Indoor Positioning Server Using WLAN Fingerprinting and Dead Reckoning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite-based positioning systems are ineffective for indoor locations due to the requirement of a clear line of sight and increased costs, while existing WLAN-based positioning systems face suboptimal performance and high complexity.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for indoor positioning using WLAN fingerprinting, where a wireless device determines its reference location via satellite positioning and measures WLAN access point signals during satellite signal non-reception, generating a positioning grid based on these measurements, and utilizing crowd-sourced data to refine location estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite positioning systems are used for indoor positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the system becomes ineffective due to lack of clear line of sight to satellites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces WLAN access points as intermediary objects to enable positioning in indoor environments where satellite signals are blocked. The system uses WLAN signal measurements from multiple access points as a mediator to determine device location, replacing the direct satellite-line-of-sight requirement with an indirect WLAN-based measurement approach that works through building structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the satellite-based radio positioning mechanism with a WLAN-based radio positioning mechanism. Instead of relying on satellite signals that require clear line of sight, the system substitutes this with local WLAN access point signals that can penetrate building structures, achieving positioning functionality in indoor environments where the original satellite-based system fails.
2Ease of manufacture
If WLAN-based positioning systems are used for indoor positioning, then infrastructure investment is reduced, but positioning performance becomes suboptimal and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes WLAN access points serve multiple functions: their primary function for providing wireless network access is maintained, and an additional positioning function is overlaid on top of this existing infrastructure. This multi-functionality allows the system to leverage already-deployed WLAN access points for both networking and positioning purposes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated positioning infrastructure while achieving acceptable positioning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from satellite signal characteristics to WLAN signal characteristics (signal strength, signal arrival time, etc.). By modifying what parameters are measured and how they are processed, the system adapts the existing WLAN infrastructure to provide positioning functionality, transforming the dual-use infrastructure into an effective positioning system without requiring additional hardware investment.
3Ease of manufacture
If WLAN-based positioning systems are used for indoor positioning, then infrastructure cost is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service approach where existing WLAN access points automatically provide positioning measurements without requiring manual configuration or dedicated positioning hardware. The access points continue to serve their primary networking function while simultaneously providing positioning data, and the system processes these measurements to determine device locations. This self-service mechanism reduces both infrastructure cost and system complexity by leveraging existing infrastructure for dual purposes.
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
This approach provides accurate indoor positioning with minimal infrastructure investment by leveraging existing WLAN infrastructure, improving upon the limitations of satellite and WLAN-based systems by creating a crowd-sourced fingerprinting database for precise location determination.
Implementation Method 1
determine a reference location of the wireless device, based on satellite positioning
Implementation Method 2
the wireless device measures signals transmitted by wireless local area network (WLAN) access points (APs)
Implementation Method 3
the wireless device measures parameters of motion of the wireless device
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning server has a positioning database. The positioning database is configured to store information relating wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) signal measurements to points of a geographic positioning grid. motion information provided by dead-reckoning systems of a plurality of wireless devices and reference location information provided by at least one of a satellite positioning system and a wireless local area network (WLAN) positioning system of each wireless device is also stored. WLAN access point (AP) signal measurements acquired by each wireless device in correspondence with the motion information is stored as are non-causally determine positions of the wireless devices based on the motion information and reference locations. Positioning server is also configured to generate a geographic positioning grid that relates the AP signal measurements to points of the positioning grid based on the determined positions.