Self-Mapping Listening Devices for Accurate Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accuracy of location estimation in wireless personal area networks is compromised by variability in the locations of listening devices, leading to inaccuracies in tracking the position of electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
Listening devices perform a self-mapping procedure to generate positional indicators, which are used to correct or improve measurements of a tracked object's location by incorporating their own positional data and data from other devices, and a tracking server aggregates and processes this data to refine location estimates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If listening devices are distributed throughout the physical space to enable passive location tracking, then the coverage area for tracking is improved, but the accuracy of location estimation deteriorates due to variability in the locations of the listening devices themselves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having listening devices perform self-mapping before actual tracking operations. Each listening device determines its own location using onboard sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) and communicates this positional information to the tracking server. This pre-establishment of accurate listening device locations enables the system to compensate for the variability in device positions during actual tracking operations, thereby maintaining high location estimation accuracy across the entire coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where listening devices continuously report their positional indicators to the tracking server, which then uses this information to correct and refine location estimates of tracked objects. The system incorporates feedback loops where measurement errors from listening devices are detected and corrected using the self-mapping data, allowing the tracking system to maintain accuracy despite the distributed and variable positioning of listening devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If listening devices use onboard sensors to determine their own locations, then the system achieves self-mapping capability, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing listening devices with multi-functional capabilities. The same onboard sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) that are typically used for device orientation and motion control are also utilized for location determination. This allows the listening devices to perform both their primary function of receiving wireless signals and the secondary function of self-mapping, thereby achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling listening devices to autonomously determine their own locations using their onboard sensors without requiring external positioning infrastructure or manual configuration. Each listening device independently performs self-mapping by processing data from its sensors and communicating the results to the tracking server, thereby reducing the need for complex external positioning systems and simplifying the overall architecture.
3Measurement precision
If the tracking server aggregates and processes data from multiple listening devices to refine location estimates, then the location tracking accuracy is improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the data processing workload between the listening devices and the tracking server. Listening devices perform preliminary processing by determining their own locations and calculating initial position estimates, which are then transmitted to the tracking server. The server aggregates data from multiple devices but builds upon the preliminary processing done at the listening devices, thereby reducing the computational burden and processing time required at the server while maintaining high location tracking accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A listening device for tracking locations of a tracking device in a physical space includes one or more wireless transceivers, one or more sensors, and one or more processors. The processors generate positional indicators associated with the listening device based on signals generated by the one or more sensors, based on communications with an external device, or both. The listening device communicates with the tracking device to receive a tracking signal, based on which the processors identify a position of the tracking device relative to the listening device. The tracking device is located within the physical space based on the identified position of the tracking device relative to the listening device and the positional indicators associated with the listening device.