Short-Range Beacon Localization With Weighted Wireless Metrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in precisely localizing wireless beacon devices within environments with limited wireless network coverage, such as indoors, without requiring GPS-based techniques and without the need for tracker devices to have location determination hardware.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing network-enabled tracker devices to measure and analyze weighted wireless metrics from both reference and mobile beacons, determining their similarity scores to localize mobile beacons relative to known reference beacon locations, even when mobile beacons lack location determination capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS-based techniques are used for localization, then location accuracy is improved, but the system cannot operate in environments with limited wireless network coverage such as indoors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces short-range wireless beacons as intermediary devices that mediate between the wireless network and mobile devices for localization. These beacons transmit signals that can be received by mobile devices even in environments where GPS and wide-area wireless networks are unavailable, such as indoors. The beacons act as local reference points that enable positioning without direct GPS satellite visibility or cellular network coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces GPS satellite-based electromagnetic positioning with a local wireless signal-based positioning system. Instead of relying on satellite signals that penetrate poorly through building structures, the system uses local short-range wireless beacons that operate independently of satellite infrastructure, substituting the mechanical/satellite-based system with a wireless infrastructure-based system suitable for indoor environments.
2Measurement precision
If tracker devices are equipped with location determination hardware, then localization precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a system where mobile devices do not need to perform complex localization calculations themselves. Instead, the network infrastructure (base stations and beacon management system) automatically performs the localization computations based on signal measurements taken by the mobile device. The mobile device simply measures and reports signal characteristics, while the network service provides the location information, making the device itself simpler.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal localization system that works across different device types and environments using a common infrastructure. The same beacon-based system serves multiple purposes: indoor positioning, device tracking, and location-based services, eliminating the need for specialized location determination hardware in each device while maintaining precision across diverse applications.
3Measurement precision
If many network devices are deployed for beacon localization, then localization accuracy is improved, but network infrastructure complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the localization function into two parts: simple signal measurement by mobile devices and complex computation by the network. This segmentation allows the use of existing wireless infrastructure (base stations and beacons) without requiring them to be upgraded to complex localization systems. The base stations continue their primary function while the beacon management system handles the localization computations, dividing the complexity appropriately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beacon management system as an intermediary that coordinates between beacons and mobile devices for localization. This intermediary manages the beacon network, processes location requests, and computes positions based on signal measurements. By introducing this management layer, the system can achieve accurate localization using existing wireless infrastructure without requiring each base station or beacon to become a complex localization device.
Data Source
AI summary
A system described herein may receive wireless metrics and location information associated with a set of first devices over a particular time window. The system may receive a set of wireless metrics associated with a second device over the particular time window. The system may determine measures of similarity between the set of wireless metrics associated with the second device, and the sets of wireless metrics associated with the set of first devices. The system may determine a plurality of weights based on the determined measures of similarity, where each weight is associated with the second device and a respective first device of the set of first devices. The system may apply the weights to locations of corresponding first devices, and determine a location of the second device, relative to one or more of the first devices, based on applying the weights.