Indoor Space Map Matching for Positioning Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigation systems face inaccuracies in positioning vehicles or users indoors due to the limitations of GPS signals, leading to incorrect mapping of positions on indoor maps, as they rely on network-based matching methods that fail to precisely reflect real positions within specific indoor spaces.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a map server with a communication unit, storage unit, and control unit that performs space map matching to accurately display the position of a user terminal on an indoor map by receiving signal intensity from positioning infrastructure devices and storing position information, allowing for correct positioning and multiple display formats based on user requests, including path finding and current position display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS signals are used for positioning, then positioning can be performed outdoors, but positioning accuracy deteriorates with errors of tens of meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces map data as an intermediary to resolve the contradiction between GPS positioning capability and accuracy. The map matching unit uses map data (road networks, building footprints) as a reference framework to correct GPS coordinates. When GPS signals provide coarse positioning, the system matches these coordinates against stored map data to identify the most likely actual position, thereby transforming unreliable GPS data into reliable positioning information without sacrificing outdoor positioning capability.
2Measurement precision
If conventional map matching is applied, then positioning accuracy on roads is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates indoors where road data does not exist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the map matching functionality to serve multiple environments - both outdoor road-based positioning and indoor facility positioning. The map data structure is enhanced to include not only road networks but also building footprints and indoor facility data. The map matching unit is designed to universally handle both types of data, automatically selecting the appropriate reference framework based on the current environment, thereby achieving versatile positioning capability across different spatial contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different matching strategies tailored to specific locations. For outdoor environments, the system uses road network data for matching. For indoor environments, it switches to building footprint and facility data. This localized adaptation of matching quality ensures optimal positioning accuracy in each specific context - road-based matching for outdoors and facility-based matching for indoors - rather than using a single generic approach.
3Reliability
If GPS positioning is used, then outdoor positioning is achieved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates to tens of meters error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely signal-based GPS positioning mechanism with a hybrid approach that incorporates spatial reasoning and pattern matching. Instead of relying solely on the mechanical/electrical GPS signal reception, the system substitutes in a computational matching process that compares received coordinates against stored spatial patterns (map data). This substitution transforms the positioning from direct signal measurement to intelligent spatial inference, significantly improving precision while maintaining GPS availability.
4Ease of operation
If network-based map matching is used, then positioning can be performed, but positioning precision deteriorates for displaying exact positions in indoor spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from network-based matching (one-dimensional road networks) to space-based matching (two-dimensional building footprints and indoor spaces). By adding the spatial dimension of building interiors and facilities to the traditional road network framework, the system enables precise positioning within indoor spaces. This dimensional expansion allows the map matching to operate not just along roads but across the entire spatial envelope including indoor areas, thereby improving indoor positioning precision while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus performs a space map matching on a position of a user terminal measured through a positioning process and displays the measured positions of the user terminal on a map in which a plurality of spaces are constructed. The space map matching is performed to determine in which space the user terminal is located among the plurality of spaces, which in particular describe indoor locations.