WLAN Positioning Database Segmentation for Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
WLAN-based positioning systems face challenges in accurately estimating user location, especially when users are outside coverage areas or in areas where the system fails to properly locate them, due to low accuracy and reliance on databases that may not always have up-to-date or correct MAC address locations.
Innovation Solution
The system allows users to 'tune' their location by receiving signals from WLAN access points, accessing a master database for geographic locations, and a supplemental database for user-inferred locations, enabling the estimation of geographic location based on both sources, with the option for user-submitted corrections to improve accuracy and coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the system relies on a master database with MAC address locations determined by auditing a large geographic area, then the coverage area is extensive, but the accuracy of location estimation deteriorates when users are outside coverage areas or in areas where the database lacks up-to-date information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location database into three tiers: master database (comprehensive but may have outdated info), supplemental database (user-contributed corrections), and real-time measurements. This segmentation allows the system to maintain extensive coverage through the master database while improving accuracy through user-contributed corrections in the supplemental database.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where users can report incorrect MAC address locations, and these corrections are added to the supplemental database. This feedback loop continuously improves location accuracy by incorporating real-world observations from users, directly addressing the accuracy deterioration problem in areas where the master database lacks up-to-date information.
2Extent of automation
If the system uses a database of MAC address locations to estimate user position, then the operation is automated, but the reliability of location estimation deteriorates when the database does not have up-to-date or correct information
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains automated operation while improving reliability through a feedback mechanism where users can report incorrect locations. These user reports are processed and added to the supplemental database, creating a self-correcting system that maintains automation while progressively improving reliability through real-world validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the system to self-correct database errors through user-contributed information. Users act as validators of the database accuracy, and their corrections are automatically processed and integrated into the supplemental database, allowing the system to maintain and improve its own reliability without external intervention.
3Measurement precision
If the system allows user-submitted corrections to create a supplemental database, then the location estimation accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases due to managing multiple databases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the database into distinct tiers (master and supplemental) with clear roles. The master database provides comprehensive coverage while the supplemental database provides accuracy corrections. This segmentation manages complexity by organizing data into manageable, purpose-specific segments rather than attempting to maintain a single monolithic database.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges results from multiple database tiers through a weighted combination approach. The location estimation algorithm combines data from the master database and supplemental database with appropriate weighting, allowing the system to leverage the strengths of each database type while managing complexity through a unified estimation framework.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of estimating a location of a WLAN-enabled user-device in a WLAN-based positioning system is provided. The WLAN-enabled device receives signals transmitted by WLAN-enabled access points in range of the WLAN-enabled user-device so that observed WLAN-enabled access points identify themselves. The method includes accessing a master database that associates WLAN-enabled access points with corresponding audited locations as determined by an audit of a relatively large geographic area and obtaining location information for any identified WLAN-enabled access point. The method includes accessing a supplemental database to obtain inferred location information corresponding to any identified WLAN-enabled access point. The supplemental database has a relatively small set of WLAN-enabled access points and corresponding inferred locations. The inferred locations are inferred based on input by a user of the WLAN-based positioning system. The method includes estimating a location of the WLAN-enabled user-device based on the audited location information and the inferred location information.