WLAN Access Point Scanner for Indoor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite-based positioning systems are ineffective for indoor positioning due to the need for a clear line of sight and require specialized receivers, making them costly and inefficient, while existing WLAN-based positioning systems lack optimization for power consumption and scanning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A WLAN positioning system that includes an AP scanner configured to determine used WLAN channels, scan only those channels, and terminate scanning based on predetermined accuracy thresholds, employing active and passive scanning techniques to identify access points and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If WLAN-based positioning systems scan all channels for access points, then positioning accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel scanning process into two phases: a first phase that scans a subset of channels to identify access points and determine their channels, and a second phase that scans only the identified channels. This segmentation reduces the total scanning scope while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary scanning of a subset of channels before the main positioning scan to identify which channels contain access points. This preliminary action allows the system to focus subsequent scanning efforts only on relevant channels, avoiding unnecessary power consumption on empty channels.
2Reliability
If the system scans more channels to identify access points, then positioning reliability is improved, but scanning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning process into sequential phases where the first phase identifies access points on a subset of channels, and the second phase completes the scan only on channels where access points were identified. This reduces total scanning time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by scanning only the subset of channels most likely to contain access points in the first phase, rather than scanning all channels. This partial scanning approach is sufficient to identify relevant channels for positioning.
3Measurement precision
If the system performs comprehensive access point scanning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scanning logic into distinct phases with specific objectives: first phase for identification and channel determination, second phase for final positioning scan. This segmentation simplifies the overall control logic compared to a single comprehensive scan approach.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for scanning for access points (APs) for wireless local area network (WLAN) positioning. In one embodiment a wireless device includes a WLAN positioning system. The WLAN positioning system includes an AP scanner. The AP scanner is configured to determine which WLAN channels are being used by APs proximate to the wireless device. The AP scanner is also configured to scan for AP transmissions only the WLAN channels determined to be used by APs proximate to the wireless device. The AP scanner is further configured to extract signal strength and AP identification information for WLAN positioning from the AP transmissions on the scanned channels.