Hybrid GPS Wireless Network Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GPS-based position determination systems face challenges in accuracy due to signal obstruction, multi-path, and attenuation, especially indoors, while wireless communication systems provide less accurate location-based services.
Innovation Solution
A system integrating a wireless network transceiver with a GPS receiver and cellular communication capabilities, using data from wireless access points to determine position, combining signals from GPS satellites, base transceiver stations, and wireless network access points for improved accuracy and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS-based position determination is used, then high accuracy is achieved in open areas, but performance deteriorates indoors or in obstructed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS receiver data with wireless network access point data into a unified position determination system. The mobile device collects position data from both GPS satellites and wireless access points, then transmits this combined data to a position determining entity for integrated processing, thereby achieving reliable position determination in both outdoor and indoor environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the mobile device to perform position determination using multiple methods (GPS and wireless network triangulation) depending on environmental conditions. The device can automatically switch between or combine these methods, making the position determination system universally applicable across diverse locations including outdoor open areas, urban canyons, and indoor environments.
2Reliability
If wireless communication system position determination is used, then indoor position determination is possible, but accuracy is reduced compared to GPS
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges wireless network position determination data with GPS data in a hybrid system. When GPS signals are unavailable indoors, the system relies on wireless access point triangulation; when GPS is available, it uses GPS data; and when both are available, it combines them to achieve the best possible accuracy, thereby improving overall measurement precision while maintaining indoor capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device, known as a mobile station (MS), contains a conventional wireless communication system and further comprises a wireless computer network communication subsystem and may also include GPS capability. The operator of the MS may utilize any or all of these subsystems to determine the current position of the MS. Based on the current position of the MS, location-based services are provided to the MS as sales information, schedules, prices, maps, and the like. In a typical implementation a plurality of computer network access points, or beacons, are distributed throughout a geographic region and used to determine the position of the MS with a reasonably high degree of accuracy. Based on the current position of the MS, the beacons can provide location-based services.