Earpiece Pseudolite Connectivity for Indoor Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current earpiece systems face limitations in determining location without a smartphone or GPS receiver, particularly indoors or in areas with blocked signals, and often suffer from limited accuracy due to satellite visibility issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a location receiver within the earpiece that can utilize pseudo satellite signals and terrestrial transmitters to determine position independently, along with inertial sensors and wireless transceivers, enabling three-dimensional sound generation based on relative sound source and earpiece location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS receiver is used in earpiece, then location determination capability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the location receiver with the existing earpiece housing and integrates it with the wireless transceiver. The location receiver is disposed within the earpiece housing and shares the same antenna system for receiving signals from pseudolites and terrestrial transmitters, eliminating the need for a separate GPS receiver device and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless transceiver in the earpiece is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the communication transceiver for audio data and as the location receiver for receiving signals from pseudolites and terrestrial transmitters. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated GPS receiver, reducing device complexity while maintaining location determination capability.
2Measurement precision
If GPS satellite signals are used, then location information can be obtained, but accuracy is limited by satellite visibility and signal blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pseudolites as intermediary ground-based transmitters that relay location information. These pseudolites receive signals from GPS satellites and retransmit them locally, creating an intermediate communication layer that provides location data even when direct satellite signals are blocked by buildings or terrain. The earpiece receives signals from these local pseudolites rather than directly from satellites, overcoming signal blocking issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from relying solely on space-based GPS satellites to incorporating ground-based pseudolites and terrestrial transmitters. This adds a new dimension to the location determination system by creating a hybrid architecture that combines satellite-based and ground-based positioning, enabling location determination in urban canyons and indoor environments where satellite signals are blocked.
3Ease of operation
If earpiece operates independently without smartphone, then user convenience is improved, but location determination capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The earpiece is designed to determine its own location independently using an integrated location receiver that receives signals from pseudolites and terrestrial transmitters. The earpiece processes these signals internally and generates location information without requiring a smartphone or external device. The wireless transceiver communicates with local transmitters and the processor calculates position data, enabling the earpiece to serve itself for location determination.
Data Source
AI summary
An earpiece includes an earpiece housing and a location receiver disposed within the ear piece housing. The earpiece is configured to determine location of the earpiece using the location receiver. The ear piece is configured to generate three-dimensional sounds based on the location of the earpiece relative to location of one or more sound sources. The location receiver may be configured to receive signals from one or more pseudo satellites and use the signals to determine the location. The earpiece may be configured to receive signals from one or more terrestrial or ground-based transmitters and use the signals to determine the location. The ear piece may further include an inertial sensor disposed within the earpiece housing.