Indoor Map Generation Using User Device Sensor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Providing location-based services indoors is challenging due to the lack of accurate indoor maps, poor performance of GPS and other location-based technologies, and the difficulty and cost of installing beacons for communication with user devices.
Innovation Solution
An edge device generates an indoor map using data gathered by user devices, allowing for the provision of location-based services without relying on additional infrastructure like beacons, by sensing and processing data from sensors such as accelerometers, barometers, and GPS to identify user activities and locations within buildings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beacons are installed inside the structure to provide location-based services, then location-based services can be provided indoors, but the device complexity and installation cost increase due to additional infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables user devices to autonomously determine their indoor locations by processing data from their own sensors (accelerometers, barometers, GPS receivers) without requiring external beacon infrastructure. Each device serves itself by computing position based on sensed motion, pressure changes, and satellite signals, eliminating the need for dedicated indoor positioning infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing user devices perform multiple functions: they not only communicate and run applications but also autonomously perform indoor positioning by processing sensor data. The same device that provides GPS outdoor location capability is also used for indoor positioning through sensor fusion, eliminating the need for separate beacon systems.
2Reliability
If beacons and additional infrastructure are installed to enable indoor location-based services, then indoor positioning becomes possible, but the manufacturing cost and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
User devices independently determine their positions using their own built-in sensors without requiring any external positioning infrastructure. The devices self-calibrate and self-position by processing accelerometer data for motion detection, barometer data for floor level determination, and GPS data for horizontal positioning, eliminating all installation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the positioning function from dedicated beacon infrastructure and relocates it to the user devices themselves. By moving the positioning capability into the mobile device, the system eliminates the need for separate beacon installation, wiring, and maintenance infrastructure.
3Loss of information
If GPS and other location-based technologies are used indoors, then location data can be obtained, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to poor signal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data from multiple sensors (accelerometer, barometer, GPS receiver) to determine indoor position. The accelerometer measures motion for dead reckoning, the barometer determines floor level by measuring pressure changes, and GPS provides outdoor horizontal position when available. By merging these data sources, the system maintains location availability indoors while compensating for the weaknesses of individual sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system uses a composite approach by fusing data from heterogeneous sensors with different characteristics. The accelerometer provides continuous motion data, the barometer provides vertical position information independent of GPS, and GPS provides absolute horizontal positioning when signals are available. This composite sensing approach maintains measurement precision by leveraging the strengths of each sensor type.
Data Source
AI summary
A first device may receive data from one or more sensors associated with the first device. The data may indicate movements of the first device. The first device may be associated with a user. The first device may determine a state of the user indicated by the movements of the first device. The first device may determine whether the data is associated with the movements of the user inside one or more structures. The first device may generate a map for a structure, of the one or more structures, by combining the data received from the one or more sensors. The first device may provide the map for the structure for display and the data toward one or more second devices.