Mobile Communication Apparatus Positioning Using Reference Target Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication devices struggle to accurately determine the position of another device in crowded or indoor environments due to poor GPS signal reception, leading to difficulties in meeting or reuniting with others, as they cannot reliably compute distance and direction information.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication apparatus that includes a transmitter/receiver, direction sensor, and information processing unit to acquire and compute direction and distance information from a reference target, allowing users to determine the position of another device relative to themselves, even in areas with poor GPS signal strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used to acquire current position, then position information can be obtained, but measurement precision deteriorates in indoor or crowded locations due to poor radio wave reception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference target (landmark) as an intermediary object that both users can observe. Instead of relying directly on GPS signals which are blocked indoors, the system uses the reference target as a common reference point that mediates the position determination process, allowing users to calculate relative positions through triangulation even when GPS signals are unavailable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from relying solely on vertical GPS satellite signals (three-dimensional space) to using horizontal angular measurements from a common reference target. By measuring directions to the reference target from different locations and using triangulation, the system determines position in a different geometric dimension, bypassing the need for direct GPS signal reception
2Measurement precision
If magnetometer is used to measure facing direction, then direction information can be acquired, but distance information cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines direction measurement (from magnetometer) with distance measurement (from distance measurement unit) into a unified position determination system. By merging these two types of information, the system can calculate both the direction and distance to the other user, enabling complete relative position determination that neither sensor could achieve alone
3Measurement precision
If direction and distance information are computed using reference target, then position of other device can be determined, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having each user's device independently perform the triangulation calculations using their own direction and distance measurements to the reference target. Each device computes the relative position autonomously without requiring complex centralized processing, distributing the computational burden and simplifying the overall system architecture
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 accurate determination of another device's position and direction, facilitating successful meetings or reunions by providing reliable direction and distance computations, even in environments with large GPS measurement errors or poor radio wave reception.
Implementation Method 1
measures the direction in which the portable telephone is currently facing, based on the earth magnetism measured by the magnetometer
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile communication apparatus may receive a first direction from a reference target to an external apparatus and a first distance from the reference target to a position of the external apparatus. A direction acquiring unit acquires a second direction from the reference target to the position, and a distance acquiring unit acquires a second distance between the reference target and the position. A computing unit computes a direction and a distance from the position to the external apparatus based on the first direction, the first distance, the second direction and the second distance, in order to output a computation result from an output unit.