Indoor Location Recommendation via Access Point Fingerprinting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing indoor positioning techniques require pre-constructed infrastructure and known access point locations, making it difficult to provide accurate positioning and location recommendations without initial infrastructure information.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that detect access point locations and store locations using fingerprints collected from multiple user terminals, generating a metamap to recommend locations based on user preference and current location, even without initial infrastructure information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional indoor positioning techniques are used that require pre-constructed infrastructure and known access point locations, then positioning accuracy can be maintained, but the system cannot provide positioning services in buildings without initial infrastructure information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to provide positioning service without pre-constructed infrastructureVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting fingerprint data from multiple user terminals before actual positioning is needed. This advance data collection builds a probabilistic map of access point locations that enables subsequent positioning without requiring pre-installed infrastructure or known AP locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces fingerprint data as an intermediary element that mediates between the user terminal and the positioning system. By using fingerprints collected from multiple terminals as intermediate information, the system can infer access point locations and provide positioning services without direct knowledge of AP positions or pre-constructed infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If access points are installed at regular distances to ensure coverage, then positioning coverage is improved, but the aesthetic appearance of the interior is spoiled and installation flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning coverageVSAvoidinstallation flexibility and aesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by not requiring known access point locations for positioning. Instead of installing APs at specific locations and then using those known locations for positioning, the system first collects fingerprint data and then infers AP locations probabilistically, allowing APs to be installed freely without compromising positioning coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of access point location from a fixed, predetermined value to a probabilistic, inferred value. By transitioning from deterministic AP locations to probabilistic distributions based on fingerprint data, the system enables flexible AP installation while maintaining positioning reliability through statistical methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If access points are installed in locations that minimize interference and maintain aesthetic appearance rather than at regular distances, then installation flexibility and aesthetic appearance are improved, but positioning coverage and reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibility and aesthetic appearanceVSAvoidpositioning coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously collecting fingerprint data from multiple user terminals and using this feedback to build and update the probabilistic map of access point locations. This feedback mechanism ensures that even irregularly placed APs are accurately located through aggregated data, maintaining positioning coverage without requiring regular installation patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges information from multiple user terminals to compensate for the irregular placement of access points. By combining fingerprint data from multiple sources, the system creates a robust probabilistic model that maintains positioning reliability even when individual APs are placed irregularly for aesthetic or interference-minimization reasons

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10299076B2Device for recommending location in building by using fingerprint of access point, and method using same

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 SK PLANET CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are a device for recommending locations in a building using fingerprints of access points and a method using the device. The locations of access points are detected by collecting fingerprints for the access points from terminals of multiple users, the locations of stores in the building are detected by using the fingerprints and payment histories of the multiple users, and locations may be recommended to a recommendation target user based on a meta-path, using a metamap generated by integrating the locations of the access points and stores with the indoor plan of the building. Indoor positioning is enabled by detecting the locations of access points using the information obtained from the terminals of multiple users, whereby constructing infrastructure information for the access points in the building in advance may not be required.