Encoded Light Signal Indoor Location System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices struggle to determine their location when external signals such as GPS and cellular tower signals are unavailable, particularly in indoor or interference-prone environments.
Innovation Solution
The use of light sources emitting encoded identifiers through modulated light pulses, which can be detected by computing devices to determine location and control nearby devices, utilizing a registry server to associate identifiers with location information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS and cellular tower signals are used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved in outdoor environments, but location determination fails in indoor or interference-prone environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light sources as intermediary objects that emit encoded identifiers to enable location determination. These light sources act as mediators between the computing device and the location information, allowing the device to determine its location indirectly by detecting identifiers from light sources at known positions, rather than relying directly on GPS or cellular signals that fail indoors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the radio-based positioning system (GPS, cellular) with an optical-based system. By substituting the mechanical/electromagnetic wave approach of radio signals with light-based identifier transmission, the system achieves reliable indoor location determination where radio signals are blocked or interfered with.
2Reliability
If light sources emit encoded identifiers using modulated light pulses, then location determination is enabled in indoor environments, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes light sources serve multiple functions: they provide illumination for the environment and simultaneously transmit encoded location identifiers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated positioning infrastructure, as existing light fixtures can be utilized for both lighting and location determination purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modulates the light pulses by changing their parameters (intensity, frequency, or temporal pattern) to encode identifiers. By varying light parameters rather than using separate communication channels, the system efficiently transmits location information through the existing light infrastructure with minimal additional complexity.
3Productivity
If light pulses are modulated according to an encoding scheme to transmit identifiers, then information transmission efficiency is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic modulation of light pulses to encode identifiers, creating recognizable patterns that can be easily distinguished from ambient light. By employing periodic on/off patterns or frequency modulations, the receiving device can synchronize with the transmitted signal and efficiently decode identifiers even in the presence of background illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary registration of light sources, where each light source's identifier and location are pre-recorded in a database. This preliminary action enables the receiving device to quickly match detected identifiers with known locations without complex real-time analysis, simplifying the detection and measurement process while maintaining high information transmission efficiency.
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
Enables accurate location determination and device control within indoor environments without reliance on external signals, providing navigation and customized content, and allowing users to control devices in proximity.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor of the computing device to detect an encoded light signal from a light source. The encoded light signal may include an identifier of the light source. The light source may be a light source which can emit an identifier or may be a light source with an adapter which can control the light source to emit the identifier in an encoded light signal
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a light source based location and operation system. A computing device may detect an encoded light signal containing an identifier from a light source at a location. The encoded light signal can be decoded to obtain the identifier, and a request for information based on the identifier can be transmitted in response to decoding the identifier. Information associated with the identifier may be received in response to the request for information including location information corresponding to the location of the light source. The location information may be used to provide additional information to the user or enable a user to control devices based on the location information.