Wireless Scan Classifier for Relative Position Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile computing devices face challenges in determining relative position information when GPS or wireless base station position data is unavailable or lacks precision, and existing methods rely on absolute position information.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that compare network attributes from wireless scans, such as signal strength and unique identifications, to determine if two scans were performed at the same position without using absolute position information, using a processor to calculate likelihood and transmit results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS or wireless base station position data is used to determine location, then absolute position information is obtained, but the system cannot determine relative position when GPS or base station data is unavailable or imprecise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelative position determinationVSAvoidlocation determination capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces wireless network attributes (signal strength, unique identifiers) as intermediary data to determine relative position. Instead of directly using GPS or base station coordinates, the system compares attributes from wireless scans to infer whether the device has moved between locations, enabling relative position determination when traditional methods fail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/GPS-based absolute positioning system with a signal-based comparative analysis system. By substituting direct coordinate measurement with wireless signal attribute comparison, the system can determine relative position changes without relying on GPS satellites or known base station positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are continuously used to monitor position, then relative position information can be determined, but battery consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelative position informationVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic wireless scans instead of continuous sensor monitoring. The system performs scans at intervals and only processes comparisons when necessary, reducing energy consumption while still capturing position changes. The scanner is activated periodically to collect network attributes rather than continuously tracking position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses existing wireless network infrastructure and automatically scans for networks in the environment. Rather than requiring active sensor deployment or continuous power-intensive tracking, the device leverages ambient wireless signals that are already present, making the positioning system self-powered by environmental radio waves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If absolute position information is required for location-based services, then precise location can be determined, but the system cannot function when absolute position data is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsolute position informationVSAvoidlocation-based service availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by not trying to determine absolute position directly. Instead of asking 'where am I?', the system asks 'have I moved?' by comparing wireless network attributes between scans. This inversion allows location-based services to function relative to previous positions without requiring absolute coordinate data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9571977B2Use of a trained classifier to determine if a pair of wireless scans came from the same location

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and apparatuses for determining the likelihood that two wireless scans of a mobile computing device were performed in the same location. The likelihood is determined by scanning for wireless networks with a computing device. The scanning includes a receiving a plurality of network attributes for each wireless networks within the range of the mobile computing device. Further, the likelihood is determined by comparing the plurality of network attributes from the scanning with a reference set of network attributes. The comparing of network attributes is used to determine an attribute comparison. Finally, the likelihood between a position associated with the reference set of network attributes and the computing device, based on the attribute comparison, determines a position associated with the network.