Integrated Positioning Apparatus for Shielded Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing GPS positioning systems are affected by environmental factors such as terrain and weather, leading to inaccurate location determination in areas with signal blockages, and lack remote tracking and monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A positioning apparatus comprising an inertial sensor, magnetometer, global positioning device, and wireless transmission module, which generates and processes positioning signals to provide accurate object location and movement tracking, even in shielded environments, using a control unit, signal processing device, and monitoring device for remote tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If GPS receiver is used for positioning, then positioning speed and basic location accuracy are improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates in shielded environments due to signal blockage and reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS receiver with inertial navigation system (INS) device to form an integrated positioning system. The GPS receiver provides rapid positioning in open areas, while the INS device compensates for positioning errors in shielded environments by using inertial sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) to track movement relative to the last known position, thereby maintaining both speed and accuracy across different environments
Solution Approach 2:
The inertial navigation system acts as an intermediary between GPS positioning and the final position determination. When GPS signals are blocked, the INS device interpolates the position based on inertial measurement data, serving as a bridge that maintains positioning capability in environments where direct GPS signals are unavailable
2Measurement precision
If local positioning system is used for tracking movable objects, then positioning accuracy in shielded areas is improved, but remote tracking and monitoring capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is designed with multi-functionality to perform both local positioning (using INS for accuracy in shielded areas) and remote tracking (using wireless transmission module to send position data to distant monitoring stations). This allows the same system to serve dual purposes: providing accurate positioning when needed and enabling remote monitoring when connectivity is required
3Measurement precision
If inertial navigation system is integrated with GPS, then positioning accuracy in shielded environments is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: GPS receiver module, inertial navigation system module (with accelerometers and gyroscopes), control unit, and wireless transmission module. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently calibrated and maintained, reducing the overall complexity despite the multiple components working together
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 positioning and remote tracking of objects without signal interference, ensuring reliable monitoring in various environments, including indoor and obstructed areas, suitable for applications like tracking individuals in mines or attaching to vehicles and consumer goods.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial sensor, for measuring variation of the object's movement; the inertial sensor further comprises: an accelerator, for detecting accelerations from the movement of the object
Implementation Method 2
a gyroscope, for detecting an angular velocity variation from the movement of the object
Implementation Method 3
a magnetometer, for providing an azimuth angle with respect to an absolute coordinate system for the object
Implementation Method 4
a global positioning device, for locating the position of the object with respect to the absolute coordinate system
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning apparatus is disclosed, which comprises: a position detection module, including an inertial sensor, a magnetometer, and a global positioning device, being used for detection a movement of an object and thus generating a positioning signal accordingly; wherein the positioning signal is transmitted to a control unit and then to a signal processing device where it is being processed and converted into an angular/displacement signal to be transmitted to a monitoring device by way of a signal transmission device for enabling the monitoring device to track the movement of the object. In a preferred embodiment, both of the monitoring device and the signal transmission device are respectively being configured with a displaying unit for displaying the movement of the object. In addition, the positioning apparatus further comprises an identity module, for providing a unique identification code to the object to be used for identifying the same. With the aforesaid apparatus, the object can be positioned and monitored in a remote manner no matter it is being shielded or not.