Multi-terminal Positioning via Gesture-triggered Ultrasonic Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-terminal positioning methods are inefficient as they can only calculate distances between two terminals, limiting the positioning efficiency and accuracy in collaborative operations among multiple intelligent terminals.

Innovation Solution

A method where a primary terminal establishes wireless connections with secondary terminals, calculates and displays possible arrangement shapes and gestures, records user-selected configurations, and uses sensor trigger information to determine the arrangement sequence and relative positions of all terminals, enabling efficient multi-terminal positioning through a single demarcation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ultrasonic signals are transmitted between two terminals to calculate distance, then the positioning method is simple to implement, but the positioning efficiency is low because only two terminals can be positioned at a time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple pairwise positioning operations into a single multi-terminal positioning operation. By having one terminal send ultrasonic signals to multiple other terminals simultaneously and collecting sensor trigger information from all terminals, the system determines relative positions of all terminals in one go rather than performing sequential pairwise measurements, thus improving positioning efficiency while maintaining implementation simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning method is extended from a specialized two-terminal function to a universal multi-terminal function. The same ultrasonic signal transmission and sensor trigger detection mechanism is used, but the system now handles an arbitrary number of terminals by collecting and processing sensor trigger information from multiple terminals, making the positioning method scalable and versatile

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of time

If multiple terminals are positioned using sequential pairwise ultrasonic transmission, then the positioning method is easy to implement, but the time consumption increases due to multiple positioning operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning timeVSAvoidpositioning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having one terminal send ultrasonic signals to all other terminals simultaneously at the beginning, rather than waiting to perform sequential pairwise positioning. This preliminary multi-terminal signal transmission establishes the basis for determining all relative positions in parallel, significantly reducing the total time required compared to sequential operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If sensor trigger information from multiple terminals is collected simultaneously, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing mechanism where sensor trigger information from multiple terminals is collected and processed through a unified algorithm. The system uses the trigger time stamps and sensor trigger types as intermediate data to calculate relative positions, employing a standardized processing approach that manages data complexity while maintaining high positioning accuracy through comprehensive multi-terminal information integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach improves positioning efficiency by allowing multiple terminals to be positioned in a single demarcation process, reducing interference from environmental noise and enhancing accuracy by using sensor trigger information obtained through gestures.

Implementation Method 1

triggering sensors of the terminals using the demarcated gesture; receiving, by the primary terminal, sensor trigger information sent by at least one secondary terminal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Data Source

PatentEP2908238B1Multi-terminal positioning methods, related devices and system
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2908238B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(a)
  • EP2908238B1 patent drawingFigure 2(b)~3
  • EP2908238B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention discloses a multi-terminal positioning method, and a related device and system, which are used to improve the efficiency of multi-terminal positioning. The method includes: establishing, by a primary terminal after receiving a collaboration request activation signal triggered by a user, connections to secondary terminals in a wireless connection manner; calculating and displaying, by the primary terminal according to received device configuration parameters of the secondary terminals and the number of secondary terminals, at least one arrangement shape of all terminals and at least one demarcated gesture that matches each arrangement shape, and recording one arrangement shape selected by the user and one demarcated gesture that matches the arrangement shape; receiving, by the primary terminal, sensor trigger information sent by at least one secondary terminal; and calculating, by the primary terminal according to the recorded arrangement shape and demarcated gesture, and the sensor trigger information, an arrangement sequence of all terminals and relative positions between the terminals.