Indoor Positioning Using ESL Node Signal Fingerprints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fingerprinting techniques for indoor positioning in retail environments suffer from scalability issues and inaccuracies in estimating device positions.
Innovation Solution
The use of an Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) system with a dense deployment of ESL devices equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radios, which collect and store fingerprinting measurements to create a database for accurate indoor positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional fingerprinting techniques are used for indoor positioning, then position estimation can be achieved, but scalability is limited and accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The ESL devices perform multiple functions: they serve as both product information displays and positioning reference nodes. By integrating positioning capabilities into existing ESL infrastructure, the system achieves multi-functionality without adding separate positioning hardware, thereby improving scalability while maintaining accuracy through the dense distribution of dual-purpose devices
Solution Approach 2:
The ESL nodes autonomously collect signal measurements and contribute to fingerprint database creation without requiring dedicated positioning infrastructure. Each ESL device serves itself by using its own transmitted signals as reference points for positioning, eliminating the need for separate positioning system deployment and enhancing scalability
2Measurement precision
If ESL devices are densely deployed for accurate positioning, then positioning accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing ESL devices for both their primary function of displaying product information and their secondary function as positioning reference nodes. This multi-functionality allows dense deployment for accurate positioning without adding separate positioning infrastructure, thereby improving positioning accuracy while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from dedicated positioning hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system merges with the existing ESL infrastructure by combining positioning reference functions with product information display functions in the same devices. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate positioning hardware deployment, reducing overall system complexity while achieving accurate positioning through the dense distribution of combined-function devices
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 provides scalable and accurate indoor positioning services by leveraging the ESL system's infrastructure, reducing noise interference, and enhancing the robustness of positioning estimates.
Implementation Method 1
fingerprinting measurements of positioning signals transmitted by other nodes of the ESL infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) systems that support indoor positioning of target devices. In a first aspect, a method includes: receiving, from a target device, signal measurements of at least a first subset of ESL nodes in a vicinity of the target device; identifying at least one ESL node of the ESL nodes which satisfy a criterion based on the signal measurements; and determining a position of the target device based on a subset of locations including the locations associated with the at least one ESL node. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.