Indoor Mobile Device Location via Grid Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current global positioning systems (GPS) and mobile signal triangulation methods are unreliable for indoor locations and lack the necessary granularity for precise user positioning, especially in environments with changing wireless access point configurations.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing local wireless access points to determine the location of a mobile device by comparing received signal strengths with known distances, generating grid scores to identify the most likely location within a grid layout, and employing a cloud-based service for remote location identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS satellite triangulation is used for location identification, then outdoor location tracking is achieved, but reliability deteriorates when mobile device is inside a building or under cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless access points (APs) as intermediary objects to enable location identification indoors. Instead of relying on GPS satellites that cannot penetrate buildings, the system uses locally deployed APs as mediators to provide location information in indoor environments where GPS fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic triangulation system with a local wireless network-based location system. This substitution involves replacing the space-based mechanical/electromagnetic system with a ground-based wireless infrastructure that can operate effectively indoors.
2Measurement precision
If mobile signal triangulation is used for location identification, then approximate location is obtained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lack of granularity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the service area into multiple grid spaces, each associated with a specific location. By segmenting the physical space into discrete grid units and mapping them to wireless network locations, the system achieves fine-grained location precision that goes beyond approximate triangulation results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to location identification by creating a grid overlay on the service area. This dimensional approach transforms the problem from simple signal strength-based estimation to a multi-dimensional spatial mapping problem, enabling more precise location determination.
3Measurement precision
If wireless access point signal strength comparison is used for location determination, then indoor location accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to extensive site surveys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the relationship between grid spaces and wireless access points before actual location determination. The system pre-calculates and stores expected signal strength relationships, eliminating the need for complex site surveys during operation and simplifying the overall system complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If ideal path loss model is used for signal strength analysis, then theoretical location estimation is simplified, but reliability deteriorates in changing indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from using fixed theoretical parameters (ideal path loss model) to using empirical parameters derived from actual wireless signal measurements. By basing location determination on observed signal strength relationships rather than theoretical models, the system adapts to changing indoor environments while maintaining implementation simplicity.
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
Provides accurate and reliable indoor location determination without the need for extensive site surveys, improving positioning fidelity and scalability in cloud-based environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first expected distance between a first grid space associated with a mobile device and a first access point (AP) can be determined using a first received signal strength (RSS)
Data Source
AI summary
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for identifying a location of a mobile device (e.g., with user consent). A set of one or more indications of received signal strength (RSS) may be received, comprising a first RSS from a first access point (AP). The set of RSS indications may be used to identify a grid area, comprising a first grid space. An expected distance between the first grid space and the first AP may be identified using the first RSS. The expected distance can be combined with a first known distance between the first grid space and the first AP to determine a first grid score for the first grid space. A second grid score may be determined for a second grid space (e.g., and a third, fourth, etc.), and the grid space comprising a desired grid score (e.g., highest) may be selected as the mobile device location.