Mobile Device Path Alignment with Indoor Routing Graph
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Solution Overview
Problem
In indoor environments like parking structures and shopping malls, mobile devices often struggle to provide accurate navigation due to the absence of reliable satellite signals, leading to user disorientation and difficulty in locating starting points, such as vehicles, within complex areas.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a mobile device to trace its movement path, detect intersections with an indoor routing graph, and estimate a contiguous route back to the starting point using sensors like accelerometers and magnetometers, even without position estimation, by suspending sensor operations when access points are available to conserve power and improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite positioning systems are used for navigation, then positioning accuracy is improved, but reliability deteriorates in indoor environments where satellite signals cannot be received
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses access points as intermediary objects to enable positioning in indoor environments. When satellite signals are unavailable, the mobile device measures ranges to terrestrial access points with known locations to determine its position, thus mediating the positioning function between satellite signals and indoor navigation needs
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes positioning parameters by switching between satellite-based positioning (when available) and access point-based positioning (when satellite signals are unavailable). The mobile device monitors signal availability and adjusts the positioning method accordingly, changing the operational parameters to maintain navigation reliability
2Measurement precision
If continuous sensor operation is used to trace movement path, then path tracing accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sensor operation instead of continuous operation. Sensors are activated only when needed (when access points are unavailable for positioning) and suspended when access points are available, creating a periodic activation pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining path tracing accuracy when required
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts sensor operation based on environmental conditions. When access points are available for positioning, sensor operations are suspended to conserve power. When access points become unavailable, sensors are reactivated to trace the movement path, creating a dynamic adaptation to operational needs
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 efficient alignment of the user's path with the indoor routing graph, reducing user confusion and saving power by allowing accurate navigation within indoor areas without continuous sensor operation, thus facilitating easier location of starting points.
Implementation Method 1
tracing a path of movement of the mobile device from a starting point
Implementation Method 2
detecting an intersection of the traced path of movement with one or more locations of a routing graph
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are systems, methods, and devices for aligning a path of movement of a mobile device with an indoor routing graph. In one particular embodiment, a mobile device may trace a path of movement from a starting point to a point of intersection with a routing graph that defines feasible movement within an area. Responsive to a detecting a point of intersection, a mobile device may estimate a contiguous route from one or more locations of the routing graph to a starting point.