Smart Device Position and Orientation Determination via Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location determination systems, particularly within structures, face limitations in accurately determining a direction of interest due to variations in communication signal strength and lack of precise functionality for orientation.
Innovation Solution
The method combines environmental registration, storage, and comparison with wireless communications to enhance the determination of a smart device's position and orientation, utilizing transceivers, magnetic field sensors, and LIDAR measurements to calculate precise coordinates and directions of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If triangulation techniques are used for location determination, then position can be ascertained, but measurement precision deteriorates within structures due to signal strength variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing modalities (magnetic field sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, barometers) with wireless communication triangulation to create a hybrid positioning system. This fusion of environmental sensing data with signal-based location determination compensates for signal variations within structures, maintaining measurement precision where traditional triangulation alone would fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces environmental features and sensory data as intermediary references to bridge the gap caused by signal variations. By using magnetic field characteristics, physical environment data, and device orientation information as mediators, the system achieves reliable location determination within structures where direct signal-based triangulation is insufficient.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional positioning systems are used, then basic location can be determined, but direction of interest determination functionality is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the positioning system multi-functional by integrating not only location determination but also direction of interest calculation, device orientation tracking, and environmental feature mapping. The same sensor suite and processing architecture support multiple functions (positioning, orienteering, navigation), avoiding the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the direction determination functionality into distinct computational components: device orientation calculation from sensor data, position determination from triangulation, and direction of interest derivation by combining these elements. This modular approach manages complexity by breaking down the versatile functionality into manageable, independent calculation modules.
3Measurement precision
If environmental registration and wireless communications are combined, then location and orientation precision is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs environmental registration and feature mapping in advance before actual navigation or positioning tasks. By pre-characterizing the environment and storing reference data, the system reduces real-time computational complexity while maintaining high precision. The preliminary environmental data serves as a reference framework that simplifies subsequent position and orientation calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the smart device's own sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) to determine device orientation and movement, rather than requiring external reference systems for all functions. This self-service approach to orientation tracking reduces system complexity by leveraging onboard capabilities while still achieving enhanced precision when combined with environmental registration data.
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
This approach provides accurate and enhanced location and orientation determination by integrating environmental data with wireless communications, enabling precise tracking of changes in pitch, yaw, and bank, and generating user interfaces with relevant data.
Implementation Method 1
LIDAR measurements
Implementation Method 2
magnetic field sensor may generate a first quantification of a magnetic field encompassing the smart device
Implementation Method 3
wireless communications between transceivers
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for enhanced wireless determination of a position and direction of a smart device are describe which support the display of a virtual tag upon a user interface of the smart device. Wireless transceivers controlled by the smart device communicate with reference point transceivers to generate data sufficient to determine relative positions of the wireless transceivers and a direction of interest. Operation of LIDAR may be operative to verify the position and direction of the Smart Device as well as a topography of the environment.