Mobile Device Positioning Using Single Antenna Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional indoor positioning systems require at least three antennas, which is impractical for portable devices due to space constraints, limiting their application.

Innovation Solution

A positioning system using a mobile device with a wireless communication module, sensor, and processor to establish a wireless connection with a Device Under Test (DUT), moving along a path with multiple measurement positions to calculate the DUT's location based on detected distances and relative relationships.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If three or more antennas are installed in a portable device for precise positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and space requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidantenna quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing multiple antennas in the portable device to achieve positioning, the patent inverts the approach by using a single antenna in the portable device to communicate with multiple fixed reference points (DUTs) positioned at known locations. The positioning is achieved by measuring signal characteristics from the portable device's single antenna to multiple reference points, rather than requiring multiple antennas within the portable device itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary positioning server that mediates between the portable device and the positioning reference points. The server receives signal measurements from the portable device's single antenna, processes the data using the known positions of multiple reference points, and calculates the portable device's location. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for multiple antennas in the portable device while maintaining positioning functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If three or more antennas are installed in a portable device for IPS positioning, then positioning capability is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional IPS architecture by having the portable device communicate with multiple fixed reference points rather than requiring multiple antennas within the portable device. This inversion simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of components that need to be integrated into the portable device while maintaining positioning capability through the distributed reference point system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning server acts as an intermediary that handles the complex positioning calculations and reference point management, freeing the portable device from the need to incorporate multiple antennas. This division of labor simplifies the portable device's manufacturing while preserving full positioning capability through the server's processing of signal measurements from the single antenna.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If multiple measurement positions are used to calculate DUT location, then positioning accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary action by pre-positioning multiple reference points (DUTs) at known locations before the measurement process begins. These pre-positioned reference points serve as fixed anchors that enable rapid calculation of the portable device's location without requiring time-consuming field measurements or setup procedures. The known positions of the reference points are prepared in advance, allowing for quick and accurate positioning calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables precise positioning of DUTs with reduced hardware requirements, lowering costs and increasing convenience by using a triangular positioning method with minimal wireless communication modules.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless connection is established between the second wireless communication module and the first wireless communication module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless communication signal transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the sensor detects a relative relationship between the measurement positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRelative position detection:

Data Source

PatentUS9244154B2System and method for positioning device under test

Publication Date: 2016.01.26 ACER INC

AI summary

A positioning system includes at least one DUT (Device Under Test) and a mobile device. A wireless connection is established between the DUT and the mobile device. The mobile device is moved along a path which includes at least two different measurement positions. The mobile device measures a distance between the DUT and each of the measurement positions. Then, the mobile device obtains a target position, at which the DUT is located, according to the measurement positions and the distances.