Indoor Positioning via Rotating Encoded Optical Shell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor positioning technologies face challenges such as low accuracy, instability, and high costs due to environmental obstructions and the need for extensive reference points, especially in GPS signal-deprived indoor environments.
Innovation Solution
An indoor positioning device featuring a rotating hemispherical shell with encoded rings and a light source that generates frequency hopping, allowing a receiver to determine its position based on optical signals and angles, eliminating the need for extensive data collection and reference points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used for indoor positioning, then outdoor positioning accuracy is maintained, but indoor positioning becomes impossible due to signal obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GPS-based satellite positioning with an optical positioning system using light sources and photodetectors. The mechanical/optical system uses visible light instead of electromagnetic radio waves, enabling positioning indoors where GPS signals are blocked. The core mechanism involves emitting light from known positions and detecting it at the target position to calculate location through geometric relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary carrier for positioning information. Instead of directly using GPS satellites, the system uses light sources as intermediaries to transmit positioning data indoors. The light acts as a mediator between the positioning system and the indoor environment, enabling accurate positioning without requiring direct satellite signal penetration through buildings.
2Device complexity
If proximity detection method is used, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning space into multiple regions defined by light source positions and detection zones. Instead of using a single complex reference framework, the system divides the indoor environment into discrete positioning cells based on light source locations and photodetector ranges. This segmentation allows simple device architecture while maintaining acceptable positioning accuracy within each cell.
3Measurement precision
If fingerprint matching method is used, then positioning accuracy improves, but system complexity and cost increase due to database establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary positioning by establishing fixed light source positions and their corresponding photodetector readings before actual positioning operations. The system pre-calculates and stores the geometric relationships between light sources, photodetectors, and known reference points. This preliminary setup creates a positioning framework that can be quickly queried during actual use without requiring complex real-time database matching.
4Measurement precision
If multilateration/angulation method is used, then positioning accuracy improves, but the number of reference points required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the light sources serve multiple functions: they act as both positioning references and active signal emitters. Each light source provides both the geometric reference information needed for multilateration and the optical signal for detection. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate reference points needed, as the same components that emit light also serve as the positioning framework.
5Device complexity
If weighted trilateration based on RSSI is used, then device complexity is reduced, but distance measurement accuracy becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the electromagnetic signal-based RSSI measurement with an optical measurement system. Instead of using radio wave signal strength which is susceptible to multipath effects and environmental interference, the system uses visible light detection that provides more stable and accurate distance measurements through direct geometric relationships and photodetector positioning.
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
The solution provides high precision, stability, and low cost indoor positioning with a simplified structure, unaffected by external environments, and does not require extensive manpower or material resources.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver configured to be placed at a point to be positioned to sense optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an indoor positioning device which comprises a base, a light source mounted on the base, a rotating part, a rotating outer shell and a controller; the rotating outer shell is a hemispherical shell body or a shell body being tangent externally with a hemispherical surface; a luminous point is located at a spherical center of the rotating outer shell; the rotating outer shell is divided into a plurality of encoded rings, each encoded ring is divided into a plurality of encoding bits, a angle β of each encoding bit in a latitudinal direction is 360/N degrees, different encoded rings has different arrangements of encoding bits; in each encoded ring, some encoding bits are in a transparent state, there is no arrangement of two continuous opaque encoding bits, some encoding bits arranged in a specified style constitute a start bit or an end bit; once a light barrier of the rotating part passes through an optical coupler, the light source generates a frequency hopping; a receiver senses an optical signal and performs positioning. According to the special rotating outer shell and the frequency hopping light source, and in combination with the receiver, the optical signal can be sensed and positioning can be implemented. The indoor positioning device has a simplified structure and the method for indoor positioning is novel, accurate, has a good stability and a low cost, and is applicable to indoor positioning with high precision.