WLAN Access Point Location Update for Indoor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location measuring techniques, such as GPS-based methods, are limited in indoor environments and require additional hardware on mobile terminals, while WLAN-based methods face challenges in updating access point information for accurate location measurement.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for updating access point information in WLAN-based location measurement systems, which involves storing access point information, receiving updates from communication terminals, performing GPS location measurements using the SUPL protocol when necessary, and calculating location coordinates using barycentric methods to determine both actual and imaginary access point locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS-based location measurement is used, then location measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring GPS receiver mounting on mobile terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an access point as an intermediary device that has pre-stored location information. Instead of requiring the mobile terminal to have GPS capabilities, the system uses the access point's known location and signal strength measurements to determine the terminal's position, thereby eliminating the need for GPS hardware on the terminal while maintaining location measurement functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the access point's location information in the mobile terminal's memory. The terminal stores the access point's pre-obtained location data and uses it for location calculations, allowing the terminal to perform location measurement without having physical GPS capabilities, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If access point information is not updated, then device complexity is reduced, but location measurement precision deteriorates due to using outdated access point locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mobile terminal actively queries the server for updated access point location information. The terminal sends a request containing its current identifier, receives updated information about access point locations and signal strengths, and stores this fresh data for subsequent location calculations, thereby maintaining high measurement precision through continuous information updates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by having the server pre-store and maintain updated access point location information in advance. The mobile terminal retrieves this pre-prepared information from the server rather than calculating it in real-time, which reduces the complexity of the terminal's processing while ensuring it uses the most current and accurate location data for precise measurement
3Measurement precision
If GPS location measurement is performed for every new access point, then location measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to frequent GPS measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the server pre-obtain and store location information for access points in advance. When a mobile terminal needs location data, it simply retrieves the pre-stored information from the server rather than triggering a new GPS measurement, which significantly reduces time loss while maintaining the precision of location measurement through the use of accurate, pre-validated access point locations
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for updating information of an access point for a wireless local area network service in measuring a location of a communication terminal using the access point are provided. The method includes: storing information of access points in a storage unit; receiving information of nearby access points from a specific communication terminal to be measured for location; checking whether there exists an access point of which information is not stored in the storage unit among the nearby access points; performing a global positioning system (GPS) location measurement for the specific communication terminal when there exists the access point of which the information is not stored; and storing the GPS location measurement result and the information of the nearby access points in the storage unit.