LiDAR Path Signatures for Privacy-Safe Indoor Location Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional location-sharing technologies based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are susceptible to multi-path signal interference and privacy concerns, particularly in challenging environments, limiting their accuracy and suitability for certain applications.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors on portable devices to generate LiDAR path signatures, which provide a three-dimensional representation of the environment, enabling accurate and privacy-compliant location sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GNSS technology is used for location sharing, then location coordinates can be obtained, but multi-path signal interference and privacy concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GNSS satellite-based electromagnetic signal positioning with LiDAR-based optical scanning. Instead of relying on satellite signals that suffer from multi-path interference, the system uses LiDAR to scan the environment and create a path signature based on reflected light from surrounding structures, thereby eliminating the harmful multi-path effect while achieving location identification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy or representation of the physical path through environmental scanning. Rather than directly obtaining coordinates from satellites, the system captures LiDAR scans of the environment along the path and generates a path signature that represents the location information, providing an indirect but more reliable location identification method
2Measurement precision
If GNSS technology is used for location sharing, then precise location coordinates are obtained, but privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary location information from environmental scans while discarding personal identifiable information. The LiDAR path signature captures geometric features of the environment that uniquely identify a location without capturing or storing any personal data about the user, thereby separating location precision from privacy loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an anonymized copy of the location environment through LiDAR scanning. Instead of sharing personal location coordinates that directly identify the user, the system generates a path signature that is a geometric representation of the environment, which conveys location information without exposing personal identity
3Reliability
If LiDAR scans are processed to generate path signatures, then location accuracy is maintained in challenging environments, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential geometric features from comprehensive LiDAR scans to create path signatures. Instead of processing and storing complete point cloud data, the system identifies and extracts key environmental features that are sufficient for location identification, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified copy of the environment through path signatures. Rather than working with complex, high-resolution LiDAR point clouds, the patent generates condensed path signature representations that capture the essential geometric characteristics needed for reliable location identification with reduced computational requirements
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
LiDAR-based location sharing offers robustness in low-light conditions, preserves privacy by avoiding personal information capture, and maintains accuracy in environments where GNSS fails, facilitating intuitive and efficient location navigation and sharing.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, by one or more processors, a plurality of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scans captured by a LiDAR sensor of a portable device
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided for creating a LiDAR path signature. The approach involves, for instance, receiving a plurality of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scans captured by a LiDAR sensor of a portable device as the portable device travels on a path through an environment. The approach also involves processing the plurality of LiDAR scans to generate a LiDAR path signature that is representative of the path of the portable device through the environment. The approach further involves providing the LiDAR path signature as an output.