Indoor Location Detection via Unsolicited Packet TLV Parsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)-enabled devices face challenges in determining accurate location indoors due to GPS satellite signal interference and obstructions, limiting their accuracy and availability.
Innovation Solution
A method where network devices insert and parse time and location type-length-value (TLV) elements within link and network layer headers of unsolicited data packets, enabling opportunistic network-based location determination through neighbor location data without requiring dedicated request/response protocols or deep packet inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS satellite signals are used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved (3-10 meters), but signal availability deteriorates indoors due to interference and obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary location determination mechanism that uses unsolicited data packets containing neighbor location information from link layer and network layer headers. Instead of directly relying on GPS satellites, the system mediates location determination through parsed TLV elements from data packets received from multiple sources, enabling indoor positioning when GPS signals are unavailable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/GPS-based location determination system with a network-based alternative. By substituting the GPS satellite signal mechanism with a data packet parsing mechanism that extracts location information from unsolicited network traffic, the system achieves location determination in environments where the original GPS-based mechanism fails
2Reliability
If dedicated request/response protocols are used for location detection, then location information can be obtained reliably, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service location detection mechanism where the system passively extracts location information from unsolicited data packets already present in the network traffic. Instead of initiating dedicated request/response protocols, the location determination service serves itself by parsing TLV elements from existing data packets, eliminating the need for additional protocol overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the data packet parsing mechanism universal by extracting location information from standard link layer and network layer headers that are already present in normal network traffic. This multi-functional approach allows the same data packets to serve both their original communication purpose and location determination purposes, eliminating the need for dedicated location protocols
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method comprises a network device receiving one or more unsolicited data packets output by a plurality of source network devices, each unsolicited data packet comprising a corresponding link layer header and a corresponding network layer header; the network device parsing, from each unsolicited data packet within at least one of its corresponding link layer header or corresponding network layer header, a time type-length-value (TLV) element specifying a corresponding transmission time of the data packet from one or more corresponding source network devices, and a location TLV element specifying a corresponding location of the corresponding one or more source network devices; and the network device determining its corresponding location based on the time TLV elements and the location TLV elements parsed from the respective unsolicited data packets.