Indoor Positioning System Using UWB Setup Maps for BLE Node Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing indoor positioning systems face challenges in achieving high accuracy and precision in obstructed environments due to complex constraints and dynamic conditions, such as building infrastructure and equipment obstructions, which complicates node placement and system maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The use of ultra-wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technologies in harmony during a setup phase to create precision and visibility maps, optimizing BLE node placement while allowing UWB nodes to be removed and reused, enabling a cost-effective and accurate indoor positioning system that adapts to environmental changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If UWB nodes are used during setup phase to achieve high positioning accuracy, then positioning precision is improved, but equipment cost and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

UWB nodes are deployed during the setup phase to perform preliminary high-precision positioning measurements and create precision maps. After the maps are generated, the UWB nodes are removed and the system transitions to using only BLE nodes for ongoing operations, thus achieving high initial accuracy without maintaining permanent complex infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses temporary UWB nodes during the setup phase that are removed after serving their purpose of creating precision maps. These short-term high-precision nodes enable accurate positioning system establishment without the need for permanent deployment of expensive UWB infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If more BLE nodes are deployed to improve positioning accuracy in obstructed environments, then positioning precision is improved, but equipment cost and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary mapping of the environment including identification of obstructed areas and creation of precision maps during the setup phase. This advance preparation enables optimized BLE node placement that achieves required accuracy without excessive node deployment, reducing ongoing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

BLE nodes are strategically placed in specific locations identified through precision maps and visibility maps, particularly in obstructed areas where they are most needed. This localized optimization ensures accurate positioning without deploying nodes uniformly throughout the entire area, minimizing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If manual methods are used for node placement and system configuration, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity and deployment time decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoiddeployment speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs setup procedures including receiving signals from UWB and BLE nodes, creating precision maps, generating visibility maps, and identifying optimal node placement locations without manual intervention. The automated setup phase enables rapid deployment while the intuitive analytics interfaces maintain ease of operation for users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically completes complex configuration tasks during the setup phase, including precision map creation and node placement optimization. This preliminary automated configuration eliminates time-consuming manual setup steps while providing users with intuitive interfaces for ongoing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If fixed infrastructure is used for indoor positioning, then reliability is improved, but adaptability to environmental changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to environmental changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates dynamic precision maps and visibility maps that can be updated as environmental conditions change. The automated setup phase can be repeated to regenerate these maps when obstructions are added or removed, allowing the system to adapt to environmental changes while maintaining reliable positioning through established methodologies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11240860B2Run-time system for deployment of indoor positioning systems

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

During a setup phase, a computing device determines a map of an area including one or more regions. Signals are received from a plurality of ultra-wideband (UWB) nodes and a plurality of Bluetooth Low energy (BLE) nodes in the area, relayed through one or more agents at one or more positions of the area. A precision map is created based on a correlation between the received signals from the UWB nodes and the received signals from the BLE nodes. Locations to place the plurality of BLE nodes are identified based on the precision map.