Indoor Device Location Estimation Using Iterative Anchor Point Refinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network management systems within premises, such as homes and offices, fail to accurately determine the location of devices on a wireless network, making it difficult to identify and manage devices, especially when they are misplaced or lost, as they do not provide spatial resolution sufficient for indoor location tracking.
Innovation Solution
The method involves measuring signal strength at anchor points within the premises using a mobile device, estimating the location of these anchor points, and subsequently determining the location of devices by iteratively refining the gain characteristics and positions of both anchor points and devices, allowing for the creation of a map to visually represent device locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If signal strength measurements are taken at multiple anchor points to determine device locations, then location tracking precision is improved, but system complexity increases due to the need for iterative estimation of both anchor point locations and device locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the location determination problem into two distinct phases: first determining anchor point locations using mobile device measurements, then using those anchor points to determine device locations. This segmentation allows each sub-problem to be solved independently with appropriate algorithms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by first establishing the locations of anchor points before using them to determine device locations. The mobile device collects signal strength measurements at multiple anchor points, and the system iteratively estimates anchor point locations beforehand, creating a foundation for subsequent device location determination that simplifies the overall process.
2Measurement precision
If iterative estimation is performed to refine gain characteristics and positions of anchor points and devices, then location estimation accuracy is improved, but computation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action through iterative estimation cycles that refine gain characteristics and positions of both anchor points and devices. Each iteration periodically updates the estimates based on signal strength measurements, progressively improving location estimation accuracy while allowing the process to be stopped when sufficient precision is achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where each iteration's location estimates are fed back into the next iteration for refinement. The signal strength measurements and estimated positions are continuously compared and adjusted, creating a feedback loop that converges to accurate location estimates while providing control over computation time through iteration limits.
3Ease of operation
If a map is generated to visually represent device locations, then ease of device identification is improved, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a visual copy or representation of the physical device locations through generated maps. Instead of directly interacting with physical devices, the system produces a two-dimensional map copy that visually represents device positions, making identification easier while processing only the essential location data rather than complete device information.
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 enables precise indoor location tracking of devices, facilitating the identification of misplaced devices and optimizing network management by providing a visual representation of device locations within the premises, improving network coverage and device management.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring device for measuring a strength of signals sent on a network in a premises
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for estimating locations of devices operating on a network (such as a wireless network) in a premises. Signal strength measurements of signals sent by the devices may be used to estimate locations of the devices within the premises as well as to estimate anchor points where signals are received from the devices. The devices may be shown on a map of the premises. The anchor points may be shown on a map of the premises. A method may be implemented iteratively to estimate the device locations as well as the locations of the anchor points. Estimated locations of devices and/or anchor points may be used to estimate a location of a device misplaced or lost in the premises.