GB2561216A - Signal strength positioning - Google Patents

Signal strength positioning Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2561216A
GB2561216A GB1705536.9A GB201705536A GB2561216A GB 2561216 A GB2561216 A GB 2561216A GB 201705536 A GB201705536 A GB 201705536A GB 2561216 A GB2561216 A GB 2561216A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
location
defined area
positioning signal
positioning
signal strength
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
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GB1705536.9A
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GB201705536D0 (en
Inventor
Burgess Tidd James
Palm Tommy
Reigo Peter
Hagerlof Johan
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Flowscape AB
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Flowscape AB
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Publication date
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Priority to GB1705536.9A priority Critical patent/GB2561216A/en
Publication of GB201705536D0 publication Critical patent/GB201705536D0/en
Publication of GB2561216A publication Critical patent/GB2561216A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S5/00—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S5/02—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
    • G01S5/0205—Details
    • G01S5/0226—Transmitters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S1/00—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith
    • G01S1/02—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith using radio waves
    • G01S1/04—Details
    • G01S1/042—Transmitters
    • G01S1/0428—Signal details
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S11/00—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation
    • G01S11/02—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves
    • G01S11/06—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using intensity measurements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S5/00—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S5/02—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
    • G01S5/0252—Radio frequency fingerprinting
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S5/00—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S5/02—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
    • G01S5/0273—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves using multipath or indirect path propagation signals in position determination
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S1/00—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith
    • G01S1/02—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith using radio waves
    • G01S1/04—Details
    • G01S1/045—Receivers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters
    • G01S2201/01—Indexing scheme relating to beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters adapted for specific applications or environments
    • G01S2201/02—Indoor positioning, e.g. in covered car-parks, mining facilities, warehouses
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S2205/00—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S2205/01—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S2205/02—Indoor

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Position Fixing By Use Of Radio Waves (AREA)

Abstract

A system is provided for determining positioning information of a mobile device relative to a structure i.e. a floor of a building, the structure comprising at least one defined area i.e. a room. A first location device transmits a first positioning signal, the first positioning signal having a change in signal strength at a first boundary region of a first defined area. The received signal strength (RSS) of the first positioning signal is compared to a predefined threshold signal strength, and this comparison is then used to determine whether the mobile device is located within the first defined area. Further location devices may be provided, which may define further boundary areas of further defined areas. The system may compare RSS of first and second positioning signals in order to determine whether the mobile device is located within the first defined area, i.e. in order to determine whether the mobile device is located on a first or second side of a wall.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Signal strength positioning
Abstract Title: Signal strength positioning for a mobile device within a building (57) A system is provided for determining positioning information of a mobile device relative to a structure i.e. a floor of a building, the structure comprising at least one defined area i.e. a room. A first location device transmits a first positioning signal, the first positioning signal having a change in signal strength at a first boundary region of a first defined area. The received signal strength (RSS) of the first positioning signal is compared to a predefined threshold signal strength, and this comparison is then used to determine whether the mobile device is located within the first defined area. Further location devices may be provided, which may define further boundary areas of further defined areas. The system may compare RSS of first and second positioning signals in order to determine whether the mobile device is located within the first defined area, i.e. in order to determine whether the mobile device is located on a first or second side of a wall.
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SIGNAL STRENGTH POSITIONING
This invention relates to a location system, and method, for providing position information relative to a structure.
The ability to detect the position of devices within an environment is becoming increasingly common. The position can be used to work out what services to provide to a user of the device or to determine the status of a device.
Positioning using global positioning systems which make use of reference signals provided by satellites have been used for many years. These systems are used to provide an absolute position of the receiving device. Such systems are only capable of working in environments where the signals from the satellites can be reliably received. Such signals are poorly received indoors, underground or other environments where the satellite signals are unable to propagate easily such as in very built-up environments in cities. This generally restricts the use of such systems to outdoor environments and other environments that still have some access to the outside.
Positioning using relative location systems are used to provide positioning information to devices that are in environments where reference signals from global positioning satellites are hard to receive. They are also used in environments where the position of devices relative to known points within the environment, such as within a building, is all that is required rather than an absolute position.
In environments where there are known points or regions that a device or user interacts with, it can be important that the position of the device relative to those points or regions is calculated in such a way that the schematic position of the device is correct relative to those objects. For instance, if a wall is present in the environment then it can be important that the calculated position of the device be located on the side of the wall that the device is. The positioning systems that can be used to calculate the position of the device, for example both global positioning systems and relative positioning systems, can only calculate the position of the device to a certain accuracy. The error in this position can cause the calculated position of the device to move over time as the error in the calculations fluctuates. This means that the position calculated by the location system may cause the schematic position of the device to be incorrect relative to other points or regions in the environment. For instance, the device’s position may hop from one side of a wall to the other which is physically impossible due to the presence of the wall.
There are positioning systems that can calculate the position of a device very accurately with a very low error. Such systems can be very expensive and require a level of infrastructure that is impractical in many situations such as an office environment. These systems may still have errors that are too large to accurately resolve the position of a device to the correct schematic position relative to features present in the environment. These features may be walls or may just be defined areas within an environment which can be identified logically as being different areas. For example, some very accurate positioning systems can place a device within the environment with an error of less than 50cm. Such a system can provide a relatively accurate position within the middle of a room, but if the device is located within 50cm of a wall then the position of the device may be calculated to be on the wrong side of the wall. In an alternative example, the area could be an area of water and the device may not be configured to enter the area of water and so it would be unhelpful for the position of the device to be calculated as being within the area of water.
There is therefore a need for an improved positioning system for environments that include defined features that need to be taken in to account when calculating the position of objects in the environment.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a location system for providing positioning information relative to a structure, the structure comprising at least one defined area, the location system comprising: a first location device configured to transmit a first positioning signal, the first location device being configured to generate the first positioning signal such that the first positioning signal has a substantial change in signal strength at a first boundary region of the defined area.
The first location device may be configured to generate the first positioning signal such that the first positioning signal has a higher signal strength within the defined area at the first boundary region than outside the defined area at the boundary region. The first location device may be configured to generate the first positioning signal such that the first positioning signal has a lower signal strength within the defined area at the first boundary region than outside the defined area at the first boundary region.
The first boundary region of the defined area may be located at a point of an edge of the defined area. The first boundary region of the defined area may be located along an edge of the defined area. The first location device may be configured to generate the first positioning signal such that the first positioning signal has a substantial change in signal strength at a plurality of boundary regions of the defined area.
The location device may comprise an antenna configured to transmit the first positioning signal, the antenna may be configured such that the antenna shapes the transmission of the first positioning signal such that the first positioning signal has a substantial change in signal strength at the boundary region. The antenna may be configured such that the positioning signal has a radiation pattern that has a substation change in signal strength at the boundary region.
The location system may comprise a second location device configured to transmit a second positioning signal, the second location device may be configured to generate the second positioning signal such that the positioning signal has a substantial change in signal strength at a second boundary region of the defined area. The first boundary region and second boundary region may be located at different locations along the periphery of the defined area. The first boundary region and second boundary region may be located on opposite sides of the defined area, and the first location device and second location device may be configured to respectively generate the first and second positioning signals such that both signals have a higher signal strength within the defined area at their respective boundary regions than outside the defined area at their respective boundary regions. The first and second location devices may be configured to respectively generate the first and second positioning signals such that the positioning signals both have substantially zero signal strength outside the defined area at their respective boundary regions.
The location system may comprise: a third location device configured to be capable of receiving a third positioning signal, the location device may be configured so that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the third positioning signal at a third boundary region of the defined area. The location system may comprise a plurality of location devices configured to transmit respective positioning signals, each location device may be configured to generate a positioning signal such that the positioning signals have substantial changes in signal strength within at least one boundary region of the defined area.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a location system for providing positioning information relative to a structure, the structure comprising at least one defined area, the location system comprising: a fourth location device configured to be capable of receiving a fourth positioning signal, the location device being configured so that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the fourth positioning signal at a fourth boundary region of the defined area.
The fourth location device may be configured so that the fourth positioning signal is able to be received with a higher signal strength when received from within the defined area at the fourth boundary region than outside the defined area at the fourth boundary region. The fourth location device may be configured so that the fourth positioning signal is able to be received with a lower signal strength when received from within the defined area at the fourth boundary region than outside the defined area at the fourth boundary region. The fourth boundary region of the defined area may be located at a point of an edge of the defined area. The fourth boundary region of the defined area may be located along an edge of the defined area.
The fourth location device may be configured so that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the fourth positioning signal at a plurality of boundary regions of the defined area. The location device may be configured to determine that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the fourth positioning signal at a fourth boundary region of the defined area by determining a reception angle of the fourth positioning signal and determining whether the reception angle falls within a reception angular range associated with the fourth boundary region.
The location device may comprising an antenna configured to receive the fourth positioning signal, the antenna being configured such that the antenna has a reception shape such that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the fourth positioning signal at the fourth boundary region of the defined area. The antenna may have a reception shape that forms part of the total reception shape of the location device. The location device may comprise at least one additional antenna being configured such that the at least one additional antenna has a reception shape that covers the parts of the total reception shape not covered by the antenna having a substantial change in the capability to receive the fourth positioning signal at the fourth boundary region of the defined area.
The location system may comprise a fifth location device configured to configured to be capable of receiving a fifth positioning signal, the location device may be configured so that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the fifth positioning signal at a fifth boundary region of the defined area. The fourth boundary region and fifth boundary region may be located at different locations along the periphery of the defined area. The fourth boundary region and fifth boundary region may be located on opposite sides of the defined area, and the fourth location device and fifth location device may be respectively configured so that both the fourth and fifth positioning signals are able to be respectively received with a higher signal strength when received from within the defined area than when received outside of the defined area. The fourth and fifth location devices may be respectively configured so that both the fourth and fifth positioning signals are respectively received with zero signal strength when received from their respective boundary regions.
The fourth and fifth positioning signal may originate from the same mobile device. The fourth and fifth positioning signals may be the same positioning signal. The positioning signal may be a dedicated positioning signal. The positioning signal may be a data signal transmitting non-positioning related data. The defined areas may be rooms. The structure may be a floor of a building.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of determining the location of a mobile device relative to a structure, the structure comprising at least one defined area, the method comprising: receiving a first positioning signal associated with a first location device; processing the first positioning signal to determine a received signal strength of the first positioning signal; comparing the received signal strength of the first positioning signal with a threshold signal strength for the first location device; and determining that the mobile device is located within a first defined area based on the comparison between the received signal strength of the first positioning signal and the threshold signal strength for the first location device.
Determining that the mobile device is located within a first defined area may comprise determining that the mobile device is located within the first defined area if the received signal strength of the first positioning signal is equal to or higher than the threshold signal strength for the first location device. Determining that the mobile device is located within a first defined area may comprise determining that the mobile device is located within the first defined area if the received signal strength of the first positioning signal is higher than the threshold signal strength for the first location device. The method may comprise sending the received signal strength of the first positioning signal to a location processing device. Receiving a first positioning signal associated with a first location device may comprise receiving a first positioning signal associated with a first location device at the mobile device. Receiving a first positioning signal associated with a first location device may comprise receiving a first positioning signal associated with a first location device at the first location device.
The method may comprise: receiving a second positioning signal associated with a second location device; processing the second positioning signal to determine a received signal strength of the second positioning signal; comparing the received signal strength of the second positioning signal with a threshold signal strength for the second location device; and wherein determining that the mobile device is located within a first defined area is based on the comparison between the received signal strength of the first positioning signal and the threshold signal strength for the first location device and the comparison between the received signal strength of the second positioning signal and the threshold signal strength for the second location device. Determining that the mobile device is located within a first defined area may comprise determining that the mobile device is located within the first defined area if the received signal strength of the second positioning signal is equal to or higher than the threshold signal strength for the second location device. Determining that the mobile device is located within a first defined area may comprise determining that the mobile device is located within the first defined area if the received signal strength of the second positioning signal is higher than the threshold signal strength for the second location device.
The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows a schematic plan diagram of a location system installed in a space.
Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a location device.
Figure 3 shows an illustration of a plane perpendicular to the plan view of a defined area shown in figure 1.
Figure 4 shows an illustration of a plane perpendicular to the plan view of a defined area shown in figure 1.
Figure 5 shows a plan view of part of a structure having one or more spaces defined by walls.
Figure 6 shows a flow chart showing the steps of a method of determining the schematic position of a mobile device.
The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
The present invention relates to a location system for providing positioning information relative to a structure, the structure comprising at least one defined area. The location system may comprise a first location device configured to transmit a first positioning signal. The first location device being configured to generate the first positioning signal such that the first positioning signal has a substantial change in signal strength at a first boundary region of the defined area. The location system may comprise a fourth location device configured to be capable of receiving a fourth positioning signal. The fourth location device being configured so that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the fourth positioning signal at a fourth boundary region of the defined area. The present invention also relates to a method of determining the location of a mobile device relative to a structure, the structure comprising at least one defined area. The method comprises: receiving a first positioning signal associated with a first location device; and processing the first positioning signal to determine a received signal strength of the first positioning signal. The method also comprises comparing the received signal strength ofthe first positioning signal with a threshold signal strength for the first location device; and determining that the mobile device is located within a first defined area based on the comparison between the received signal strength of the first positioning signal and the threshold signal strength for the first location device.
Figure 1 shows a location system installed in a space 1 that has defined areas 2, 3. The location system may be a wireless location system. The space 1 may be part of a structure such as a building. The space 1 may be floor of a building. The space 1 may be on one level or may extend across different levels that logically form one space. The structure comprises at least one defined area 2, 3. These areas 2, 3 are shown with solid lines delimiting their boundary with the rest of the space 1. Those boundaries may be defined by physical barriers such as walls, doors or fences. However, the defined areas 2, 3 may just be semantic, logical areas within the space 1 without a physical boundary to delimit them. In this case, the boundary ofthe defined area may be defined by the content of the area, for example there may be a meeting desk and chairs of which the exterior periphery of the desk and chairs is the edge of the defined area. The defined areas 2, 3 may be defined by a combination of physical boundaries and logical, non-physical boundaries.
The location system comprises at least one location device 4-6. Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a location device 20. The location device 20 is configured to transmit a positioning signal 22 and/or be capable of receiving a positioning signal 22. Each of the location devices 4-6 comprises an antenna 21 for this purpose. In figure 1, the antennas are shown as dots within each location device 4-6. The positioning signal 22 may be a signal that is dedicated to positioning calculations or may be a signal that is used for other purposes as well as being used in positioning calculations. For instance, the signal may carry data between the location device and a mobile device 7 located within the space 1 that is not related to the position of the mobile device 7. The signal may be able to be used to calculate information concerning the position of the mobile device within space 1. This may be calculated using the signal strength of the positioning signal sent between the location device 4-6 and the mobile device 7. This may be calculated by deriving the transit time of the positioning signal between the location device 4-6 and the mobile device 7. This may be calculated through the angle of arrival or departure of the signal at the transmitter or receiver. This may be calculated using any combination of methods. The positioning signal may include data to assist with these calculations.
Whilst the antenna 21 is shown on the exterior of location device 20, it will be appreciated that it may instead, or as well as, be located on the interior of the location device. The antenna 21 may be formed of a single antenna or multiple antennae as required to produce the required transmission and/or reception shape for the location signal as discussed herein. In either case, the physical shape and way in which the signals are transmitted by the antenna or antennae can alter the transmission and/or reception shape. For example, the radiation emitted by and/or received from different parts of the antenna 21 can interfere at certain angles of transmission/reception to alter the transmission and/or reception shape. The location device 20 may be configured to adjust the way in which it uses antenna 21 so as to adjust the radiation pattern of the antenna 21. For example, the antenna 21 may be formed of multiple antennae and the location device 20 may be configured to select which of those antennae to use to receive and/or transmit to alter the interference of radiation at each of the multiple antennae to thus adjust the radiation pattern. Such an antenna 21 may be a steerable antenna. The location device 20 may be capable of detecting the reception angle of a received signal and thus define a plurality of reception shapes that each indicate a range of reception angles for a received signal. This may be achieved by the location device 20 comprising an array of antennae that are each, either individually or in groups, configured to receive signals within one of the reception shapes. Thus, the location device 20 can determine the reception angle of the received signal based on the antennae that receive the signal at a given time.
The location device 20 may comprise a processor 23 and a non-volatile memory 24. The location device 20 may comprise more than one processor 23 and more than one memory 24. The memory 24 stores a set of program instructions that are executable by the processor, and reference data such as look-up tables that can be referenced by the processor in response to those instructions. The processor 23 may be configured to operate in accordance with a computer program stored in non-transitory form on a machine-readable storage medium. The computer program may store instructions for causing the processor to perform the operations of the location device 20 in the matter described herein.
In figure 1, two example configurations of the location devices within defined areas 2, 3 are shown in figure 1. Defined area 2 has a one location device 4 associated with it. Defined area 3 has two location devices 5, 6 associated with it.
Location device 4 may be configured so that a substantial proportion of its radiation pattern is located within the region marked by dotted line 7 within defined area 2. As discussed herein, this can be by having an antenna configured to have specific radiation pattern which generally aligns with the area defined by dotted line 7. This can also be by the location device 4 designating an antenna or array of antennae as being antennae that have a specific radiation pattern which generally aligns with the are defined by dotted line 7. As discussed herein, the location device 4 may also be configured so that a proportion of its radiation pattern is located outside the region marked by dotted line 7 within defined area 2 but that the location device 4 is configured so that it discounts transmission or reception of those signals as being within defined area 2.
The location device 4 may be configured to transmit a positioning signal. In this case, the location device may be configured to generate the positioning signal such that the positioning signal has a substantial change in signal strength in the region marked by dotted line 7. As shown in figure 1, the dotted line 7 is close to, or aligned with, the edge of the defined area 2 in a boundary region of the defined area 2. The boundary region may be along at least a portion of an edge of the defined area 2. As shown in figure 1, the substantial change in signal strength does not always occur at the edge of the defined area 2. In the corners of the defined area 2, the substantial change in signal strength may deviate from the edge of the defined area. This effect may occur depending on the radiation shape of the antenna(e). Thus, the boundary region of defined area 2 are shown by each of regions labelled Ai, A2, A3, A4. Alternatively, all of the regions could be treated as one boundary region if the gaps between them are small compared to the overall length of the regions. It will be appreciated that there may be more than one boundary region as shown in figure 1 with respect to defined area 2. Each of these boundary regions could be used to calculate the edge of the defined area 2.
In the regions labelled A1, A2, A3, A4 the substantial change in signal strength either side of, and thus within, the boundary region generally coincides with the edge of the defined area 2. Therefore, a mobile device 7 that is using location device 4 for position information can use the substantial change in signal strength to judge whether the mobile device 7 is within the defined area 2 or outside of the defined area 2. By configuring location device 4 so that it generates a positioning signal with a substantial change in signal strength at the boundary region of the defined area 2 the mobile device can accurately judge its schematic position relative to the defined area 2.
The location device 4 may be capable of receiving a positioning signal. In this case, the location device may be configured so that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the positioning signal in the region marked along dotted line 7. As discussed with relation to the location device 4 transmitting a positioning signal, the substantial change in the ability of the location device to receive the positioning signal does not always occur at the edge of the defined area 2. In the corners of the defined area 2, the substantial change in the ability to receive the positioning signal may deviate from the edge of the defined area. Thus, the boundary region of the defined area 2 may again be shown by each of the regions labelled Ai, A2, A3, A4. Alternatively, all of the regions could be treated as one boundary region if the gaps between them are small compared to the overall length of the regions. The location device 4 may also be configured to have the capability to substantially receive signals from outside of the region marked by dotted line 7 but be configured so that the location device 4 can discount reception of those signals as being from within the region marked by dotted line 7. In this case, the location device 4 the substantial change in the capability to receive the positioning signal occurs due to the location device 4 processing signals that are received to determine whether they were received from within the region marked by dotted line 7. The location device 4 may be by using an array of directional antennae as herein described to make this determination.
In the regions labelled A1, A2, A3, A4 the substantial change in the capability to receive the positioning signal either side of, and thus within, the boundary region generally coincides with the edge of the defined area 2. Therefore, when a mobile device 7 transmits a positioning signal which is received by location device 4, the substantial change in signal strength of the received positioning signal can be used to judge whether the mobile device 7 is within the defined area 2 or outside of the defined area 2. By configuring location device 4 so that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive a positioning signal at the boundary region of the defined area 2 there is the capability to accurately judge the schematic position of the mobile device relative to the defined area 2.
In the case that the positioning signal is received by a location device, the location device may process that positioning signal to determine the position of the transmitting device itself. The location device may send information regarding the reception characteristics of the positioning signal, for example the received signal strength, the time of flight, the angle of arrival or departure, the reception time of the signal to another device for processing to determine the schematic position of the transmitting device relative to the defined area 2. The another device may be the transmitting device to enable the transmitting device to calculate its own position. The another device may be a location processing device 8 that is comprised in the location system. The location processing device 8 may be part of a location device. The location processing device 8 may comprise a processor and memory as described with relation to the location devices to implement the methods of the location processing device. The location processing device 8 may be capable of receiving and transmitting data between itself and the location devices. The location processing device 8 may also be configured to communicate with the mobile device 7.
The location device 4 may be configured to both send and receive positioning signals. This may occur, for example, when the location device 4 is acting as a wireless base station to communicate with other devices such as mobile device 7. Thus, the location device 4 may both transmit and receive signals that can be used as positioning signals 22. The location device 4 may use the same antenna(e) 21 to transmit and receive signals. In this case the radiation shape created by the antenna may have the boundary regions in the same location for both positioning signals that are sent and positioning signals that are received.
To generate the radiation profile shown in figure 1, location device 4 may be located in a plane perpendicular to the edge of defined area 2 as shown in figure 1. This is as shown in figure 3. Figure 3 shows the defined area 2 in a plane perpendicular to the plan view shown in figure 1. As shown in figures 1 and 3, the location device 4 may be located in the centre of that plane. The location device 4 may be located at or near the ceiling, i.e top, of the defined area 2. In other words, location device 4 may be located in a plane that cuts through defined area 2 at right angles to the edges of defined area 2. The radiation profile of location device 4 is shown by dotted area 30 in figure 3. The edge of dotted area 30 showing the region of substantial change in signal strength. It can be seen that the substantial change in signal strength occurs, in the plane shown, at boundary regions Ai and A3. In this example the boundary regions are near the lower part of defined area 2 and that the substantial change in signal strength does not occur outside of defined area 2 in areas where the location of a mobile device is likely to be calculated. I.e. the location of a mobile device is not going to be found in the floor of defined area 2.
The use of a location device that has at least one boundary region for the positioning signals it can send and/or receive is advantageous because it means there is a definite edge to the signal properties of the positioning signal. This makes it easier to detect whether the mobile device that is using those positioning signals for location is within defined area 2 or outside of it. This helps to improve the accuracy of the schematic location of the mobile device avoiding errors where the mobile device jumps between being within the defined area 2 and outside of defined area 2 when no such movement has occurred, or cannot physically occur due to the configuration of the environment 1.
In the second example configuration shown in figure 1, defined area 3 has two location devices 5, 6 associated with it. Second location device 5 is configured so that a substantial proportion of its radiation pattern is located within the region marked by dotted line 9 within defined area 3. As discussed herein, this can be by having an antenna configured to have specific radiation pattern which generally aligns with the area defined by dotted line 9. Third location device 6 is configured so that a substantial proportion of its radiation pattern is located within the region marked by dotted line 10 within defined area 3. As discussed herein, this can be by having an antenna configured to have specific radiation pattern which generally aligns with the area defined by dotted line 9. For clarity the radiation patterns of location devices 5 and 6 have only been shown within defined area 3. It will be appreciated that both location devices 5 and 6 will have an area of the radiation pattern that extends outside of the defined areas where the dotted lines finish on the edges of the defined areas that closes the loop of the dotted lines 9 and 10.
Second and third location devices 5, 6 can both be configured to generate a positioning signal such that the positioning signal has a substantial change in signal strength at respective boundary regions of the defined area 3; both be capable of receiving a positioning signal and be configured so that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the positioning signal at respective boundary regions of the defined area 3; or a combination of the two. This configuration may be as for location device 4 as described herein.
In the case of there being two or more location devices, such as second and third location devices 5, 6, each location device may define separate boundary regions of the defined area 3 and thus assist in the identification of at least some of the edge of defined area 3. This may be useful when the defined areas are large or shaped such that it is difficult to configure the radiation profile of one location device such that its boundary regions accurately describe the edge of the defined area. There may also be some overlap in the boundary regions of the location devices 5, 6.
As shown in figure 1, each of location devices 5, 6 are located at or near the edge of defined area 3. The radiation profile of each of the location devices 5, 6 is such that the positioning signal can be sent and/or received with a distinct edge in the signal strength near the portion of the edge of the defined area the location device 5, 6 is near. This is shown by boundary regions Bi and B2. Such a radiation profile may be obtained by use of a directional antenna 21 which projects a radiation profile in along a primary direction but not in the opposite direction to the primary direction. The radiation profile of each of the location devices may be such that there are also other distinct edges in the signal strength near portions of the edge of the defined area. This is shown by boundary regions B3 and B4 for location device 5 and boundary regions B5 and Ββ for location device 6. Alternatively, the radiation profile may be such that each location device only defines one boundary region of the defined respectively. In such a situation the radiation profile of the location devices may extend beyond the defined area 3 in a lateral direction with respect to the primary direction of the radiation profile.
Figure 4 shows the defined area 3 in a plane perpendicular to the plan view shown in figure 1. As shown in figures 1 and 4, the second and third location devices 5 and 6 may be located on or near the edges of defined area 3 as shown in figure 1. The second and third location devices 5 and 6 may be positioned vertically from the floor of defined area 3 as shown in figure 4. Example radiation profiles in the plane of figure 4 are shown by hashed areas 41 and 42 for second and third location device respectively. It can be seen from figures 1 and 4 that where a mobile device 7 can communicate with both location devices with a high signal strength there is a high likelihood of the mobile device 7 being located within defined area 3.
Figure 5 shows a plan view of part of a structure 50 having one or more spaces defined by walls 51. Shown in figure 5 are three spaces defined by walls and doors. Two of these spaces comprise location devices as described herein. The spaces may be rooms. The walls and doors define edges of defined areas as described herein. A first space 52 comprises a location device 54 configured in a manner similar to that of first location device 4. It can be seen that the location device 54 has substantial changes in signal strength in boundary regions of the defined area 52 and thus of the room 52 as shown by dotted line 57. This is as per figures 1 to 4. A second space 53 comprises two location devices 55 and 56. It can be seen that location devices 55 and 56 have substantial changes in signal strength in boundary regions of the defined area 53 and thus of the room 53 as shown by dotted lines 59 and 58 respectively. Therefore, it can be determined whether a mobile device communicating with these location devices is located within room 52 or 53 depending on whether the signal strength of the respective positioning signals associated with the respective location devices is low or high. This is because the substantial change in signal strengths of each of the positioning signals helps to determine which side of the various boundary regions the mobile device is on.
Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the steps of a method of determining the schematic position of a mobile device relative to one or more defined areas based on the positioning signals associated with the location devices described herein. This method may be implemented by a mobile device so that the mobile device can itself determine its schematic position. This method may be implemented by a location device. This method may be implemented by a location processing device that is comprised within the location system. As described herein, the location processing device may receive characteristics associated with the received positioning signals to determine the schematic position of the mobile device.
As shown in step 61, at least one positioning signal associated with at least one location device is received. This reception may occur at the location device(s) in the case that the positioning signal is sent by the mobile device. This reception may occur at the mobile device in the case that the positioning signal is sent by the location device(s). In the case that some positioning signals are sent by the mobile device and some positioning signals are received by the mobile device this reception may occur at both the mobile device and the location device(s).
As shown in step 62, the positioning signals are processed to determine the measured signal strength of the positioning signals as received. The measured signal strength may be a received signal strength. The signal strength of the positioning signal forms one of the reception characteristics of the positioning signal. Other reception characteristics of the positioning signal may also be determined. These other reception characteristics may include:
- Time of flight of the positioning signal. This is the time between the transmitting device sending the positioning signal and the reception device receiving the signal. This calculation may be based on information contained within the positioning signal which indicates when it was sent by the transmitting device.
- Reception time of the positioning signal.
- Angle of departure or arrival of the positioning signal.
As shown in step 64, the measured signal strength of each positioning signal is compared to a threshold signal strength for the positioning signal associated with a particular location device. The threshold signal strength may be stored in a database. The threshold signal strength lookup table. The database and/or lookup table may store threshold signal strengths associated with a plurality of location devices.
As shown in step 65, if the measured signal strength is equal to or above the threshold signal strength for a particular location device then the mobile device is determined to be within the defined area associated with the at least one location device. Where more than one location device is associated with a defined area then the measured signal strength for each positioning signal may need to be above the respective threshold signal strength associated with the respective location device.
Where another device to the mobile device undertakes the determination concerning the defined areas, there may be an additional step 63, as shown in dashed lines, where the measured signal strength(s) are sent to a location processing device 8. The location processing device 8 may then implement steps 63 to 65.
As will be evident, the use of a substantial change in signal strength to determine whether a mobile device is present in a defined area or not is beneficial because it enables a more accurate determination of the schematic position of the mobile device. This can avoid the mobile device being determined to move, or be located, in a manner that is physically impossible based on the environment in which the mobile device is located.
The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims (42)

1. A location system for providing positioning information relative to a structure, the structure comprising at least one defined area, the location system comprising: a first location device configured to transmit a first positioning signal, the first location device being configured to generate the first positioning signal such that the first positioning signal has a substantial change in signal strength at a first boundary region of the defined area.
2. A location system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first location device is configured to generate the first positioning signal such that the first positioning signal has a higher signal strength within the defined area at the first boundary region than outside the defined area at the boundary region.
3. A location system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first location device is configured to generate the first positioning signal such that the first positioning signal has a lower signal strength within the defined area at the first boundary region than outside the defined area at the first boundary region.
4. A location system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first boundary region of the defined area is located at a point of an edge of the defined area.
5. A location system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first boundary region of the defined area is located along an edge of the defined area.
6. A location system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first location device is configured to generate the first positioning signal such that the first positioning signal has a substantial change in signal strength at a plurality of boundary regions of the defined area.
7. A location system as claimed in any preceding claim, the location device comprising an antenna configured to transmit the first positioning signal, the antenna being configured such that the antenna shapes the transmission of the first positioning signal such that the first positioning signal has a substantial change in signal strength at the boundary region.
8. A location system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the antenna is configured such that the positioning signal has a radiation pattern that has a substation change in signal strength at the boundary region.
9. A location system as claimed in any preceding claim, the location system comprising a second location device configured to transmit a second positioning signal, the second location device being configured to generate the second positioning signal such that the positioning signal has a substantial change in signal strength at a second boundary region of the defined area.
10. A location system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first boundary region and second boundary region are located at different locations along the periphery of the defined area.
11. A location system as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the first boundary region and second boundary region are located on opposite sides of the defined area, and the first location device and second location device are configured to respectively generate the first and second positioning signals such that both signals have a higher signal strength within the defined area at their respective boundary regions than outside the defined area at their respective boundary regions.
12. A location system as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first and second location devices are configured to respectively generate the first and second positioning signals such that the positioning signals both have substantially zero signal strength outside the defined area at their respective boundary regions.
13. A location system as claimed in any preceding claim, the location system comprising: a third location device configured to be capable of receiving a third positioning signal, the location device being configured so that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the third positioning signal at a third boundary region of the defined area.
14. A location system as claimed in any preceding claim, the location system comprising a plurality of location devices configured to transmit respective positioning signals, each location device being configured to generate a positioning signal such that the positioning signals have substantial changes in signal strength within at least one boundary region of the defined area.
15. A location system for providing positioning information relative to a structure, the structure comprising at least one defined area, the location system comprising: a fourth location device configured to be capable of receiving a fourth positioning signal, the location device being configured so that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the fourth positioning signal at a fourth boundary region of the defined area.
16. A location system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fourth location device is configured so that the fourth positioning signal is able to be received with a higher signal strength when received from within the defined area at the fourth boundary region than outside the defined area at the fourth boundary region.
17. A location system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fourth location device is configured so that the fourth positioning signal is able to be received with a lower signal strength when received from within the defined area at the fourth boundary region than outside the defined area at the fourth boundary region.
18. A location system as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the fourth boundary region of the defined area is located at a point of an edge of the defined area.
19. A location system as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the fourth boundary region of the defined area is located along an edge of the defined area.
20. A location system as claimed in any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the fourth location device is configured so that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the fourth positioning signal at a plurality of boundary regions of the defined area.
21. A location system as claimed in any of claims 15 to 20, wherein the location device is configured to determine that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the fourth positioning signal at a fourth boundary region of the defined area by determining a reception angle ofthe fourth positioning signal and determining whether the reception angle falls within a reception angular range associated with the fourth boundary region.
22. A location system as claimed in any of claims 15 to 21, the location device comprising an antenna configured to receive the fourth positioning signal, the antenna being configured such that the antenna has a reception shape such that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the fourth positioning signal at the fourth boundary region of the defined area.
23. A location system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the antenna has a reception shape that forms part of the total reception shape of the location device.
23. A location system as claimed in claim 22, the location device comprising at least one additional antenna being configured such that the at least one additional antenna has a reception shape that covers the parts of the total reception shape not covered by the antenna having a substantial change in the capability to receive the fourth positioning signal at the fourth boundary region of the defined area.
24. A location system as claimed in any of claims 15 to 23, the location system comprising a fifth location device configured to configured to be capable of receiving a fifth positioning signal, the location device being configured so that there is a substantial change in the capability to receive the fifth positioning signal at a fifth boundary region of the defined area.
25. A location system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the fourth boundary region and fifth boundary region are located at different locations along the periphery ofthe defined area.
26. A location system as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the fourth boundary region and fifth boundary region are located on opposite sides of the defined area, and the fourth location device and fifth location device are respectively configured so that both the fourth and fifth positioning signals are able to be respectively received with a higher signal strength when received from within the defined area than when received outside of the defined area.
27. A location system as claimed in any of claims 24 to 26, wherein the fourth and fifth location devices are respectively configured so that both the fourth and fifth positioning signals are respectively received with zero signal strength when received from their respective boundary regions.
28. A location system as claimed in any of claims 15 to 27, wherein the fourth and fifth positioning signal originate from the same mobile device.
29. A location system as claimed in any of claimed 15 to 28, wherein the fourth and fifth positioning signals are the same positioning signal.
30. A location system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the positioning signal is a dedicated positioning signal.
31. A location system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the positioning signal is a data signal transmitting non-positioning related data.
32. A location system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the defined areas are rooms.
33. A location system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure is a floor of a building.
34. A method of determining the location of a mobile device relative to a structure, the structure comprising at least one defined area, the method comprising:
receiving a first positioning signal associated with a first location device;
processing the first positioning signal to determine a received signal strength of the first positioning signal;
comparing the received signal strength of the first positioning signal with a threshold signal strength for the first location device; and determining that the mobile device is located within a first defined area based on the comparison between the received signal strength of the first positioning signal and the threshold signal strength for the first location device.
35. A method as claimed in claim 34, wherein determining that the mobile device is located within a first defined area comprises determining that the mobile device is located within the first defined area if the received signal strength of the first positioning signal is equal to or higher than the threshold signal strength for the first location device.
36. A method as claimed in claim 35, wherein determining that the mobile device is located within a first defined area comprises determining that the mobile device is located within the first defined area if the received signal strength of the first positioning signal is higher than the threshold signal strength for the first location device.
37. A method as claimed in any of claims 34 to 36, the method comprising sending the received signal strength of the first positioning signal to a location processing device.
38. A method as claimed in any of claims 34 to 37, wherein receiving a first positioning signal associated with a first location device comprises receiving a first positioning signal associated with a first location device at the mobile device.
39. A method as claimed in any of claims 34 to 37, wherein receiving a first positioning signal associated with a first location device comprises receiving a first positioning signal associated with a first location device at the first location device.
40. A method as claimed in any of claims 34 to 39, comprising:
receiving a second positioning signal associated with a second location device;
processing the second positioning signal to determine a received signal strength of the second positioning signal;
comparing the received signal strength of the second positioning signal with a threshold signal strength for the second location device; and
5 wherein determining that the mobile device is located within a first defined area is based on the comparison between the received signal strength of the first positioning signal and the threshold signal strength for the first location device and the comparison between the received signal strength of the second positioning signal and the threshold signal strength for the second location device.
41. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein determining that the mobile device is located within a first defined area comprises determining that the mobile device is located within the first defined area if the received signal strength of the second positioning signal is equal to or higher than the threshold signal strength for the second
15 location device.
42. A method as claimed in claim 41, wherein determining that the mobile device is located within a first defined area comprises determining that the mobile device is located within the first defined area if the received signal strength of the second
20 positioning signal is higher than the threshold signal strength for the second location device.
Intellectual
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Application No: GB1705536.9 Examiner: Miss Samantha Henry
GB1705536.9A 2017-04-05 2017-04-05 Signal strength positioning Withdrawn GB2561216A (en)

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