Light-Based Positioning Using Camera-Integrated VLC Beacons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position determination systems for mobile communication devices rely on GPS signals, which may not be available indoors or in areas without GPS receivers, limiting their ability to determine position and orientation accurately.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using light-based stationary devices with known positions, emitting light-modulated signals that contain position-related information, allowing mobile communication devices with digital image acquisition capabilities to estimate their position and orientation through spatial resection techniques, even without GPS signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS signals are used for position determination, then position accuracy is improved, but the system becomes unusable in areas without GPS coverage (indoor locations)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light-based stationary devices (VLC beacons) as intermediary elements that relay position information from the infrastructure to the mobile device. These beacons emit light-modulated signals containing position data, which the mobile device's camera captures and processes to determine location without requiring GPS signals, thus bridging the gap between infrastructure-based positioning and mobile device location determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the radio wave-based GPS system with a light-based visual communication system. Instead of relying on satellite radio signals, the system uses visible or non-visible light from stationary VLC beacons that are captured by the mobile device's digital image acquisition device, substituting one physical medium (radio waves) with another (light) to achieve positioning in GPS-denied environments.
2Measurement precision
If light-modulated signals are emitted from stationary devices, then position determination capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile communication device's digital image acquisition device serve multiple functions: it acts as both a camera for capturing images and as a light sensor for detecting VLC signals. The same hardware components (camera, processor) used for normal photography are leveraged to decode light-modulated position signals, eliminating the need for separate dedicated positioning hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communication device uses its own existing resources (camera, processor, existing software stack) to determine its position. The system leverages the device's inherent capabilities rather than requiring external specialized equipment, allowing the device to self-determine its location using standard components already present in modern smartphones with cameras.
3Measurement precision
If multiple light-based stationary devices are deployed, then position determination accuracy is improved, but installation and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the positioning infrastructure into discrete, independent VLC beacon units that can be individually deployed. Each beacon is a self-contained device that emits light-modulated signals with its own position information. This segmentation allows for modular installation where beacons can be placed independently at various locations, and the system achieves improved accuracy through the collective data from multiple segmented units without requiring complex integrated installation.
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
Enables accurate determination of position and orientation of mobile communication devices using light-based stationary devices, providing a GPS-independent solution for indoor and outdoor use.
Implementation Method 1
at least three light-based stationary devices whose positions are known with respect to a common object space coordinate system are targeted by the digital image acquisition device of the mobile communication device
Implementation Method 2
the light-modulated signals emitted by the at least three light-based stationary devices, which among other things contain device-related position-related information
Implementation Method 3
detecting, in a mobile communication device, the light-modulated signals emitted by the at least three light-based stationary devices, and obtaining the respective position-related information from each detected light-modulated signal
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates, among other things, to a method and a position determination system (5) that enable a mobile communication device (10) having a digital image acquisition device (8) to determine at least its position by targeting at least three light-based stationary devices (70, 76, 78), whose positions are known with respect to a common object space coordinate system, with the digital image acquisition device (8), determining direction and/or distance values with respect to the light-based stationary devices (70, 76, 78), and evaluating the light-modulated signals emitted by the at least three light-based stationary devices (70, 76, 78), which contain, among other things, device-related position-related information, in order to calculate the position of the mobile communication device (10) by performing a spatial reverse slice.