RSSI Scale Determination for Indoor Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In environments like buildings or shopping malls, determining the location of client devices without GPS access or shared position information is challenging for entities controlling the property, especially when a floor plan is absent.
Innovation Solution
The system uses Access Points (APs) to determine their own coordinates and communicate location information, allowing for the calculation of client device locations through received signal strength indicators (RSSIs) and triangulation techniques, with APs publishing their coordinates using 802.11 Vendor Specific Information Elements and processing RSSIs to determine scale values for distance calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used to determine location, then location accuracy is improved, but GPS access may be blocked or unavailable in indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Access Points as intermediary devices to enable location determination in environments where GPS is unavailable. The APs serve as mediators between the client device and the location determination system, providing wireless signal-based positioning through RSSI measurements and triangulation techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic positioning system with a wireless network-based positioning system using Access Points and RSSI measurements. This substitution enables location determination in indoor environments by using local wireless infrastructure instead of satellite signals.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RSSI-based location determination is implemented, then GPS availability requirement is reduced, but scale determination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by having Access Points publish their coordinates and by pre-determining scales between AP pairs before actual client location tracking begins. This preparation work simplifies the ongoing location determination process by establishing the necessary reference framework in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining scales between Access Points using their published coordinates and RSSI measurements. The scales are calculated autonomously without requiring manual configuration, and the system self-adjusts to environmental conditions through continuous RSSI-based scale determination.
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
Enables accurate determination of client device locations using known AP coordinates and RSSI data, even without GPS, providing location information to entities controlling the environment for tracking and management purposes.
Implementation Method 1
determine a scale to use to track locations of client devices using received signal strength indicators (RSSIs)
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein relate to determining a scale associated with received signal strength indicators (RSSIs). In one example, a computing device receives access point (AP) RSSIs. The RSSIs are determined at APs. The APs are associated with coordinate information. In one example, records are maintained for AP reference pairs. Each AP RSSI can be determined at one AP with reference to another AP. In one example, the computing device determines a scale associated with each record.