Indoor Positioning via Feature Addresses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Positioning and navigation in indoor environments are challenging due to the complexity of indoor spaces and the limitations of using civic addresses, which are not readily applicable indoors.
Innovation Solution
The method involves identifying indoor blocks within an indoor space using a set of features that describe their characteristics, including stable, statistical, and dynamic features, to create a 'feature address' for each block, enabling efficient indoor mapping, positioning, and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If civic addresses are used for indoor positioning, then outdoor location identification is achieved, but indoor positioning accuracy deteriorates due to inability to allocate unique addresses to indoor blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the addressing system by changing the parameters used to identify locations. Instead of using civic addresses (street names, building numbers), the system uses feature addresses composed of multiple parameters including stable features (permanent characteristics), statistical features (user behavior patterns), and dynamic features (real-time occupancy). This parameter transformation enables unique identification of indoor blocks while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the indoor space into discrete indoor blocks, each with its own feature address. This segmentation allows the system to treat each indoor block as a distinct location unit, similar to how civic addresses work outdoors. By dividing the complex indoor environment into manageable segments, the system achieves both indoor adaptability and positioning precision.
2Measurement precision
If feature addresses with multiple feature types are used, then indoor block identification accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to need to collect and process diverse data
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where wireless devices automatically contribute data about their locations and activities. Users don't need to manually input information; instead, the system passively collects trajectory data, imaging data, and occupancy information from devices as they move through the indoor space. This reduces the operational complexity of data collection while maintaining high identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where a single feature address framework handles multiple types of indoor blocks (rooms, hallways, open spaces, stairs) and multiple data sources (trajectory data, imaging data, floor plans, user input). This universal approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems for each block type and data source, reducing overall system complexity.
3Speed
If statistical and dynamic features are collected in real-time, then navigation responsiveness is improved, but data processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by selectively processing only the necessary features for current navigation tasks. Instead of continuously processing all available data (trajectory, imaging, occupancy, floor plans), the system processes only the relevant subset needed for the user's current location and navigation goal. This reduces energy consumption while maintaining responsive navigation through strategic data selection.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A method (300) for indoor positioning or navigation comprises obtaining (310) a set of features which describe characteristics of a place in an indoor space. This obtained set of features may describe characteristics of a place at which a wireless device is located, a place targeted by a wireless device as a destination, or a place targeted by a wireless device to avoid. Regardless, the method (300) further comprises comparing (320) the obtained set of features to addresses of respective indoor blocks into which the indoor space is spatially divided. Each indoor block in this regard is identified as being located at an address formed from a set of features which describe characteristics of the indoor block. The method (300) also comprises determining (330), based on the comparing, which of the indoor blocks corresponds to the place in the indoor space.