GNSS Coordinate Encoding With Variable Mesh Division for Fewer Bits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in reducing the number of bits required for position information while maintaining necessary accuracy, particularly due to variable resolution of longitude depending on latitude.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an information processing apparatus and method that converts position information into a new GNSS coordinate format, where the number of bits for longitude varies according to latitude, using area meshes divided in a specific manner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If millisecond-format coordinates are used to represent position information, then position accuracy of approximately 3 cm is achieved, but the number of bits required increases to 61 bits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidnumber of bits
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the world into hierarchical rectangular regions (first-level, second-level, third-level regions) and represents position information by combining region identification codes with offset values. This segmentation allows precise position representation using fewer bits compared to directly encoding millisecond-format coordinates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different encoding precision to different spatial locations. By using hierarchical region division, the system adapts the number of bits required for offset representation based on the size of the parent region, effectively reducing bits needed in larger regions while maintaining precision in smaller regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If geohash encoding is used to compress geographic coordinates, then the number of bits is reduced, but resolution of longitude remains variable depending on latitude

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of bitsVSAvoidlongitude resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by adapting the encoding scheme to the specific characteristics of each region. By dividing the world into hierarchical rectangular regions and using fixed-size region codes combined with variable offset values, the system achieves more uniform longitude resolution compared to geohash, while maintaining efficient bit usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the traditional latitude-longitude coordinate system into a hierarchical region-based representation. Instead of directly encoding angular coordinates, it uses spatial division into rectangular regions across multiple hierarchical levels, adding a dimensional aspect of region hierarchy that enables more efficient and uniform encoding.

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

3Device complexity

If fixed division of geographic range is used, then encoding is simplified, but variable range of coordinates is not used effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencoding complexityVSAvoidinformation volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the geographic range into hierarchical rectangular regions with different levels of division. This segmentation allows the system to match the encoding precision to the actual spatial requirements of different regions, effectively utilizing the variable range of coordinates while maintaining manageable encoding complexity through the hierarchical structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3875991B1Information processing device and method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP
  • EP3875991B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3875991B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3875991B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present technology relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program each capable of reducing the number of bits of position information. An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires first position information indicating a position of a target object in a target region and a generation unit that generates, on the basis of the first position information, second position information including area mesh information that indicates a target area mesh containing the target object and included in plural area meshes produced by dividing the target region in a first direction and a second direction such that a division number in the second direction varies for each position in the first direction in the target region and relative position information that indicates a position of the target object in the target area mesh. The present technology is applicable to a transmission device and a reception device.