Mobile Position Calibration Using Reliable Indoor Reference Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor positioning systems face challenges in maintaining accurate position estimation due to high errors in satellite positioning systems and the need for numerous wireless tags, which can lead to deteriorated accuracy when correcting position estimates using unclear error correction methods.
Innovation Solution
A mobile apparatus equipped with a sensor unit to calculate moving distance and direction, a positioning unit for initial position calculation in a calibration area with high reliability, and a calibration unit to correct errors using the first current position, thereby estimating a second current position with improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If satellite positioning system is used for outdoor positioning, then positioning service can be provided outdoors, but position estimation error increases to several meters
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning service is segmented into multiple systems: satellite positioning for outdoor areas and wireless tag systems for indoor areas. Each segment handles specific environments, allowing the system to maintain appropriate accuracy levels for each context while providing comprehensive coverage across both indoor and outdoor spaces.
2Device complexity
If wireless tag transmission range is expanded to reduce the number of tags, then device complexity decreases, but position estimation error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partial action by deploying wireless tags only in indoor areas where satellite positioning is unavailable, rather than deploying tags everywhere. This reduces the total number of tags needed while maintaining positioning accuracy where it matters most - in indoor environments that require alternative positioning methods.
3Ease of manufacture
If motion sensor is used for position estimation in inexpensive consumer products, then device cost decreases, but position estimation error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless tag system acts as an intermediary reference system that provides accurate position measurements. The motion sensor data is then used for interpolation between tag positions, allowing the system to maintain low cost with motion sensors while achieving high accuracy through periodic correction by the wireless tag intermediary system.
4Device complexity
If correction method with unclear error correction accuracy is used, then positioning system complexity decreases, but position estimation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing motion sensor-based position estimates with wireless tag-based position measurements. When the mobile apparatus passes near a wireless tag, the actual position is fed back to correct the accumulated error in the motion sensor integration, ensuring long-term accuracy without requiring complex real-time correction algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile apparatus according to the disclosure includes: a sensor unit to calculate a moving distance and a moving direction; a positioning unit to calculate a first current position by using positioning information for positioning provided in a calibration area that is among areas in which the positioning information is provided, the calibration area being the area in which first reliability representing accuracy of the positioning information is equal to or higher than a first threshold; a current position calculation unit to estimate a second current position by using the moving distance and the moving direction calculated by the sensor unit; and a calibration unit to calibrate a parameter to be used to estimate the second current position in the current position calculation unit, by using the first current position.