Indoor Positioning via Wi-Fi Signal Strength and MEMS Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigational systems in portable devices, such as GPS and Radio-Frequency based methods, require frequent updates and become inaccurate or unusable when GPS signals degrade or are unavailable, leading to a need for improved navigation techniques that can function reliably indoors and across varying environments.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes MEMS devices, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, combined with Wi-Fi signal strength measurements and user ID data, processes navigation data centrally to provide accurate positioning and orientation information, reducing the computational burden on user devices and ensuring consistency across hardware variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS or Radio-Frequency based positioning methods are used, then positioning capability is provided, but the system becomes inaccurate or unusable when GPS signals degrade or are unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Wi-Fi access points as intermediary positioning references. Instead of relying directly on GPS satellites, the system uses Wi-Fi APs as mediators to provide positioning data indoors and in urban canyons where GPS signals are degraded or unavailable. The hand-held device communicates with multiple Wi-Fi APs to determine position through signal strength measurements and triangulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal positioning system that works across multiple environments (indoor, outdoor, urban canyon) by combining GPS, Wi-Fi, and inertial measurement systems. The system automatically selects and switches between different positioning methods based on availability, making it universally applicable regardless of specific environmental conditions.
2Measurement precision
If frequent GPS updates are performed, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic positioning updates based on motion detection through inertial measurement systems. Instead of continuous frequent updates, the system adjusts update frequency dynamically - triggering updates when motion is detected and reducing updates when stationary, thereby maintaining accuracy while reducing complexity and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic motion detection to determine when positioning updates are necessary. The inertial measurement system continuously monitors for motion, and only triggers positioning recalculations when motion is detected, replacing continuous periodic updates with event-driven periodic action.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Wi-Fi signal strength measurements are used for positioning, then indoor positioning capability is provided, but hardware variations among user devices affect measurement consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system collects positioning data from multiple users and uses this feedback to continuously refine and update the indoor positioning model. The model adapts to specific building layouts and signal characteristics over time, compensating for hardware variations among different user devices and improving measurement consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters used for positioning calculations based on detected environment and device characteristics. Instead of using fixed signal strength thresholds, the system dynamically adjusts positioning parameters and algorithms to account for hardware variations, signal interference patterns, and environmental factors specific to each deployment location.
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 approach ensures accurate navigation and orientation data is provided even in environments with limited GPS availability, allowing retailers to control customer experience and aggregate traffic patterns without the need for extensive surveys, while ensuring consistent performance across user devices.
Implementation Method 1
integrated MEMS (Microelectromechanical System) devices... which can be implemented in mobile phones... the MEMS devices can include at least an accelerometer
Implementation Method 2
the MEMS devices can include at least an accelerometer, a gyroscope
Implementation Method 3
receiving in the computing system, a plurality of signal strength measurements and user ID data from a hand-held user device, each of the plurality of signal strength measurements being associated with one of a plurality of access points
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method and system for determining navigation/positional data, implemented in a computing system programmed to perform the method. The method includes receiving a plurality of signal strength measurements and user ID data from a hand-held user device, determining user navigation/position data using the plurality of signal strength measurements from the hand-held user device, and transferring the user navigation/position data to the hand-held user device in response to a request signal associated with the user ID data. The user navigation/position data can include 2-D position, 3-D position, relative position, heading, orientation, speed, bearing, and the like. Benefits of this method and system include user hardware independence, reduced computational load on user hardware, and network-level tracking of aggregated traffic patterns.