Server-Based Indoor Positioning Using Wireless Signal Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large shopping malls face difficulties in locating specific goods due to their extensive inventory, making it challenging for customers to find items efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A server-based interior object searching system utilizing wireless communication base stations and electronic devices to determine the position of objects within a building, providing navigation and information about objects within a preset distance, including their location, orientation, and floor information, through signal strength calculations and sensor data from devices like accelerometers and gyroscopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the shopping mall expands its inventory to offer more goods, then the variety and quantity of available items increase, but the difficulty of locating specific goods increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless communication base stations and electronic devices as intermediary elements between customers and goods. These intermediaries establish a positioning network that mediates the search process, allowing customers to locate items without physically searching through the expanded inventory. The base stations act as signal intermediaries that enable precise position determination of both customers and goods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical search method (physically moving through the mall to find items) with an electronic positioning system. Instead of relying on customers' spatial memory or visual scanning, the system uses wireless signals, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and barometers to electronically determine and communicate positions, substituting mechanical search with electronic detection and information processing.
2Device complexity
If customers manually search through the shopping mall to find specific items, then no additional system infrastructure is needed, but the time required to locate items increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing a network of wireless communication base stations throughout the shopping mall before customers arrive. These base stations are positioned in advance to create complete coverage of the search area. Additionally, the system pre-determines the positions of goods and prepares positioning information, so when customers need to find items, the infrastructure is already in place and ready to provide immediate positioning services, eliminating the need for customers to spend time establishing search mechanisms.
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 efficient location and navigation to specific items within a large shopping mall by providing accurate position information and navigation paths, enhancing customer experience and reducing search time.
Implementation Method 1
determine position information of the electronic device according to a position of the electronic device relative to at least three wireless communication base stations and position information of the at least three wireless communication base stations in the house
Implementation Method 2
sensor data from devices like accelerometers and gyroscopes
Implementation Method 3
sensor data from devices like accelerometers and gyroscopes
Data Source
AI summary
A method for searching out an object in a building or group of buildings stores positions of objects in relation to wireless communication base stations. Relative lateral and vertical positions of an electronic device are calculated according to strengths of wireless signals received by the wireless communication base stations from the electronic device and by reference to sensors. Actual distance between the electronic device and the object is determined to be more or less than a preset distance and orientation is also determined. Information as to an object within the preset distance can be transmitted to the electronic device. A server executing the method is also disclosed.