Mobile Device Location System Using Spherical Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile device location systems face challenges in compiling comprehensive Beacon Survey Databases efficiently and accurately, especially for access-point-based systems, which are less viable than cell-tower-based systems, due to limited GPS satellite availability indoors.
Innovation Solution
A new Mobile Device Location System (MDLS) framework that records and processes GPS data without requiring a 2D fix, allowing for the enlistment of subscribers in measurement processes and utilizing a thin-client implementation for sophisticated signal processing, enabling the compilation of beacon locations from 'spheres and hyperplanes' rather than traditional 2D fixes, and performing compute-intensive tasks offline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional 2D GPS fix method is used, then location accuracy is improved, but system complexity and signal strength requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the GPS data processing into two phases: initial phase uses simple 2D fix method for quick location estimation, while subsequent phase refines the location using sophisticated signal processing and spherical/hyperplanar geometry. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high accuracy without immediately requiring complex processing, thus reducing overall system complexity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D location fixes to 3D spherical surfaces and hyperplanar geometries for location estimation. By adding the vertical dimension and using spherical/hyperplanar models instead of simple planar triangulation, the system achieves improved location accuracy while the computational complexity is managed through offline processing and thin-client architecture.
2Reliability
If sophisticated signal processing is applied, then signal sensitivity is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs computationally intensive signal processing and spherical/hyperplanar calculations in advance during system setup and beacon database compilation. By pre-processing and storing the results, the system can quickly provide location services without requiring real-time complex processing, thus reducing processing time during actual location requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces real-time complex computational processing with pre-computed results stored in databases. By substituting the mechanical/computational process of real-time calculation with data retrieval from pre-processed databases, the system achieves high signal sensitivity while minimizing processing time during actual location determination.
3Area of stationary object
If access-point-based location systems are used, then location coverage is improved, but system viability decreases due to limited GPS satellite availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal location system that can operate using multiple methods: GPS-based 2D fixes for outdoor coverage, spherical/hyperplanar geometry for improved indoor accuracy, and beacon databases for comprehensive coverage. This multi-functional approach allows access-point-based systems to achieve both wide coverage and reliable operation by combining multiple location determination techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters from traditional planar 2D fixes to spherical surfaces and hyperplanar geometries. By using these different geometric models, the system can adapt to various environments (outdoor and indoor) and maintain reliability across different locations, thereby improving system viability while expanding coverage area.
4Measurement precision
If beacon survey databases are compiled using traditional methods, then location accuracy is improved, but compilation speed and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs beacon location estimation and spherical/hyperplanar calculations during the database compilation phase using sophisticated signal processing. By completing these computationally intensive tasks during the initial compilation rather than during actual location requests, the system achieves high location accuracy while maintaining fast response times during service delivery, thus improving compilation productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin-client architecture where mobile devices copy and transmit only essential GPS data (spheres and hyperplanes) to the server for processing. This copying approach reduces the amount of data that needs to be processed and stored, thereby increasing database compilation speed while maintaining location accuracy through the use of simplified geometric representations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for estimating the location of a beacon from an ensemble of measurements associated with said beacon, where, contained in each measurement, are GPS data from which surfaces of location may be extracted, together with the ID's of beacons detectable at the point of measurement, is disclosed. The method comprises extracting the canonical set of surfaces of location implicit in each of the associated measurements, and determining the estimate of the location of the beacon as the point for which the sum of the squares of the distances to each of the surfaces so extracted is minimized. A system for the compilation of a database of beacon locations from measurements containing a time-stamped recording of the composite GPS signal (which recording is referred to as a datagram), together with the ID's and associated signal strengths of beacons detectable at the point of measurement, is also disclosed. The system comprises GPS signal processing means for extracting, from each time-stamped datagram, the canonic set of surfaces of location, and beacon location estimation means for estimating the location of a beacon from an ensemble of surfaces of location associated with said beacon.