Indoor Wayfinding Using Sensor Fusion and Beacon Landmarks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor positioning methods lack accuracy and efficiency in determining the location of mobile devices within venues without GPS, and they fail to provide effective wayfinding and battery conservation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a mobile communication device with sensors like accelerometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes, in conjunction with a venue network and BLUETOOTH low energy beacons, to determine and track geographical locations within a venue, calculate error factors for improved accuracy, and conserve battery power by suspending transmissions during lack of movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If indoor positioning methods use RF sensors or direction sensors without GPS, then positioning can be achieved indoors, but the accuracy and efficiency of location determination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing technologies (RF sensors for Wi-Fi positioning, accelerometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes) into an integrated wayfinding system. The RF sensors provide coarse location estimates while the motion sensors track movement between fixed location points, creating a hybrid positioning system that achieves both indoor coverage and improved accuracy without relying on GPS
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fixed location points (landmarks) as intermediary reference points within the venue. These landmarks serve as mediators between the mobile device and the overall positioning system, allowing the device to determine its location by detecting landmarks and tracking movement relative to them, thereby improving both accuracy and efficiency of indoor positioning
2Reliability
If continuous transmission is used for location tracking, then real-time wayfinding is achieved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic location updates instead of continuous transmission. The mobile device determines its location at specific intervals or when triggered by landmark detections, rather than continuously transmitting position data. This periodic approach maintains real-time wayfinding capability while significantly reducing battery power consumption compared to continuous transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the mobile device to autonomously determine when location updates are necessary based on movement detection and landmark sightings. The device self-manages its positioning updates, activating sensors and transmitting data only when location changes are detected, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining reliable wayfinding
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for wayfinding at a venue is disclosed herein. The system includes a mobile communication device and a venue. The mobile communication device includes an application for wayfinding at the venue and a plurality of sensors. The mobile communication device is configured to track a path of the mobile communication device from the first fixed geographical location utilizing a plurality of sensors of the mobile communication device.