Wireless Access Point Placement Using Robot Signal Coverage Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless network technologies face challenges in optimally deploying wireless access points to ensure consistent and effective signal coverage across environments, particularly in dynamic settings where mobile robots operate.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for deploying wireless access points using a mobile robot that detects wireless signal coverage information along a predetermined path, generates a wireless signal coverage map, and updates the deployment position of the wireless access point based on this data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless access points are deployed using traditional static methods, then deployment simplicity is maintained, but signal coverage uniformity and optimization are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal coverage uniformityVSAvoiddeployment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static deployment process into a dynamic one by introducing mobile robots that move through the environment to collect real-time wireless signal data. The system continuously gathers signal strength information at multiple positions and uses this dynamic data to determine optimal access point locations, thereby improving coverage uniformity while maintaining manageable deployment complexity through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the mobile robot to autonomously navigate the environment, collect signal coverage data, and generate deployment recommendations without requiring manual intervention. The automated data collection and analysis process eliminates the need for complex manual site surveys while achieving optimized signal coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual site surveys are conducted to optimize access point placement, then signal coverage can be improved, but time consumption and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal coverage qualityVSAvoiddeployment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical site survey methods with an automated mobile robot system. The robot autonomously traverses the environment, collecting wireless signal data at multiple positions, and processes this information to determine optimal access point locations. This substitution eliminates labor-intensive manual surveys while achieving comparable or superior coverage optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile robot performs continuous data collection as it moves through the environment, gathering signal strength information at numerous positions without interruption. This continuous action enables comprehensive coverage assessment and optimal placement determination in a single efficient operation, reducing total deployment time compared to traditional methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed access point positions are used, then deployment is simple, but adaptability to different environments and signal coverage requirements is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoiddeployment process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines optimal access point positions by analyzing wireless signal strength parameters collected at multiple locations. By measuring and comparing signal strength values across different positions and environments, the system adapts its deployment recommendations to specific environmental characteristics, achieving high environmental adaptability while keeping the deployment process manageable through automated analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4572373A1Wireless access point deployment method, apparatus, electronic device and readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4572373A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4572373A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4572373A1 patent drawingFigure 6~10

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wireless access point deployment method, apparatus, electronic device, and readable storage medium. The method includes: in a process of a mobile robot traveling along a moving path determined by an environment map, detecting wireless signal coverage information of each moving position in the moving path, where the wireless signal coverage information is used to generate a wireless signal coverage map of an environment where the mobile robot is currently located, and the wireless signal coverage map is used to update a deployment position of the wireless access point in the environment.