Dual-Frequency Wireless Distance Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location technologies, such as GPS, are not well-suited for indoor applications due to accuracy issues and the need for satellite constellations, while alternative methods like cellular and WiFi-based systems are less accurate and prone to noise and environmental disturbances.
Innovation Solution
A system using a fixed and mobile communications device that wirelessly communicate at both a low frequency (e.g., 15 KHz to 20 MHz) and a high frequency (e.g., 2.4 GHz to 5.9 GHz) to establish a wireless link, exchange location signals, and determine distance based on signal arrival time and delays, allowing for high-resolution mapping and location determination without requiring specialized hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used for location determination, then position information can be obtained, but accuracy is limited to about 9 ft and it requires expensive satellite constellations and clear line of sight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary wireless communication system that operates between mobile devices and fixed infrastructure points. Instead of directly relying on satellite constellations, the system uses local fixed wireless devices as intermediaries to establish position determination, achieving higher accuracy (within a few feet) without requiring expensive satellite infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the location determination problem into local zones defined by fixed wireless devices. Rather than treating location as a global satellite-based problem, it divides the space into manageable segments where each fixed device serves as a local reference point, enabling accurate positioning through wireless signal exchange within each segment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cellular or WiFi based location services are used, then indoor location can be determined, but accuracy is reduced and noise in calculated range values increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the acoustic/mechanical signal propagation methods used in traditional ultrasound RTLS with electromagnetic wireless communication. This substitution eliminates the need for specialized ultrasound hardware while maintaining the time-of-flight measurement principle, achieving both adaptability for indoor use and improved accuracy through standardized wireless communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes mobile devices perform multiple functions - they serve both as wireless communication endpoints and as location determination devices. The fixed wireless devices similarly provide both communication infrastructure and positioning reference points, eliminating the need for separate specialized location hardware and achieving versatility across different indoor environments.
3Measurement precision
If fixed position ultrasound devices are used for RTLS, then zone-based location can be provided, but cost increases and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive fixed ultrasound devices with inexpensive fixed wireless communication devices that can be deployed using existing infrastructure. The system uses standard wireless communication hardware rather than specialized ultrasound transducers, dramatically reducing cost while maintaining location accuracy through software-based time-of-flight measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables mobile devices to perform their own location determination using their existing wireless communication capabilities. Instead of requiring centralized ultrasound processing infrastructure, each mobile device independently calculates its position based on wireless signal exchange with fixed devices, eliminating the need for expensive centralized processing systems and improving scalability.
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
This approach enables accurate and cost-effective indoor location determination, reducing the need for expensive fixed-position devices and minimizing noise, while allowing for precise distance calculation and application launching based on proximity thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
determine a distance between the fixed communications device and the mobile communications device based upon a time of arrival of the location signal, the transmit and receive delays, and a signal speed associated with the second frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a fixed communications device and a mobile communications device each configured to wirelessly communicate at a first frequency and also at a second frequency higher than the first frequency. The fixed communications device and the mobile communications device may cooperate to establish a wireless link via the second frequency, exchange a location signal via the first frequency responsive to establishing the wireless link, communicate via the wireless link using the second frequency and determine respective transmit and receive delays associated with transmission and reception of the location signal via the first frequency, and determine a distance between the fixed communications device and the mobile communications device based upon a time of arrival of the location signal, the transmit and receive delays, and a signal speed associated with the second frequency.