Pixel Pattern Matching for Indoor Mobile Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation methods for mobile devices rely heavily on satellite signals, which can be unreliable in areas with poor coverage or indoors, and do not effectively utilize image analysis for determining precise location and guiding movement.
Innovation Solution
A method using a mobile device's imaging system to capture images of stationary pixel patterns, matching them against a database of pixel patterns with associated positional information to determine location and guide movement, either by analyzing changes in pattern size and orientation or using visual odometry techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellite signals are used for navigation, then global coverage is achieved, but reliability deteriorates in areas with poor coverage or indoors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pixel patterns as intermediary reference objects that mediate between the mobile device and the environment. These patterns serve as detectable markers that enable location determination without satellite signals, effectively acting as a mediator for navigation in GPS-denied environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the satellite-based electromagnetic signal system with an image-based optical recognition system. By substituting satellite signal processing with pixel pattern matching and image analysis, the system achieves reliable navigation indoors and in areas with poor satellite coverage.
2Measurement precision
If image analysis is used for location determination, then positioning accuracy improves in areas without satellite coverage, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a database of pixel patterns with their known locations before actual navigation occurs. This pre-processing of environmental data allows the system to quickly match captured images against known patterns without complex real-time computation, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If visual odometry techniques are used to guide movement, then navigation capability improves without satellite signals, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the navigation task into distinct phases: capturing images of pixel patterns, matching patterns against the database to determine location, and then guiding movement based on location changes. This segmentation allows each computational task to be optimized independently, reducing overall computational energy requirements while maintaining navigation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for providing position-based information to a mobile device with at least one imaging device includes obtaining, using the imaging device, an image including a stationary pattern of pixels, searching through a database of pixel patterns for a pixel pattern that most closely matches the pattern of pixels in the obtained at least one image, the database containing pixel patterns and positional information about the pixel patterns, and retrieving from the database as a result of the searching, positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pattern of pixels in the obtained at least one image. Data is provided to the mobile device, i.e., to a data output device or functionality thereof, dependent on the retrieved positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pattern of pixels in the obtained at least one image.