Indoor Positioning via Radio Signal Path Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite-based positioning technologies are inadequate for indoor navigation due to poor signal penetration through walls and roofs, leading to inaccurate location estimates and a poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves obtaining radio signal characteristics and creating a representation of the radio environment to determine location estimates, which are then adjusted based on manually specified path sections in indoor maps to improve navigation accuracy and user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite signal based positioning technologies are used for indoor positioning, then outdoor positioning accuracy is maintained, but indoor positioning accuracy deteriorates due to poor signal penetration through walls and roofs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces WLAN access points and Bluetooth beacons as intermediary devices to transmit positioning signals indoors. These intermediaries relay position information from outdoor satellite systems to indoor environments where satellite signals cannot penetrate, enabling continuous positioning across building boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is segmented into outdoor satellite-based positioning and indoor terrestrial-based positioning. The system transitions between these segments based on location, using satellite signals outdoors and switching to WLAN/Bluetooth infrastructure indoors, maintaining continuous positioning capability across different environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If WLAN based positioning solutions are implemented, then indoor positioning capability is provided, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to lack of path constraint information
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback by comparing calculated location estimates against predefined path sections. When a location estimate deviates from expected paths (e.g., showing position through walls), the system receives feedback to adjust and correct the position, ensuring estimates remain consistent with physical building constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
Path sections are predefined in advance to prevent incorrect location estimates. By establishing expected movement paths before positioning occurs, the system proactively prevents location estimates that would violate physical constraints, such as displaying position inside walls or through obstacles.
Data Source
AI summary
A device obtains at least one characteristic of at least one radio signal detected at a mobile device that is located at a particular site and a representation of a radio environment for the site and a definition of at least one specified path section for the site. The at least one path section has been specified by a person in a map presented on a display. The device determines a location estimate for the mobile device based on the at least one characteristic of the at least one radio signal and based on the representation of the radio environment for the site and adjusts the determined location estimate based on the definition of at least one specified path section.