Mobile Device Location via Wireless Access Point Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional location-based services (LBS) and real-time location systems (RTLS) require extensive modifications and disruptions to existing telecommunications networks, leading to increased infrastructure costs and complexity, and are limited in their ability to track a variety of device types without specific capabilities or software.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses wireless access points to detect radio frequency signals from mobile devices, collate and encrypt signal strength and timestamp data, and transmit it to a trilateration processor via a gateway device, allowing for location tracking with minimal network disruption and supporting a wide range of device types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional LBS/RTLS systems are implemented using dedicated hardware or software on devices, then location tracking capability is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces access points as intermediary devices that perform location detection functions. Instead of requiring dedicated LBS hardware in each mobile device, the access points act as mediators that detect mobile devices using existing wireless communications infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables existing access points to serve multiple functions: standard wireless network access and location detection. By making access points universal devices that can perform both networking and location tracking, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated LBS infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional LBS/RTLS systems are integrated into existing networks, then location services are provided, but network disruption and integration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The access points perform location detection using their own existing wireless communication capabilities without requiring external location-specific infrastructure. The system serves itself by utilizing the already-deployed access point network for both networking and location services, minimizing integration complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Existing access points are made multi-functional by enabling them to perform both standard network access and location detection. This universality allows the system to provide location services without adding separate dedicated infrastructure, reducing network integration complexity
3Measurement precision
If signal strength detection is performed by multiple access devices, then positional precision is improved, but data acquisition load and network overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the computationally intensive trilateration calculation from the access points and network infrastructure, performing it instead at the mobile device itself. The access points only need to provide basic signal strength measurements, while the mobile device's processor handles the complex location calculation, reducing network processing load
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 data acquisition rates, positional precision, and reduces operational and privacy intrusion, enabling the tracking of various device types without significant network overhead or modification, thus improving the efficiency and versatility of LBS and RTLS systems.
Implementation Method 1
A first access device wirelessly communicatively detects a first signal strength of a radio frequency signal in relation to the first access device
Data Source
AI summary
A system for locating a mobile device emitting a radio frequency signal. A wireless access point device of a wireless local area network is configured to communicatively connect to a wide area network. The system comprises a first access device for wirelessly communicatively detecting a first signal strength of the radio frequency signal in relation to the first access device, a media access control (MAC) address, and a first timestamp of the first signal strength, of the mobile device; a second access device for wirelessly communicatively detecting a second signal strength of the radio frequency signal in relation to the second access device, the MAC address, and a second timestamp of the second signal strength, of the mobile device; a third access device for wirelessly communicatively detecting a third signal strength of the radio frequency signal in relation to the third access device, the MAC address, and a third timestamp of the third signal strength, of the mobile device.