Crowd-Sourced Heading Correction for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile device indoor navigation systems face challenges in achieving accurate localization within enclosed or partially enclosed spaces due to unreliable satellite signals and distortive magnetic fields, which affect inertial sensor data reliability.
Innovation Solution
A crowd-sourced system where mobile devices broadcast their estimated positions and heading data to peers, allowing them to adopt more accurate heading information from devices not affected by strong magnetic fields, thereby improving localization accuracy through data fusion and confidence level updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellite-based navigation systems are used for indoor positioning, then outdoor navigation accuracy is maintained, but indoor positioning reliability deteriorates due to signal unavailability in enclosed spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces peer mobile devices as intermediaries to transfer heading information. When one device experiences magnetic distortion, it can adopt heading data from nearby peer devices that are not affected by the distortion, thereby maintaining positioning reliability without direct satellite signal access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on satellite-based mechanical/electromagnetic positioning systems with an inertial sensor-based system that uses accelerometer and gyroscope data fused with magnetic field data. This substitution enables positioning functionality indoors where satellite signals are unavailable.
2Reliability
If inertial sensors including magnetometers are used for indoor navigation, then positioning functionality is enabled in enclosed spaces, but measurement precision deteriorates under distortive magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where mobile devices continuously monitor the quality and confidence levels of their own magnetic field measurements. When distortion is detected, the system adjusts by seeking alternative heading information from peer devices, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite magnetic field variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for heading determination based on environmental conditions. Under normal conditions, magnetometer data is used; under distortive conditions, the system switches to relying more heavily on gyroscope integration and peer device data, effectively adapting the measurement parameters to current environmental realities.
3Measurement precision
If crowd-sourced heading corrections are implemented, then heading accuracy under magnetic distortion is improved, but device complexity increases due to peer device communication and data fusion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes mobile devices multi-functional by enabling them to simultaneously perform their primary communication functions and serve as positioning sensors for peer devices. Each device's heading information becomes a useful resource that can help other devices correct their own heading calculations, creating a universal positioning ecosystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through automated confidence level assessment and peer device selection. The system automatically determines when magnetic distortion is present, identifies suitable peer devices for heading correction, and performs the data fusion without user intervention, thereby managing complexity through automation rather than user-facing controls.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of updating a direction of traversal of a mobile device. The method comprises determining that a first and a second mobile device are traversing an indoor route in a same heading based on a first and second heading angles determined at the first and the second mobile devices respectively, the first and second heading angles having an associated first and a second confidence levels respectively, receiving a broadcast, from the second mobile device, of a localization data packet that includes data of the second heading angle and the associated second confidence level, and if the first confidence level determined at the first mobile device is lower than the second confidence level determined at the second mobile device, updating the first heading angle of the first mobile device in accordance with the second heading angle of the second mobile device.