Radio Focusing Navigation via Spatio-Temporal Beacons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems, such as GPS and LFS networks, face challenges in complex environments like building interiors due to multiple reflections and shadow effects, requiring a dense set of fixed transmitters and complex mapping and location processes.
Innovation Solution
The method employs spatio-temporal beacons created by superimposing radio signals from communicating devices, allowing for flexible path setup without relocating devices, enabling navigation without user location mapping or a large number of transmitters, and allowing guides to record and replay routes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS or LFS network methods are used for navigation in complex environments, then user location can be determined, but the system requires complex mapping and a dense set of fixed transmitters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential navigation function from complex GPS/LFS systems by eliminating the need for mapping and dense transmitter networks. Instead of using multiple fixed transmitters, the invention uses a single portable emitter that the user carries, extracting only the necessary signal transmission function while removing unnecessary infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The user serves their own navigation needs by carrying a portable emitter device that generates the signal. The emitter automatically transmits signals at regular intervals without requiring external infrastructure, mapping services, or complex network coordination, making the system self-sufficient.
2Ease of operation
If multiple fixed transmitters are deployed close to each other to guide users in complex environments, then navigation paths can be established, but the installation and maintenance complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation function is segmented from the infrastructure and assigned to individual user devices. Each user carries their own emitter, eliminating the need for a unified network of fixed transmitters. This segmentation transforms a centralized complex system into distributed simple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having transmitters fixed in the environment and users move through them, the invention inverts the relationship by having users carry the transmitters (emitters) and move them through the environment. This inversion simplifies deployment since no fixed infrastructure is needed.
3Device complexity
If portable emitter devices are used for navigation, then infrastructure complexity is reduced, but signal reliability in environments with multiple reflections and shadow effects may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter transmits signals periodically at regular intervals rather than continuously. This periodic transmission creates distinct temporal markers that help the receiver distinguish direct signals from reflected ones, improving reliability in environments with multiple reflections by providing clear timing references.
Solution Approach 2:
The emitter continuously transmits periodic signals as the user moves, ensuring uninterrupted navigation guidance. The continuous emission of periodic signals maintains reliable position information even in challenging environments with reflections and shadow effects.
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
This approach simplifies navigation by eliminating the need for user location tracking and dense transmitter networks, allowing for efficient guidance in complex environments with minimal infrastructure, and enabling route recording and replay.
Implementation Method 1
each RE i comprising means for transmitting a respective number signal k obtained by time reversal of said received signal number k
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for guiding by radio focusing, including the following steps: a) a so-called visitor entity departs from a predetermined location and heads towards a number k = 1 radio source (k = k last, respectively) by observing the intensity of said number k = 1 source (k = k last, respectively) measured by a communicating device Evisitor carried by said visitor, until the visitor reaches said number k = 1 source (k = k last, respectively); and b) said visitor consecutively heads, for k = 1,2,..., k last-1 (k = k last 'k last -l,---,2, respectively) of a number k radio source, towards a number (k+1) radio source ((k - 1), respectively) by observing the intensity of said number (k+1) source ((k - 1), respectively) measured by said Evisitor device, until the visitor has reached said number (k+1) source ((k - 1), respectively). According to the invention, each of said k, for k = 1,..., k last, radio sources is a virtual source produced by a respective number k signal or by stacking a plurality of respective number k signals, each of said signals being emitted by a respective communicating device ER-, where i = 1,..., N and N = 1, said communicating devices ER- being placed at a plurality of locations in a predetermined environment, or in the vicinity of said environment.