1Context-based parameter maps for position determination

Publication Date: 2018.10.10 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

In one implementation, a method may comprise: storing a user profile indicative of at least one attribute of a user of a mobile station; determining a measurement value based, at least in part, on a signal from at least one sensor on the mobile station; and estimating a location of the mobile station based, at least in part, on an association of the at least one attribute and the measurement value with a context parameter map database.