Indoor UE Positioning With Selective Location Updates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GPS systems face challenges in accurately determining positions, particularly in indoor environments and under adverse atmospheric conditions, often failing to provide precise elevation identification in complex settings like multi-story buildings.
Innovation Solution
User equipment (UE) autonomously processes location data using wireless communication nodes and environmental sensors, determining its own location within a designated coverage area and selectively communicating updates to a communication platform server only when necessary, thereby reducing communication frequency and conserving battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS systems are used for location determination, then location tracking can be provided, but accuracy deteriorates in indoor environments and complex settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless communication nodes as intermediary elements deployed throughout the indoor environment. These nodes act as mediators between the UE and the positioning system, providing reference signals that enable accurate location determination indoors. The nodes are strategically positioned to ensure coverage and the UE uses signal strength measurements from multiple nodes to triangulate its position, effectively overcoming GPS limitations in indoor settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic positioning system with a terrestrial wireless communication-based positioning system. Instead of relying on satellite signals that penetrate poorly through building structures, the system uses local wireless communication nodes that transmit RF signals throughout the indoor environment. The UE determines its location by measuring signal strengths from these nodes, substituting the satellite-based mechanism with a ground-based wireless communication mechanism better suited for indoor environments.
2Measurement precision
If continuous location updates are transmitted to the server, then the communication platform can maintain accurate location records, but battery consumption and data usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the UE transmit location information to the server only when location changes are detected, rather than continuously. The UE monitors its position relative to the wireless communication nodes and only initiates communication when it determines it has moved to a different location zone. This event-driven approach maintains accurate location tracking while significantly reducing the frequency of transmissions and associated energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the UE to autonomously determine its own location using the wireless communication nodes and environmental layout data stored locally. The UE independently performs the positioning calculations and only communicates with the server when necessary, rather than relying on continuous server polling or assistance. This self-determination capability reduces communication overhead and battery usage while maintaining location accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If conventional GPS systems are used, then location can be determined, but elevation identification fails in multi-story buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the positioning system into the vertical dimension by deploying wireless communication nodes across multiple floors of buildings. Each node is associated with specific floor and area information in the environmental layout data. When the UE measures signal strengths from nodes on different floors, it can determine not only its horizontal position but also its vertical elevation, effectively adding the third dimension to the positioning capability and enabling accurate floor identification in multi-story buildings.
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 enhances location tracking accuracy and efficiency by minimizing power consumption and data usage while providing reliable location services, particularly in indoor environments.
Implementation Method 1
The UE can obtain signals from wireless communication nodes deployed throughout the designated coverage
Implementation Method 2
The environmental sensor data can correspond to at least one of a barometric pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, or a motion sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate enabling a user equipment (UE) to independently process and determine its own location within a designated coverage area. For example, the UE can obtain signals from wireless communication nodes deployed throughout the designated coverage, and can determine its location based on these signals. The UE can then selectively communicate its location to a communication platform service (CPS), such as when a change in location is detected. In this way, the CPS can maintain an accurate record of the UE's location without relying on continuous updates of location data from the UE. By allowing the UE to handle its own location determination and convey the location information only when certain conditions are met, the inventive concepts advantageously decrease the frequency of communications by the UE, thereby conserving battery life of the UE and reducing overall data consumption.