Snap-to-Road Accuracy Using Wireless Access Point Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location determination methods, such as GPS and cellular networks, often produce inaccurate 'snap-to-road' calculations due to errors in location data, leading to unreliable map location displays and recalculated routes.
Innovation Solution
The use of wireless access point data to select a corrected map location by correlating visible access points with road vector data, enhancing the accuracy of snap-to-road calculations by considering the probability of access point visibility and signal strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional location determination methods (GPS, cellular networks) are used for snap-to-road calculations, then the device can determine its location, but the accuracy of the map location is poor due to errors in location data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple location determination methods (GPS, cellular networks, and wireless access point data) to improve location accuracy. By merging these different data sources and using them together in snap-to-road calculations, the system achieves more reliable and accurate map location determination than any single method could provide alone.
2Ease of operation
If snap-to-road calculations are performed using traditional location data, then the device can provide map location, but the location jumps from road to road due to inaccurate data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless access point data as an intermediary element to mediate between the raw GPS/cellular location data and the final snap-to-road calculation. This additional data layer helps stabilize the location determination process by providing reference points that prevent the map location from jumping between roads, thereby improving both stability and accuracy.
3Productivity
If direction programs rely on inaccurate current map location, then the device can provide directions, but the routes are recalculated frequently due to location inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary snap-to-road calculations using multiple data sources (GPS, cellular, and access point data) before providing directions to the user. By pre-processing the location data and determining the most accurate current location in advance, the system ensures that direction programs receive reliable location information, preventing frequent route recalculations and improving overall efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for performing more accurate snap-to-road calculations using wireless access point data are disclosed. In one aspect, a corrected location corresponding to received location data is selected from a plurality of candidate map locations based on a correspondence between the access points visible to a device and the access points visible at the corrected map location. In another aspect, road vector data is augmented with access point data, and a corrected map location is selected based on a correspondence between the access points visible to the device, and the augmented road vector data.