Indoor-Outdoor Location Detection Using Wireless Echo Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in accurately determining whether a mobile device is located indoors or outdoors to comply with FCC regulations regarding the use of specific frequency bands, such as the UNII1 band, which is restricted to indoor use only.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device system that uses a controller to determine its location by transmitting wireless signals over the 2.4 GHz frequency band and listening for echoes to assess the environment, enabling or disabling communication over the UNII1 band based on the presence of echoes from multiple directions, indicating indoor or outdoor placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wireless signals are transmitted to determine location, then location detection capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs location detection periodically by transmitting wireless signals at intervals rather than continuously, allowing the device to determine whether it is indoors or outdoors while conserving energy during non-detection periods
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses its own transmitted signals and listens for echoes (including ceiling reflections) to determine its location, eliminating the need for external infrastructure and reducing overall system energy requirements
2Measurement precision
If multiple direction echo detection is implemented, then location determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication unit performs multiple functions: it transmits signals for communication purposes and simultaneously listens for echoes for location determination, eliminating the need for separate detection hardware and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ceiling reflections as an intermediary to indirectly determine location. By detecting echoes reflected from the ceiling, the device can infer indoor location without directly detecting physical structures, simplifying the detection mechanism
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
Effectively ensures compliance with FCC regulations by allowing communication over the UNII1 band only when the device is indoors, preventing unauthorized outdoor use and optimizing frequency band usage.
Implementation Method 1
listening for echoes to assess the environment
Implementation Method 2
receive the radio wave, the infrared ray or the ultrasonic wave reflected in the ceiling
Data Source
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AI summary
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of determining whether a mobile device is located in an indoor location or an outdoor location. For example, an apparatus may include a controller to control a mobile device to transmit a wireless transmission and to listen for one or more received echoes of the wireless transmission received from one or more directions. The controller may determine whether the mobile device is located in an indoor location or an outdoor location, for example, based on the received echoes.