Crowd-Sourced Pedestrian Localization via Dynamic Broadcast Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile device indoor navigation systems face challenges in achieving accurate localization within enclosed or partially enclosed areas due to unreliable satellite signals, leading to inconsistent and noisy RF signal transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A crowd-sourced localization system where mobile devices broadcast their estimated positions using Bluetooth Low Energy signals, adjusting broadcast power levels based on confidence levels to minimize interference and enhance accuracy, allowing peer devices to determine their positions with increased certainty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mobile devices broadcast localization data continuously at high power levels, then the localization accuracy and coverage area are improved, but signal interference increases and energy consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic broadcast power adjustment where mobile devices transition between active broadcasting at high power levels and quiescent states at low power levels based on localization confidence levels. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by adapting transmission power to actual localization quality, maintaining high accuracy when confident while reducing interference during uncertain periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the broadcast power level parameter based on the confidence level of localization data. When localization confidence is high, devices broadcast at higher power levels to improve accuracy and coverage; when confidence is low, devices reduce power to minimize interference. This parameter adaptation directly addresses the contradiction between accuracy and interference
2Measurement precision
If mobile devices with high localization accuracy broadcast at higher power levels, then positioning accuracy for peer devices is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the broadcast power level parameter based on the confidence level of localization data. Devices with high localization accuracy (high confidence level) transmit at higher power levels to improve peer positioning accuracy, while devices with low accuracy reduce power consumption by broadcasting at lower levels. This conditional parameter change resolves the energy-accuracy tradeoff
Solution Approach 2:
Different mobile devices broadcast at different power levels according to their individual localization confidence levels. High-confidence devices use higher power to provide better positioning data, while low-confidence devices conserve energy by reducing transmission power. This localized quality adjustment allows the system to optimize both accuracy and energy consumption across the network
3Area of stationary object
If satellite-based navigation systems are used for indoor positioning, then global coverage is achieved, but reliability deteriorates in enclosed or partially enclosed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces peer mobile devices as intermediary sources for localization data. Instead of relying directly on satellite signals that fail indoors, devices use Bluetooth Low Energy communications to exchange localization information with nearby peers. This intermediary mechanism enables coverage in enclosed areas where satellites are unavailable, resolving the contradiction between global coverage and indoor reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces satellite-based electromagnetic positioning with a peer-to-peer communication-based localization mechanism using Bluetooth Low Energy. This substitution allows positioning to function in indoor environments where satellite signals cannot penetrate, maintaining both coverage area and reliability in enclosed spaces
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of broadcasting crowd-sourced localization data from a mobile device within a pedestrian area. The method, executed in the processor of the mobile device, comprises localizing the mobile device by determining an estimated position of the mobile device within the pedestrian area based on accessing fingerprint data of the pedestrian area, broadcasting, at a first broadcast power level, a localization data packet that includes data of the estimated position to one or more peer mobile devices within the pedestrian area, determining a confidence level indicative of a degree of accuracy for the estimated position, and continuing the broadcasting at one of a lower and a higher broadcast power level than the first broadcast power level when it is determined that the confidence level is one of above and below a threshold confidence level.