Wireless Device Location Estimation Using WLAN and Barometric Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication devices face challenges in accurately determining their location, especially indoors, due to limited or unavailable GPS/GNSS signals, which affects emergency services' ability to pinpoint their location with the required accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The use of WLAN/WPAN AP information and barometric sensor data to estimate a device's location, either as a supplement or replacement for GPS/GNSS signals, allowing for improved location determination accuracy, especially in areas with high WLAN/WPAN access density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS/GNSS signals are used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved in outdoor areas, but location determination fails or becomes inaccurate in indoor areas where GPS signals are attenuated or unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple location determination technologies (GPS/GNSS, WLAN, WPAN, and sensor data) into a unified location estimation system. The device integrates data from GPS receivers, WLAN access points, WPAN devices, and sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometric pressure sensor) to produce a composite location estimate, thereby maintaining reliability across both outdoor and indoor environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The location determination system is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting both GPS-based outdoor location determination and WLAN/WPAN-based indoor location determination. The system automatically selects or combines appropriate methods based on the operational environment, making it universally applicable whether the device is outdoors with GPS coverage or indoors without GPS signals.
2Reliability
If WLAN/WPAN AP information is used for indoor location determination, then location availability indoors is improved, but location accuracy decreases compared to GPS-based determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensor data (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and barometric pressure sensor) as intermediary elements to enhance WLAN/WPAN-based location determination. These sensors provide additional measurement data that helps refine the location estimate derived from WLAN/WPAN access points, thereby improving the accuracy of indoor location determination while maintaining the availability benefit of WLAN/WPAN technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The location determination system uses a composite approach by combining information from multiple sources (WLAN access points, WPAN devices, and sensor measurements) to create a more accurate indoor location estimate. This composite method leverages the strengths of each individual technology to achieve better overall performance than any single technology could provide alone.
3Reliability
If multiple location determination technologies (GPS, WLAN, WPAN, sensors) are integrated, then overall location reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic location determination system that automatically adapts its operation based on environmental conditions. The device dynamically selects which location determination technologies to use (GPS alone, WLAN alone, or a combination) depending on whether the device is in an outdoor environment with GPS coverage or an indoor environment without GPS signals. This dynamic approach maintains high reliability while avoiding the unnecessary complexity of always using all available technologies.
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
Enhances location estimation accuracy for wireless communication devices, enabling better emergency service responses by providing precise horizontal and vertical positioning even in areas with limited GPS/GNSS availability.
Implementation Method 1
a capability for a wireless communication device to estimate its location, e.g., a set of geospatial coordinates, using information based on RF signals received from one or more WLAN/WPAN access points (APs)... barometric sensor information
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for estimating a location of a wireless device in communication with a wireless network, such as a UMTS network, based at least in part on WLAN/WPAN AP measurements and/or barometric measurements are disclosed. The wireless device responds to a location capability inquiry from the wireless network by providing a response that indicates the wireless device is configurable to estimate its location based on WLAN/WPAN AP and/or barometric measurements. The wireless network sends WLAN/WPAN AP and/or barometric reference information to the wireless device to assist in estimating its location. The wireless device measures one or more WLAN/WPAN APs, and the wireless device uses the WLAN/WPAN AP and/or barometric measurements to estimate its location. In some embodiments, GPS/GNSS information is used in conjunction with WLAN/WPAN AP and/or barometric measurements to estimate the location of the wireless device.