Electronic Apparatus Indoor Positioning via Wi-Fi Reference Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional positioning systems, such as GPS and cell tower-based systems, face inaccuracies and limitations in indoor environments due to satellite signal blocking and radio signal attenuation, while Wi-Fi Positioning Systems are restricted by access point density.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with a selection unit, storage unit, and processing unit that selects a first reference point for single-point distance measurement, uses stored second reference points to generate speculative location information, providing accurate three-dimensional coordinates regardless of environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS satellite signals are used for positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but the system becomes inoperative when satellite signals are blocked by buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Wi-Fi access points as intermediary reference objects for positioning when GPS satellites are blocked. The electronic device detects Wi-Fi signals from nearby access points, obtains their location information, and uses this as an alternative reference system to determine the device's position, thus maintaining positioning capability in urban canyons and indoor environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reference parameter from satellite-based GPS coordinates to ground-based Wi-Fi access point locations. By switching the positioning reference from space-based satellites to terrestrial Wi-Fi infrastructure, the system adapts to environments where satellite signals are blocked but Wi-Fi signals remain available.
2Reliability
If cell tower signals are used for positioning, then system operability is improved in indoor environments, but positioning precision deteriorates due to kilometer-scale tower spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Wi-Fi access points as closer copies or substitutes for cell towers. Instead of relying on kilometer-spaced cell towers, the system leverages densely distributed Wi-Fi access points that are much closer to the electronic device, providing finer spatial resolution for positioning while maintaining indoor operability.
3Measurement precision
If Wi-Fi Positioning System is used, then positioning precision is improved by utilizing closer access points, but the system becomes limited to areas with high access point density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal positioning system that can operate in multiple environments by integrating both GPS satellite positioning and Wi-Fi access point positioning. The system automatically selects the appropriate positioning method based on signal availability, making it universally applicable whether the device is outdoors with satellite access or indoors relying on Wi-Fi infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes a selection unit, a storage unit and a processing unit. The selection unit and the storage unit are coupled to the processing unit. The selection unit selects a first reference point proximate to the electronic apparatus. The storage unit stores a plurality of second locations of a plurality of second reference points. The processing unit executes a single-point distance measurement between the electronic apparatus and a first location of the selected first reference point, provides the electronic apparatus auxiliary positioning information by selecting the second locations stored in the storage unit and generates a speculative location of the electronic apparatus by further computing the results of the single-point distance measurement and the auxiliary positioning information.