Map Alignment Checking for Indoor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor positioning technologies face challenges in achieving accurate and seamless navigation due to the limitations of satellite signal penetration and the complexity of integrating multiple terrestrial transmitter systems, leading to errors in map alignment and inefficient data collection.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for checking and ensuring the alignment of maps with respect to a reference frame, using alignment information and reference information to validate scaling, orientation, and position, thereby preventing misalignment and improving data collection reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual methods are used to align maps with reference frames, then alignment can be achieved, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to human error in entering coordinates and selecting scaling/rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated computer-based system. The computer automatically performs coordinate transformations, scaling calculations, and rotation operations based on reference points, eliminating human error in manual coordinate entry and alignment parameter selection. This substitution of manual mechanical processes with automated computational processes directly resolves the contradiction by improving both alignment accuracy and reliability.
2Area of stationary object
If existing indoor positioning solutions are deployed, then positioning coverage is improved, but system complexity increases due to integration of multiple terrestrial transmitter technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal map alignment framework that can work with any indoor positioning system regardless of the specific transmitter technology used (WLAN, Bluetooth, cellular, etc.). The alignment process uses generic coordinate transformation methods that are technology-agnostic, allowing the same alignment infrastructure to support multiple positioning technologies. This multi-functionality reduces system integration complexity while maintaining broad positioning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces map alignment as an intermediary layer between the raw positioning data from various terrestrial transmitters and the final positioning output. This intermediary alignment framework standardizes coordinate systems and transformations, simplifying the integration of multiple transmitter technologies by providing a common reference frame that all technologies can map to, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If crowd-sourced data is collected for positioning, then data volume increases improving coverage, but data processing complexity increases due to harvesting, processing, redundancy, and storing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs map alignment as a preliminary action before conducting the actual positioning data collection. By pre-aligning the map with the reference frame using automated coordinate transformations, the system establishes a standardized coordinate system in advance. This preliminary alignment simplifies subsequent crowd-sourced data processing, as all incoming positioning data can be directly mapped to the pre-aligned coordinate system without requiring complex real-time alignment calculations, thereby reducing data processing complexity while maintaining the benefits of large data volumes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, performed by an apparatus (2)(4), is disclosed, the method comprising: obtaining alignment information pertaining to a map (10), which is or is to be aligned in a reference frame; performing or receiving a result of a check of the alignment of the map (10) at least based on the obtained alignment information and on reference information allowing for an at least partial check of the alignment of the map (10) in the reference frame.