Indoor Localization via Light Flicker Detection and Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for determining user location within a physical space, such as a home environment, lack accuracy and efficiency, particularly in power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing light flicker patterns from lighting sources like CFLs and LEDs, detected by sensors, to determine user location through an enrollment and localization process, combined with sensor fusion techniques including audio, image, and motion data to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing techniques are used for determining user location, then the system can provide location information, but the accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location determination problem into multiple independent measurement dimensions: light flicker pattern detection, audio signal analysis, image data capture, and motion sensor measurements. Each sensor type provides independent location cues that are processed separately and then integrated, allowing the system to achieve high accuracy through multi-faceted measurement rather than relying on a single imperfect technique
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges data from multiple heterogeneous sensors (light sensor, audio sensor, image sensor, motion sensor) into a unified location determination system. By combining these diverse measurement sources through sensor fusion, the system achieves both high accuracy (through complementary measurements) and high reliability (through redundancy and cross-validation of location estimates)
2Use of energy by stationary object
If existing location determination techniques are used, then location can be provided, but power consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of sensor data rather than continuous monitoring. The light sensor, audio sensor, image sensor, and motion sensor are activated at specific intervals or triggered by events, allowing the system to maintain location determination accuracy while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation of all sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the device's existing sensors that are already powered as part of the device's normal operation to provide location determination services. By leveraging sensors that would otherwise be idle or low-power components, the system achieves accurate location tracking without requiring dedicated high-power location-specific hardware
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
Improves location determination accuracy and reduces power consumption by leveraging light flicker patterns and sensor fusion, enabling precise user localization within environments.
Implementation Method 1
A user location within an environment may be determined by using a sensor that detects light flicker (e.g., amplitude modulation) of lighting within the environment that results from rectification (i.e., alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) conversion) of power provided to a lighting source
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods that determines a user's location within an environment using sensor data. For example, a process may obtain, via a light sensor, a signal corresponding to light flicker from one or more light sources within a physical environment. The process may further compare a characteristic of the signal associated with the light flicker from the one or more light sources with predetermined flicker profile data. The predetermined flicker profile data may identify one or more flicker attributes associated with one or more locations within the physical environment. In response to comparing the characteristic of the signal with the predetermined flicker profile data, a location of the device within the physical environment may be determined.