Mobile Device Indoor Positioning Using Venue Layout
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite-based positioning technologies, such as GPS, are ineffective indoors due to poor signal penetration through walls and roofs, leading to inaccurate navigation indoors.
Innovation Solution
A method using mobile devices to receive terrestrial radio signals like Bluetooth, cellular, or WLAN signals, and determine a position estimate based on venue layout information, associating identifiers from these signals with venue information to improve positioning accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite-based positioning technologies are used, then outdoor positioning accuracy is improved, but indoor positioning accuracy deteriorates due to poor signal penetration through walls and roofs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces terrestrial radio signals (Bluetooth, WLAN, cellular) as intermediary elements to bridge the gap between outdoor satellite positioning and indoor positioning needs. These terrestrial signals act as mediators that can penetrate building structures where satellite signals cannot, enabling continuous positioning across indoor-outdoor transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the positioning system into multiple independent components: satellite-based positioning for outdoor areas and terrestrial signal-based positioning for indoor areas. This segmentation allows each subsystem to operate optimally in its designated environment without being constrained by the limitations of the other.
2Measurement precision
If only geographic position information is used, then positioning simplicity is maintained, but positioning precision deteriorates indoors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple information sources (geographic position data, venue layout information, and terrestrial radio signal data) into a unified positioning system. This combination allows the system to leverage the simplicity of geographic positioning while enhancing it with additional data layers that improve indoor accuracy without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to traditional 2D geographic positioning by incorporating venue layout information and signal strength data. This transforms the positioning from simple coordinate-based location to a multi-dimensional spatial understanding that includes structural context and signal propagation characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
It is inter-alia disclosed a method performed by a mobile device, the method including: receiving at least one radio signal when scanning for observable radio signals at an observation position of the mobile device; determining or causing determining a venue associated with an identifier contained in or represented by the at least one radio signal at least partially based on a plurality of venue information items; determining or causing determining a position estimate of the observation position at least partially based on layout information representing a layout of the venue associated with the identifier.