Indoor Location Estimation Using Grouped Access Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor navigation methods, such as those using Time-of-Flight (ToF) measurements, face challenges in achieving desired accuracy due to errors in distance calculations between wireless communication devices in indoor environments, where global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) signals are not available.
Innovation Solution
The system groups wireless communication nodes with shared local coordinates measured from a common origin, eliminating global origin inaccuracy and enhancing location estimation accuracy by prioritizing nodes within the same group for ToF measurements and applying weighted measurements for nodes from different groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ToF measurements are used for indoor location estimation, then location capability is achieved in indoor environments, but measurement precision deteriorates due to errors in distance calculations between wireless communication devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network of wireless communication nodes into multiple groups, where each group shares a common origin point for coordinate measurements. This segmentation isolates measurement errors to individual groups, preventing error propagation across the entire system and improving overall location estimation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference node within each group that serves as an intermediary with known coordinates. This reference node acts as a mediator to establish accurate local coordinate systems for each group, enabling precise relative position calculations while eliminating the need for accurate global origin information.
2Area of stationary object
If nodes from different groups are used for location estimation, then coverage area is increased, but measurement precision deteriorates due to errors associated with nodes measured from different origins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless communication network into multiple groups with shared origin points, allowing each group to maintain high measurement precision independently while collectively providing broad indoor coverage through the combination of multiple segmented groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single global coordinate system to multiple local coordinate systems organized in groups. This dimensional change allows the system to maintain precision within each local group while achieving extended coverage through the aggregation of multiple groups, effectively adding a hierarchical dimension to the coordinate system.
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 improves the accuracy of indoor location estimation by minimizing errors associated with nodes measured from different origins, allowing for more precise positioning within indoor environments.
Implementation Method 1
One solution for indoor navigation includes a Time-of-Flight (ToF) measurement method. The ToF may be defined as the overall time a signal propagates from a first station, e.g., a user ("client") mobile device, to a second station, e.g., an access point (AP), and back to the first station.
Data Source
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AI summary
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of estimating a location of a mobile device. For example, an apparatus may include a wireless communication unit to communicate a message between an access point and a mobile device, the message including a group identifier to indicate the access point belongs to a group of two or more access points having local coordinates measured with respect to a common origin point.