Indoor Positioning via Centralized Environment Model Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning systems, such as GPS, are costly and power-intensive for small devices and cannot be used indoors due to line-of-sight requirements, limiting their effectiveness for indoor device localization.
Innovation Solution
A method where a movable device receives a centrally determined environment model from an external unit, forming a locally determined environment model using distance-dependent measurements to accurately position itself with reduced communication and power consumption, allowing for indoor positioning without frequent communication with the central unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used for positioning, then outdoor location accuracy is improved, but cost and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into two parts: a central unit that performs computationally intensive environment modeling and position calculation, and mobile devices that only need to receive pre-calculated position information. This segmentation allows mobile devices to achieve accurate positioning without performing heavy calculations locally, thus reducing their power consumption while maintaining location accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The central unit performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating the environment model and position information before the mobile device needs it. The mobile device receives these pre-computed results, avoiding the need to perform energy-intensive calculations in real-time, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If GPS is used for positioning, then outdoor location accuracy is improved, but the system becomes too expensive for small devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the expensive positioning functionality into a separate central unit that can be shared by multiple devices. Individual mobile devices only need simple receivers and processors, dramatically reducing per-device cost while maintaining access to accurate positioning through the shared central infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of each device having its own expensive GPS hardware and processing capability, the system creates a centralized model of the environment and positions that can be copied and distributed to multiple devices. This allows many devices to achieve accurate positioning without each one needing expensive hardware.
3Measurement precision
If frequent communication with central unit is performed for model updates, then positioning accuracy is improved, but power consumption and communication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by having the mobile device communicate with the central unit at specific intervals rather than continuously. The device receives environment models and position information periodically, allowing it to maintain accurate positioning while minimizing communication frequency and associated power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device performs self-service by maintaining a local copy of the environment model and using it autonomously between communication intervals. This allows the device to determine its position without needing frequent central unit communication, reducing power consumption while maintaining positioning capability through local model usage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method in a movable device for locating or positioning of the movable device within an environment comprises: receiving, from an external unit, a central environment model; determining distance-dependent measurements for one or more positions of the movable device; determining a location of the movable device based on the received central environment model and the determined distance-dependent measurements, said determining comprising: forming a local environment model defining estimated locations of the wireless transmission sources and of the one or more positions of the movable device, wherein the estimated locations of the wireless transmission sources in the local environment model are updated in relation to the central environment model, wherein the updated estimated locations of the wireless transmission sources and the estimated locations of the one or more positions of the movable device are set based on a calculated error of the local environment model in relation to the determined distance-dependent measurements.