Distinct Acoustic Beacon Signals for Indoor Receiver Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
GPS signals are obstructed by roofs and ceilings indoors, leading to inaccurate positioning and insufficient accuracy for indoor applications.
Innovation Solution
A system of beacon devices transmitting unique acoustic frequency signals with distinct information components and patterns, allowing a receiver to determine its position through multilateration based on time-delay information from multiple beacon devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS signals are used for positioning, then positioning can be achieved outdoors with sufficient accuracy, but the signals are obstructed by roofs and ceilings leading to inaccurate positioning indoors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic GPS signals with acoustic beacon signals. The receiver uses acoustic transducers to detect sound waves from multiple beacon devices, converting acoustic energy into position information through multilateration. This substitution allows indoor positioning where electromagnetic signals fail due to building structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium for positioning. Instead of directly using electromagnetic signals that penetrate buildings, the system uses sound waves that travel through air as a mediator to carry position information. The beacon devices emit acoustic signals that propagate through the indoor environment without being blocked by roofs or ceilings.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple beacon signals are transmitted simultaneously, then positioning coverage is expanded, but signal differentiation and identification become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beacon signals into distinct identifiable components. Each beacon device transmits a unique signal pattern that can be differentiated by the receiver. The system divides the positioning space into regions served by individual beacons, allowing the receiver to identify which beacon emitted which signal through pattern recognition and correlation analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses unique frequency patterns as analogous to color changes for signal identification. Each beacon device is assigned a distinct frequency signature or pattern that serves as its identifier. The receiver detects these unique frequency patterns to differentiate between multiple simultaneous beacon signals, much like distinguishing colors to identify different sources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If acoustic frequency signals are used instead of electromagnetic signals, then indoor positioning is enabled, but the complexity of signal processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic signal differentiation and correlation. The receiver automatically identifies beacon signals by their unique patterns and performs correlation analysis to determine time delays without manual intervention. The system self-calibrates by comparing received acoustic signals with stored beacon signal patterns, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration or external assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms in the signal processing. The receiver continuously monitors the acoustic environment, compares received signals with expected patterns, and adjusts processing parameters based on signal quality and environmental conditions. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to varying indoor acoustic conditions and maintain positioning accuracy despite changes in the environment.
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
Enables accurate indoor positioning by distinguishing beacon signals and determining the receiver's location within a space without electromagnetic interference, suitable for various indoor environments.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer configured to receive acoustic frequency signals
Implementation Method 2
a filtering module configured for, for each of a plurality of beacon signals, filtering the received acoustic signals by the frequencies of a frequency pattern of the beacon signal
Implementation Method 3
a correlation module configured for, for each of the plurality of beacon signals, carrying out a rolling correlation in time of the filtered signal of the beacon signal with a version of the information component of the beacon signal
Implementation Method 4
a peak detector module configured for, for each of the plurality of beacon signals, identifying a correlation peak from the rolling correlation for the beacon signal, the correlation peak providing time-delay information for the beacon signal
Implementation Method 5
a multilateration module configured for determining a position of the receiver based on the locations of each of a plurality of beacon devices associated to the beacon signals and the time-delay information determined for the beacon signals
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for enabling the determination of a position of a receiver within a space includes transmitting a beacon signal from each of a plurality of beacon devices located at different locations within the space. The beacon signal transmitted from each beacon device has a unique information component and may have a unique frequency pattern of multiple frequencies. Each beacon signal can be distinguishable from the beacon signals transmitted from any other of the beacon devices based on the combination of its unique information component and its unique frequency pattern. The beacon signals are received at a receiver. At the receiver, for each beacon signal of a working subset, time-delay information of the received beacon signal is determined and multilateration is applied to determine the position of the receiver based on the location of each beacon device of the working subset.