DE102017105758A1 - ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING THE FIELD COVERAGE OF A WIRELESS LOCAL NETWORK (WLAN) IN A WORKING AREA - Google Patents

Abstract

At a work area, a field coverage of a wireless local area network (WLAN) is analyzed. A mobile data pickup device measures coverage data indicating the WLAN field coverage from a plurality of locations in the work area, and also takes image data indicating images of the locations in the work area. A controller correlates the measured coverage data and the captured image data at each location. An interface displays the captured image data correlated with the measured coverage data at each location. Impact rating data showing the WLAN coverage can also be determined, correlated, and displayed for each location.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention relates to U.S. Pat. Provisional Application No. 62 / 309,659, filed March 17, 2016, entitled "Capturing, Visualization and Analysis of Wireless Field Coverage" (Attorney Docket No. 151536 US01) claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) thereof. This Provisional Application is owned by the common assignee of the present application, Symbol Technologies LLC, and the entire contents of this provisional application are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to an arrangement and method for analyzing field coverage of a wireless local area network (WLAN) in a work area, either indoors or outdoors.

For product localization, product tracking, product identification and inventory control of products in a retail, factory or warehouse environment or similar indoor or outdoor work environment, it is known to have one or more mobile data collection devices in a wireless local area network (WLAN) a plurality of base stations (for example, access points) distributed in the work area to wirelessly connect under the control of a network computer or a host server. For example, one type of mobile data collection device may be a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader for reading RFID tags and / or a near field communication (NFC) tag reader for reading NFC tags where the tags belong to the products in the workspace, and another type of mobile data collector may be either a laser-based or image-based bar code symbol reader for reading bar code symbols associated with the products in the workspace. The base stations spread a WLAN field in the work area by sending and receiving RF signals to such mobile devices to allow the users of the mobile devices to move freely within the work area and still be connected to the WLAN, and if desired, to be connected to the wider Internet. Numerous modern WLANs are advantageously on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards which are marketed under the Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) brand name.

Often, it is important to analyze or map the coverage of the WLAN field of the RF signals propagated from the base stations to the work area, both prior to setting up the WLAN during network scheduling and after setting up the WLAN during a surveillance debugging. Strong RF signal coverage is typically found in certain so-called "hot" zones in the work area, typically in the immediate vicinity of each base station. However, some RF signals may be reflected and / or scattered along multiple folded paths and at least partially absorbed by walls, ceilings, floors, racking structures, and similar permanent fixtures and obstacles. In addition, from time to time, some RF signals may be transmitted by persons walking through the site, or by forklifts passing through the site, or by doors being closed, or by any translational movement from another object or person unpredictable and temporarily subdued. Such multipath propagation conditions and translational environmental conditions can cause poor, poor, or even no WLAN field coverage in certain so-called "cold" zones at the work area, and can affect network communications and data capture capabilities. Additional base stations or other network hardware or software may need to be set up and configured to provide more uniform and adequate WLAN field coverage at the site, particularly at the cold zones, thereby binding customer support personnel and resources.

It is known to perform a survey of an area to analyze the WLAN field coverage at a work area by sampling the RF signals propagated from the base stations. Although satisfactory for their intended purpose, the survey or mapping data generated by such a survey is valid only for the time and only for the specific physical obstacles and / or environmental conditions during which the survey was performed. For example, a network analyst looking through the survey data will not know if a particular cold zone was caused by a bad location of the base stations, or by the presence of any permanent paving or obstruction, or any transient environmental condition such as among other things, the temporary movement of any object or person. Once the survey is complete, the analyst may not immediately be able to recover the physical obstructions and / or environmental conditions where the survey was performed. This can lead to an incorrect analysis of the WLAN field coverage. For example, a particular temporary obstacle and / or environmental condition may not occur again, and one zone that is considered cold at one time may actually be hot at another time.

As a result, for network planning / monitoring / debugging purposes, it would be desirable to make the analysis of WLAN coverage more accurate, to reduce the involvement of customer support personnel and resources, and to more easily enable an analyst to overcome the physical obstacles and / or environmental conditions which a range survey has been performed to restore.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or functionally similar elements throughout the several views, are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, together with the detailed description given below, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of the concepts that follow claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of these embodiments. In the drawings show:

1 a top view of a storage environment or a work area with products that belong to data to be included by mobile data recording devices in a WLAN with multiple base stations for spreading a WLAN field in an arrangement for analyzing the coverage of the WLAN field in accordance with the present disclosure;

2 a diagrammatic view illustrating a representative user and a representative automated vehicle, each operable to move mobile data recording devices in the work area of the 1 represents;

3 a block diagram of some of the components of the arrangement of 1 ;

4A and 4B collectively, a screenshot on a display screen of image data taken by each mobile data recording device, WLAN field coverage data measured by each mobile data acquisition device and correlated with the image data, and exposure evaluation data related to the image data and the image data WLAN field coverage data are correlated;

5 a table of representative physical obstructions and pattern indices for use in determining the exposure score data for a display on the display screen of FIG 4A and 4B ;

6 a table of representative environmental condition indices, which are also used in the determination of the exposure evaluation data for a display on the display screen of the 4A and 4B be used;

7 a flowchart of steps in the determination of the impact evaluation data for a display on the display screen of the 4A and 4B be executed; and

8th a flow diagram of a method for analyzing the WLAN field coverage in accordance with the present disclosure.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and locations of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

The arrangement and process components have been illustrated, as appropriate, with conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are important to understanding the embodiments of the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that Those of ordinary skill in the art who will benefit from the description herein will already be aware of this.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of this disclosure relates to an arrangement for analyzing a coverage of a field of a wireless local area network (WLAN) in a work area. The arrangement comprises a mobile data recording device that is movable in the work area, for example by a human operator walking around or by an automated vehicle, such as a land vehicle or an aircraft. Advantageously, a plurality of base stations, for example access points, propagate the WLAN field at the work area by transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals to and from the mobile data recording device. The mobile data pickup device measures coverage data indicating the WLAN field coverage from a plurality of locations in the venue, and takes image data indicating images of the locations on the work area. A controller, for example, a programmed microprocessor, is connected to the mobile data collection device in a cancerous manner and correlates the measured coverage data and the captured image data at each location. Advantageously, impact evaluation data indicating physical obstacles and / or environmental conditions at the work area may also be determined and correlated with the measured coverage data and the captured image data at each location. An interface is operatively connected to the controller and displays the captured image data correlated to the measured coverage data at each location / location. The correlated impact rating data may also be displayed on the interface.

In a preferred embodiment, the mobile data pickup device may include an RF receiver for receiving the propagated RF signals indicative of the WLAN field coverage, and the controller measures the coverage data by sampling strengths of the received RF signals. The RF receiver is also operable to receive a plurality of the propagated RF signals transmitted by RF transmitters at fixed known locations in the work area, in which case the controller collects the mobile data collection device at each location by measuring the strengths of the plurality of received ones RF signals localized, for example, by techniques such as triangulation, trilateration or the like. The mobile data recording device advantageously has a camera or a similar image recording device for recording the image data over an imaging field of view, and a movable holder is preferably provided for moving the camera and the imaging field of view. Advantageously, the mounting of the camera allows rotation and / or tilting to a desired extent.

The interface preferably includes a display screen, and the controller controls the display screen to concurrently select the captured image data and the measured coverage data and optionally the exposure rating data correlated at each location selected by an analyst currently analyzing the WLAN field coverage to display. The simultaneous display of the captured image data and the measured coverage data, as well as the optional impact evaluation data, is preferably performed in real time as the mobile data acquisition device moves through the work area. Alternatively or additionally, the simultaneous display of the captured image data and the measured coverage data, as well as the optional exposure evaluation data, may be performed at respective locations after the corresponding measurements have been taken and recorded by the mobile data acquisition facility. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the foregoing simultaneous display may take place on the mobile data acquisition device itself and / or on some other computing device based on either real time or recorded data.

Another aspect of this disclosure is directed to a method for analyzing field coverage in a wireless local area network (WLAN) at a work area. The method is performed by moving a mobile data pickup device in the work area, by measuring coverage data indicating the WLAN field coverage, from a plurality of locations on the work area, by picking up image data indicating images of the locations in the work area by correlating the measured coverage data and the captured image data at each location, and by displaying the captured image data correlates with the measured coverage data at each location. The above-mentioned impact evaluation data may also be determined, correlated and displayed for each location.

In accordance with this disclosure, the display of the captured image data correlates with the measured coverage data at each location, and optionally the corrected impact score data, allows an analyst or user the physical obstacles and / or environmental conditions under which the analysis of the WLAN coverage was performed; restore. Thus, the analyst may review the captured image data and determine, inter alia, whether a particular cold zone is due to a bad location of the base stations or permanent installation or obstruction or any temporary movement of a person or object or any environmental condition or by any means other factor was caused. The analysis of the WLAN field coverage is therefore performed more accurately than before.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference numeral designates 10 in 1 Generally, a warehouse environment or workspace where products 12 , in the 1 For simplicity, boxes or cartons are shown to belong to inventory data obtained from mobile data entry devices 92 , as described above, to be included. The workspace 10 may be a workspace within buildings or outdoors, and may have any layout or configuration. As in 2 can show a zone of the workspace 10 For example, a variety of shelf structures 6 and 8th separated by a gear 4 , exhibit and the products can be on the shelf structures 6 . 8th to be appropriate. Every product 12 may be associated with a radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag (carrier), preferably a passive RFID tag, and / or a near field communication (NFC) tag for cost reasons, and in some applications, each RFID / NFC tag may become one Pallet or container for holding multiple products 12 belong. Every product 12 may additionally or alternatively be advantageously labeled with a bar code symbol or with any other type of identifier.

As in 3 shows each mobile pickup device 22 a data collection module 26 for example as an RFID and / or NFC tag reader for reading the RFID and / or NFC tags associated with the products 12 or as a laser-based or image-based bar code symbol reader for reading the bar code symbols associated with the products 12 belong on. Such data collection identifies the products for purposes such as location, tracking, and inventory control. Any mobile recording device 22 may also be provided with a voice communication module. As in 1 - 2 shown, the mobile recording device 22 be configured to by a human operator 24 to be held in the hand and carried when the operator through the work area 10 running, or the mobile recording device 22 can be from an automated vehicle 28 while driving through the work area. As shown, the vehicle 28 a pickup cart with wheels 32 and is self-propelled, for example either autonomous or by the operator or by remote control, along the aisle 4 between the filing structures 6 . 8th of products 12 passing in the direction of the arrow "A". The vehicle 28 For example, some form of transportation, either man-powered or powered, may even be an aircraft or a flying drone. In one embodiment, the vehicle is 28 a robotic vehicle used for data collection and automatic navigation through the work area 10 is configured.

Like also in 1 and 2 shown are the mobile data recording devices 22 in a wireless local area network (WLAN) with a plurality of base stations (for example access points) 20 located in the workspace under the control of a network computer or host server 16 are arranged wirelessly connected. In one embodiment, the base stations 20 for example at every 20-80 feet or so remotely installed in a grid pattern. The base stations 20 Widen a wireless field in the workspace 10 by sending radio frequency (RF) signals to the mobile devices 22 send and receive from it to the operators 24 and / or the vehicles 28 to allow yourself freely within the workspace 10 to move around and still be connected to the wireless, and if desired with the other Internet. An advantageous embodiment of the WLAN can on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards which are marketed under the brand name Wireless Fidelity (WiFi). The host server 16 is typically in a back room to the work area 10 arranged and includes one or more computers and is in communication with each base station 20 , The server 16 can also be included remotely in a cloud server. The server 16 controls every base station 20 , In one embodiment, the server controls 16 also an interface 14 as described below.

In accordance with this disclosure, the coverage of the WLAN field in which the signals are present at the work area 10 spread as a result of the movement of the mobile device 22 through a variety of locations in the workspace 10 imaged and analyzed. As in 2 and 3 the mobile device can be shown 22 by transmitting a plurality of RF signals from a corresponding plurality of transmitters 34 operating in a corresponding variety of base stations 20 are provided along RF signal paths 18 to one in the mobile device 22 intended recipient 30 be located. The positions of the base stations 20 are firm and known. A device controller 36 in the mobile device 22 measures the strength of the received RF signals and the distance between the mobile device 22 and every base station 20 is determined by localization techniques known in the art, for example by triangulation, trilateration or the like.

Many other types of localization techniques can be used to locate the mobile device 22 within the workspace 10 be used. For example, an ultrasound locating system may be used to locate the mobile device 22 by sending an ultrasonic signal to an ultrasonic receiver, for example microphone 38 , on the mobile device 22 be used. In particular, a plurality of ultrasound transmitters, such as voice coil or piezoelectric loudspeakers, for example, mounted at known fixed positions on the work area can apply ultrasonic energy to the microphone 38 transfer. The reception of the ultrasonic energy at the microphone 38 localizes the mobile device 22 , Each ultrasonic speaker periodically transmits ultrasonic distance measurement signals, preferably in short bursts or ultrasonic pulses, from the microphone 38 on the mobile device 22 be received. The microphone 38 determines when the ultrasonic distance measurement signals are received. The transit time difference between the transmission time at which each distance measurement signal is transmitted and the reception time at which each distance measurement signal is received, together with the known speed of each distance measurement signal, as well as the known and fixed locations and positions of the speakers, are all used to determine the Position of the microphone 38 and the mobile device 22 for example, using any known localization technique, such as triangulation, trilateration, multilateration, among others.

The RF receiver 30 can also receive RF signals that indicate the WLAN field coverage. The device controller 36 collects the strengths of the received RF signals and thereby measures coverage data indicative of WLAN coverage from the locations in the work area. In addition, there is a camera 40 in the mobile device 22 and is provided by the device controller 36 operated to capture image data, the images of the locations in the workspace 10 above an imaging field of view (FOV), and also to record the times at which the image data was measured. The FOV is the fixed angle over which the camera is 40 for the light coming from the places in the workspace 10 returns, is sensitive. The device controller 36 then correlates the measured coverage data and the captured time-stamped image data at each location in the workspace. As described below in connection with 4A and 4B described, shows the interface 14 the recorded time-stamped image data correlates to the measured coverage data at each location.

In particular and as in 3 shown includes the server 16 a server controller 42 and a server store 44 , the interface 14 includes a display monitor screen 46 and a keyboard 48 or an analog manual input device. The server controller 42 controls the interface 14 and a database 50 , The mobile device 22 also includes a facility store 52 , a battery 54 to power the mobile device 22 , and preferably an accelerometer 56 for determining the position and / or orientation of the mobile device 22 , The measured coverage data and the recorded time-stamped image data may be stored in the device memory 42 and / or in server memory 44 and / or in the database 50 recorded and stored. The measured coverage data and the captured time-stamped image data may be provided by the device controller 36 and / or from the server controller 42 be correlated. In one embodiment, a camera includes 40 a wide-angle lens to provide a wide field of view (FOV) within the WLAN field coverage field at each location of the mobile device 22 take. Alternatively or additionally, the camera 40 a panoramic camera capable of capturing panoramic image data at a plurality of locations of the mobile device 22 is configured.

In an operating mode, the operator 24 if he / she is through the workspace 10 running, the field of view of the camera 40 in any direction and as long as desired and the camera 40 takes time-stamped images of the places or scenes in the workspace while the recipient is 30 essentially simultaneously measures the wireless field in these places. In another operating mode, the vehicle moves 28 through the workspace in front and the camera 40 the worn mobile device 22 is operated to record time-stamped images of the locations or scenes in the workspace while the recipient is 30 the held mobile device 22 essentially simultaneously measures the wireless field in these places. The held mobile device 22 is advantageously on a stage or a platform 58 attached (see 2 ), which held the mobile device 22 in azimuth in any circumferential direction, as indicated by the arrow "B", about a vertical axis and the held mobile device 22 in the elevation can tilt up or down to thereby direct the field of view in any desired direction and for as long as desired. The accelerometer 56 supports the determination of the position and orientation of the held mobile device 22 , The vehicle 28 may be advantageously programmed to operate according to a predetermined automatic schedule, for example at night and along a predetermined route.

4A and 4B together take a representative screenshot on the display 46 the interface 14 is displayed, and include, among other things, the simultaneous display of the recorded image data 60 and the measured coverage data 62 , Alternatively or In addition, the screenshot of the 4A and 4B directly on an on-board display of the mobile device 22 are displayed. The measured coverage data 42 FIG. 12 is a graphical representation of received signal strength intensity (RSSI), expressed in -dBm units, of RF signals received from the multiple base stations 20 spread along the Y axis, and the time along the X axis. In one embodiment, the graphical representations may be drawn in real-time as the mobile device 22 is moved. The image data 60 and the coverage data 62 can be reviewed in real time or they can be in the database, for example 50 recorded and stored for subsequent review and analysis. The image data 60 are an actual representation or image, such as a photograph or video image, of the physical scene at each location and time, for example, at the time of a line or cursor 64 is selected. The layout of the image data 60 and coverage data 62 may be in a portrait or landscape orientation, with the positions of the image data 60 and the coverage data 62 turned over and / or at least partially superimposed, and wherein the sizes of the image data 60 and / or coverage data 62 be varied or fixed. For example, in one embodiment, the image data 60 corresponding to a temporal instant, chosen by the line or the cursor 64 ( 4B ), in an embedded image data window over the line or cursor 64 where the embedded image data window is updated when a user selects the line or the cursor 64 along the graph showing the time-varying coverage data 62 represents, moves.

Einwirkungs evaluation data 66 , which are typically a numerical value, the physical obstacles, such as those in the table of the 5 and / or environmental conditions such as those shown in the table of 6 are specified in the workspace 100 can display on the display 46 or on a mobile device board display 22 can be viewed and updated at the same time, and can be used with the respective recorded image data 60 and the respective measured coverage data 62 be correlated. To the impact rating data 66 to determine is the device controller 36 also operable, as described below, to detect such predetermined obstacles and / or environmental conditions from the recorded image data. For example, a visual recognition algorithm, such as the flowchart of FIG 7 shown on the device controller 36 programmed to detect such obstacles and / or environmental conditions and the exposure evaluation data 66 for each detected obstacle and / or a recognized condition to determine and display.

Thus, as in 5 shown a variety of representative predetermined obstacles, patterns or objects of different material types and states indicated by the numbers 1 ... N. and in a database to which the device controller 36 can be accessed as a table of obstacle and pattern indexes (OPI) stored. Each such obstacle / pattern is associated with an OPI coefficient (OPIC), which is a preset numerical value that approximately indicates the extent to which it obstructs, for example attenuates, the WLAN field. Thus, a larger OPIC such as 5 associated with an empty metal deposit (index 5) mutes the WLAN field more than a dry wall (index 3) whose OPIC is 1. The default OPICs form part of a previously established propagation model.

Any such obstacle / pattern shown in the table of 5 is also associated with a weighting factor relating to the distance OPIC-D between the respective obstacle / pattern and the mobile device. The distance may be determined by a distance measuring device or preferably from the recorded image data in combination with data representing a corresponding focal length of the focusing lens system of the camera 40 to be determined. Each weighting factor is inversely proportional to the distance. The larger the distance, the less the WLAN field is attenuated by the respective obstacle / pattern. As shown, indices 1-6 are inverses of the distance squared, whereas indices 7-11 inverses of the distance are more potentiated, indicating the different degrees to which the attenuation varies with the distance for the indices 1-6 in comparison with the Indices 7-11 changes. As in further 5 Indices 7-11 indicate possible RF transmission, which can lead to signal interference or signal interference. In one embodiment, an indicator of a potential RF emission / interference source is provided to the user, for example, by visually displaying a respective object that is captured in the image data and on the interface 14 and / or the mobile device 2 20 is shown.

Referring now to 6 are a variety of given environmental conditions indexed with the numbers 1 ... N and in a database to which the device controller 36 can be accessed as a table of environmental condition indexes (ECI). To each such environmental condition is a determination (yes or no), whether a base station 20 in the image data 60 is captured or not. Each environmental condition also belongs to an ECI Sanction Factor (ECI-PF), which is a is a preset numerical multiplication value that approximately indicates the extent to which the particular environmental condition attenuates the WLAN field. A larger ECI-PF, such as 2 in conjunction with an inner small space in which a base station has not been detected (index 3), attenuates the WLAN thus falls more than an inner small space in which a base station has not been detected (Index 2) whose ECI-PF is 1. The default ECI PFs also form part of the previously established propagation model.

The flowchart of 7 shows the steps taken by the device controller 36 be executed to the obstacles of the 5 and / or the environmental conditions of the 6 and the impact rating data 66 for each such detected obstacle and / or for each recognized condition at each location in the work area 1β to determine and display. First, the camera captures 40 the OPI and / or the ECI from the captured image data in the step 70 , Then get the device controller 36 the stored OPIC from the associated captured OPI from the database in step 72 and read it out. In step 74 the device controller calculates 36 the distance between the associated detected OPI and the mobile device 22 and the device controller 36 fetches the stored OPIC-D and reads it from the database. In step 76 the device controller calculates 36 a first approximation (1) of the impact weighting data by multiplying OPIC by OPIC-D. Although the steps 70 . 72 . 74 and 76 in 7 individually presented for clarity, they can all be executed in a single step. The device controller 36 gets the saved ECI-PF from the database in step 78 , In step 80 the device controller calculates 36 a second approximation (approximation2) of the impact evaluation data 66 by multiplying Approximation1 by the ECI-PF. Although the steps 78 and 80 in 7 are presented individually for the purposes of clarity, they can be executed in a single step.

Next, the device controller determines 36 in step 82 whether a map of the workspace 10 on the mobile device 22 previously charged. If not, then the impact rating data becomes 66 considered to be the approximation2, and this exposure evaluation data 66 be sent to the device controller 36 for further processing and / or for display in the step 84 forwarded. If the card was previously loaded then the device controller locates 36 the mobile device 22 on the map in step 86 and then determines whether or not the OPI and / or ECI can be found on the card. If not, then the impact rating data becomes 66 again considered to be the approximation 2, and this impact evaluation data 66 be sent to the device controller 36 for further processing and / or for display in the step 84 passed. However, if the OPI and / or ECI can be found on the card, then the device controller refines 36 the OPIC, OPIC-D and ECI-PF values based on the additional information and metadata provided by the card and update them in step 90 , and calculated in step 92 a first refined recalculation (Refined1) of the impact rating data 66 by multiplying the refined OPIC by the refined OPIC-D and calculating a second refined recalculation (Refined2) of the impact rating data 66 by multiplying Refined1 with the refined ECI-PF. The impact rating data 66 are now considered to be Refined2 and this impact rating data 66 will be sent to the controller 36 for further processing and / or for display in the step 84 forwarded.

An analyst or user taking the screenshot of the 4A and 46 looks through or looks at the cursor 64 to move to any desired time along the X-axis, the corresponding actual image of the location of the mobile device, and additionally the impact evaluation data 66 to look at this time. For example, the analyst may see that a particular location has a low RSSI or a high impact score 66 indicating a cold zone with poor coverage and the analyst may wish to see the actual environmental conditions at that location and time to try and determine why the coverage from that zone was poor. The analyst may not see anything out of the ordinary, or he may be able to see some physical obstacle or environmental condition for poor coverage and suggest a corrective action. Non-limiting examples of a corrective action may include re-surveying the field coverage when the physical obstruction is removed, moving base station locations, and / or adjusting the basestation's energy output to detect the existence and attenuation characteristics of identified obstacles (e.g. metallic obstacles, non-metallic obstacles, temporary shelves). In accordance with this disclosure, the analyst may re-establish the physical or environmental conditions under which the WLAN coverage measurement was performed and perform a more accurate WLAN analysis than before.

In yet another embodiment, the characteristics of the RF propagation environment identified by the captured image data, including attenuation constants corresponding to obstacles, wall types, or other environmental condition variables, become coverage in the work area 10 on an RF propagation modeling computer to improve the accuracy of modeling / simulation of various coverage scenarios within the workspace (eg, simulation of predicted coverage effects based on a change in position, antenna types, and / or energy output of one or more the base stations 20 ) provided.

The flowchart of 8th shows the operation of the method of this disclosure. The method of analyzing WLAN field coverage is performed by moving a mobile data pickup device 22 in the workspace 10 in step 100 by locating the mobile device 22 in the workspace 10 in step 102 by measuring coverage data indicating the WLAN field coverage at each location in step 104 by taking image data showing images at each location in step 106 by correlating the measured coverage data and the captured image data at each location in the step 108 , and by displaying the captured image data, correlates with the measured coverage data at each location in the step 110 , The above-mentioned impact evaluation data 66 can step for every location 112 also determined, correlated and displayed.

In the foregoing description, specific embodiments have been described. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the description and figures are considered in an illustrative sense and not in a limiting sense, and all such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present teachings.

The benefits, benefits, solutions to problems, and any element (s) that can cause any benefit, benefit, or solution to occur or emerge better are not considered to be critical, required, or essential features or elements viewed from any or all claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims, including any changes made during the pendency of this application, and all equivalent embodiments of the claims as issued.

Further, in this document, terms related to each other, such as first / first and second / second, top and bottom, and the like, are used exclusively to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without this necessarily requires or implies any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprising," "comprising," "having," "having," "containing," "containing," "includes," "including," or any other variation thereof are intended to mean non-exclusive incorporation, so that a process, method, article, or device that includes, includes, includes, or includes a list of elements not only includes those elements but may include other elements that are not explicitly listed or for such a process, such Method, such an article or such device are inherent. An element that "includes ... a", "points to ... a", "includes a", "contains ..." precedes the existence without further constraints of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or device that comprises, includes, or includes the element. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms "substantial," "essential," "about," "nearly," or any other version thereof are defined to be near to those of ordinary skill in the art, and in a non-limiting embodiment, the term to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "coupled" as used herein is defined as being connected, although this does not mean that it is necessarily directly and necessarily mechanical. A device or structure that is "configured" in a particular way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

It should be appreciated that some embodiments may include one or more generic or specialized processors (or "processing readers"), such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, custom processors and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and others stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all, of the functions of the method and / or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or all of the functions may be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), where each function or any combination of particular functions is considered as custom logic are implemented. Of course, a combination of the two approaches can be used.

Further, an embodiment may be implemented as a storage medium readable by a computer and having computer readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (eg, including a processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein , Examples of such computer readable storage media include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (read-only memory), a PROM (programmable read-only memory). Memory), an EROM (erasable programmable read only memory), an EPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory), and a flash memory. Furthermore, it is expected that those of ordinary skill in the art, despite potentially significant efforts and numerous design choices, such as those of available time, current technology, and economic considerations, will be guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein , will readily be able to produce such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimental effort.

The summary of the disclosure is intended to enable the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is presented with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing detailed description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for purposes of clarity of disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting the intent that the claimed embodiments require more features than are explicitly stated in each claim. On the contrary, as the following claims set forth, the subject matter of the invention lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own for a separate claim.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Host-Server

Basisstation

Fig. 2

Host-Server

Basisstation

Abbildungs-FOV

Abbildungs-FOV

WLAN Feld

Fig. 3

30

Lokalisierungsempfänger

36

Einrichtungscontroller

20

Basisstation

34

Lokalisierungssender

50

Datenbank

42

Server-Controller

44

Serverspeicher

16

Host-Server

46

Anzeige

48

Tastatur

14

Schnittstelle

56

Beschleunigungsmesser

38

Mikrofon

26

RFID/Symboldaten-Aufnahme

52

Einrichtungsspeicher

54

Batterie

40

Kamera

22

mobile Datenaufnahmeeinrichtung

Fig. 4A

Datei Bearbeiten Anzeige Präferenzen Tools Hilfe

Ausloggen Seite

Sicherheit Tools

Fig. 4B

66

Einwirkungs-Bewertungswert

Zeit

Fig. 5

Tabelle mit Indices (OPI) der Hindernisse und Muster

Index

Objekte/Muster

Wand

Wand/Tür

Wann/Tür

Wand

Ablagen

Ablagen

Mikrowellenofen

elektrischer Abstellraum

Cluster von Barcodescannern

mehrere/versammelte Personen Einrichtungen (Laptops, Scanner, Telefon, etc.) haltend

Strahlungsgefahr-Sticker/Decals

Materialtyp + Zustand

Ziegelstein

Glas

trockene Wand/Holz

Beton

Metall + Leer

Metall + aufgefüllt

Infrarot RF Emission

Infrarot RF Emission

Infrarot RF Emission

Infrarot RF Emission

Infrarot RF Emission

OPI Koeffizient (OPIC)

OPIC Bezug zum Abstand (OPIC-D)

Fig. 6

Tabelle mit Indices (ECI) von Umweltbedingungen

Index

Objekte/Muster

normaler offener Raum (nichts Besonderes)

innerhalb des kleinen Raums/Flurs

innerhalb eines kleinen Raums/Flurs

Aufzug

Treppenzugang

Treppenzugang

medizinischer/chirurgischer Raum

medizinischer/chirurgischer Raum

elektrisches Hinterzimmer/Netzgerätedecks

elektrisches Hinterzimmer/Netzgerätedecks

Basisstation erfasst? Ja/Nein

Ja

Nein

ECI Sanktionsfaktor (ECI-PF)

Fig. 7

Erfassung des OPI und ECI

OPIC Holen

Berechnen des Abstands von der Kamerasicht; Holen von OPIC-D

78

Holen von ECI-PF

82

wurde Ortskarte vorher in die Einrichtung geladen?

Nein/Ja

Einwirkungs-Bewertung = APPROXIMATION2

84

Weitergeben des Einwirkungs-Bewertungswerts an die Hauptverarbeitung und Modellierung der Abdeckungs-/RF-Messdaten (zum Beispiel RSSI)

Einwirkungs-Bewertung ist = REFINED2

92

Erneutes Berechnen:

90

Verfeinern der OPIC, OPIC-D und ECI-PF Werte pro vorgeladenem

Ausbreitungsmodell der Ortskarte (nicht generisch), die die zusätzlichen

Materialeigenschaften berücksichtigt

88

kann OPI und/oder ECI auf der Karte gefunden werden? Ja/Nein

86

Holen von Lokalisierungsinformation

Lokalisieren der Einrichtung auf der Ortskarte

Fig. 8

100

Bewegen der mobilen Einrichtung in dem Arbeitsbereich

102

Lokalisieren der mobilen Einrichtung

104

Messen der Abdeckungsdaten, die eine WLAN Abdeckung an jedem Ort anzeigen

106

Aufnehmen von Bilddaten, die Bilder an jedem Ort anzeigen

108

Korrelieren von Abdeckungsdaten und Bilddaten an jedem Ort

110

Anzeigen von Bilddaten korreliert mit Abdeckungsdaten an jedem Ort

112

Anzeigen von korrelierten Einwirkungs-Bewertungsdaten an jedem Ort

Fig. 1

Host server

base station

Fig. 2

Host server

base station

Picture FOV

Picture FOV

WLAN field

Fig. 3

30

The locator

36

device controller

20

base station

34

localization stations

50

Database

42

Server Controller

44

server memory

16

Host server

46

display

48

keyboard

14

interface

56

accelerometer

38

microphone

26

RFID / symbol data recording

52

Up memory

54

battery

40

camera

22

mobile data recording device

Fig. 4A

File Edit Display Preferences Tools Help

Log out page

Security tools

Fig. 4B

66

Einwirkungs evaluation value

Time

Fig. 5

Table with indices (OPI) of obstacles and patterns

index

Objects / Pattern

wall

Wall / door

When / door

wall

shelves

shelves

microwave oven

electric storage room

Cluster of barcode scanners

several / gathered people holding facilities (laptops, scanners, telephone, etc.)

Radiation Hazard Stickers / Decals

Material type + condition

brick

Glass

dry wall / wood

concrete

Metal + empty

Metal + filled

Infrared RF emission

Infrared RF emission

Infrared RF emission

Infrared RF emission

Infrared RF emission

OPI coefficient (OPIC)

OPIC relation to distance (OPIC-D)

Fig. 6

Table with indices (ECI) of environmental conditions

index

Objects / Pattern

normal open space (nothing special)

within the small room / hallway

within a small space / hallway

elevator

stair access

stair access

medical / surgical room

medical / surgical room

electric back room / power supply covers

electric back room / power supply covers

Base station detected? Yes No

Yes

No

ECI penalty factor (ECI-PF)

Fig. 7

Capture of OPI and ECI

Get OPIC

Calculating the distance from the camera view; Get OPIC-D

78

Get from ECI-PF

82

was the location map previously loaded into the facility?

No Yes

Impact Rating = APPROXIMATION2

84

Pass the impact evaluation value to the main processing and model the coverage / RF measurement data (for example, RSSI)

Impact rating is = REFINED2

92

Recalculate:

90

Refine the OPIC, OPIC-D and ECI-PF values per pre-loaded

Propagation model of the location map (not generic), the additional

Material properties considered

88

can OPI and / or ECI be found on the map? Yes No

86

Get localization information

Locate the device on the location map

Fig. 8

100

Move the mobile device in the workspace

102

Locate the mobile device

104

Measure coverage data showing Wi-Fi coverage at each location

106

Capture image data that displays images in any location

108

Correlate coverage data and image data at each location

110

Viewing image data correlates with coverage data anywhere

112

Display Correlated Impact Assessment Data Anywhere

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 Standards [0003]
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 Standards [0025]

Claims (16)

Arrangement for analyzing a field coverage of a wireless local area network (WLAN) at a work area, the arrangement comprising: a mobile data recording device that is movable in the work area and operable to: Measuring coverage data indicating the WLAN coverage of a plurality of locations in the work area, and Capturing image data indicative of images of the locations in the workspace; a controller operatively connected to the mobile data collector, the controller correlating the measured coverage data and the captured image data at each location; and an interface operatively connected to the controller, the interface displaying the captured image data correlated with the measured coverage data at each location. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the mobile data receiving device receives a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals from RF transmitters at fixed, known locations in the work area, and wherein the controller collects the mobile data receiving device at each location by measuring strengths of the plurality of received data Localized RF signals. The device of claim 1, further comprising a database accessible to the controller, and wherein the controller records and stores the corrected coverage data and the image data at each location in the database. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a display screen, and wherein the controller controls the display screen to simultaneously display the captured image data and the measured coverage data at each location selected by a user. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the controller controls a display screen to simultaneously display the captured image data and the measured coverage data in real time as the mobile data acquisition device moves through the work area. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the controller recognizes at least one predetermined object and / or a predetermined environmental condition from the recorded image data, and determines an impact evaluation data based on the at least one detected object and / or the detected conditions. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the controller correlates the determined impact evaluation data with the captured image data and with the measured coverage data, and displays the correlated impact evaluation data with the captured image data and with the measured coverage data at each location. The arrangement of claim 6, wherein the controller locates the at least one detected object and / or condition on a map, updates preset values assigned to the at least one detected object and / or condition, to refined values Impact rating data determined based on the refined values. A method of analyzing field coverage of a wireless local area network (WLAN) at a work area, the method comprising: Moving a mobile data recording device in the work area; Measuring coverage data indicating the WLAN coverage of a plurality of locations in the work area; Capturing image data indicating images of the locations on the workspace; Correlating the measured coverage data and the captured image data at each location; and Displaying the recorded image data correlates with the measured coverage data at each location. The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals from RF transmitters at fixed, known locations in the work area, and locating the mobile data receiver at each location by measuring strengths of the plurality of received RF signals , The method of claim 9, further comprising recording and storing the correlated coverage data and the image data at each location in a database. The method of claim 9, further comprising simultaneously displaying the captured image data and the measured coverage data at each location. The method of claim 12, wherein simultaneously displaying the captured image data and the measured coverage data is performed in real time as the mobile data acquisition device moves through the work area. The method of claim 9, further comprising detecting at least one predetermined object and / or a predetermined one Ambient condition from the captured image data, and determining impact evaluation data based on at least the detected object and / or the recognized condition. The method of claim 14, further comprising correlating the determined impact evaluation data with the captured image data and the measured coverage data, and displaying the corrected impact assessment data with the captured image data and with the measured coverage data at each location. The method of claim 14, further comprising locating the at least one detected object and the recognized condition on a map, updating default values assigned to the at least one detected object and / or the at least one recognized conditions to refined values, and determining the impact evaluation data based on the refined values.

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