Mobile Device Indoor Positioning via Travel Log Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indoor navigation systems face challenges in accurately determining location within areas of location uncertainty due to inadequate wireless signaling location information, where GPS and satellite signals are unreliable or unavailable, making it difficult for mobile devices to provide precise positioning and navigation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a mobile device to gather measurements during a period of location uncertainty, generate a position fix upon transitioning to an area of location certainty, and establish a travel log based on these measurements and position fix, which is then transmitted to an external device to characterize the area and improve navigation data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS and satellite signals are used for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved in outdoor environments, but positioning reliability deteriorates in indoor environments where satellite signals are unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the positioning system into two distinct modes: outdoor positioning using GPS/satellite signals and indoor positioning using terrestrial transmitters. The mobile device automatically selects the appropriate positioning method based on the current environment, ensuring high accuracy in outdoor settings while maintaining reliability in indoor settings where satellite signals are unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces terrestrial transmitters (such as wireless access points or beacons) as intermediary positioning sources for indoor environments. These transmitters receive satellite signals in outdoor areas and re-transmit positioning information indoors, acting as mediators that bridge the gap between satellite-based outdoor positioning and the need for indoor positioning capability.
2Reliability
If terrestrial transmitters are used for indoor positioning, then positioning availability is improved in indoor environments, but positioning precision deteriorates compared to satellite signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple positioning data sources including terrestrial transmitter signals, inertial sensor measurements (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer), and electronic map data to create a hybrid positioning solution. This fusion of multiple imperfect sources compensates for the lower precision of individual terrestrial transmitters, achieving acceptable positioning accuracy indoors while maintaining continuous availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system uses a composite approach by integrating data from different types of sensors and signal sources. The mobile device processes and fuses information from terrestrial transmitters, inertial measurement units, and pre-stored electronic map data to generate a composite positioning estimate that leverages the strengths of each component while mitigating their individual weaknesses.
3Loss of information
If digital electronic maps with mapped features are provided to users, then navigation context is improved, but data transmission and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by providing navigation information selectively based on the user's current location and context. Rather than transmitting entire electronic maps with all mapped features to every user, the system identifies the user's position and provides only the relevant local area information and features needed for current navigation purposes, reducing data transmission while maintaining navigation context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and storing essential navigation data in a condensed format on the mobile device before it is needed. Electronic maps and mapped features are pre-loaded in an optimized structure that allows rapid retrieval and display of relevant information without requiring continuous large-scale data transmission from remote servers.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment relates to characterizing a signaling environment by gathering a plurality of measurements, generated during a period of time, in response to a determination that a mobile device is within an area of location uncertainty. Such an example mobile device may generate a position fix, e.g., at or subsequent to an end of the period of time, based, at least in part, on one or more signals received at the mobile device within an area of location certainty; and in response to a determination that it is to report a travel history for at least a portion of the area of location uncertainty, generate a travel log based, at least in part, on the plurality of measurements and the position fix, and transmit at least a portion of the travel log to one or more external devices.