3D Mobile Device Location via Virtual Beacon Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining the location of a mobile device are limited to two-dimensional (X, Y) coordinates, lacking the capability to provide precise three-dimensional location information while ensuring anonymity, which is essential for advanced location-based services and public safety applications.
Innovation Solution
The method enhances mobile devices with a virtual beacon emulation, allowing them to act as both transmitters and receivers, using wireless communication pings to calculate relative distances and determine precise 3D locations through triangulation and n-lateration with a server, leveraging GPS and wireless communication standards like Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, 3G, and LTE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional GPS and tower triangulation methods are used, then location determination is achieved, but only two-dimensional (X, Y) coordinates are provided without precise three-dimensional information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from two-dimensional (X, Y) location determination to three-dimensional (X, Y, Z) location determination. Mobile devices emit and receive acoustic pings to measure time of flight, enabling calculation of altitude (Z coordinate) in addition to horizontal positioning, thus resolving the information loss about vertical location data.
2Measurement precision
If mobile devices act as both transmitters and receivers in a network, then precise 3D location determination is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling mobile devices to serve dual roles: as location targets being tracked and as active participants emitting acoustic pings to assist in location determination of others. This reciprocal functionality allows standard mobile devices to contribute to 3D location services without requiring specialized hardware, thereby enabling precise location determination while managing device complexity through universal device capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If multiple mobile devices participate in location determination through acoustic pings, then 3D location accuracy improves, but the system complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback mechanisms where mobile devices receive acoustic pings, measure time of flight, and return responses containing location information. This feedback loop enables multiple devices to iteratively exchange data and converge on accurate 3D location calculations. The systematic feedback protocol manages system complexity by providing structured interaction rules that simplify coordination among multiple participating 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 enables accurate 3D location determination, enhancing emergency, commercial, and internal location services, while maintaining device anonymity, by utilizing a network of mobile devices to calculate precise altitude and spatial positioning.
Implementation Method 1
The relative distance between the devices can be calculated by Distance D=speed×time, where speed is the constant of the wireless communication medium used and time is 1⁄2 of the time from a ping sent from a first device to an acknowledgment received at the first device
Implementation Method 2
leveraging GPS and wireless communication standards like Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, 3G, and LTE
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for 3-Dimensional location of a mobile device in which the mobile device is enhanced with an emulation of a wireless communications beacon, in addition to global positioning system (GPS) location capabilities. To pinpoint the location of the mobile device within the general location, a plurality of devices within a wireless communication range of the mobile device ping each other with the emulated wireless communications beacon. The plurality of mobile devices determined within the wireless communication range can send information to one another in order to supply for example their own unprecise GPS coordinates, the relative distance to any mobile device that responded to the virtual beacon ping of the mobile device and a mobile device identification or alias. The information received at each mobile device can be provided from each mobile device to a central location. At the central location triangulation, quadrilatration, n-lateration and the like can be performed in 3 dimensions using four or more of the mobile devices which provide information about themselves and the three or more others. The central location can utilize topographical maps and data analysis to determine a ground level. Precise locations can be sent to the mobile device or used by aggregating software that could find anonymous, or specific in the case of law enforcement and the such, beneficial.