Indoor Vehicle Positioning Using VLC Beacons and Peer Ranging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor positioning systems for autonomous vehicles are inadequate in confined spaces as they rely on external databases and Internet connections, which are unreliable and slow, leading to potential collisions and inefficiencies in navigation.
Innovation Solution
A mobile object positioning system using illumination sources with unique identifiers, where vehicles equipped with light sensors and transceivers communicate their positions and distances to each other via visible light communication, eliminating the need for a luminaire database and enabling fast, accurate navigation without relying on external connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing indoor positioning systems use external databases and Internet connections, then they can provide positioning functionality, but the system reliability deteriorates due to unreliable and slow external connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach where mobile objects exchange positioning information directly with each other through transceivers, rather than relying on external databases. Each mobile object determines its own position using light sensors to detect illumination sources, then shares this position data with other mobile objects in the area, creating a decentralized information exchange system that eliminates dependence on external connections.
Solution Approach 2:
Each mobile object independently determines its own position relative to illumination sources using its light sensor and computer, without requiring external database lookups. The system serves itself by having each object autonomously calculate its position and share it with others, making the entire positioning system self-sufficient and independent of external infrastructure.
2Loss of time
If mobile objects determine positions independently without databases, then positioning speed improves, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having each mobile object continuously determine its position relative to known illumination sources and communicate this information to other mobile objects. Other objects use this feedback information to calculate distances and adjust their own positioning, creating a networked feedback loop that maintains precision while enabling fast, database-independent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional database lookups to a three-dimensional spatial relationship system. By determining positions in three dimensions relative to multiple illumination sources and using triangulation methods, the system achieves accurate positioning without requiring external databases, as the spatial geometry itself provides the reference framework.
3Reliability
If mobile objects communicate positions and paths directly, then collision prevention improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile objects use universal transceivers that handle multiple functions: receiving positioning information from other objects, transmitting own position data, and communicating path information. This multi-functional approach consolidates communication needs into a single system component, reducing overall device complexity while enabling comprehensive collision prevention through direct object-to-object communication.
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 system provides accurate and reliable positioning within centimeters, reducing collision risks and optimizing space utilization by allowing vehicles to communicate their positions and paths directly, enhancing safety and efficiency in indoor environments.
Implementation Method 1
a light sensor arranged to detect illumination from at least one of the illumination sources within the view of the light sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile object configured for movement in an area equipped with VLC illumination sources comprises a light sensor arranged to detect illumination from at least one of the illumination sources within the view of the light sensor; a computer arranged to determine from the detected illumination (i) a position of the mobile object relative to the at least one illumination source and (ii) the identifier of the at least one illumination source; and a transceiver. The transceiver can receive from another mobile object a message comprising the position of the other mobile object relative to a source of illumination, and the identifier of that source of illumination. From this, the computer determines from its position and the message a distance from the other mobile object. A mobile object which transmits such a message is also envisaged.