Indoor Positioning Accuracy via User Input Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current positioning technologies face challenges in achieving accurate location determination indoors, particularly in the absence of GPS signals, where sensor-based solutions diverge and lack an absolute location reference, necessitating additional sources of location information for crowd-sourcing-based positioning systems.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines a coarse position estimate using GNSS and non-GNSS-based measurements, followed by analyzing user input information to extract location indication data, comparing it with pre-defined location information, and refining the position estimate to enhance accuracy, particularly by matching user input patterns with nearby Points-of-Interest or venues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sensor-based solutions are used for indoor positioning, then positioning can function without GPS signals, but the solutions quickly diverge and lack absolute location reference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning capability in GNSS-denied areasVSAvoidlocation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces user input information as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between coarse position estimates and accurate location determination. By analyzing user inputs (such as check-ins, location shares, or explicit location data) and comparing them with nearby Points-of-Interest, the system obtains absolute location references that anchor the sensor-based relative positioning, thereby resolving the divergence issue without sacrificing adaptability to indoor environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If crowd-sourcing-based positioning systems are used, then additional sources of location information can be obtained, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the user input data serve multiple functions: it provides absolute location references for accuracy enhancement, validates coarse position estimates, and enriches the positioning system with diverse data sources. By designing a unified processing framework that handles various input types (check-ins, location shares, explicit data) through a common analysis and comparison mechanism with Points-of-Interest, the system achieves high positioning accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3671120B1Enhancing the accuracy for device localization
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 HERE GLOBAL BV
  • EP3671120B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3671120B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3671120B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Inter-alia, a method is disclosed comprising: determining or triggering a determination of a coarse position estimate based on GNSS-based and/or non-GNSS-based positioning; obtaining user input information indicative of one or more inputs a user has entered into a mobile device; analyzing the user input information for forming one or more pieces of location indication information; comparing the coarse position estimate with the one or more pieces of location indication information; and in case a respective location indication information matches or is in the vicinity of the coarse position estimate: determining a position estimate to represent or comprise the position of the respective location indication information. It is further disclosed an according apparatus, computer program and system.