Hybrid Positioning Algorithm for Indoor Location Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location services for portable electronic devices face inaccuracies when primary positioning methods like AGPS are unavailable, particularly in indoor or urban environments where satellite signals are weak, leading to the use of low-accuracy alternative methods such as Cell-ID.
Innovation Solution
A method that employs a hybrid positioning algorithm using relative distance data from base stations in conjunction with satellite data to improve position determination accuracy when primary methods fail, offering a more accurate alternative to traditional Cell-ID methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If AGPS (primary positioning method) is used, then position determination accuracy is improved, but it becomes unavailable in indoor or urban environments where satellite signals are weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines satellite data from AGPS with relative distance data from base stations to create a hybrid positioning solution. This merging allows the system to maintain high accuracy in environments where pure AGPS fails, as the base station distance information compensates for weak or unavailable satellite signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system uses a composite approach by integrating two different data sources (satellite positioning data and base station distance data) into a unified positioning solution. This composite methodology allows the system to leverage the strengths of both methods while mitigating their individual weaknesses.
2Reliability
If Cell-ID (alternative positioning method) is used when AGPS is unavailable, then positioning availability is improved, but position determination accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges Cell-ID base station data with satellite positioning data to create a hybrid solution that maintains high accuracy. Instead of using Cell-ID alone, the system combines it with available satellite information and relative distance measurements to achieve accurate positioning even when pure AGPS is unavailable.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and location server (120) enable determining a position of a target device (105). The method includes receiving at the location server (120), from the target device (105), a distance message identifying a relative distance between the target device (105) and one or more base stations (115). Next, it is determined at the location server (120) that a primary positioning method is unavailable. In response to the primary positioning method being unavailable, a position of the target device (105) is determined using both a) an alternative positioning method and b) the relative distance between the target device (105) and the one or more base stations (115) that was identified in the distance message.