Sensor-Agnostic Indoor Localization With Modality Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Indoor Positioning Systems (IPS) lack standardization, leading to inflexibility, scalability issues, and inability to adapt to changing sensor modalities, indoor space configurations, and technological advancements, resulting in inconsistent performance and accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A sensor-agnostic indoor localization framework that aggregates data from multiple sensor modalities, converts it into a single modality using a sensor-agnostic modality converter, and employs techniques like triangulation and trilateration to determine the position of a target object within an indoor space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If IPS uses different sensor modes for various situations, then the system can leverage the benefits of each sensor type, but the system becomes non-standardized and inflexible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor modality adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal sensor fusion framework that can process multiple sensor modalities (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, barometers, cameras, RFID readers) through a common architecture. This allows the system to adapt to different sensor types and configurations without requiring separate processing paths for each sensor mode, thereby maintaining versatility while reducing configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects and weights different sensor modalities based on current operational conditions and availability. The sensor fusion algorithm adaptively adjusts the contribution of each sensor type in real-time, allowing the system to optimize performance for various situations without pre-configuring separate modes, thus improving adaptability while simplifying system management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If IPS is specially configured for each indoor space, then it can achieve accurate localization, but the system lacks scalability and flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidsystem scalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the indoor localization problem into modular components: sensor data acquisition, data preprocessing, sensor fusion processing, and localization output. Each module can be independently configured and optimized for different indoor spaces without affecting the overall system architecture, enabling both high localization accuracy and easy scalability to new environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses adjustable parameters in the sensor fusion algorithm (such as weighting factors, threshold values, and fusion strategies) that can be tuned for different indoor spaces without changing the fundamental system configuration. This allows the same standardized framework to achieve accurate localization across diverse environments by simply modifying parameter values rather than reconfiguring the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If IPS uses legacy sensor modalities, then the system is established, but it cannot anticipate future technological advancements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidtechnology upgradability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary sensor fusion layer that sits between the physical sensors and the localization algorithm. This intermediary layer provides a standardized interface that can accommodate different sensor modalities, allowing the core localization system to remain stable and reliable while enabling easy integration of future sensor technologies through the same interface without requiring changes to the fundamental system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Area of stationary object

If GPS is used for positioning, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but signal reception is blocked by physical obstructions in indoor environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsignal reception reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the satellite-based electromagnetic signal system (GPS) with a local sensor fusion system that uses inertial sensors, magnetic field sensors, barometric sensors, and other devices that do not rely on external satellite signals. This substitution enables reliable positioning in indoor environments where GPS signals are blocked by building structures, while maintaining comprehensive coverage through the collaborative work of multiple sensor types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250305833A1Sensor-agnostic indoor localization framework

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 NEC LABORATORIES AMERICA INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for sensor-agnostic indoor localization. The localization including locating a target object in an indoor space by employing sensors of different modalities, converting data from the sensors of different modalities into a single modality by employing a sensor-agnostic modality converter, and determining from the data in the single modality a range of the target object from a fixed point to locate a position of the target object within the indoor space.