Geolocation Using Confidence Metrics for Distance Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing geolocation systems using electronic distance measurement technologies face challenges with variable and limited measurement ranges, errors due to environmental obstructions, and ambiguity in selecting accurate positions, especially when few anchors are available or signals are lost.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a Confidence metric to assess the trustworthiness of distance measurements and Precision to evaluate measurement accuracy, allowing for the selection of the most reliable data subset for position calculation, and using geometric conditions to choose the optimal position candidate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a large number of closely positioned Anchors are deployed to extend measurement range, then measurement range is improved, but device complexity and deployment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical deployment of numerous Anchors with a software-based solution using Confidence metrics and geometric validation to filter measurements. This substitution allows the system to achieve reliable geolocation with fewer physical Anchors by intelligently selecting and validating distance measurements through mathematical criteria rather than relying on dense anchor deployment.
2Productivity
If all available distance measurements are used for position calculation, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to erroneous measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes erroneous distance measurements from the calculation process by applying Confidence metrics and geometric validation criteria. Instead of using all available measurements, the system identifies and excludes measurements that fail to meet validation thresholds, thereby improving position accuracy while maintaining computational efficiency by only processing validated measurements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple possible mathematical solutions exist for geolocation, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to select correct solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through Confidence metrics that evaluate the quality of each distance measurement and each candidate position solution. The system uses geometric validation to provide feedback on whether candidate solutions are physically plausible, and Confidence values provide feedback on measurement reliability. This feedback mechanism enables the system to distinguish correct solutions from incorrect ones among multiple mathematical possibilities.
4Measurement precision
If filtering techniques are applied to reduce erroneous measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiparameter vector calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used for filtering from complex multiparameter vector calculations to simpler Confidence metrics and geometric validation criteria. Instead of using Kalman filters that require multiple sensor parameters and complex state predictions, the system uses Confidence values derived from distance measurement quality and geometric relationships, significantly reducing computational complexity while maintaining filtering effectiveness.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention mainly relates to methods for geolocation utilizing electronic distance measurement equipment. These methods select a small subset of available data that is most trustworthy, and then use simple mathematical treatment of said subset of data (preferably bilateration or trilateration) to compute one or more new Measured Position candidates, among which one may be chosen based on Confidence metrics, relative Position geometry, and the comparison with history-based Predicted Position and its respective Confidence metric. In a case where no Measured Position candidates of sufficient Confidence are available, the Predicted Position is taken as the new Position.