Enterprise Server Indoor Location Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing location mechanisms for user devices, such as cellular and WiFi signals, often result in a large margin of error, making it difficult for emergency services to accurately locate a user device within an enterprise setting, such as an office building or campus, especially when the device is not connected to the enterprise's wireless system.

Innovation Solution

An enterprise server coordinates with a Public-Safety Answering Point (PSAP) to determine a precise location of a user device within an enterprise by verifying the general location and using additional location mechanisms like WiFi network signal strengths and NFC components to pinpoint the device's location, enabling more accurate emergency service dispatch.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If cellular signals are used to determine location, then the location can be obtained with coverage area, but the margin of error is relatively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation precisionVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple location mechanisms (cellular signals, WiFi signals, and enterprise-specific location systems) into a unified location determination approach. By merging these different signal sources and methodologies, the system achieves both broad coverage through cellular networks and high precision through enterprise-specific mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and location precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If only two-dimensional geographic location is provided, then emergency services can be dispatched to general area, but precise location inside building or campus cannot be determined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation precisionVSAvoidlocation information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional geographic coordinates to three-dimensional location information by incorporating floor level, building structure, and enterprise-specific spatial data. This dimensional expansion allows emergency services to locate devices not just by latitude and longitude, but also by vertical position and building context, achieving precise indoor localization while maintaining comprehensive location information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If enterprise-specific location system is implemented, then precise location within enterprise can be determined, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an enterprise server as an intermediary component that bridges the user device and the location determination process. This intermediary handles the complex tasks of receiving contact data, determining precise location within the enterprise, and coordinating with PSAP, thereby managing system complexity in a centralized manner while enabling precise location determination without burdening individual devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If enterprise server coordinates with PSAP using multiple location mechanisms, then location accuracy is improved, but information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation precisionVSAvoiddata processing volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the enterprise server determine the precise location of the user device within the enterprise before final emergency service dispatch. By performing this location determination in advance and coordinating with PSAP proactively, the system processes location information efficiently, reducing the burden of real-time data processing during critical emergency situations while maintaining high location accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10841778B2Locating user devices in enterprises
Publication Date: 2020.11.17 SIGNAL POINT NETWORKS LLC
  • US10841778B2 patent drawing
  • US10841778B2 patent drawing
  • US10841778B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A device, system, and method locates user devices in enterprises. The method performed by an enterprise server of an enterprise includes receiving contact data from an emergency services device, the contact data comprising location related data of a user device and identification data of the user device. The method includes determining if a general location data of the user device is associated with an area data of the enterprise as a function of the location related data. The method includes determining a precise location data of the user device within the area data of the enterprise based on the contact data.