Radio Position Estimation Using Candidate Point Grid Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position estimation methods for radio devices face challenges in accurately estimating distances between the device and wireless access points, leading to low accuracy in trilateration and spring model-based positioning.
Innovation Solution
A position estimation apparatus that estimates actual distances between wireless access points and a radio communication device based on signal reception strength, sums differences between candidate points and estimated distances, and determines the minimum difference candidate point within a circumscribed square area to accurately estimate the device's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trilateration or spring model is used with low-accuracy distance estimates, then position estimation can be provided, but the accuracy of position estimation deteriorates or may not be estimated successfully
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the search space into a grid of candidate points within a circumscribed square area. Instead of directly estimating position from low-accuracy distance measurements, the method divides the area into discrete candidate points and evaluates each point's compatibility with the measured distances, thereby enabling successful position estimation even when individual distance measurements are inaccurate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs exhaustive evaluation of all candidate points within the circumscribed square area, rather than selecting a single most likely position. By summing distance differences for all candidate points and selecting the minimum, the method uses excessive computational action to compensate for low measurement precision, ensuring reliable position estimation
2Quantity of substance
If distance estimation is performed based on reception strength, then distance values can be obtained, but the accuracy of distance estimation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation process that uses multiple access points' distance estimates to collectively determine position. Instead of relying on single distance measurement accuracy, the method uses the consensus of multiple candidate point evaluations across multiple access points to identify the true position, thereby compensating for individual measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 2:
The method segments the position estimation problem into discrete candidate point evaluations. Each candidate point is tested against all access point distance measurements, and the cumulative error across all access points is calculated. This segmentation allows the system to tolerate individual inaccurate measurements while still identifying the correct position through the minimum total error criterion
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
Enhances the accuracy of radio device positioning even with low-accuracy distance estimates, allowing for successful estimation when traditional methods fail.
Implementation Method 1
a distance estimating section that estimates actual distances between wireless access points that receive the signal and the radio communication device as estimated distances based on the reception strength of the signal
Data Source
AI summary
A position estimation apparatus estimates the position of a radio communication device that outputs a signal, where the apparatus includes a distance estimating section, a difference summing section, and a minimum difference candidate point determining section, where the distance estimating section estimates actual distances between wireless access points that receive the signal and the radio communication device as estimated distances based on the reception strength of the signal, where the difference summing section sums values based on differences between the distances between candidate points for the position of the radio communication device and the wireless access points and the estimated distances, where the minimum difference candidate point determining section determines a minimum difference candidate point, and where the position of the minimum difference candidate point is estimated as the position of the radio communication device.