Wireless Terminal Location via Dissimilar Barometric Pressure References

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for estimating the elevation of a wireless terminal are hindered by the need for accurate and frequent barometric pressure measurements, which are often costly or unavailable in operational scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A location engine that utilizes multiple dissimilar pressure references, such as airport weather stations, personal weather stations, and wireless terminals, to synthesize an enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure, thereby overcoming the limitations of individual reference networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a comprehensive pressure reference network is implemented to provide accurate and frequent barometric pressure measurements, then elevation estimation accuracy and timeliness are improved, but system cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevation estimation accuracyVSAvoidpressure reference network complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple dissimilar pressure reference networks (airport weather stations, personal weather stations, and wireless terminals) into a unified approach. The location engine integrates data from these diverse sources, each with different accuracy and availability characteristics, to produce enhanced elevation estimates without requiring a single comprehensive reference network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes wireless terminals serve dual functions: both as the device needing location services and as a pressure reference source. This allows terminals to contribute to the reference network, eliminating the need for dedicated reference stations and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If accurate barometric pressure measurements are obtained from reliable pressure references, then elevation estimation accuracy is improved, but measurement availability and timeliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebarometric pressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidpressure measurement availability delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses partial pressure reference data from multiple sources rather than requiring complete data from a single comprehensive network. By combining partial measurements from airport stations, personal stations, and wireless terminals, the system achieves sufficient accuracy without waiting for complete data sets, thereby reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of manufacture

If dissimilar pressure references are combined to synthesize enhanced estimates, then measurement cost is reduced, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem implementation costVSAvoiddata processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The location engine performs self-service by automatically selecting, weighting, and combining pressure reference data from multiple sources based on their individual characteristics and availability. The system autonomously manages the complexity of integrating dissimilar references without external intervention, reducing implementation costs while handling processing complexity internally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure provides more accurate and timely elevation estimates for wireless terminals, improving location determination while reducing costs associated with implementing a comprehensive pressure reference network.

Implementation Method 1

measurements of barometric pressure made by a barometer at the location of the wireless terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBarometric pressure measurement:

Implementation Method 2

rely on the relationship between atmospheric pressure, PA, and elevation, ZA, in which PA decreases logarithmically with ZA

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtmospheric pressure-elevation relationship:

Data Source

PatentUS20250137779A1Estimating the Location of a Wireless Terminal Based on Dissimilar Barometric Pressure References

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 POLARIS WIRELESS INC

AI summary

A method for providing an enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure. The method uses multiple, dissimilar pressure references, such as in airport weather stations, personal weather stations, and wireless terminals such as smartphones, in order to provide the enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure. The method generates an enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure based on a first estimate of reference barometric pressure from a first pressure reference network made up of airport weather stations, for example. The method also uses a second estimate of reference barometric pressure from a second pressure reference network made of up personal weather stations, for example, and a third estimate of reference barometric pressure, also from the second network. The first, second, and third estimates of reference barometric pressure are combined such that both measurement accuracy and timeliness are improved in the resulting, enhanced estimate.