Wireless Floorplan Mapping for 3D IoT Device Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IoT systems for building control and automation lack an efficient method to determine the precise location and orientation of IoT devices within a building, relying on manual configuration methods that are prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a wireless network control device to determine a building's floorplan by providing device position, type, orientation, and distance parameters, and assign devices to spaces based on these parameters, using a combination of device type values, orientation, and distance to physical objects, allowing for accurate three-dimensional mapping of IoT devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual configuration methods are used to determine device locations, then the system implementation is simple, but the location accuracy and reliability are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice location accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables devices to automatically determine their own locations and orientations by utilizing signals from other devices in the network. Each device contributes to the positioning of others, creating a self-organizing system that eliminates manual configuration while achieving accurate three-dimensional mapping of device locations and building floorplans.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If automated methods are used to determine device locations, then the location accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice location accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses universal signal transmission and reception capabilities that are already present in wireless devices to achieve multiple functions including location determination, orientation detection, and floorplan generation. This approach avoids adding specialized positioning hardware while achieving accurate automated mapping through the existing multi-functional nature of networked devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If manual configuration is used for device locations, then the setup time is short, but the productivity of network maintenance is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork maintenance efficiencyVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automated actions by having devices continuously exchange position and orientation data, allowing the floorplan to be constructed and updated automatically before maintenance activities are needed. This preliminary data collection and processing enables rapid network maintenance and management decisions without time-consuming manual configuration during actual maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4654620A1Method for determining a floorplan using a wireless network
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 NXP USA INC
  • EP4654620A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4654620A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4654620A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method and apparatus for determining a floorplan of a building comprising a wireless network is disclosed. The wireless network includes a wireless network control device and a further plurality of devices having an associated device type value. Each device has a device position parameter, a device type value, and at least one of a device orientation parameter and a device distance parameter. One or more device space distance parameter values is provided for some device type values which corresponds to the distance to a physical object ( e.g., wall, floor, ceiling). The method further includes determining, by the control device, a floorplan of the building from the device space distance parameter, the device position parameter, the device type value and at least one of a device orientation parameter and a device distance parameter; and assigning the plurality of devices to spaces in the floorplan.