Mobile Device Location Correction Using Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining a mobile device's geographic location, such as using GNSS, are unreliable in areas with poor signal quality or obstructions, leading to inaccurate positioning and errors in navigation.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a combination of sensors like gyroscopes, altitude sensors, and magnetometers to compare sensor data with geographic database information, allowing for multi-dimensional corrections and reliable location determination even when GNSS is unavailable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wireless-based positioning systems (GNSS) are used to determine geographic location, then location determination can be achieved in open areas, but reliability deteriorates in areas with poor signal quality or obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple positioning methods (GNSS, inertial navigation, map matching) and multiple sensor types (gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, altitude sensor) into an integrated positioning system. This fusion allows the system to maintain reliable location determination by switching between or combining different positioning methods based on signal availability and environmental conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes positioning parameters by selecting different positioning methods and sensor combinations based on environmental conditions. When GNSS signal quality deteriorates, the system transitions to alternative positioning parameters (inertial navigation, map matching) and adjusts sensor fusion weights, maintaining reliable location determination across varying signal conditions.
2Reliability
If sensor data is used to correct geographic location, then reliability improves in challenging environments, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile device perform multiple functions using integrated sensor fusion: the same sensor suite (gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, altitude sensor) serves both for navigation control and for geographic location determination. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated hardware systems, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device uses its own built-in sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, altitude sensor) to self-correct its geographic location without requiring external correction systems. The device autonomously processes sensor data to determine corrections along-track and across-track, reducing the need for complex external infrastructure and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Ease of operation
If map matching is used to determine geographic location, then ease of operation improves by providing location on road networks, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to correct along-track errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sensor measurements (gyroscope heading, accelerometer-derived position) are continuously compared with map data to detect discrepancies. This feedback loop enables the system to identify and correct along-track errors by using sensor-derived corrections to adjust the map-matched position, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to map matching by incorporating sensor-derived corrections in multiple dimensions: along-track corrections using gyroscope and accelerometer data, and across-track corrections using map matching. This multi-dimensional correction approach overcomes the limitation of traditional map matching that could only provide across-track correction, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation.
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 location accuracy by correcting along-track and across-track errors, providing a reliable geographic location in challenging environments and maintaining functionality even without wireless-based positioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
a gyroscope, a processor, and a memory. The memory stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including determining a first geographic location based on wireless signals received as part of a wireless-based mobile device positioning system. The instructions further include accessing a geographic database that includes a first mapping between road headings and particular geographic locations. The operations further include accessing a particular heading determined according to a measurement of the gyroscope
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, a mobile device includes a sensor, one or more processors, and a memory. The memory stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including determining a first geographic location based on wireless signals received as part of a wireless-based mobile device positioning system. The operations include accessing a geographic database that includes data representing a number of geographic locations and properties associated with the geographic locations, and a mapping between measureable values of a type and particular geographic locations. The operations include determining, using the geographic database, candidate geographic locations for adjusting the first geographic location. The operations include accessing a particular value of the type determined according to a measurement of the sensor and determining a second geographic location based on the candidate geographic locations and on the particular value and the mapping.