Indoor Positioning via Illuminated Light Fixture Indicia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving precise indoor positioning of mobile devices is challenging due to the difficulty in learning radio frequency signal propagation parameters, which limits the accuracy of position estimation to greater than 1 meter.
Innovation Solution
A method using a mobile device with an image sensor to capture images of illuminated indicia on or near light fixtures, determining characteristics of these indicia, and retrieving associated information to estimate the device's location relative to the light fixtures, allowing for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RF signals are used for indoor positioning, then positioning can be achieved without additional infrastructure, but positioning accuracy deteriorates to greater than 1 meter due to difficulty in learning signal propagation parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light fixtures with visual indicia as an intermediary medium for positioning. Instead of directly using RF signals for positioning, the system captures images of these visual indicators using a camera, extracts features from the images, and determines position based on the spatial relationship between multiple light fixtures. This intermediary visual signaling system bypasses the complexity of RF propagation parameter learning while achieving high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the RF-based positioning mechanism with an optical/image-based mechanism. By substituting radio frequency signal processing with camera-based visual indicator detection, the system eliminates the need to learn and compensate for RF signal propagation characteristics, thereby achieving superior positioning accuracy without the associated complexity.
2Measurement precision
If visual indicia are placed on light fixtures for positioning, then positioning accuracy improves significantly, but system complexity increases due to additional infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes light fixtures serve multiple functions: they provide illumination for the environment and simultaneously serve as positioning reference points through visual indicia. By integrating positioning functionality into existing lighting infrastructure, the system achieves high positioning accuracy without adding separate dedicated positioning devices, thereby minimizing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light fixtures automatically serve dual purposes by incorporating visual indicia that are captured by mobile devices. The positioning reference information is inherently provided by the light fixtures themselves without requiring additional active components or complex communication protocols, enabling the system to achieve high accuracy through a relatively simple infrastructure.
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
Enables accurate location-based information for mobile devices, including position, direction, and orientation, by leveraging unique patterns or colors on light fixtures, improving indoor positioning accuracy beyond traditional RF-based methods.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor (e.g., a camera) of a mobile device may be used to receive light from one or more light fixtures
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems, and devices are described for using a mobile device equipped with an image sensor to retrieve information associated with a light fixture. A method of using a mobile device equipped with an image sensor to retrieve information associated with a light fixture may include capturing, at the image sensor, an image of an illuminated indicia (905). The illuminated indicia may be co-located with the light fixture. At least one characteristic of the illuminated indicia may be determined from the image of the illuminated indicia (910). Information associated with the at least one characteristic of the illuminated indicia may be retrieved (915).