Mobile Device Positioning via Signal Weighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems face inefficiencies and inaccuracies in indoor and outdoor environments with weak or inconsistent GPS signals, particularly in areas with limited satellite access, where terrestrial radio signals from cellular network access points can be used for positioning but require improved methods for accurate location determination.
Innovation Solution
The method involves classifying position points as interior or exterior using an interior-exterior classification algorithm, such as a morphological operation function or multiple ray mechanism, to constrain the location solution, assigning weights based on signal deviations, and selecting the mobile device location through statistical measures, thereby improving accuracy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If signal analysis methods such as fingerprinting or triangulation are used for position determination, then position determination can be performed in indoor environments, but the accuracy and efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service area into multiple defined areas, each with its own set of position points. This segmentation allows the system to focus computational resources on relevant position points within each specific area, improving both accuracy and efficiency by avoiding unnecessary calculations across the entire service area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating area-specific position point sets with customized accuracy levels. Each defined area can have position points with different precision requirements based on local needs, allowing high accuracy where required while maintaining overall system efficiency.
2Reliability
If all position points in a service area are processed for location determination, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but computational resources and bandwidth usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the necessary subset of position points relevant to the mobile device's current defined area, rather than processing all position points in the entire service area. This extraction approach maintains location determination reliability while significantly reducing computational resource consumption and bandwidth usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by processing only a portion of the total position points - specifically those within the current defined area - rather than performing excessive processing of all position points. This partial processing approach achieves sufficient reliability without unnecessary resource expenditure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If terrestrial radio signals from cellular network access points are used for positioning, then positioning is available in indoor environments with weak GPS signals, but the accuracy is insufficient compared to satellite positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple signal analysis methods including fingerprinting and triangulation within a unified framework that processes results from multiple access points. This combination approach leverages the strengths of different methods to achieve improved positioning accuracy in indoor environments where GPS signals are weak or unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that stores and manages position point information for multiple defined areas. This intermediary facilitates accurate position determination by providing pre-processed position data that compensates for the inherent limitations of terrestrial radio signal-based positioning methods.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for determining a mobile device location. An example of a method for determining a mobile device location includes receiving signals from a transmitter, measuring signal characteristics of the received signals, and downloading data from a database corresponding to a defined region associated with the transmitters. The downloaded data includes a set of position points, a classification of each position point, and expected signal characteristics for each position point. The method further includes comparing the measured signal characteristics with the expected signal characteristics for each position point, assigning a weight to position points based on the compared signal characteristics, and determining the mobile device location by selecting one position point from the set as a position point solution corresponding to the mobile device location based on the assigned weight. The position point solution is constrained by the classification of each position point.