Indoor Outdoor Navigation Normalization Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location detection methods for mobile devices, such as cell tower triangulation, Wi-Fi triangulation, and GPS, face inaccuracies and inefficiencies due to insufficient cell tower density, limited Wi-Fi hotspots, weak GPS signals, and battery-intensive processing, making precise location determination challenging, especially when transitioning between indoor and outdoor regions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that normalize position information from multiple location providers to create a provider-independent data model, allowing for seamless transitions between regions by combining and prioritizing position data from both indoor and outdoor sources, and using Geo-fence boundaries for validation, thereby simplifying location-based processing and enhancing accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS is used for location detection, then outdoor positioning is available, but signal strength is insufficient and multipath issues occur in certain locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple location providers (GPS, Wi-Fi, cell tower, indoor sensors) into a unified location system that normalizes data from all sources. The system merges outdoor GPS data with indoor positioning data to provide seamless location detection that overcomes the limitations of any single provider, particularly addressing GPS signal insufficiency and multipath issues in urban environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a normalization layer as an intermediary between diverse location providers and the application layer. This intermediary component converts and standardizes position data from different formats and sources into a unified representation, enabling reliable location detection across both indoor and outdoor environments without requiring location-specific processing logic in applications.
2Reliability
If multiple location providers are processed separately, then each provider can be optimized, but application complexity increases due to different data models
Solution Approach 1:
The normalization layer serves as a mediator that sits between multiple location providers and applications. It receives position data from various providers with different data models, transforms them into a unified representation, and delivers standardized location information to applications. This eliminates the need for applications to handle multiple data models directly, significantly reducing processing complexity while maintaining the accuracy benefits of multiple providers.
Solution Approach 2:
The normalization layer provides universal functionality by handling all location data formats through a single interface. Instead of requiring separate processing logic for each location provider, the system uses a universal normalization mechanism that can accommodate any provider's data format, simplifying the overall system architecture while preserving the ability to leverage multiple data sources for improved accuracy.
3Speed
If GPS position updates are processed continuously, then real-time location tracking is achieved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements selective location updating based on contextual needs rather than continuous updates. The normalization layer can filter and prioritize location data, providing high-frequency updates only when necessary (e.g., when entering new geographic regions or when applications require it) and reducing update frequency during stable conditions. This partial action approach maintains real-time tracking capability when needed while significantly reducing overall battery consumption compared to continuous GPS processing.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for facilitating indoor and outdoor navigation on a mobile device. First position information may be received from a first location provider and second position information may be received from a second location provider. Additionally, first normalized position information based at least in part on the first position information and second position information may be obtained. Based at least on the first normalized position information, a determination may be made that a mobile device is transitioning from a first geographic region to a second geographic region. Additionally, a determination may be made that the mobile device has entered a zone associated with the second geographic region. Further, a map of the second geographic region may be displayed on a user interface of the mobile device.