Indoor Positioning via RF Beacon and Vision Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indoor positioning systems using beacons often suffer from low accuracy due to the limitations of omni-directional antennas and signal strength-based positioning methods, which can misidentify the closest beacon even when the strongest signal is not from the nearest device.
Innovation Solution
Combining RF beacons with a vision system that includes image capturing devices to determine the location of objects by correlating beacon identifiers with exact positions derived from camera images, allowing for precise location determination within a monitored area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If omni-directional antennas are used to broadcast beacon signals, then the system coverage area is improved, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates because the strongest signal may not come from the closest beacon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines RF beacon technology with vision system technology to create a hybrid positioning system. The RF beacons provide approximate location information while the vision system captures images to determine precise positions. By merging these two different positioning approaches, the system achieves both wide coverage and high accuracy, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The vision system acts as an intermediary that refines the rough positioning data from RF beacons. The image capturing devices capture images of objects, and the image processor determines precise locations by correlating visual data with beacon identifier information. This intermediary vision processing step transforms approximate RF-based positions into accurate visual-based positions.
2Device complexity
If signal strength-based positioning is used to identify the closest beacon, then the system complexity is reduced, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to signal interference and propagation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges simple RF signal reception with more complex vision-based positioning. The RF component maintains low complexity by using simple identifier reception, while the vision system handles the accurate positioning task. This division allows the system to achieve high accuracy without making the entire system overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function is segmented into two parts: RF beacon identification (low complexity) and visual position determination (high precision). The system separates the task of identifying which beacon is closest from the task of determining the exact position, assigning each to the most suitable technology.
3Measurement precision
If directional antennas and improved positioning algorithms are used to improve accuracy, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex RF-based positioning mechanisms (directional antennas, sophisticated signal processing algorithms) with a vision-based positioning mechanism. Instead of using complex mechanical or electromagnetic directional systems, the invention uses image capturing devices and image processing to achieve accurate positioning with different complexity characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The vision system serves multiple functions: it captures images for positioning purposes, and the same images can be processed to determine object locations, track movement, and provide visual verification. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, managing complexity through versatile component usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system, the method including transmitting a unique identifier of at least one radio frequency (RF) transmitter to a device in a vicinity of the RF transmitter; acquiring images of objects by a vision system, the vision system comprising at least one image capturing device and an image processing unit to determine objects in the images acquired by the image capturing device; determining, by a controller, a location of the device based on, at least in part, the unique identifier of one of the at least one RF transmitters; and determining, by the controller, a precise location of the device based on a correlation between the location of the device determined based on the unique identifier and the objects captured in the images acquired by the image capturing device.