Partial Radio Map Quality Controller for Positioning Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular and non-cellular positioning technologies face challenges in reducing the size of radio maps for offline usage, as large WLAN AP databases consume significant resources and require frequent updates, leading to high data charges and server load, while maintaining accuracy and availability.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves comparing positioning outputs of partial radio maps to a reference location to determine if a new map should be downloaded, and using a partial radio map quality controller to assess the quality of different map batches, allowing for the exclusion of non-essential APs and compression of identifiers to reduce file size, thereby minimizing unnecessary updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large WLAN AP database is used for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but file size increases and resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large WLAN AP database into multiple partial radio maps, each covering specific geographic areas. Instead of storing the complete database, the system segments it into manageable parts that can be selectively downloaded and stored based on user location and needs, thereby reducing file size while maintaining positioning accuracy in relevant areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the essential and relevant AP identifiers from the large database that are necessary for accurate positioning in specific areas. By selecting and storing only these critical identifiers rather than the complete database, the file size is significantly reduced while preserving positioning functionality.
2Reliability
If the radio map is updated frequently to maintain accuracy, then positioning reliability is improved, but data charges and server load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines when and what to update based on quality comparisons. Instead of frequent mandatory updates, the system checks whether downloaded partial radio maps maintain acceptable quality by comparing positioning results against reference locations, and only updates when necessary, thereby reducing data charges while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where positioning results from partial radio maps are compared against reference positions to assess map quality. This feedback loop enables the system to determine whether updates are needed, avoiding unnecessary downloads and reducing data charges while maintaining positioning reliability through quality monitoring.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all AP identifiers are stored to ensure complete coverage, then positioning availability is improved, but device storage and processing resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the AP database into multiple partial radio maps stored in device memory, each containing only the AP identifiers relevant to specific geographic areas. This segmentation allows the device to store and process smaller, more manageable data sets while maintaining positioning availability in covered areas through selective loading of relevant partial maps.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a processor configured to determine a first result of estimating a position based at least in part on a first partial radio map, the processor further configured to perform a first comparison of the first result to a reference position, and a memory configured to store a second result based upon the comparison.