Indoor Positioning Mode Switching for Accuracy and Power Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing indoor positioning systems face challenges in balancing accuracy and resource efficiency, with existing technologies failing to efficiently switch between different modes of operation in existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A trackable device is configured to transition between a first positioning mode and a second positioning mode, utilizing High Accuracy Indoor Positioning (HAIP) and Cost-Optimized Indoor Positioning (COIP) techniques, with mode transitions initiated by control packets or local data, adjusting transmission and reception frequencies to optimize power consumption and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-accuracy positioning mode (HAIP) is used continuously, then positioning accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between HAIP and COIP modes based on real-time conditions such as movement detection, collision presence, and location. The trackable device transitions from static low-power mode to dynamic high-accuracy mode when needed, optimizing the balance between positioning accuracy and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by switching positioning modes. When movement is detected or collisions occur, the positioning accuracy parameter is increased by transitioning to HAIP mode. Otherwise, the system operates in COIP mode with reduced accuracy but lower power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If high-accuracy positioning mode (HAIP) is used continuously, then positioning accuracy is improved, but computational resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidcomputational resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts computational resource allocation by switching between positioning modes. COIP mode uses minimal computational resources for basic tracking, while HAIP mode is activated only when high accuracy is needed, reducing overall computational burden

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by using COIP mode for routine tracking where full accuracy is not required. HAIP mode is activated only partially when specific conditions demand higher accuracy, avoiding continuous use of computationally intensive algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If data packets are transmitted at high frequency, then positioning accuracy is improved, but transmission collisions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidtransmission collisions
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic action with variable intervals between packet transmissions. In COIP mode, packets are transmitted at lower frequency with longer intervals, reducing collisions. When HAIP mode is activated, transmission frequency increases periodically to improve accuracy when conditions permit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Use of energy by moving object

If the trackable device transitions between positioning modes, then power efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trackable device performs self-service by autonomously determining when to switch between positioning modes based on locally available data such as movement sensor information, collision detection, and location data. This eliminates the need for complex external control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sensors and environmental conditions to automatically trigger mode transitions. When movement is detected or collisions occur, the system receives feedback and transitions to HAIP mode. Otherwise, it maintains COIP mode, creating a simple feedback-driven control mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4130666B1Causing a transition between positioning modes
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4130666B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4130666B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4130666B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This specification describes a method comprising causing a trackable device to transition between a first positioning mode and a second positioning mode, wherein, in the first positioning mode, the trackable device causes wireless transmission of one or more data packets each including a data portion for enabling determination of a bearing between the trackable device and a locator device and, in the second positioning mode, the trackable device causes wireless transmission of one or more data packets which do not include the data portion for enabling determination of the bearing between the trackable device and the locator device.