Wireless Transceiver Direction Determination for Virtual Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for determining a geospatial position and specifying a direction of interest are limited, as they often rely on artificial references like satellites and cell towers, and lack accurate recreation of design features in the field, which hinders the effectiveness of automated design tools and virtual models in construction and facility management.
Innovation Solution
The solution combines methods and apparatus for designating a geospatial location and direction of interest using wireless transmission and reception, generating angles of arrival and departure, and incorporating time and date stamps, to provide accurate location and direction data for smart devices, enabling improved Augmented Virtual Models (AVMs) that quantify deployed performance and facilitate maintenance and upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional triangulation techniques using satellites and cell towers are used to determine geospatial position, then location information can be obtained, but the direction of interest cannot be accurately specified and design features cannot be accurately recreated in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D triangulation (latitude/longitude) to 3D spatial positioning by incorporating vertical angle measurements from multiple transceivers. This dimensional enhancement enables accurate determination of both position and direction by adding the elevation angle dimension to the coordinate system, allowing for precise directional information to be extracted alongside location data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless transceivers as intermediary devices deployed at known locations throughout the facility. These transceivers act as mediators between the smart device and the facility features, providing reference points for angle calculations. By placing transceivers at strategic locations, the system creates an intermediary network that enables accurate direction determination without requiring direct line-of-sight to satellites or complex external references.
2Productivity
If automated design tools are used to generate design plans, then design efficiency is improved, but the accuracy of recreating design features in the field is limited without direction information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the smart device continuously determines its position and orientation relative to facility features using transceiver angle data. This real-time feedback is fed back to the automated design tools, allowing for dynamic adjustment and verification of design feature placements. The system compares actual measured positions with planned positions, enabling continuous refinement and accurate recreation of design features in the field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-deploying transceivers at known locations throughout the facility before construction or maintenance activities begin. These transceivers establish a reference network in advance, enabling subsequent automated design tools to accurately calculate positions and directions. The preliminary establishment of this spatial reference framework allows for precise design feature recreation without requiring complex measurements during actual construction or maintenance operations.
3Loss of information
If virtual models are used to represent facilities, then visualization and planning are enhanced, but the models lack accurate spatial relationships without direction data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data sources including transceiver location data, angle of arrival measurements, time synchronization information, and facility feature databases into a unified virtual model. By combining these disparate information streams, the system creates a comprehensive 3D representation that accurately captures spatial relationships, directions, and positional information. This integration of multiple data types enriches the virtual model with complete spatial information while managing complexity through systematic data fusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates accurate digital copies of the physical facility by mapping real-world transceiver positions and orientations into the virtual model. The system replicates the spatial relationships, angles, and geometric configurations of physical elements in the digital environment. This copying process preserves directional information and spatial accuracy, allowing the virtual model to serve as a faithful representation that maintains all critical geometric relationships from the physical facility.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for determining an item of equipment in a direction of interest based upon coordinates derived from wireless communication between wireless transceivers. A smart device assembly is operative to communicate via multiple antennas with a reference point transceiver. A set of coordinates is generated indicating a relative position and/or angle of the wireless transceiver in relation to the reference position transceiver. A query may be made based upon the relative position and angle of the wireless transceiver in relation to the reference position transceiver. A response to the query may include a human readable interface indicating one or more of: direction of travel, a virtual image based upon location and location and direction, and annotative and pictorial information.