Network Control Node for IoT Device Position Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IoT systems for building control and automation lack efficient methods to determine the precise location of stationary devices within a network, relying on manual configuration methods like numbering schemes or descriptive labeling, which are prone to errors and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method and network control node that utilize non-stationary devices to perform trilateration or multilateration with stationary devices to determine the position of stationary devices, allowing for precise location determination through additional positional data and integration of non-stationary devices into the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual configuration methods (numbering schemes or descriptive labeling) are used to determine device positions, then the system is simple to implement, but the position determination accuracy and reliability are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A non-stationary device is introduced as an intermediary to establish positional relationships between stationary devices. The non-stationary device moves through the environment, collecting distance measurements to multiple stationary devices, and enables the network control node to calculate positions of stationary devices that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to locate directly, thereby improving position determination accuracy without requiring direct line-of-sight or pre-configured positions between all stationary devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual configuration methods with automated trilateration/multilateration calculations. Instead of manually assigning position labels or numbers to devices, the system automatically computes positions based on distance measurements collected by the non-stationary device, substituting mechanical/manual positioning with computational geometric methods to achieve higher precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual configuration methods are used, then the implementation is straightforward, but the productivity and efficiency of device deployment are low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice deployment efficiencyVSAvoidtime for position configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service positioning where devices automatically determine their own positions through the trilateration/multilateration process. The non-stationary device autonomously collects distance measurements to multiple stationary devices, and the network control node automatically performs the calculations, eliminating the need for manual position configuration and significantly improving deployment efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary positioning actions by having the non-stationary device collect distance measurements to multiple stationary devices in advance. This preliminary data collection enables subsequent position calculations for all stationary devices, reducing the overall time required for complete network deployment compared to manual configuration of each device individually

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If only stationary devices are used in the network, then the network structure is simple, but the ability to determine positions of devices outside direct communication range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork mapping capabilityVSAvoidnetwork device composition

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The non-stationary device serves as a mobile intermediary that extends the network's mapping capability. By moving to different locations and collecting distance measurements to stationary devices, it enables the network control node to calculate positions of stationary devices that are outside direct communication range of other stationary devices, thereby enhancing network mapping capability without requiring a dense grid of stationary devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces temporal dimensionality by using a non-stationary device that moves through space over time. Instead of relying solely on spatial relationships between stationary devices, the system leverages the time-varying positions of the non-stationary device to gather multiple measurement opportunities, enabling position determination in scenarios where static device arrangements would be insufficient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 and efficient determination of stationary device positions, complementing existing maps with additional positional data, overcoming limitations of manual configuration methods and enhancing network mapping accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

determining, by a network control node, at least one non-stationary device position of a non-stationary device within a target location by trilateration or multilateration between the non-stationary device and a first set of stationary devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTrilateration:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMultilateration:

Implementation Method 3

determining, by the network control node, a stationary device position of a further stationary device by trilateration or multilateration between the non-stationary device and a second set of stationary devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTrilateration:

Implementation Method 4

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMultilateration:

Data Source

PatentUS20260016559A1Network control node and method

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 NXP USA INC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for determining a position of a stationary network device using a non-stationary device are described. One method includes determining, by the network control node, at least one non-stationary device position within a target location by trilateration or multilateration from distance measurements between the non-stationary device and a first set of stationary devices having known positions. The method further includes determining by the network control node, a stationary network device position of a further stationary network device by trilateration or multilateration between the non-stationary device and a second set of stationary devices, the second set of stationary devices comprising a plurality of stationary devices having known positions and the further stationary network device. The first and second sets of devices may be overlapping, identical, or non-overlapping.