Indoor Positioning Using Ambient Light and Linear Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor positioning systems face challenges in accuracy and cost due to the need for specialized beacons, which are inconvenient and costly to install, especially in virtual reality applications where delays in position determination cause user nausea.
Innovation Solution
A positioning unit mounted on a moving object with high directional sensitivity along one axis and low sensitivity orthogonal to it, using stationary light sources like room lighting to determine position through a processor and imaging sensors, eliminating the need for additional beacons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If beacon-based indoor positioning systems are implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses standard imaging sensors (cameras) that already exist in smartphones and VR headsets for both photography and positioning purposes. The same sensor captures images that are then analyzed to determine position relative to light sources, eliminating the need for specialized positioning hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages existing room lighting infrastructure (ceiling lights, lamps, windows) as positioning references without requiring any additional installation. The imaging sensor automatically detects these light sources and uses their known positions to calculate the device's location
2Measurement precision
If beacon-based indoor positioning systems are implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces expensive specialized beacons with inexpensive standard imaging sensors and uses freely available ambient light sources. The approach uses commodity components that are already mass-produced and inexpensive
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging sensor serves dual purposes: capturing photographs and determining position. This eliminates the need for separate positioning hardware, reducing overall system cost while maintaining positioning functionality
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution cameras are used for passive light-based positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but computational requirements and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the full capability of the imaging sensor only when needed for positioning calculations, rather than continuously processing all image data. The processor selectively analyzes image data to extract position information, reducing unnecessary computational overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the essential positioning information (light source positions and intensities) from the full image data, rather than processing the entire high-resolution image. This extraction approach reduces computational requirements while maintaining positioning accuracy
4Measurement precision
If beacon-based systems are used for VR positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but user latency increases causing nausea
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads and stores the positions of all light sources in the environment before the user begins moving. When positioning is needed, the system only needs to compare current sensor readings against this pre-existing map, significantly reducing calculation time compared to computing positions in real-time
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
This solution provides accurate and cost-effective indoor positioning without the need for specialized beacons, reducing latency and improving user experience in virtual reality systems by leveraging existing room lighting.
Implementation Method 1
Each light source measuring unit includes an optical arrangement and a linearly configured imaging sensor aligned along the first axis to receive light from the stationary light sources through the optical arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning unit mountable on a moving object includes at least one light source measuring unit and a processor. The light source measuring units have high directional sensitivity along a first axis and low directional sensitivity along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis to capture relative angular information of the moving object with respect to a plurality of simultaneously active stationary light sources located at multiple locations in a space. The processor determines positioning information of the moving object at least from the output of the at least one light source measuring unit. Each light source measuring unit includes an optical arrangement and a linearly configured imaging sensor to receive light from the stationary light sources through the optical arrangement.