Wireless Device Localization via Access Point Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indoor location services face challenges due to the lack of reliable mapping and positioning frameworks, as GPS is ineffective indoors and WiFi positioning lacks accurate maps and is prone to environmental errors.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for wireless device localization that involves receiving mapping and wireless data to determine the location of wireless access points, and subsequently using these locations to pinpoint wireless devices within a physical environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If WiFi positioning is used for indoor localization, then positioning capability is provided, but accuracy deteriorates due to environmental errors and lack of reliable maps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional localization approach by first localizing the wireless access points (infrastructure) rather than the wireless devices (clients). By determining the locations of access points using mapping data and wireless signals, and then using these localized access points to locate devices, the system achieves accurate indoor positioning without requiring pre-existing accurate maps or infrastructure knowledge
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mapping data as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between wireless signals and physical locations. The mapping system provides the physical map of the space, while the positioning system uses wireless data in conjunction with this map to identify positions, enabling accurate indoor localization without direct GPS-like satellite infrastructure
2Reliability
If infrastructure-dependent WiFi localization algorithms are deployed, then positioning functionality is achieved, but deployment difficulty increases due to lack of access point location attributes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to determine access point locations autonomously using available mapping data and wireless signals. The reverse localization process automatically discovers and localizes access points without requiring manual configuration or pre-existing knowledge of antenna geometries and deployment orientations, making the system self-configuring and easy to deploy in real-world scenarios
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
The method enables accurate decimeter-level user localization by autonomously determining the location of wireless access points and devices, overcoming traditional limitations of RF-based localization approaches such as multipath and occlusions.
Implementation Method 1
triangulating the wireless devices to determine location of the wireless devices. The triangulating may be executed using one or more errors associated with location of each of the wireless access points
Implementation Method 2
determining one or more angles of arrival of a wireless signal at the one or more wireless access points from a plurality of location points in the physical environment, and triangulating, based on the determined one or more angles of arrival, the location of each of the one or more wireless access points
Implementation Method 3
measuring a phase difference across an antenna of the access points and one or more antennas of the access points, whose separation distances and orientation were determined
Implementation Method 4
estimate a direct path of a signal to the one or more wireless access points based on at least one of a direction of (e.g., an angle of arrival, angle of departure, etc.) of the signal and a time of flight of the signal to the one or more wireless access points
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a system, and a computer program product for localization of wireless devices. At least one of mapping and wireless data describing a physical environment is received. The physical environment includes one or more wireless access points. Using the received mapping and/or wireless data, a location of each of the wireless access points is determined. Using the determined location of the wireless access points, one or more wireless devices positioned in the physical environment are located.