Indoor Positioning Using Phase Difference Analysis for Multipath Error Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing indoor positioning technologies face challenges in accurately determining radio wave arrival angles, especially when users are stationary, leading to large errors in positioning results due to consecutive measurements with high errors.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device with a determination processing unit that uses phase information of signal propagation paths for each set of transmission and reception antennas to determine the reliability of radio wave arrival angles, allowing for appropriate trustworthiness assessment and use in positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If radio wave arrival angle measurement is performed in indoor environment with multipath influence, then positioning can be achieved without satellite radio waves, but the reliability of radio wave arrival angle becomes low and positioning error becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindoor positioning capabilityVSAvoidradio wave arrival angle reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical angle measurement methods with signal processing-based phase difference analysis. By measuring phase differences of signals received at multiple antennas and calculating arrival angles through computational methods rather than mechanical detection, the system achieves reliable positioning in multipath indoor environments where traditional methods fail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces phase difference as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine radio wave arrival angles. Instead of directly measuring angles which are unreliable in multipath conditions, the system measures phase differences between signals at multiple antennas and uses these as intermediaries to calculate arrival angles, thereby improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If radio wave arrival angle is measured multiple times for stationary user, then more positioning data can be obtained, but consecutive measurements with large errors result in positioning results with large errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of measurementsVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary detection of signal propagation path characteristics before conducting multiple measurements. By analyzing phase difference variations and identifying stable propagation paths in advance, the system prepares reliable measurement conditions, ensuring that subsequent multiple measurements contribute to improved positioning accuracy rather than accumulating errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of stationary object

If radio wave arrival angle calculation is performed under multipath influence, then positioning function can be maintained, but error of positioning result becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning function continuityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates direct wave components from multipath signals by analyzing phase difference characteristics across multiple frequencies and antennas. Through spectral analysis and component separation techniques, the system extracts reliable direct path information while filtering out reflected and scattered wave components that cause positioning errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250138135A1Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

An information processing device includes a determination processing unit which makes a use determination on a radio wave arrival angle on the basis of a plurality of pieces of phase information, each of the plurality of pieces of phase information being phase information of a signal propagation path for each set of a transmission antenna and a reception antenna, and being calculated for a corresponding frequency of a wireless signal propagated through the signal propagation path.