Indoor Location Tracking Using Transmitter Tags

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing location tracking systems, such as GPS and pico networks, are inadequate for indoor tracking due to signal penetration issues and high installation and maintenance costs associated with high-resolution tracking requirements.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing low-complexity transmitter tags that broadcast unique IDs via radio frequency, allowing user equipment to detect and transmit these IDs to a server for location tracking, with improved resolution through signal quality metrics and last recorded location data, and a private base station network for efficient communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If GPS satellite-based tracking systems are used, then location tracking can be implemented outdoors, but they cannot penetrate building walls and are not suitable for indoor location tracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindoor location tracking capabilityVSAvoidsignal penetration through building walls

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary devices (access points, wireless base stations, or mobile devices) that act as mediators between the tracking system and indoor locations. These intermediaries receive GPS signals outdoors and relay location information indoors through wireless communication, effectively bridging the gap where GPS signals cannot penetrate building walls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If numerous base stations are disposed throughout the area for high resolution indoor tracking, then tracking resolution is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking resolutionVSAvoidnumber of base stations required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) serve dual functions: as user communication devices and as location tracking sensors. By utilizing the existing GPS receiver, wireless communication capabilities, and processing power of ubiquitous mobile devices, the system achieves high-resolution tracking without requiring dedicated infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity and deployment costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system leverages the self-contained capabilities of mobile devices including their built-in GPS receivers, wireless transceivers, and processing units. Each mobile device independently determines its own location and transmits this information to the server, eliminating the need for external base stations to provide these functions and significantly reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If numerous base stations are disposed throughout the area for high resolution indoor tracking, then tracking resolution is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking resolutionVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, difficult-to-deploy base station infrastructure with inexpensive, widely-available mobile devices that users already possess. These consumer devices can be deployed instantly without installation, and their ubiquity eliminates maintenance costs associated with dedicated tracking infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the location tracking functionality with existing mobile communication devices. By combining GPS reception, wireless communication, and location reporting into a single integrated system using devices users already carry, the solution eliminates the need for separate tracking infrastructure, thereby reducing both installation and maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 and cost-effective indoor location tracking with low-complexity devices, reducing installation and maintenance expenses while maintaining high tracking resolution and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

transmitter tags which are distributed throughout an area where location tracking is to be carried out and which are configured to broadcast their unique identifiers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2341359B1Location tracking system

Publication Date: 2015.08.05 9SOLUTIONS

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AI summary

This document presents a location tracking system. Transmitter tags are disposed throughout the area where the location tracking is carried out. The transmitter tags are configured to transmit their unique identifiers. A personal radio communication device being tracked detects a unique identifier received from a transmitter tag and transmits the detected unique identifier to a server. The server links a known physical location associated with the unique identifier to an identifier of the personal radio communication device so as to carry out location tracking.