Mobile Station Location Disambiguation via Atmospheric Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Disambiguating between different indoor regions of a structure using short-range wireless transceivers is challenging due to signal strength variations, especially near structures like staircases and elevator shafts, where waveguide effects can lead to stronger signal reception from distant regions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a mobile station that uses atmospheric pressure information to determine its location by comparing self-measured pressure with regional pressure indications, assigning weights to signals based on pressure differentials, and utilizing pressure maps generated by wireless transceivers and servers to disambiguate between vertically displaced regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If short-range wireless transceivers are used for location determination, then location coverage is improved, but location accuracy deteriorates near portals such as staircases and elevator shafts due to waveguide effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces atmospheric pressure as an intermediary parameter to resolve the contradiction between location coverage and accuracy. Pressure sensors provide an additional measurement dimension that is independent of wireless signal propagation issues. By comparing pressure-based location estimates with signal-strength-based estimates, the system can disambiguate locations near portals where waveguide effects cause inaccurate signal strength measurements, thereby maintaining high location accuracy while preserving broad coverage.
2Ease of operation
If signal strength from wireless transceivers is used for location determination, then location determination is simplified, but reliability deteriorates when signals from multiple regions are received with similar strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for location determination from relying solely on wireless signal strength to incorporating atmospheric pressure measurements. This parameter change provides an additional independent variable for location disambiguation. When signal strength alone is insufficient to reliably determine location (e.g., near portals where multiple signals have similar strength), the pressure parameter provides discriminative information that restores reliability without significantly complicating the determination process.
3Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are added to mobile stations for location disambiguation, then location accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universality of atmospheric pressure sensors, which are commonly used in mobile stations for other purposes such as altitude measurement and weather monitoring. By repurposing this existing sensor for location disambiguation, the patent improves location accuracy without substantially increasing device complexity. The pressure sensor serves multiple functions, making it a cost-effective addition that enhances location capabilities while maintaining device simplicity.
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
Effectively disambiguates the location of a mobile station within a structure, accurately determining its floor or region by utilizing pressure information, even in environments with complex signal interference, thereby improving location accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor configured to determine atmospheric pressure on the mobile station
Implementation Method 2
a transceiver communicatively coupled to the antenna to transmit outbound wireless communications to, and receive inbound wireless communications from, a wireless transceiver
Data Source
AI summary
A method of disambiguating a location of a mobile station within a structure includes: obtaining, at the mobile station, regional pressure indications and corresponding region indications indicating regions within a structure that are vertically displaced with respect to each other, each of the regional pressure indications indicating atmospheric pressure information associated with the corresponding region; determining mobile station pressure information associated with a present location of the mobile station; comparing the mobile station pressure information with the regional pressure indications; and based on the comparing, determining in which of the regions the mobile station presently resides.