Wireless Position Estimation for Light-Emitting Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing position measurement systems are inadequate for detecting the position of light-emitting devices whose light-emitting state is changed during mass performances, as they require the light-emitting units to be turned on and struggle with specifying positions of devices at equal distances with similar brightness and signal strength.

Innovation Solution

A control device and position estimation system that calculates the reception quality of signals between light-emitting devices to estimate their positions without requiring them to be turned on, using a communication unit to transmit control signals and receive response signals, and a position estimating unit that updates positions based on differences in reception quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the light-emitting unit is turned on to detect the position, then the position can be detected, but the light-emitting device cannot maintain its required light-emitting state for mass performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidlight-emitting state maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces wireless communication signals as an intermediary medium for position detection. Instead of using the light-emitting unit itself for detection, the system uses wireless signals transmitted between devices to calculate positions based on signal characteristics (arrival time, signal strength). This intermediary approach allows position detection without activating the light-emitting unit, thus maintaining the required light-emitting state for mass performances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the light-emitting devices are turned on for position detection, then the position can be specified, but devices at equal distances with similar brightness cannot be distinguished

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition specification accuracyVSAvoidposition differentiation information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional visual detection (brightness and position on a plane) to three-dimensional spatial detection by incorporating time dimension. By measuring the arrival time of wireless signals and signal strength from multiple directions, the system can calculate precise three-dimensional positions. This dimensional expansion allows differentiation of devices that would appear identical in terms of brightness and two-dimensional position, as their spatial coordinates in 3D space are distinct.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3588125B1Control device, wireless communication terminal, and position estimation system
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA
  • EP3588125B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3588125B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3588125B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control device includes a communication unit, a storage unit, and a position estimating unit. The position estimating unit updates a position of the first wireless communication device by using a difference between first reception quality and third reception quality and a difference between second reception quality and fourth reception quality. A first response signal includes at least the first reception quality calculated when a first control signal is received by the first wireless communication device and the second reception quality of a second response signal calculated when the second response signal is received by the first wireless communication device, and a third response signal includes at least the third reception quality of a third control signal and the fourth reception quality of a fourth response signal calculated when the fourth response signal is received by the first wireless communication device.