Indoor Positioning via Hierarchical Access Point Islands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indoor localization using GPS is ineffective due to satellite signal penetration issues in buildings, and existing wireless network-based methods face challenges in accurately determining the location of mobile devices within indoor environments.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dividing geographical regions into 'islands' of access points, where each island has unique identifiers, and using decision trees to classify the level and position of a mobile device within these islands based on received signal strengths, allowing for efficient localization within indoor areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS technology is used for indoor localization, then outdoor positioning accuracy is achieved, but signal penetration through building structures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GPS satellite-based electromagnetic signal reception with a wireless network-based localization system using access points and mobile devices. This substitution enables indoor positioning by using locally available Wi-Fi signals instead of satellite signals that cannot penetrate building structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless network fingerprinting is used for indoor localization, then indoor positioning capability is achieved, but computational complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the indoor environment into discrete access point islands and organizes them in a hierarchical structure with levels and regions. This segmentation divides the complex localization problem into smaller, more manageable classification tasks that can be processed more efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-processes and organizes access point data into a structured database with predefined islands, levels, and regions before actual localization occurs. This preliminary organization of spatial data reduces computational complexity during real-time positioning by avoiding the need to process all access point data from scratch.
3Ease of operation
If traditional wireless network methods are used for localization, then basic position determination is achieved, but precision and reliability in complex indoor environments are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary hierarchical classification system with islands, levels, and regions that mediates between raw access point signals and final position determination. This multi-layer classification approach improves positioning precision by systematically narrowing down the location through successive classification stages.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile computing device 160, 180 may be localized in an indoor area based on the strength of wireless network signals accessible in the indoor area from different access points. The localization may be performed in stages. In a first stage, a general geographic area, such as an "island", in which the mobile device 160, 180 is located is identified. In a second stage, an altitude or building level of the mobile device 160, 180 is identified. In a third stage, a position of the mobile device 160, 180 on the identified building level is determined. At least some of these stages of localization may utilize information received at the mobile device 160, 180 from surrounding access points 412-418, 510-518.