Downlink Access Point Indoor Positioning Using Address Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless-based indoor positioning technologies are inefficient and lack cost-effectiveness, with no standardized solutions and vendor-specific approaches that do not disclose user position determination methods.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing downlink access points with directional antennas transmitting unique address codes, allowing user terminals to estimate their position using received signal strength and inertial navigation, even when out of range, by combining position information from multiple antennas and sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wireless-based positioning technologies use propagation delay monitoring between wireless nodes to determine position, then position can be calculated through triangulation, but the system complexity increases and no standardized solutions exist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary downlink signal transmission function from complex bidirectional wireless communication systems. By using only downlink signals from access points to user terminals for positioning, the system eliminates the need for uplink signal processing and complex interaction protocols, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing wireless infrastructure (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular networks) serve dual purposes: both communication and positioning. By utilizing address codes already transmitted in downlink signals for position estimation, the system avoids requiring separate dedicated positioning infrastructure, thus reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If vendor-specific positioning solutions are used with independent patent technologies, then proprietary positioning can be achieved, but cost increases and details are not disclosed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal positioning method that works across multiple wireless communication standards (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular). By using generic downlink signal characteristics and address codes that exist in all these systems, the invention eliminates vendor-specific proprietary requirements, reducing implementation cost while maintaining reliability through standardized approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copies of existing address codes already present in wireless communications for positioning purposes. Instead of creating new proprietary signaling protocols, the system repurposes existing address code structures from various wireless standards, thereby avoiding additional patent licensing costs and reducing implementation complexity
3Measurement precision
If RF fingerprint schemes divide service area into lattices and build databases, then position can be estimated by matching RF characteristics, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential address code information from complex RF fingerprint databases. Instead of storing and matching complete RF characteristic profiles across multiple lattices, the system uses simple address codes from downlink signals to identify access point locations, thereby achieving position estimation with minimal database requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional RF fingerprint approach by not having the terminal actively scan and build RF characteristic databases. Instead, the system relies on access points to transmit their address codes, and terminals to passively receive and use these codes for position determination, thereby eliminating the need for complex database building and matching operations
4Measurement precision
If dedicated indoor positioning structures are used, then accurate indoor positioning can be achieved, but the cost is significantly higher than wireless-based solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing wireless communication infrastructure serve dual purposes as both communication network and positioning system. By utilizing downlink signals from standard WiFi access points, Bluetooth devices, or cellular base stations, the system eliminates the need for dedicated positioning hardware installation, thereby significantly reducing installation cost while maintaining indoor positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the wireless communication infrastructure to self-serve positioning functions without requiring additional dedicated positioning devices. Existing access points automatically provide positioning capability by transmitting their address codes, eliminating the need for separate positioning system installation and reducing overall system cost
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a device and a method for estimating a position using a downlink access point enabling efficient indoor position measurement at a relatively low cost. The device for estimating a position using a downlink access point includes: a plurality of downlink access points 100 installed at specific positions; and one or more user terminal 200 displaying its current position, wherein the plurality of downlink access points 100 wirelessly transmit different address codes, and the user terminal 200 estimates a position corresponding to the received address code to be its current position in the case in which it is within a wireless transmission range of the downlink access point 100.