Indoor Outdoor Transition Detection for Mobile Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current positioning and navigation systems fail to effectively determine when a mobile device transitions from indoors to outdoors or vice versa, leading to inaccurate calculations and inefficient use of navigation algorithms.
Innovation Solution
A method that compares position differences and signal strengths between indoor and outdoor navigation systems to determine transitions, using thresholds to conclude whether a device has moved between indoor and outdoor states, enabling the appropriate algorithm to be used for accurate positioning and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If satellite navigation algorithms are used indoors, then the device can maintain outdoor positioning capability, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to signal attenuation and scattering by roofs and walls
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the positioning parameters by switching between outdoor satellite-based algorithms and indoor algorithms based on detected environmental conditions. When transition is detected, the system changes from using satellite signals to using indoor positioning signals, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy across different environments
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system transitions from a static outdoor-only algorithm to a dynamic system that automatically adapts between outdoor and indoor algorithms based on real-time environmental detection, allowing the device to maintain optimal positioning accuracy in varying conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If indoor positioning algorithms are used outdoors, then the device can maintain indoor positioning capability, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to unsuitability of indoor algorithms for outdoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts positioning parameters by switching algorithm types based on environmental context. When outdoors, it uses satellite-based algorithms; when indoors, it transitions to indoor positioning algorithms, ensuring optimal accuracy for each environment
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system evolves from a static single-algorithm approach to a dynamic multi-algorithm system that automatically selects the appropriate algorithm based on detected environmental conditions, maintaining high positioning accuracy across diverse settings
3Productivity
If the device continuously switches between indoor and outdoor algorithms without transition detection, then the device can attempt to maintain positioning in all environments, but the calculation accuracy deteriorates during transition periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of transition conditions before actually switching algorithms. By detecting environmental changes in advance, it prepares for the algorithm switch, preventing inaccurate calculations during the transition period and ensuring smooth handover between positioning modes
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from environmental sensors to detect transitions and trigger appropriate algorithm switching. This feedback mechanism ensures that algorithm changes occur at the optimal moment, maintaining calculation accuracy during transitions while preserving positioning efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method is provided for indoor/outdoor transition detection of devices to improve selection of the navigation algorithms. To determine whether an outdoor-to-indoor transition has occurred, a mobile device can determine whether a difference between an indoor position determined using indoor position information and outdoor position determined using outdoor position information is less than a threshold and can conclude that the mobile device transitioned from outdoor to indoor of the structure, if the difference is less than the threshold. Also, to determine whether an indoor-to-outdoor transition has occurred, the mobile device can determine whether an indoor position survey area exists, determine whether an outdoor position determined based on outdoor position information is outside of the survey area, and determine whether a signal strength associated with the outdoor position location information is greater than a threshold.