UWB Radio Positioning for Smart Home Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for object contextual control in smart environments lack precise and secure location positioning, leading to inefficiencies in device interaction and media playback, particularly in environments with multiple devices and complex layouts.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of ultra-wideband (UWB) radios and tags for precise location tracking, combined with camera imaging and sensor data, enables accurate positioning and orientation detection, allowing for enhanced object contextual control and media playback management through a system that associates UWB tags with devices and objects, facilitating seamless interaction and media casting based on user motion and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional location positioning technologies are used in smart environments, then device interaction can be implemented, but positioning accuracy is insufficient and security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines UWB radio technology with camera imaging and sensor data fusion to create a multi-modal positioning system. The UWB radios provide precise time-of-flight measurements for distance calculation, while cameras capture visual context and sensors provide additional environmental data. This merging of multiple positioning technologies achieves both centimeter-level accuracy and cryptographic security through the complementary strengths of each technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a composite approach by integrating UWB communication protocols with visual and sensor data processing. The UWB component provides secure ranging through encrypted timestamp sequences, while the camera and sensor components add contextual awareness and verification layers, creating a robust composite positioning solution that simultaneously achieves high precision and security.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices and complex environment layouts are deployed, then smart environment functionality is enhanced, but device interaction efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual device interaction and configuration with automated UWB-based positioning and camera-driven environment mapping. Instead of requiring users to manually configure device relationships in complex environments, the system automatically determines device locations, orientations, and contextual relationships through UWB ranging and visual recognition, significantly improving interaction efficiency while maintaining full environment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation by allowing devices to automatically identify and locate each other using UWB radios and camera imaging. The environment mapping and device association processes occur autonomously without user intervention, enabling the system to adapt to complex layouts and multiple devices while maintaining high interaction efficiency through automated contextual control.
3Ease of operation
If manual device interaction and identification is required, then user control is maintained, but user interaction complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing UWB radio associations between devices and objects before user interaction is needed. The system performs automatic environment mapping and device identification in advance, so when users need to interact with devices, the contextual relationships are already established. This eliminates the need for manual device identification during interaction, reducing interaction time while maintaining user control through the established associations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables devices to self-identify and self-associate with users and other devices through UWB authentication and camera-based recognition. Instead of requiring users to manually identify and pair devices, the system automatically performs these tasks through cryptographic UWB handshakes and visual recognition, dramatically reducing interaction time while preserving user control through authorized automated operations.
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 solution provides centimeter-accurate positioning and angular precision, enabling efficient device control and media playback management, minimizing user interaction and automating the identification of devices and objects, thus enhancing the smart home and building experience.
Implementation Method 1
provides for highly precise positioning, within 10 cm of ranging accuracy in as little as three degrees of precision through time-of-flight (ToF) and angle-of-arrival (AoA) measurements
Implementation Method 2
provides for highly precise positioning, within 10 cm of ranging accuracy in as little as three degrees of precision through time-of-flight (ToF) and angle-of-arrival (AoA) measurements
Implementation Method 3
determine a motion indication to interact with a device in the environment based on a location of the device as determined by a position of a UWB radio associated with the device
Data Source
AI summary
In aspects of object contextual control based on UWB radios, a system includes ultra-wideband (UWB) radios associated with respective devices in an environment. The system can include camera devices that capture motions in the environment. Alternatively or in addition, the system can include a mobile wireless device moved in the environment to generate motions detected by sensors of the mobile wireless device. A motion controller can determine a motion indication to interact with a device in the environment based on a location of the device as determined by a position of the UWB radio associated with the device. The motion controller can then initiate a control communication to the device to control the device based on the motion indication to interact with the device.