Visible Light Communication Indoor Positioning via LED Mesh
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor positioning systems (IPS) face limitations in accuracy, cost, and security, particularly in secure environments where radio frequency emissions are restricted, and existing solutions are often expensive and complex to implement and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing visible light communication (VLC) through interconnected LED lighting modules that provide both illumination and communication, enabling accurate indoor position tracking with a mobile receiver that detects unique identification codes from multiple lighting modules, forming a mesh network for precise location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID tags and readers are used for indoor positioning, then occupant tracking capability is provided, but system cost increases and RF security restrictions are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radio frequency electromagnetic field-based positioning with visible light communication-based positioning. LED lighting modules transmit position data through visible light signals that mobile receivers detect, eliminating RF emissions entirely while maintaining occupant tracking capability in secure environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates positioning functionality into existing LED lighting infrastructure. The same LED lighting modules that provide illumination also serve as position data transmitters, eliminating the need for separate RFID tags and readers while reducing system cost and complexity.
2Measurement precision
If Bluetooth beacons and WiFi access points are deployed for positioning, then indoor positioning is achieved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing LED lighting modules serve dual purposes: illumination and position data transmission. This eliminates the need for dedicated Bluetooth beacons and WiFi access points, reducing infrastructure density while maintaining positioning functionality throughout the building.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines lighting and positioning functions into a single integrated system. The LED lighting modules that are already installed in buildings are merged with position data transmission capabilities, eliminating the need for separate positioning infrastructure.
3Reliability
If computer vision surveillance is used for occupant detection, then positioning information is obtained, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive computer vision surveillance systems with a much simpler visible light communication system. Instead of using cameras and image processing algorithms, the system uses LED lighting modules to transmit position data that is detected by mobile receivers, dramatically reducing system cost while maintaining occupant detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses low-cost LED lighting modules and simple mobile receivers with photodetectors instead of expensive surveillance cameras and processing systems. The positioning function is achieved through inexpensive visible light transmission and detection components.
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 offers high accuracy and cost-effectiveness for indoor positioning, suitable for secure environments, with potential for additional energy savings and enhanced security, while maintaining occupant privacy, and is scalable for various building applications.
Implementation Method 1
Each module is comprised of a bank of high lumen VLC LEDs
Implementation Method 2
provide visible light communication data signals to a mobile receiver
Implementation Method 3
A mobile receiver in the form of a tag or badge attached to the person or item to be tracked receives a VLC signal from a plurality of lighting modules
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for using visible light communication (“VLC”) to perform indoor position location. Through use of a system and method configured as set forth herein, the position of any appropriately marked person or item may be found indoors using data interconnected modules that communicate with one another via RF and visible light. A mobile receiver in the form of a tag or badge attached to the person or item to be tracked receives a VLC signal from a plurality of lighting modules, and transmits back to a mesh network formed by the modules the data it received to determine the tag's or badge's physical position with respect to the individual network modules.