Pedestrian Positioning Step Length Correction Zigzag Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pedestrian positioning by autonomous navigation often results in inaccuracies due to the assumption of straight movement, leading to underestimation of total movement distance when actual paths are zigzagged, as the step length data does not account for the angular differences between left and right foot steps.
Innovation Solution
A positioning apparatus and method that includes an autonomous navigation sensor, step length data storage, and movement direction calculation sections, which correct the step length data based on the taken step angle to accurately calculate movement distance, using periodic oscillation and direction information from both the autonomous navigation sensor and satellite positioning, to account for zigzag paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If step length data is calculated assuming straight movement between two points, then the positioning process is simple, but the movement distance is underestimated when actual paths are zigzagged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the movement path into individual steps, calculating the movement direction and taken step angle for each step separately. By processing each step individually and summing the distances, the system accurately captures zigzag paths while maintaining computational feasibility through modular step-by-step calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic correction of step length data based on the taken step angle. Instead of using a fixed step length assumption, the system dynamically adjusts the effective step length by multiplying the basic step length by the cosine of the taken step angle, allowing the calculation to adapt to varying path geometries.
2Ease of operation
If conventional step length calculation is used without angle correction, then calculation is straightforward, but positioning accuracy deteriorates on zigzag paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of the taken step angle for each step before computing the movement distance. By pre-calculating the angle between the movement direction and the average oscillation direction, the system prepares the necessary correction factor in advance, streamlining the subsequent distance calculation while ensuring accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the pedestrian's own movement characteristics (periodic oscillation and direction information from sensors) to automatically determine the taken step angle and correct the step length data. The autonomous navigation sensor and satellite positioning section work together to self-correct the positioning accuracy without external intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a positioning apparatus including: an autonomous navigation sensor which is held by a pedestrian and which outputs periodic oscillation and direction information; a step length data storage section which stores step length data; a movement distance calculating section which calculates movement distance; a traveling direction calculating section which calculates a traveling direction; and a movement direction calculating section which calculates a movement direction for each step, wherein the movement distance calculating section includes a taken step angle calculating section which calculates a taken step angle from the movement direction for each step with respect to the traveling direction; and the movement distance calculating section corrects a value of the step length data so that the step length is larger as the taken step angle becomes larger to calculate a movement distance for each step.