Network Device Location Determination via Intermediary Access Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices without GPS or cellular transceiver chips face challenges in accurately determining their location, especially indoors, due to inaccurate or unavailable GPS and cellular signals.
Innovation Solution
Network devices can determine their location by using location information from other devices with access to GPS or cellular signals, through methods like triangulation and signal strength analysis, and share this information to enable location-related functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If devices use GPS or cellular signals for location determination, then location accuracy is improved, but devices without GPS or cellular transceiver chips cannot determine their location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces access points and other devices as intermediaries that have GPS or cellular capabilities. These intermediary devices receive location information from GPS or cellular sources and share it with network devices that lack direct access to these signals, enabling location determination for all device types through the mediator network
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal location determination mechanism where access points and network devices serve multiple functions: they act as both communication nodes in the network and location reference points. This multi-functionality allows the same infrastructure to support both network operations and location services for diverse device types
2Device complexity
If devices rely on direct GPS or cellular signals, then location determination is simpler, but indoor location accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Indoor access points serve as intermediaries that relay location information from outdoor GPS sources or cellular networks. The access points establish reference locations and transmit this information to devices indoors, enabling accurate indoor location determination without requiring devices to directly receive weak or blocked GPS/cellular signals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct signal-based location (three-dimensional spatial coordinates from satellites) to a network-based location system that uses multiple reference points and signal strength measurements. This dimensional change allows location determination to work effectively in indoor environments where direct satellite signals are unavailable
3Adaptability or versatility
If network devices share location information, then location-related functions are enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Access points and network devices are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: network communication, location determination, and location information sharing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated location hardware and simplifies the overall system architecture despite the added capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and systems for determining locations of devices using location data sources are provided. For example, a network device, method, and computer-program product may be provided. In one example, a method may include receiving, on a computing device, a request to locate a device, wherein the request includes an identifier of the device. The method may further include receiving a communication from the device, wherein the communication includes the identifier of the device, and obtaining a location of the device. The method may further include transmitting the location of the device and the identifier of the device to a server, wherein the server is configured to use the location of the device and the identifier of the device to send a response to the requestor of the request.