Wireless Signature Location Discovery via Mobile Device Self-Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining a mobile device's location indoors are labor-intensive and require skilled technicians for initial site surveys, making them time-consuming and costly, and are prone to inaccuracies due to changes in RF signal sources or building configurations.
Innovation Solution
A method that merges the survey and use phases of location determination by allowing mobile devices to identify and associate wireless signatures with geographical locations, enabling rapid deployment and updating of location data without the need for extensive initial site surveys, using a processor to match current wireless signatures with previously observed ones and requesting user input for location validation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dedicated infrastructure with fiducial markers or beacons is deployed for indoor location determination, then location accuracy is improved, but deployment burden and infrastructure complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using existing multi-functional RF infrastructure (WiFi access points, cellular base stations, Bluetooth devices) that serve both their primary communication purposes and location determination functions. This eliminates the need for dedicated location infrastructure while maintaining location accuracy through RF signature-based positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service location determination by allowing mobile devices to autonomously detect and match RF signatures against a database without requiring active participation from infrastructure elements. The infrastructure passively provides RF signals while the mobile device performs the location computation independently.
2Measurement precision
If an initial site survey is conducted by skilled technicians to establish RF signature databases, then location determination accuracy is improved, but time consumption and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic, unsupervised collection of RF signature data by having mobile devices autonomously perform surveys as they move through the environment. Multiple user trips automatically populate the database without requiring dedicated survey personnel, transforming a manual task into an automated self-service process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary RF signature collection during normal device usage and movement through the environment before location determination is actually needed. The database is progressively built up in advance through casual device movement, so that when location determination is required, the data is already available.
3Reliability
If RF signature databases are updated frequently to account for changes in RF signal sources, then location accuracy is maintained, but system complexity and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to changes in the RF environment by continuously collecting new RF signatures and automatically updating the database. Rather than requiring manual intervention when infrastructure changes, the system naturally evolves its database through ongoing device movement and signature collection, maintaining accuracy without increasing maintenance complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional RF signature-based location determination is used, then indoor location capability is achieved, but user privacy concerns arise due to required site surveys and data collection
Solution Approach 1:
The system addresses privacy concerns by enabling users to opt into or out of participation in the RF signature database creation process. Each user's device autonomously collects and contributes data without requiring external surveyors to physically access private spaces, giving users control over their own data contribution while maintaining location functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to permit location discovery, including location discovery in indoor settings. The method may identify a wireless signature present at a geographical location and determine whether the wireless signature corresponds to a previously observed wireless signature associated with the predefined geographical location. In instances in which the wireless signature fails to correspond to a previously observed wireless signature, the method may also receive an identification of a geographical location and associate, such as by means of a processor, the wireless signature with the identification of the geographical location. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also provided.