Radio Map Based Indoor Outdoor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current positioning technologies, such as satellite and cellular systems, face challenges in providing seamless navigation indoors due to signal penetration issues and accuracy, while indoor-specific solutions degrade when moving outdoors, necessitating a method to accurately determine device location across both environments.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating and utilizing radio maps based on signal strength measurements from access points, forming grid points with identification and position information, and calculating likelihoods to determine indoor or outdoor location using a device with a radio interface and processor, which can form and analyze data packets with signal strength data to improve location estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite positioning systems are used for outdoor positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved in open sky, but signal penetration through walls and roofs is insufficient for adequate indoor signal reception
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into multiple independent technologies: satellite positioning for outdoor use and indoor positioning technologies (pseudolites, Bluetooth LE, WLAN) for indoor use. The device can switch between or fuse results from these segments based on location context, with each segment optimized for its specific environment without compromising the other.
2Measurement precision
If indoor positioning technologies are used, then positioning accuracy inside buildings is improved, but performance degrades when user goes away from the building
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is designed with multi-functionality to operate in both indoor and outdoor environments. By integrating multiple positioning technologies and using probabilistic fusion, the system achieves universal applicability across different locations, maintaining adaptability whether the user is inside or outside the building.
Solution Approach 2:
Probabilistic fusion acts as an intermediary mechanism that combines results from indoor and outdoor positioning technologies. This mediator evaluates the reliability of each technology's output and fuses them appropriately, enabling seamless transition and consistent performance across environment boundaries.
3Measurement precision
If probabilistic fusion of multiple positioning technologies is used, then location estimation accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating probabilities and evaluating candidate locations before final position determination. By assessing the likelihood of being indoors or outdoors and pre-filtering candidate locations based on this probability, the system reduces the computational burden of the final positioning calculation while maintaining accuracy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple positioning technologies are integrated, then seamless navigation between indoor and outdoor is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple positioning technologies (satellite, pseudolites, Bluetooth LE, WLAN) into a unified positioning system. By combining these technologies and their results through probabilistic fusion, the system achieves seamless navigation across indoor and outdoor environments while managing complexity through integrated architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to determination of a location of a device of a user. In a methods, information of signal strength of one or more wireless signals and information of signal strength distribution of wireless signals is obtained by a device. The information of signal strength and the information of signal strength distribution are used to determine at least one likelihood whether the device is inside an area. In the method radio maps representing signal strength distribution in the building may be used.