Dead Zone Location Detection via Motion Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication methods, such as trilateration and location fingerprinting, are ineffective in 'dead zones' like elevators and stairwells where wireless signals are weak or blocked, preventing accurate location detection in indoor environments.
Innovation Solution
A wireless device configured to detect degraded signal strength and determine its location within a dead zone by using a receiver module to measure signal characteristics, a motion detection module to track movement, and a location detection module to identify the dead zone based on predefined profiles and motion information, allowing for reporting the location to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If trilateration or fingerprinting techniques are used for location detection, then location accuracy is improved in areas with good signal coverage, but location detection fails completely in dead zones where wireless signals are weak or blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces motion information (accelerometer data, gyroscope data, step counter data) as an intermediary to bridge the gap between dead zones and known locations. This motion data serves as a mediator that allows the system to estimate position changes even when wireless signals are unavailable, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously collecting and storing motion information during periods when wireless signals are available. This preliminary collection of motion data enables the device to later determine position changes in dead zones without real-time signal dependency, thus improving reliability while maintaining measurement precision.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and modules are added to detect dead zone location using motion information, then location detection capability in dead zones is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing device components multi-functional by using the accelerometer, gyroscope, and step counter not only for their primary purposes (motion sensing, fitness tracking) but also for location detection in dead zones. This universality approach improves dead zone detection capability without adding dedicated hardware, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the device's own existing sensors and processing capabilities to solve the location detection problem in dead zones. By leveraging already-present components for dual purposes, the system achieves improved reliability without external additions that would increase complexity.
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AI summary
Embodiments of techniques and systems for dead-zone-location detection in wireless systems are described. In embodiments, a wireless device may be configured to receive radio signals and provide indicators that convey signal strength of received radio signals. The received radio signals are considered degraded when signal strength of the received radio signals is below a threshold level. The wireless device may also be configured to determine which dead zone the wireless device is currently located, in response to a determination that receipt of radio signals is degraded. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.