Indoor Positioning via Object Recognition and Virtual Map Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional indoor positioning technologies face challenges in accurately determining user location due to fluctuations in WiFi signal strength and the need for expensive equipment or infrastructure, especially when using beacons, which complicates the provision of location-based services.
Innovation Solution
A terminal device equipped with an imaging unit, storage, and control unit that recognizes objects in an image, estimates their virtual space positions, calculates distances, and uses a dead reckoning algorithm to determine the user's indoor position, leveraging deep learning and vector products to match these positions to a vectorized indoor map without requiring expensive equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If WiFi signal strength is used for location calculation, then location-based services can be provided, but the magnitude of WiFi reception signal fluctuates widely making accurate positioning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces WiFi signal-based positioning with a visual recognition system using cameras and object detection algorithms. Instead of relying on fluctuating electromagnetic signals, the system uses image processing to detect objects and calculate positions based on geometric relationships and vector products, providing more stable and accurate positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual space model that copies the physical indoor environment, including object positions and spatial relationships. By matching detected objects in the real world with their representations in the virtual space model, the system determines user position without relying on unstable signal measurements.
2Measurement precision
If beacon transmitters are used to measure user location, then position can be determined, but expensive equipment or infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses objects that already exist in the indoor environment (furniture, equipment, architectural features) as positioning references. These objects serve dual purposes: their primary function and their role as spatial markers for positioning, eliminating the need for dedicated beacon transmitters or specialized infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes ordinary objects within the indoor space serve multiple functions: their original purpose plus serving as positioning reference points. This universal approach allows any visible object to contribute to location determination, removing dependence on specialized positioning infrastructure.
3Reliability
If beacon distance measurement is used, then user location can be found, but error increases with increase in distance between beacon and user
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from one-dimensional distance measurement (signal strength vs. distance) to two-dimensional spatial positioning using image coordinates and vector geometry. By capturing the spatial relationships between multiple objects and the user in 2D image space and mapping to 3D virtual space, the system achieves accurate positioning regardless of distance.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a terminal device for indoor positioning based on object recognition, a service server, and a method therefor. A terminal device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a storage unit for storing an indoor map in which preset coordinate values for each object are matched; a photographing unit; and a control unit for recognizing first and second objects from an image obtained through the photographing unit, estimating the respective virtual space positions of the first and second objects, estimating a virtual space distance between a user and each of the first and second objects by using a virtual space position of the user and the virtual space positions of the first and second objects, and estimating an indoor position of the user by using the virtual space distance.