Magnetic Distortion Rejection Map for Indoor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indoor navigation systems face challenges in achieving accurate positioning due to distortive magnetic fields within enclosed or partly enclosed urban infrastructure, leading to inaccurate localization results.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to generate and deploy a magnetic distortion rejection map by collecting and processing magnetic fingerprint data from multiple mobile devices, using a processor to create a distribution of magnetic distortion data points and applying a position correction factor to generate an updated distribution that exceeds a threshold density, thereby creating a magnetic distortion rejection map.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellite-based navigation systems are used for indoor positioning, then positioning can be achieved, but accuracy becomes unavailable or sporadically available within enclosed or partly enclosed urban infrastructure and buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces magnetic field data as an intermediary medium to bridge the gap between satellite navigation and indoor positioning. By collecting and processing magnetic fingerprint data from mobile devices, the system creates a magnetic distortion rejection map that serves as a mediator to correct positioning inaccuracies caused by magnetic field distortions in indoor environments, thereby maintaining both availability and accuracy of positioning services
2Measurement precision
If magnetic field data is collected from multiple mobile devices to create a magnetic distortion rejection map, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling mobile devices to automatically collect, transmit, and contribute their own magnetic fingerprint data to the system without requiring manual intervention or specialized equipment. The system leverages the inherent sensors (magnetometers) already present in mobile devices, allowing users to participate in creating the magnetic distortion rejection map through their normal navigation activities, thereby reducing system complexity while improving accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of magnetic field characteristics by collecting magnetic fingerprint data from multiple devices and generating a digital magnetic distortion rejection map. This digital representation serves as a copy that can be processed and applied to correct positioning errors without requiring physical modification of the environment or complex hardware infrastructure
3Measurement precision
If dedicated mapping is performed to create accurate magnetic distortion maps, then positioning accuracy is improved, but cost increases due to expensive dedicated mapping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing expensive dedicated physical mapping, the system creates a digital copy of magnetic field characteristics by collecting data from mobile devices during their normal operation. This virtual mapping approach replaces costly physical surveying and mapping operations, significantly reducing the cost of creating accurate magnetic distortion maps while maintaining positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the mobile devices themselves to perform the mapping function by automatically collecting magnetic fingerprint data during their normal navigation use. This eliminates the need for expensive dedicated mapping operations, as ordinary users contribute to the mapping process through their existing devices, thereby reducing costs while improving mapping accuracy
4Ease of manufacture
If magnetic distortion rejection map is deployed using crowd-sourced data, then mapping cost is reduced and accuracy is improved, but data collection time and threshold density requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects magnetic fingerprint data from mobile devices during their ongoing navigation activities without interruption. By maintaining continuous data collection throughout the operational period, the system accumulates sufficient data to meet threshold density requirements efficiently, reducing the overall time needed for mapping while keeping costs low through the use of existing mobile devices
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 the accuracy and responsiveness of indoor navigation by accounting for magnetic field distortions, providing a more accurate map representation without the need for expensive dedicated mapping, and encourages crowd-sourced participation from mobile device users.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic field data may be measured applied in localizing a mobile device along a route traversed within indoor infrastructure that may include infrastructure features that may distort a magnetic field to different degrees at different positions within a building
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for deploying a magnetic distortion rejection map of an indoor area. The method comprises generating, using a processor, (i) a first distribution of magnetic fingerprint data that includes magnetic distortion data points based at least in part on a set of positions traversed by a plurality of mobile devices within the indoor area, and (ii) based on accessing a position correction factor, a second distribution of magnetic fingerprint data that includes true position data points corresponding to the magnetic distortion data points, receiving, at the memory, a set of magnetic fingerprint data that includes a second set of magnetic distortion data points based on an additional set of positions traversed by at least one additional mobile device within the indoor area, processing the second set of magnetic distortion data points, the first distribution and the second distribution to generate an updated distribution of magnetic distortion data points, and if the updated distribution exceeds a threshold density of magnetic distortion data points, deploying the updated distribution as the magnetic distortion rejection map of the area.