Wi-Fi Location Augmentation for Sparse Signal Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Location determination systems for mobile devices face challenges in sparse Wi-Fi signal areas where limited or infrequently reported Wi-Fi access point data hinder accurate location calculation.
Innovation Solution
A server device augments Wi-Fi access point location data with additional scan data collected near sparse signal locations, generating and delivering augmented tiles to client devices to improve location determination accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Wi-Fi access point location data is provided for all locations, then location determination accuracy is improved, but data quantity and transmission overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the level of detail provided for different geographic areas. High-density Wi-Fi areas receive comprehensive access point data for accurate location determination, while sparse signal locations receive enhanced data only when needed. This selective data provision maintains high measurement precision in critical areas without unnecessarily increasing data quantity everywhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively identifying sparse signal locations and pre-loading enhanced Wi-Fi scan data into client devices before location determination is needed. The server detects when a client is in or near a sparse signal location and proactively provides the necessary augmented access point tile data, ensuring location determination can proceed accurately without requiring the client to request data at the moment of need.
2Reliability
If comprehensive Wi-Fi access point data is delivered to client devices, then location availability in sparse areas is improved, but data transmission overhead and bandwidth consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the geographic space into different regions based on Wi-Fi signal density. Access point tiles are divided and selectively delivered based on the client's current location and the signal sparsity characteristics of the target area. This segmentation allows the system to transmit comprehensive data only when and where it is needed, maintaining high reliability in sparse areas while minimizing unnecessary bandwidth consumption in dense areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by having client devices autonomously determine their own location needs. The client reports its current location and received signal strengths to the server, which automatically identifies when the client is in a sparse signal location and provides enhanced data accordingly. This feedback-driven approach ensures data is transmitted only when the client actually needs it, optimizing the balance between reliability and bandwidth consumption.
3Measurement precision
If additional Wi-Fi scan data is collected and processed, then location determination accuracy in sparse areas is improved, but server processing complexity and data collection requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between raw Wi-Fi scan data and location determination needs. It receives scan data from multiple clients, processes and stores it in an organized manner, and then selectively delivers augmented access point tile data to clients needing it. This intermediary role consolidates the processing complexity at the server level rather than requiring each client to independently collect and process extensive data, maintaining measurement precision while managing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a server device can improve Wi-Fi based location availability for sparse signal locations by augmenting Wi-Fi access point location data with additional Wi-Fi scan data that was collected near the sparse signal locations. The server can receive Wi-Fi access point scans from client devices, determine the locations of the Wi-Fi access points, and generate Wi-Fi access point tiles that include data describing the locations of access points in the geographic areas corresponding to the Wi-Fi access point tiles. After the tiles are generated, the server device can augment the access point tiles by inserting additional Wi-Fi access point scan information into the access point tiles near identified sparse signal locations. The server device can deliver the augmented access point tile data to a client device. The client device can determine the current location of the client device based on the augmented access point tile data.