KR20110055897A - Realtime location estimating system and method for wireless device using wireless lan access point based on reliability - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A real time global positioning system of a wireless device and method thereof which uses a wireless LAN AP are provided to recognize the location of the wireless device through database. CONSTITUTION: A device-sided location estimation engine estimates a current location. An AP measurement data filter performs filtering operation of an estimated location(S907). A wireless device uploads filtered collection filtered collection data to a location estimation server(S909). A location data construction engine selects a segment(S919). The location estimation server allocates updated location estimation-based data to the selected segment(S921).

Description

Real-time Location Estimating System and Method for Wireless Device Using Wireless LAN Access Point Based on Reliability}

The present invention relates to a system and method for real-time location tracking of a wireless device using a reliability-based WLAN AP. Overall, the present invention can provide a seamless and reliable location tracking service indoors and outdoors. The present invention relates to a real-time location tracking system and method of a wireless device using a reliability-based WLAN AP to ensure high reliability based data.

Conventionally, a location tracking technology using the WLAN signal strength of a neighboring AP is widely known. In order to realize the location tracking technology using the WLAN signal strength, first, a scanning process is required to collect data for location tracking, and a second process is to actually track a user's location using the scanned data. It is necessary.

In the conventional scanning technology, the scanning process of collecting the base data for the location must be continuously performed before the location tracking. In this scanning operation, the user carries a device capable of receiving GPS, and stores information on which APs exist at a corresponding GPS coordinate point in a database. In other words, in order to provide a location tracking service, a service provider collects data about APs in a corresponding area by scanning a region that needs to be tracked before providing a service, and constructs a database. Or users with GPS-enabled devices can scan the area they want to track and upload the data. In addition, even after the initial scanning of a specific region, the AP configuration environment of the region changes over time, so the accuracy of location tracking is reduced by using only the old data, so iterative scanning to reflect the new AP configuration environment. You have to work.

As described above, in the prior art, since the scanning operation of the same area must be continuously repeated even after the service is opened, the maintenance cost increases, and the cost increases rapidly as the area providing the location tracking service increases.

An object of the present invention is to provide a real-time location tracking system and method of a wireless device using a wireless LAN AP based on the reliability that can provide a seamless and reliable location tracking service indoors and outdoors and location-based data used therein To provide a method and location estimation server to build.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a real-time location tracking system and method of a wireless device using a reliability-based WLAN AP that can secure the base data for location tracking with high reliability, and a method for constructing location estimation based data used therein; It is to provide a location estimation server.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a seamless and reliable location tracking service indoors and outdoors, and to record a program for executing a method on a computer that can reliably secure the base data for location estimation. To provide a computer-readable recording medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a seamless and reliable location tracking service indoors and outdoors, and wireless device using a reliability-based WLAN AP that can secure the base data for location estimation with high reliability It is to provide a database used in the real-time location tracking system and method.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for constructing location estimation-based data for real-time location tracking of a wireless device using a WLAN AP, comprising a list of APs measured by the wireless device, and the signal strength of these APs Receiving AP scan data; Receiving a location where the AP scan data is measured; Calculating a reliability of at least one of the collected AP scan data and the location; And associating the calculated reliability with the collected AP scan data and the location and storing the location information based on the location estimation data.

The method of constructing the location estimation based data may further include storing a list of APs that do not satisfy the preset condition when the calculated reliability does not satisfy a preset condition.

The method of constructing location estimation based data may store the collected AP scan data as location estimation based data only when the calculated reliability satisfies a preset condition.

The step of receiving the location may include receiving a location from a user; Obtaining a location from a GPS; And obtaining a location from the location estimation engine; It may include at least one of.

The method of constructing the location estimation based data may further include a filtering step of deleting or smoothing incorrect data with respect to the provided locations.

The method for constructing the location estimation based data may further include deleting incorrect data from the provided AP scan data by referring to a list of APs that do not satisfy the preset condition.

The method of constructing the position estimation based data includes: dividing an area into a plurality of segments; And allocating and storing the location estimation based data in any one of the plurality of segments.

The method of constructing the location estimation based data may include: when updating the location estimation based data previously stored with newly provided AP scan data, determining a segment to allocate the newly provided AP scan data from among the plurality of segments. step; And allocating the newly provided AP scan data to the determined segment.

The determining of the segment to which the newly received AP scan data is to be allocated may include selecting a segment including all AP lists included in the newly provided AP scan data from among the plurality of segments.

The determining of the segment to which the newly provided AP scan data is to be allocated comprises: selecting a segment including an AP satisfying a predetermined reliability from a list of APs included in the newly provided AP scan data from among the plurality of segments. can do.

The determining of the segment to which the newly received AP scan data is to be allocated may include selecting a segment including a location where the newly received AP scan data is measured from among the plurality of segments.

The calculating of the reliability may include the signal strength of the AP included in the AP scan data, the number of times the AP scan data is observed at the location, the observation time of the AP scan data, and the AP of the AP included in the AP scan data. It may be calculated in consideration of at least one or more of a distribution range and a method of collecting the AP scan data.

In addition, the above object, in the real-time location tracking method of a wireless device using a WLAN AP, a list of APs (hereinafter referred to as 'first AP') measured by the wireless device to estimate the position, and the first AP Receiving AP observation data including signal strength; According to any one of claims 1 to 9, the position, the list of APs (hereinafter referred to as 'second AP') corresponding to the position, the signal strength of the second AP, and the second AP Constructing location estimation based data including reliability; And estimating the location of the wireless device by comparing the constructed location estimation based data with the AP observation data. The real time location tracking method of the wireless device using the WLAN AP may be achieved.

The method for real-time location tracking of a wireless device using the WLAN AP may further include filtering unknown APs from the received AP observation data with reference to a previously stored AP deletion list.

In addition, the above object is a location estimation server for constructing location estimation based data for real-time location tracking of a wireless device using a wireless LAN AP, comprising a list of APs measured by the wireless device, and the signal strength of these APs An AP observation data receiver provided with AP scan data and a location where the AP scan data is measured; A location estimation based data reliability calculation engine that calculates a reliability for at least one of the collected AP scan data and the location; And a location data construction engine that associates the calculated reliability with the collected AP scan data and a location to construct location estimation-based data.

The location estimation server further includes a database, and the location data building engine, when the calculated reliability does not meet a predetermined condition, the list of APs that do not meet the predetermined condition to the database. Can be stored.

The location data building engine may store the collected AP scan data as location estimation based data only when the calculated reliability satisfies a preset condition.

The location estimation based data reliability calculation engine may include the signal strength of the AP included in the AP scan data, the number of times the AP scan data is observed at the location, the observation time of the AP scan data, and the AP included in the AP scan data. It may be calculated in consideration of at least one or more of the distribution range of the, and the collection method of the AP scan data.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, in a real-time location tracking system of a wireless device using a WLAN AP, measuring the AP (hereinafter referred to as 'first AP') at the current position to estimate the position, and the list of, and A wireless device for collecting AP observation data including signal strengths of the first APs; And location estimation for constructing and storing location estimation based data including location, a list of APs (hereinafter referred to as 'second AP') corresponding to the location, signal strength of the second APs, and reliability of the second APs. And a server, wherein the wireless device or the location estimating server estimates the location of the wireless device by comparing the constructed position estimation based data with the AP observation data. A real-time location tracking system of a used wireless device is provided.

The wireless device may filter unknown APs from the collected AP observation data by referring to a previously stored AP deletion list.

The location estimation server may divide an area into a plurality of segments, and allocate and store the location estimation based data to any one of the plurality of segments.

The above object can also be achieved by a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the above methods on a computer.

In addition, the object is a database used to track the real-time location of a wireless device using the WLAN AP, the location; A list of APs corresponding to the location; Signal strength of APs included in the list of APs; And at least two location estimation based data subsets having the reliability of the APs included in the list of APs, and when receiving a search word composed of the AP list and the strength of the AP signal from the outside, the location estimation based data subs; A location estimation based data set that satisfies a predetermined criterion based on the search word may be selected from the sets, and may be achieved by a database that provides information on a location included in the selected location estimation based data subset.

According to the present invention, a database is constructed by using a location of a wireless device input using GPS, a user input, and a location tracking algorithm and an AP signal received from the wireless device, and the database is used to determine the location of the wireless device in real time. To help. Therefore, since it can provide a seamless location tracking technology indoors as well as outdoors where GPS tracking is not performed, it is possible to provide a seamless location based service to the user. Here, the location tracking services may include security and access management, missing children, asset management, and the like, and location-related information services may include location-based customized content providing services and location guide services.

By constructing location estimation-based data using DB observation data for DB construction collected from a wireless device, it is possible to reduce initial costs and maintenance costs by not requiring a separate dedicated location acquisition equipment.

By dividing the location estimation based data into segments and storing and managing the data, the generation of unnecessary location estimation based data can be reduced when new DB construction AP observation data is added, and data can be easily constructed. In addition, when providing location estimation-based data to the wireless device, it can be downloaded in segments, thereby reducing the amount of communication between the wireless device and the location estimation server and preventing unnecessary use of excessive storage space. Since the device-side position estimation engine or the server-side position estimation engine searches only a certain number of segments and position estimation-based data in the corresponding segments during position estimation, the performance of the system can be maintained at a constant level.

In addition, by filtering the observed AP data and building the position estimation-based data including the reliability, it is possible to continuously maintain the accuracy of the position estimation over a certain level.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the following specific embodiments, various specific details are set forth in order to explain and understand the invention in more detail. However, one of ordinary skill in the art can understand that the present invention can be used without these various specific details. In some cases, it is mentioned in advance that parts of the invention which are commonly known in the description of the invention and which are not highly related to the invention are not described in order to prevent confusion in explaining the invention without cause.

Definition of Terms

The main terms used in the present specification are defined as follows.

" Location Estimation Based Data " is data directly used when estimating a position in a wireless device or a location estimation server, and is composed of a plurality of " Location Estimation Based Data Subsets " to be described later.

" Location estimation based data " means " statistical data " generated from " DB construction AP observation data " to be described later, or reliability of "statistic data" generated from " DB construction AP observation data ". Also means "statistical data" that reflects the reliability after removing low data. In the present specification, the term " position estimation based data " is used to encompass both "statistical data" and "statistical data" reflecting reliability, unless there is a particular advantage to distinguish.

The “ location estimation based data subset ” is configured to include (location, AP list, AP's signal strength) or is configured to include (location, AP list, AP's signal strength, reliability).

" AP observation data for DB construction " is data used to generate position estimation-based data, and includes (a predetermined position, a signal strength of APs measured at a predetermined position, and identification information of APs measured at a predetermined position). (Eg, MAC address).

" AP observation data " means data collected at a wireless device for position estimation of the wireless device, and is configured to include a signal strength and a MAC address of the AP.

" Segment " means a region divided according to a predetermined criterion.

1 is a block diagram of a real-time location tracking system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the wireless device of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a block diagram of the position estimation server of FIG.

The real-time location tracking system of the wireless device 1 using this WLAN AP includes the wireless device 1 and the position estimation server 100.

The wireless device 1 receives a signal from a WLAN AP and collects AP observation data or AP observation data for DB construction.

The location estimation server 100 configures and stores location estimation based data, and compares the AP observation data with the location estimation based data to estimate the location of the wireless device 1.

The wireless device 1 includes an AP observation data collector 40, an AP observation data filter 60, a local database 45, a device side position estimation engine 20, a device side data synchronization processor 50, and a user. Interface 10, GPS receiver 35, and Wi-Fi receiver 30. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, although described as including a GPS receiver 35, it is possible to configure the present invention to not include the GPS receiver 35 and to achieve the objects of some or all of the above-described present invention. Can be.

The AP observation data collector 40 may collect AP observation data and / or AP observation data for DB construction, and the AP observation data filter 60 may be configured to collect data from the AP observation data collector 40. The operation removes the opaque data and smoothes the strength of the AP signal.

Hereinafter, the AP observation data and the AP observation data for DB construction will be described in detail.

i) DB  For construction AP  Observation data collection

The DB observation AP observation data collected by the wireless device 1 is transmitted to the position estimation server 100 and generated as position estimation based data.

The AP observation data collector 40 collects the signal strength of the signal received from the WLAN AP, the current location information of the wireless device 1, and the MAC address of the receivable WLAN AP to collect the AP observation data for DB construction. Create AP observation data for DB construction may also include observation time, and this observation time may be used when calculating reliability.

The AP observation data collector 40 receives the signal strength and the MAC address of the AP from the Wi-Fi receiver 30 and includes at least one of the GPS receiver 35, the user interface 10, and the device-side position estimation engine 20. The location information of the wireless device 1 is provided from one.

The Wi-Fi receiver 30 receives the AP signals by scanning a signal of the WLAN AP and collects the signal strength of the received WLAN AP signals when the user is requested to collect DB observation data for DB construction. . In addition, the Wi-Fi receiver 30 identifies the MAC address of the WLAN AP from which the signal is received, and compares the MAC addresses of the APs (hereinafter referred to as an 'AP list') and the strength of the AP's signals with the AP observation data collector 40. To pass.

The GPS receiver 35 receives satellite signals from a plurality of satellites and measures the position of the wireless device 1. The GPS receiver 35 may be used to measure the position of the wireless device 1 when the wireless device 1 is located outdoors, and the measured position information of the wireless device 1 may be measured by the AP observation data collector ( To 40).

The user interface 10 may be used to directly receive the location of the wireless device 1 from a user of the wireless device 1. In general, when the wireless device 1 is located in a building, it is difficult to determine the location information of the wireless device 1 using the GPS receiver 35. Thus, when the wireless device 1 is located in a building, the user can directly enter the location of the wireless device 1 using the user interface 10. As such, the location information of the wireless device 1 input via the user interface 10 is communicated to the AP observation data collector 40.

The device-side position estimation engine 20 also estimates the position of the wireless device 1 and passes it to the AP observation data collector 40. On the other hand, even if there is no GPS receiver configured to collect the location information, even if there is a GPS receiver, it is not excluded to collect the position using the device-side position estimation engine 20.

The device-side position estimation engine 20 estimates the position using the signal strength and the AP list of the AP received from the Wi-Fi receiver 30 and the position estimation based data. The process of estimating the position of the wireless device 1 in the device side position estimation engine 20 will be described later in detail.

The AP observation data filter 60 may receive data collected from the observation data collector 40 and remove opaque data from the received data. As such, the collected data after the opaque data is removed is stored in the local database. In the present specification, the DB observation AP observation data before filtering by the AP observation data filter 60 and the DB observation AP observation data for filtering after filtering are excluded. In this case, the data will be referred to as "DB construction AP observation data".

AP observation data for DB construction includes the signal strength of the AP, the location of the wireless device 1, and the AP list. In addition, the DB observation AP observation data may further include a time when measuring the signal strength of the AP, which is used to calculate the reliability to be described later.

The AP observation data filter 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention may perform at least one of the following operations.

a. Filter the collected WLAN signals

b. Filter location information received by the GPS receiver 35

c. Filter location information estimated by the location estimation engine

d. Filter location information entered by the user

e. Smooth filtered WLAN signals

On the other hand, the AP observation data filter 60 may be filtered to include both "DB construction AP observation data" and "AP observation data". That is, the AP observation data filter 60 may filter on the AP observation data for DB construction and may also filter on the collected AP observation data in order to estimate the position of the wireless device 1. Meanwhile, the AP observation data filter 60 may also perform an operation of smoothing the AP signal strength during filtering.

Work of the present invention Example  According AP  Observation data filter 60 is a WLAN signal filter 61, GPS  A reception error information filter 63, a position estimation error information filter 65, and / or a user input error information filter 67 are included.

The WLAN signal filter performs a filtering operation on the wireless signals collected by the Wi-Fi receiver, and the GPS reception error information filter performs a filtering operation on the position data collected through the GPS receiver 35.

The position estimation error information filter performs a filtering operation on a position estimated through a position estimation engine, and the user input error information filter performs a filtering operation on a position input from a user.

As will be described later, the location estimation server 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention maintains a separate list (hereinafter, 'AP deletion list') for APs removed due to low reliability among AP observation data for DB construction. can do. The WLAN signal filter 61 may use the AP deletion list to filter the APs against wireless signals collected by the Wi-Fi receiver.

The GPS reception error information filter 63 removes GPS satellite values smaller than a preset threshold.

The position estimation error information filter 65 removes uncertain data among the positions estimated by the position estimation engine. The position estimation error information filter removes such a position, for example, when the position estimated by the position estimation engine is a physically impossible position (for example, suddenly changed from Seoul to Incheon).

The user input error information filter 67 is a filter that removes such data when a user mistakenly inputs a point other than the present point by mistake.

The data after being filtered as described above are stored in the local database 45 and then uploaded to the location estimation server 100.

 Signal strength of the AP, the location of the device 1, and the MAC address information of the AP included in the AP observation data for DB construction are correlated as shown in Table 1 below.

 Observation position  AP identification information (MAC address)   Signal strength (RSSI) P1: (127,37)  AP (a): 00: 99: 1a: 22: b3: 35  -80  AP (b): 00: 63: 1a: 22: b5: b3  -65  AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35  -79 P2: (127. 38)  AP (b): 00: 63: 1a: 22: b5: b3 -70  AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35 -85 P3: (127,39)  AP (b): 00: 63: 1a: 22: b5: b3 -70  AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35 -75  AP (d): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 37 -80  AP (e): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 38 -85 P4: (127,40)  AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35 -65  AP (d): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 37 -70  AP (e): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 38 -80  AP (f): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 39 -75

Referring to Table 1, the list of APs receiving signals at the P1 positions is AP (a), AP (b), and AP (c), and their respective signal strengths are -80, -65, and -79. The AP list where signals are received at the P2 position is AP (b), AP (c) and their respective signal strengths are -70 and -85. The remaining P3 and P4 can be understood in the same way. As such, the AP observation data for DB construction includes a list of APs capable of receiving a signal at each position and a signal strength.

ii ) AP  Observation data collection

The AP observation data is compared with the pre-established position estimation based data and used as data for determining the position of the wireless device 1. The AP observation data collector 40 generates the signal strength of the signal received from the WLAN AP, and the AP list as AP observation data.

Table 2 below shows AP observation data by way of example.

 AP identification information (MAC address)   Signal strength (RSSI)  AP (b): 00: 63: 1a: 22: b5: b3 -70  AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35 -75  AP (d): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 37 -80  AP (e): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 38 -85

Referring to Table 2, the list of APs capable of receiving a signal at the current location of the wireless device and the strength of the signal are shown. That is, the AP list is AP (b), AP (c), AP (d), and AP (e), and the signal strengths of these APs are -70, -75, -80, and -85, respectively.

The AP observation data collector 40 receives the signal strength and the MAC address of the AP from the Wi-Fi receiver 30.

When the collection of AP observation data is requested, the Wi-Fi receiver 30 receives a signal by scanning a signal of the WLAN AP and measures the signal strength of the received WLAN AP signal. The Wi-Fi receiver 30 identifies the MAC address of the WLAN AP in which the signal is received and transmits the measured signal strength and the MAC address of the AP to the AP observation data collector 40.

The AP observation data collector 40 then generates AP observation data including the signal strength of the AP and the MAC address of the AP, and transfers the generated AP observation data to the AP observation data filter 60.

The AP observation data filter 60 removes APs included in the AP deletion list from the AP observation data received from the AP observation data collector 40 and stores the APs in the AP local database 45. On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the AP observation data filter 60 performs an operation of smoothing the AP signal strength so that subsequent position estimation can be performed more accurately. 'Smoothing' is to correct the RSSI signal strength of the observed AP data by applying history since the signal of the observed AP is not always accurate.

For example, the smoothing result considering the time history of the AP 7 at the position P (10, 10) is as follows.

time t1 t2 t3 t4 t5 t6 Signal strength (before smoothing) -70 -75 -70 -90 -75 -70 Signal strength (after smoothing) -70 -75 -70 -75 -75 -70

That is, at the point of P (10, 10), AP 7 is always observed with a signal strength of about -70, when the network is unstable or obstacles can be observed -90 signal strength. In this case, the AP observation data filter 60 performs an operation of smoothing to an appropriate value in consideration of the hourly history.

In the present specification, 'AP observation data' before filtering by the AP observation data filter 60 as described above, except that it is necessary to specifically distinguish 'AP observation data' after filtering, the 'AP observation data' Will be called inclusive.

The local database 45 may store DB observation AP observation data, AP observation data, and / or location estimation based data provided from the location estimation server 100.

In the present embodiment, it has been described that the AP observation data, the AP observation data, and the position estimation base data for constructing the DB are all stored in the local database 45, but this is merely an example, and they may be configured to be stored in separate databases. .

Table 3 below shows position estimation based data by way of example.

 Observation position  AP identification information (MAC address) Reliability Signal strength (RSSI) .
.
. .
.
. .
.
. P1: (127,37)

 AP (a): 00: 99: 1a: 22: b3: 35 84%  -80  AP (b): 00: 63: 1a: 22: b5: b3 75%  -65  AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35 80%  -79 P2: (127. 38)
 AP (b): 00: 63: 1a: 22: b5: b3 70% -70  AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35 83% -85 P3: (127,39)


 AP (b): 00: 63: 1a: 22: b5: b3 72% -70  AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35 73% -75  AP (d): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 37 84% -80  AP (e): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 38 86% -85 P4: (127,40)


 AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35 70% -65  AP (d): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 37 71% -70  AP (e): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 38 84% -80  AP (f): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 39 76% -75 P5: (127,41)


 AP (d): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 37 77% -75 AP (e): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 38 80% -80 AP (f): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 39 74% -75 AP (g): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 40 69% -70 P6: (127,42)

AP (e): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 38 76% -80 AP (f): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 39 83% -85 AP (g): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 40 68% -70 .
.
. .
.
. .
.
. .
.
.

Referring to Table 3, the location estimation based data is configured to include (location, AP list, signal strength and reliability of APs included in the AP list).

For example, the position of P2 as one position estimation-based data is (127.38), the AP list is AP (b) and AP (c), and the strength of their signals is -70 and -85, respectively. Reliability is 70% and 83%, respectively. As another position estimation based data, for example, the position of P4 is (127,40), and the AP list is AP (c), AP (d), AP (e), and AP (f). The signal strengths are -65, -70, -80, and -75, respectively, and the reliability is 70%, 71%, 84%, and 76%, respectively.

The 'position estimation based data subset' is a term referring to each of position estimation based data P1, P2, ... P6, ... as described above.

Referring to Table 3, a total of six position estimation based data subsets are explicitly displayed. Table 4 below shows one 'location estimation based data subset' as an example.

P1: (127,37)  AP (a): 00: 99: 1a: 22: b3: 35 90%  -80  AP (b): 00: 63: 1a: 22: b5: b3 75%  -65  AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35 80%  -79

The reliability included in the location estimation based data reflects the accuracy of the data. When the location estimation is performed, only a list of APs having high reliability can be compared to enable more accurate location estimation.

The device-side data synchronization processor 50 synchronizes both data by comparing the version of the position estimation based data stored in the position estimation server 100 with the version of the position estimation based data stored in the local database 45. According to one embodiment of the invention, the device-side data synchronization processor 50, when initially operated, makes a synchronization request to the server to update the segment to the latest.

The device-side data synchronization processor 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an AP observation data uploader 51, a position estimation based data downloader 53, and a version checker 55.

The AP observation data uploader 51 may upload the AP observation data for DB construction and the AP observation data stored in the local database 45 to the position estimation server 100. The timing of the upload depends on the preset options. For example, when the AP observation data uploader 51 completes collecting the AP observation data, the AP observation data uploader 51 uploads the AP observation data stored in the local database 45 to the location estimation server 100 at a time, or the user's request is If so, the AP observation data may be uploaded to the location estimation server 100.

The position estimation based data downloader 53 downloads the position estimation based data from the position estimation server 100.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the position estimation based data downloader 53 may download the entire position estimation based data or may download only the position estimation based data belonging to a predetermined segment.

The version checker 55 determines whether the position estimation base data stored in the position estimation server 100 is more recent than the position estimation base data stored in the local database 45. When the version checker 55 requests a version of the location estimation base data to the version manager 145 of the location estimation server 100, the version manager 145 verifies the version of the location estimation base data stored in the server-side database 120. To provide.

On the other hand, when the location estimation based data stored in the location estimation server 100 and the local database 45 is divided and stored for each segment, the version checker 55 requests the version manager 145 for the segment list and the version information. The version manager 145 provides a segment list and a version stored in the server-side database 120.

The version checker 55 compares the segment list and the version information of the position estimation based data provided from the position estimation server 100 with the segment list and the version information of the position estimation based data stored in the local database 45. Thereafter, the version checker 55 identifies the list of segments to be updated and provides the list of segments to be updated to the location estimation based data downloader 53.

The location estimation based data downloader 53 requests location estimation based data included in the list of segments to be updated to the location estimation server 100, and is based on the location estimation based data received from the location estimation server 100. Update the location estimation based data that was saved.

As such, since the latest version of the position estimation-based data may be updated in the local database 45 of the wireless device 1, the position of the wireless device 1 may be accurately estimated even when the communication with the position estimation server 100 is lost. can do. In addition, since the position estimation data can be updated for each segment, the operation of the wireless device 1 and the server 100 can be prevented from being overloaded.

The device-side position estimation engine 20 may estimate the position of the wireless device 1 by comparing the AP observation data with position estimation based data stored in a local database.

As will be described later, the position estimated by the device-side position estimation engine 20 may be utilized as AP observation data for DB construction. For example, the device-side position estimation engine 20 compares the AP observation data with the position estimation based data to estimate the position, passes the estimated position to the position based application, and transmits the estimated position to the AP observation data collector. Also pass to 40. Here, the AP observation data collector 40 configures DB observation AP observation data using the position received from the device-side position estimation engine 20 and the AP observation data. Of course, in order to secure the accuracy of the data, the AP observation data filter may filter the position estimated by the position estimation engine 20, and the filtered position is configured as the DB observation data for DB construction.

As such, in the present invention, location estimation-based data can be constructed using the estimated location while estimating the location of the wireless device, thereby eliminating the need for a separate continuous scanning operation.

Location estimation of the wireless device 1 may be performed at the wireless device 1 or may be performed at the location estimation server 100. When estimating the position on the wireless device 1 side, the device side position estimation engine 20 estimates the position of the wireless device 1 using the position estimation based data stored in the local database 45.

To this end, the device-side position estimation engine 20 includes a position determining subject determiner 21, a position estimation engine 23, and a position estimation requester 25.

The position determining subject determiner 21 determines whether to determine the position of the wireless device 1 in the wireless device 1 or the position estimation server 100 according to a preset condition.

The conditions set in the position determining subject determiner 21 may be set by the user or may be set by the designer of the wireless device 1. The user or the designer may set one of the wireless device 1 and the position estimation server 100 as a position determining agent that estimates the position of the wireless device 1. In addition, when the communication with the location estimation server 100 is possible, the location estimation server 100 is set to determine the location determination entity of the device, and the wireless device 1 is positioned only when communication with the location estimation server 100 is impossible. It can be set to determine by the judging agent.

In addition, various conditions may be set according to a user's or designer's setting, and the position determining subject determiner 21 may determine the position determining subject in real time according to the set condition.

When the position estimation engine determiner 21 determines that the position of the wireless device 1 is estimated by the wireless device 1 in the position determining entity determiner 21, the position estimation engine unit 23 determines the position estimation based data stored in the local database 45. To estimate the position.

The position estimation engine unit 23 of the wireless device 1 includes the AP observation data collected by the AP observation data collector 40 (or AP observation data filtered by the AP observation data filter 60) and a local database. The position of the wireless device may be estimated by comparing the position estimation based data stored at 45 to select the position estimation based data satisfying a predetermined criterion.

Here, the position estimation engine unit 23 may correct the AP signals included in the AP observation data using a predetermined algorithm before comparing the AP signals with the position estimation based data.

The predetermined criteria described above may be variously set by, for example, the practitioner of the present invention.

First, AP list and AP strength match 100%

Second, APs with reliability of 80% or more coincide with each other, and AP strength is within ± 0.05%.

Third, APs with reliability of 85% or more coincide with each other, and AP strengths are within ± 0.05%.

Since the criteria described above are exemplary, the present invention is not limited to these conditions, and other conditions may be set as the reference.

For example, if the AP observation data is the data of <Table 2> and the location tracking-based data is the data of <Table 3>, and targets only APs with a reliability of 70% or more, the location of the wireless device is 'P3'. Becomes

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, location tracking based data may be allocated for each segment as shown in Table 5 below. Details of the segment will be described later. A method of determining the position of the wireless device will be described on the assumption that the location-based data is allocated to the segment.

In estimating the position of the wireless device, the position estimation engine unit 23 first compares the AP list for each segment of the location-based data stored in the local database 45 with the AP list of the AP observation data, and compares the AP lists with each other. The same or a predetermined number or more of the same segment is selected.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the position estimation engine unit 23 may select only APs whose comparison is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value from the AP list for each segment of the location tracking-based data. For example, only APs with 80% or more can be compared. Then, the location estimation base data in the selected segment, specifically, the location estimation base data subsets and the AP observation data, are compared, and the position estimation base data in which the AP list and the signal strength are equal to each other or satisfy a predetermined criterion. Select a subset. Finally, the position estimation engine unit 23 estimates the selected 'location included in the position estimation based data subset' as the position of the wireless device.

The position estimation requester 25 requests the position estimation server 100 to estimate the position of the wireless device 1 when the position determination agent determined by the position determination agent determination unit 21 is the position estimation server 100. do.

On the other hand, such a wireless device 1 may further comprise a location indication application for indicating the location of the wireless device 1. The map is displayed on the user interface of the wireless device 1 by the location indicating application, and the location of the wireless device 1 estimated by the location estimation engine or the location estimation server 100 of the wireless device 1 is displayed on the map. Can be.

The position estimation server 100 constructs and stores position estimation based data for position estimation of the wireless device 1 into the database 120, and stores the position estimation based data and the wireless device 1 stored in the constructed database 120. Estimate the position of the wireless device 1 by comparing the AP observation data provided from &lt; RTI ID = 0.0 &gt;

Position estimation server 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, location data construction engine 130, server-side database 120, server-side location estimation engine 110, server-side data synchronization processor 140, location Inference-based data reliability calculation engine 150.

The position data building engine 130 generates position estimation based data using the DB observation AP data for building the DB generated by the wireless device 1.

The position estimation-based data reliability calculation engine 150 (hereinafter, referred to as "reliability calculation engine 150") calculates reliability for each of the AP observation data for DB construction, and the location data construction engine 130 has a reliability higher than a predetermined reference value. The dropped data is removed and only the AP observation data for DB construction satisfying the reliability is generated as the location estimation based data.

The location estimation based data includes reliability as described above, and the reliability corresponds to each AP.

Specifically, the position data building engine 130 generates statistical data from the DB observation AP building data transmitted from the wireless device 1. The reliability calculation engine 150 calculates reliability of each AP observation data from the statistical data. Thereafter, the position data building engine 130 stores the statistical data after the data whose reliability is lower than the preset reference value is stored as position estimation based data.

The server-side database 120 may store location estimation based data generated by the location data building engine 130. Meanwhile, the server-side database 120 may also store AP observation data provided from the wireless device 1 in real time. Of course, the AP observation data may be stored in a database (not shown) provided separately.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the location estimation based data stored in the server-side database 120 is i) allocated and stored for each segment, ii) stored as a whole without being assigned for each segment, or iii) for each segment. At the same time, they are stored in unallocated form.

The server-side position estimation engine 110 estimates the position of the wireless device 1 by comparing the AP observation data provided in real time from the wireless device 1 with the position estimation-based data stored in the server-side database 120. .

The server side data synchronization processor 140 receives AP observation data from the wireless device. The server-side data synchronization processor 140 also sends location estimation based data to the wireless device.

 The reliability calculation engine 150 calculates reliability for each of the AP observation data for DB construction. Factors that determine the reliability may include the strength of the RSSI signal, the number of users, the detected time, the distribution of the corresponding AP, and the like, and other appropriate factors may be added to the reliability calculation.

Hereinafter, the above-described components will be described in detail in sequence.

Location Data Building Engine (130)

The location data building engine 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an update confirming unit 131, a data building engine 133, and a segment partitioning unit 135.

The update checker 131 continuously checks whether the server-side database 120 is updated and confirms whether the most recently updated AP observation data for DB construction is stored in the server-side database 120.

When the data construction engine unit 133 determines that the new DB construction AP observation data is stored in the server-side database 120 by the update confirming unit 131, a 'prearrangement' such as an error correction operation of the AP observation data is performed. Do the work. Pre-arrangement of AP observation data refers to operations such as removing an error input value.

The data construction engine unit 133 generates statistical data from the new DB construction AP observation data. Thereafter, when the position estimation-based data reliability calculation engine 150 calculates reliability from such statistical data, the data construction engine unit 133 removes data whose reliability is lower than a predetermined reference value from the statistical data, Only statistical data that satisfies the reliability is newly included in the previously estimated location-based data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data construction engine unit 133 maintains a separate list of APs determined to be deleted because the reliability is too low when calculating reliability, and the wireless device requests the deletion list of such APs. If so, the location estimation server may transmit the AP deletion list.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data building engine unit 133 may allocate and store location estimation based data to any one of segments which are previously divided regions.

When the position estimation base data is newly updated, the data construction engine unit 133 will exemplarily describe how to allocate a segment to the new position estimation base data.

In the first method, since the new (or 'new') location estimation based data includes the AP list and the AP signal strength, the data is allocated using the segment. That is, the AP list and AP signal strength included in the new location estimation based data are compared with the location estimation based data stored in the server-side database 120, and a segment having an AP list satisfying a predetermined criterion is selected.

In the second method, since the new location estimation-based data includes a location, the location is allocated using the location. For example, new location estimation based data is assigned to the segment containing the location.

When the number of location estimation based data included in the segment exceeds the preset threshold m, the segment dividing unit 135 divides the segment according to a preset method.

For example, each segment may be divided into quadrangles, and when the segment partition unit 135 assigns new position estimation based data to the segment, the threshold value in which the number of position estimation based data existing in the segment is preset If (m) is exceeded, the segment may be divided again into a predetermined segment division number n.

As indicated in the upper region of FIG. 4, assume that there is a rectangular region where the pair of latitude and longitude is defined as (100, 10) to (110, 20). If the AP observation data for DB construction is continuously added to the region and the number of DB construction AP observation data exceeds the threshold value m, the segment partition unit 135 may divide the region n equally. If it is divided into four, the area of (100, 10) to (100, 20) is (100, 10) to (105, 15), (105, 10) to (110, 15), (100, 15) It is divided into four segments, which are four regions of (105, 20), (105, 15) to (110, 20). In addition, the AP observation data for the DB construction added in the meantime is allocated to the segment corresponding to the position of each data.

If the AP observation data for DB construction is continuously added, the data construction engine unit 133 of the location data construction engine 130 allocates DB observation AP observation data for each segment corresponding to the corresponding observation position. If the number of allocated DB building AP observation data in each segment exceeds the preset threshold value (m), the corresponding segment is divided into n and the DB building AP observation data belonging to the segment is newly generated according to the observation position. Assigned segments. If this process is repeated, a segment model as shown in FIG. 4 may be formed.

Table 5 below illustrates position estimation based data to which segments are allocated.

 Observation position  AP identification information (MAC address) Reliability   Signal strength (RSSI) .
.
. .
.
. .
.
. .
.
.





SEG 2
P1: (127,37)  AP (a): 00: 99: 1a: 22: b3: 35 84%  -80  AP (b): 00: 63: 1a: 22: b5: b3 75%  -65  AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35 80%  -79
P2: (127. 38)  AP (b): 00: 63: 1a: 22: b5: b3 70% -70  AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35 83% -85

P3: (127,39)  AP (b): 00: 63: 1a: 22: b5: b3 72% -70  AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35 73% -75  AP (d): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 37 84% -80  AP (e): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 38 86% -85

P4: (127,40)  AP (c): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 35 70% -65  AP (d): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 37 71% -70  AP (e): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 38 84% -80  AP (f): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 39 86% -75
SEG3

P5: (127,41)  AP (d): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 37 77% -75 AP (e): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 38 80% -80 AP (f): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 39 74% -75 AP (g): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 40 69% -70

SEG4
P6: (127,42) AP (e): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 38 76% -80 AP (f): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 39 83% -85 AP (g): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 40 68% -70 P7: (127,43) AP (g): 00: 00: 1a: 22: b3: 40 84% -85 .
.
. .
.
. .
.
.

Referring to Table 5, when the threshold m is 4, four or less position estimation based data subsets are included in one segment. For example, segment SEG2 includes four position estimation based data sets, and segment SEG3 includes one position estimation based data set.

In the present specification, when referring to the "segment AP list", for example, a segment The AP list of SEG 2 is AP (a). A (b), A (c), A (d), A (e), and AP (f) , and the AP list of segment SEG 3 is AP (d), AP (e), AP (f) , And AP (g).

In FIG. 4, the threshold value of the position estimation-based data in which the segment is divided is set to 3, and the segment is divided into quarters. In practical implementations, it is desirable to set a larger threshold.

In the diagram of FIG. 4, each point indicates a position of the position estimation based data, and the number of position estimation based data allocated to each segment does not exceed a threshold value of 3. Where the location-based data is dense, the segment is smaller and more divided, and where the location-based data is rare, the segment is larger and smaller.

When segmentation-based data is divided and managed in segments, the following advantages are provided.

1) When new location estimation based data is added, new location estimation based data needs to be constructed only in the segment to which the corresponding data is added, thereby reducing the generation of unnecessary location estimation based data and facilitating data construction.

2) When providing location estimation based data to the wireless device 1, it can be downloaded in units of segments, thereby reducing the amount of communication between the wireless device 1 and the location estimation server 100 and unnecessarily excessive storage space. It can prevent the use.

3) When the device-side position estimation engine 20 or the server-side position estimation engine 110 retrieves the position estimation based data corresponding to the AP observation data, only a certain number of segments and the position estimation based data within the segment are searched. Thus, the performance of the system can be maintained at a certain level.

Server side  Database (120)

The server-side database 120 stores position estimation based data generated by the position data building engine 130 and AP observation data provided from the wireless device 1 in real time. The location estimation based data according to the present embodiment includes segment information together with an AP list (MAC address), AP signal strength, reliability, and location information.

Server side  Location estimation engine (110)

The server-side position estimation engine 110 may estimate the current position of the wireless device 1 by comparing the AP observation data transmitted by the wireless device 1 with the position estimation based data stored in the database 120. To this end, the server-side position estimation engine 110 includes a segment determination unit 113 and a position estimation engine unit 115.

The segment determination unit 113 compares the list of APs included in the AP observation data with the list of APs of each segment stored in the server-side database 120 and selects segments including APs that satisfy predetermined criteria. .

The location estimation engine 115 compares the AP estimation data with the location estimation based data included in the segment selected by the segment determination unit 113, thereby reducing the search time and increasing the accuracy of the search result.

The position estimation engine unit 115 extracts the position estimation base data belonging to the segment selected by the segment determination unit 113, and the AP list and the signal strength of the position estimation base data, and the AP observation data from the wireless device 1. Compare the AP list and signal strength. As a result of the comparison, if the predetermined criterion is satisfied, the position estimation engine unit 115 determines the position of the position estimation based data as the position of the current wireless device 1. The position estimation engine unit 115 may use a position estimation algorithm such as a probability-based Bayesian algorithm or a k-NNSS algorithm using a difference in signal strength values.

The position estimation engine unit 115 corrects the signal strength of the AP included in the AP observation data. Means and methods for correcting signal strength are well known in the art, and those skilled in the art can easily select and apply the detailed description thereof.

The position estimation engine unit 115 corrects the estimated position of the wireless device 1 using a preselected filter algorithm. Position correction filter algorithms include, but are not limited to, Kalman filters and velocity filters.

Server side  Data synchronization handler (140)

The server-side data synchronization processor 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an AP observation data receiver 141, a position estimation based data transmitter 143, and a version manager 145.

The AP observation data receiver 141 may receive DB observation data for DB construction transmitted from the wireless device 1 and store it in the server-side database 120. In addition, the AP observation data receiver 141 may receive the AP observation data transmitted from the wireless device 1 and store it in the server-side database 120.

The version manager 145 manages version information of the location estimation base data and provides version information of the location estimation base data when requested by the wireless device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the segment list of the location estimation based data version and the version information of the segment are provided to the wireless device 1 in response to a request from the version checker 55 of the wireless device 1.

The location estimation based data transmitter 143 may transmit location information of the wireless device 1 determined by the server-side location estimation engine 110 to the wireless device 1. In addition, the position estimation based data transmitter 143 may transmit the position estimation based data to the wireless device 1.

The position estimation based data transmitter 143 according to an embodiment of the present invention transmits the position estimation based data included in the segment selected by the version checker 55 to the wireless device 1.

The segments selected in the version checker 55 are the segments that need to be updated. By selecting and requesting only the segments that need to be downloaded in the version checker 55, the amount of communication between the wireless device 1 and the location estimation server 100 is reduced, and the wireless device 1 is overloaded or overlapped. Can be prevented from being stored.

Position Estimation Based Data Reliability Calculation Engine

Position estimation based data reliability calculation engine 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention is RSSI signal strength calculation unit 151, the number of users calculation unit 153, detection time calculation unit 155, AP distribution range calculation unit ( 157, a collection method calculation unit 159. These calculation units are for reliability calculation, and of course, other elements for reliability calculation may be further included.

In calculating the reliability, the reliability calculation engine 150 may assign a weight to the RSSI signal, the number of users, the detection time, the AP distribution range, the collection method, and the like to calculate the reliability according to a predetermined criterion. According to an embodiment, as shown in Equation 1 below, the reliability may be calculated by summing the reliability calculated by the calculation units 151, 153, 155, 157, and 159.

Reliability = (calculated based on RSSI signal strength) × a + (calculated based on number of users) × b + (calculated based on detection time) × c + (calculated based on AP distribution range) Calculated value) × d + (calculated based on the collection method) × e.

Here, a, b, c, d, and e are predetermined weights.

Equation 1 described above is an example, and besides, the reliability may be calculated using various equations using other conditions.

The RSSI signal strength calculator 151 calculates a higher value as the observed signal strength of the AP increases, and the number calculator 153 of the user indicates that the observed AP is observed by several people at the same place. Since the AP is likely to be sure, it calculates a higher value than otherwise, and the detection time calculator 155 determines how recently the observed data is observed, and calculates the value calculated by the data observed a long time ago. Higher values are calculated.

If the observed AP is already in the database, the AP distribution range calculator 157 examines the distribution of the position where the AP is observed. Thus, if the AP is distributed larger than the RSSI signal strength reach of the general AP, the AP is calculated by dividing it into useless data and lowering the value. On the contrary, if the distribution of APs is concentrated within a distance within which RSSI signal strength can be reached, the AP is calculated by dividing the data into highly accurate data and increasing the value.

As such, distinguishing the correct AP from the inaccurate AP through the distribution of APs is one of the most influential factors in reliability. As an experimental example, when the location estimation was performed using the extracted data by calculating the reliability of the AP distribution range, the location estimation-based data size was reduced by 45% while maintaining the accuracy of the location estimation. This suggests that the reliability based on the distribution range of the AP can be used not only to increase the accuracy of the position estimation but also to reduce the size of the data.

The collection method calculation unit 159 may change the reliability according to how the user obtains the position where the user observes the AP data and who collects the data. As described above, there are three ways for a user to calculate an observation position.

A method of estimating its own position using GPS, a method of estimating its own position using a position estimation algorithm proposed in the present invention, and a method of directly inputting a current position by a user. The degree to which each of them is reflected in the reliability is estimated by GPS> location estimation using a location estimation algorithm> manually input by a user. The position estimation by GPS is reflected in the highest reliability, and when the user inputs it manually, it is reflected in the reliability. In addition, the reliability is also reflected differently depending on who used the wireless device that collected the data. The data collected by the operator is more reliable, and the reliability of the data collected by the user is lower than that of the operator.

Therefore, the collection method calculation unit 159 calculates a high value based on the above two pieces of information, the observation position input method, and the information of the person who collected the data. For example, if the operator measured the position with GPS, the highest value would be calculated. If the user manually measured the position, the lowest value would be calculated.

As an experimental example, the collection methods are listed in the order of the highest weight: "Operator + GPS> Operator + Location Estimation> Operator + Manual> User + GPS> User + Location Estimation> User + Manual". This can vary the weight by prioritizing better combinations based on experimental results.

 When the reliability of each data is calculated through this series of processes, if the reliability is lower than the reference value, the reliability is removed, and only the data satisfying the reference value are stored as the location estimation based data. Preferably, location estimation based data is allocated and stored for each segment. Subsequently, there is a request from the wireless device, or transmitted in units of segments according to a predetermined period.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of collecting AP observation data for DB construction in the wireless device of FIG. 1.

When the user requests collection of AP observation data for DB construction (S500), the Wi-Fi receiver 30 scans and receives a signal of the WLAN AP, and at this time, receives the signal strength and the MAC address of the AP together ( S505).

If the position acquisition of the wireless device 1 is possible through the GPS receiver 35 (S510-Y), the position information of the wireless device 1 is obtained using the GPS receiver 35 (S515), and the acquired data In operation S516, the GPS reception error information filter 63 removes unclear data.

If it is impossible to collect the location of the wireless device 1 through the GPS receiver 35 (S510-N), check whether the user directly inputs the location of the wireless device 1 through the user interface 10 (S520), When the location is input by the user, the controller acquires the location information as location information (S525), and the user input error information filter 60 removes the unclear data from the acquired data (S526).

If the position collection of the wireless device 1 is impossible through the GPS receiver 35 and there is no input from the user, the position collection may be performed using the device-side position estimation engine 20 or the server-side position estimation engine. . 5 shows a case of collecting a location by using the device-side position estimation engine 20. For information on collecting a location by using the server-side position estimation engine, reference may be made to FIG. 8 and a description thereof. have.

5, the AP observation data filter 60 removes or smooths an extremely weak or indeterminate AP signal with respect to the collected AP signals (S528), and the device-side position estimation engine 20 filters the filtered AP signal. The AP signal and MAC address are compared with the location estimation based data stored in the local database 45, and the location estimation based data satisfying a predetermined criterion is found. The device-side position estimation engine 20 estimates the position included in the found position estimation based data as the position of the wireless device 1 (S530).

The position estimation error information filter 65 performs a filtering operation of removing or smoothing data that is unknown to the estimated position (S532). The location information filtered in step S532, the AP signal strength and the MAC address collected in step S505 are generated as AP observation data for DB construction (S535). AP observation data for DB construction is stored in the local database 45 (S540), AP observation data collector 40 checks whether the collection of the DB observation data for DB construction is completed (S545), until the collection is completed The process S505 to S540 is repeated.

When the collection is finished, the AP observation data uploader 51 uploads the DB observation data for DB construction to the position estimation server 100, and when the upload is automatically set, the AP observation data uploader 51 performs a preset period. In accordance with the present invention, the AP observation data for DB construction is uploaded (S550-Y, S560), and if the upload should be instructed by the user, it is uploaded to the location estimation server 100 at the request of the user (S555-Y, S560).

In the location estimation server 100, the AP observation data receiver 141 receives the DB observation data for DB construction and stores it in the server-side database 120 (S565 and S570).

In this embodiment, filtering of the AP signal In operation S528 , the AP signal strength and MAC address may be collected (S505). Alternatively, the AP signal may be filtered and smoothed immediately. That is, the AP observation data filter 60 may be configured to perform an operation of filtering an AP signal between steps S505 and S510 without performing an operation of S528.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of constructing location estimation based data using AP observation data for DB construction in the location estimation server of FIG. 1.

The update checker 131 of the location estimation based data building engine 130 checks whether the new DB building AP observation data is stored in the server-side database 120 (S600).

If it is determined that the new DB building AP observation data is stored in the server-side database 120, the data building engine unit 133 performs a preliminary cleanup of the new DB building AP observation data (S610), and the reliability calculation engine. 150 calculates reliability based on the pre-arranged data (S615).

Thereafter, the data building engine unit 133 discards the reliability of the new DB building AP observation data that is lower than the predetermined value, and updates only the data that satisfies the reliability to the previously stored position estimation based data (S617).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the location estimation based data is allocated to the divided segments and stored and managed. In this case, the following operation may be additionally performed.

The data building engine unit 133 selects a segment in order to allocate the updated location estimation-based data to any one of the segments which are previously divided regions (S620).

As an example of a method for allocating new DB building AP observation data to a segment, a segment to include new DB building AP observation data may be selected according to the position of the wireless device included in the DB building AP observation data. Referring to FIG. 4, the position of the wireless device included in the new DB construction AP observation data among the (100, 10) to (105, 15) segments and the (105, 10) to (110, 15) segments. If (101, 11) is assigned to the first segment, (106, 11) can be assigned to the second segment.

As another example of a method for allocating new DB building AP observation data to a segment, the data building engine unit 133 may server-side the AP list and AP signal strength included in the new DB building AP observation data. Segments having the same AP list may be allocated in comparison with the location estimation based data stored in the database 120.

If the number of location estimation-based data included in the segment to which the new DB-building AP observation data is allocated exceeds a preset threshold (S630-Y), the corresponding segment to which the new DB-building AP observation data is allocated is preset. The method divides the data according to the method (S640).

Accordingly, the new DB building AP observation data is allocated to a new segment (S650), and the new DB building AP observation data is matched with the segment and stored in the server-side database 120 as position estimation based data (S660). ).

If the number of DB building AP observation data included in the segment does not exceed the threshold (S630-N), the new DB building AP observation data is matched with the allocated segment and stored in the server-side database 120 ( S660).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of downloading location estimation based data stored in a location estimation server in the wireless device of FIG. 1.

This embodiment assumes a case where location estimation based data is allocated for each segment and a user requests to synchronize the location estimation based data.

When synchronization of location estimation based data is requested from the user (S700), the version checker 55 of the wireless device 1 requests a version of the location estimation based data to the version manager 145 of the location estimation server 100 ( S710). Thereafter, the version manager 145 transmits the segment list of the location estimation based data and the version information, respectively (S720).

The version checker 55 compares the versions of the segments stored in the local database 45 of the wireless device 1 with the versions of the segments provided from the version manager 145 (S730), and creates a list of segments to be downloaded. The data is transmitted to the location estimation based data downloader 53 (S740). The location estimation based data downloader 53 requests a list of corresponding segments to the location estimation based data transmitter 143 of the location estimation server 100 (S750), downloads the corresponding segments (S760), and positions the downloaded segments. The estimation based data is stored in the local database 45 (S770). Once all the segments have been downloaded, the location estimation based data synchronization process is complete.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of estimating a location of a wireless device in the location estimation server of FIG. 1.

When the wireless device is initialized, the segments are synchronized (S800), and if there is a location estimation request (S805), the Wi-Fi receiver 30 collects the AP signal strength and the MAC address of the AP (S810), and collects the collected data. After filtering to the target (S812) and the smoothing operation is stored in the local database (45) (S815). Here, filtering is used in a sense including at least one or more of the following operations.

i) Eliminate weak signal of AP

ii) remove APs included in the list of deleted APs provided by the location estimation server;

iii) smoothing of unclear signals

The position determining subject determiner 21 determines whether the position determining subject is the wireless device 1 or the position estimating server 100 (S817). The position determining subject determiner 21 sets the position determining subject to the position estimating server 100 when the position determining subject is set to the position estimating server 100 by a user or an administrator, and communication with the position estimating server 100 is possible. Can be determined. On the other hand, if the position determining subject 21 is set by the user or the administrator as the wireless device 1 or communication with the position estimating server 100 is not possible, the position determining subject determining unit 21 transmits the position determining subject to the wireless device 1. Decide

If the location determining subject is determined by the location estimation server 100 (S817-Y), the wireless device requests the server 110 to estimate the location (S820). When requesting the position estimation, the AP observation data uploader 51 transmits the filtered AP observation data (AP signal strength and MAC address) to the position estimation server 100.

The server-side position estimation engine 110 corrects the strength of the received AP signal (S825), and determines whether there is position estimation base data allocated for each segment (S827). If it does not exist (S827-N), the location is determined by comparing the location estimation base data with the filtered AP observation data.

If there is a segment (S827-Y), the segment determination unit 113 compares the AP list included in the AP observation data with the AP list stored in the server-side database 120 to overlap one or more segments with a predetermined number of APs. Select (S830).

The position estimation engine unit 115 compares the AP signal strength of the position estimation based data included in the segment and extracts the position estimation based data having the same or similar AP signal strength. The position estimation engine unit 115 determines the position extracted from the position estimation based data as the position of the wireless device 1 (S835).

After the position information is corrected by the position estimation engine unit 115 (S840), it is stored in the server-side database 120 (S845). Thereafter, the location may be provided to the wireless device 1 (S850), and the location may be indicated by the location-based application of the wireless device 1 (S855).

On the other hand, when the location determining subject is the wireless device 1 (S817-N), the device-side position estimation engine 20 corrects the AP signal strength in the filtered AP observation data (S865), and determines whether the segment exists. To judge. The wireless device 1 may perform the following operation when the location estimation base data allocated for each segment does not exist (S868-N).

The wireless device 1 makes a position estimation request to the server (S872), and the server compares the entire position estimation based data with the filtered AP observation data to estimate the position (S874), and then estimates the estimated position and the estimated position. The segment including the location and the surrounding segments are transmitted to the wireless device 1 (S876), and the wireless device 1 updates previously stored segments with the received segments (S876). Meanwhile, the location received from the location estimation server may be utilized as AP observation data for DB construction together with the AP signal strength and the MAC address collected in S810.

If there is a segment (S868-Y), the position estimation engine unit 23 compares the AP list included in the AP observation data with the AP list of the position estimation base data stored in the local database 45 and determines a predetermined number. One or more segments in which the APs overlap each other are selected (S870). The AP signal of the location estimation based data included in the segment is compared with the AP included in the AP observation data to extract location estimation based data having the same or similar AP signal strength.

The position estimation engine unit 23 determines the position extracted from the position estimation base data as the position of the wireless device 1 (S875). Then, the location is determined, and after performing a filtering operation is provided to the wireless device 1 (S850), the position by the position-based applications in a wireless device (1) may be displayed for correcting (S855).

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the location estimated by the location estimation server 100 or the wireless device 1 may be utilized as AP observation data for DB construction (S882). That is, the position determined in S835 and the position determined in S875 may be added to the position estimation based data after filtering.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of constructing location estimation based data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, a method of constructing location estimation based data by a location estimation engine of a wireless device or a location estimation engine of a location estimation server is illustrated.

 The WLAN signal strength observed at the current location is collected through the Wi-Fi receiver 30 (S901). In operation S903, the AP observation data filter 60 removes and smoothes the data that is not clear for the collected wireless signals.

In the case of performing the position estimation in the wireless device (S905-Y), the device side position estimation engine 20 estimates the current position based on the filtered collected data, and the AP observation data filter 60 based on the estimated position. ) Performs a filtering operation to remove or smooth the incorrect data (S907).

Thereafter, the estimated location and the collected collected data are uploaded to the location estimation server (S909). The reliability calculation engine 150 calculates the reliability of the uploaded data, and the data construction engine unit 133 removes the data whose reliability is lower than the predetermined reference value and uses the remaining data to remove the existing position estimation based data. Update.

The position data building engine 130 selects a segment according to a predetermined criterion (S919), and allocates and stores the updated position estimate based data to the selected segment (S921).

If location estimation is performed by the server 100 instead of the wireless device 10 (S905-N), the filtered collected data may be stored in the local database 45 (S911) and uploaded to the server ( S913). The server-side position estimation engine 110 estimates the position based on the uploaded collected data (S915). Thereafter, the reliability calculation engine 150 calculates the reliability, and the data building engine unit 133 removes data whose reliability is lower than a predetermined reference value and updates existing position estimation based data using the remaining data. Thereafter, the above-described steps of S919 to S921 are performed.

In this way, two methods can be used to obtain location-based data at the current user's location, even for users without GPS. As such, when generating location-based data based on its own location estimated by the location estimation engine, the accuracy may be less than that obtained from the GPS receiver. However, the AP observation data filter and the server side may be provided. Accuracy can be complemented by a reliability calculator.

That is, as described above, the position collected by the GPS is calculated to have a lower reliability than the position estimated by the position engine, and since the position is estimated in consideration of the reliability when performing the position estimation, the error of the position estimation can be reduced. Will be.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the above-described real-time location tracking methods of a wireless device on a computer.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a database used for estimating the real-time location of a wireless device using a WLAN AP, the database; A list of APs corresponding to the location; Signal strength of APs included in the list of APs; And at least two location estimation based data subsets having the reliability of the APs included in the list of APs, and when receiving a search word composed of the AP list and the strength of the AP signal from the outside, the location estimation based data subs; A database is provided that selects a location estimation based data set that satisfies a predetermined criterion from among the sets, and provides information about a location included in the selected location estimation based data subset.

As the wireless device mentioned in the present specification, for example, a wireless device capable of utilizing location information, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, a netbook, a navigation, and the like, is used as a concept. In addition, "wireless device real-time location tracking system" is interpreted to mean a device, and may be implemented in software and / or hardware and / or firmware.

The present inventions described above can be utilized in the following fields, for example.

For example, pedestrian navigation. Conventional navigation can be tracked only when the error range is large, moving to the car, the present invention can be used to create a pedestrian navigation interlocking indoors and outdoors seamlessly. For example, accurate location estimation is possible even in complex rooms such as COEX Mall.

 Other examples include logistics or asset management. By tagging assets managed by your company or factory, you can track your location in real time to see where you are or where you are moving to reduce the risk of loss. In addition, transportation costs can also be reduced by optimally setting storage locations or moving routes when storing or moving assets. In addition, it will be able to show customers the movement status of logistics in real time.

Another example is a location based push system. By adding a push system to the present invention, it is a system that allows a user to receive a specified message when they go to a specific location. Or, it may be implemented in conjunction with the home network system of U-city. For example, when a user leaves the house without turning off the gas, they can remind them to go back and turn off the light.

 As another embodiment of the present invention, there is a friend find function. By marking nearby friends in your group, you can help them message or meet.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 is a block diagram of a real-time location tracking system according to the present invention,

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the wireless device of FIG. 1;

3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the location estimation server of FIG. 1;

4 is a schematic diagram of a segment for illustrating the structure of the segment;

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of collecting AP observation data for building a DB in the wireless device of FIG. 1;

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of constructing location estimation based data using AP observation data for DB construction in the location estimation server of FIG. 1;

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of downloading location estimation based data stored in a location estimation server in the wireless device of FIG. 1;

8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of estimating a location of a wireless device in the location estimation server of FIG. 1;

9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of constructing location estimation based data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals for the main parts of the drawing

 1: wireless device 20: device-side position estimation engine

30: Wi-Fi receiver 40: AP observation data collector

45: local database 50: device-side data synchronization processor

100: location estimation server 110: server-side location estimation engine

120: server-side database 130: location data building engine

140: server-side data synchronization handler

Claims (23)

A method of constructing location estimation based data for real-time location tracking of a wireless device using a WLAN AP, Receiving AP scan data including a list of APs measured by the wireless device, and signal strengths of these APs; Receiving a location where the AP scan data is measured; Calculating a reliability of at least one of the collected AP scan data and the location; And And associating the calculated reliability with the collected AP scan data and a location and storing the location-based data as location estimation-based data. The method of claim 1, If the calculated reliability does not meet a preset condition, And storing a list of APs that do not meet the preset condition. The method of claim 1, And storing the collected AP scan data as position estimation based data only when the calculated reliability satisfies a preset condition. The method of claim 1, The step of receiving the location, Receiving a location from a user; Obtaining a location from a GPS; And Obtaining a location from a location estimation engine; And at least one of the following. The method of claim 4, wherein And filtering the inaccurate data for the provided positions. The method of claim 2, And deleting or smoothing inaccurate data from the provided AP scan data with reference to the list of APs that do not meet the preset condition. The method of claim 1, Dividing an area into a plurality of segments; And allocating and storing the position estimation based data in any one of the plurality of segments. The method of claim 7, wherein When updating the pre-stored position estimation based data with newly provided AP scan data, Determining a segment to allocate the newly received AP scan data from among the plurality of segments; And And allocating the newly provided AP scan data to the determined segment. The method of claim 7, wherein Determining a segment to allocate the newly received AP scan data, And selecting a segment including all AP lists included in the newly provided AP scan data from among the plurality of segments. The method of claim 7, wherein Determining a segment to allocate the newly received AP scan data, And selecting, from among the plurality of segments, a segment including an AP that satisfies a predetermined reliability among AP lists included in the newly provided AP scan data. The method of claim 7, wherein Determining a segment to allocate the newly received AP scan data, And selecting, from among the plurality of segments, a segment including a location from which the newly received AP scan data is measured. The method of claim 1, The step of calculating the reliability, The signal strength of the AP included in the AP scan data, the number of times the AP scan data is observed at the location, the observation time of the AP scan data, the distribution range of the AP included in the AP scan data, and the AP scan data. And calculating at least one of a collection method in consideration of at least one. In the real-time location tracking method of a wireless device using a WLAN AP, Receiving AP observation data including a list of APs (hereinafter referred to as 'first APs') measured by the wireless device to estimate the location, and signal strengths of the first APs; According to any one of claims 1 to 9, the position, the list of APs (hereinafter referred to as 'second AP') corresponding to the position, the signal strength of the second AP, and the second AP Constructing location estimation based data including reliability; And And estimating the location of the wireless device by comparing the constructed location estimation based data with the AP observation data. The method of claim 12, And filtering unclear APs from the received AP observation data by referring to a previously stored AP deletion list. A location estimation server for constructing location estimation based data for real time location tracking of a wireless device using a WLAN AP, An AP observation data receiver provided with a list of APs measured by a wireless device, and AP scan data including signal strengths of these APs and a location where the AP scan data are measured; A location estimation based data reliability calculation engine that calculates a reliability for at least one of the collected AP scan data and the location; And And a location data building engine configured to construct location estimation based data by associating the calculated reliability with the collected AP scan data and location. The method of claim 15, Further includes a database, The location data building engine, If the calculated reliability does not meet a preset condition, Location estimation server, characterized in that for storing the list of the AP that does not meet the predetermined condition in the database. The method of claim 16, The location data building engine, Only when the calculated reliability satisfies a preset condition, the collected AP scan data is stored as location estimation based data. The method of claim 15, The location estimation based data reliability calculation engine, The signal strength of the AP included in the AP scan data, the number of times the AP scan data is observed at the location, the observation time of the AP scan data, the distribution range of the AP included in the AP scan data, and the AP scan data. A location estimation server for constructing location estimation based data, characterized in that the calculation in consideration of at least one or more of the collection method. In the real-time location tracking system of a wireless device using a WLAN AP, A wireless device that measures an AP (hereinafter referred to as a 'first AP') at a current location to estimate a location and collects AP observation data including a list of and signal strengths of the first APs; And Location estimation server for constructing and storing location estimation based data including location, list of APs (hereinafter referred to as 'second AP') corresponding to location, signal strength of the second APs, and reliability of the second APs ; Including; The wireless device or the location estimation server compares the constructed location estimation based data with the AP observation data to estimate the location of the wireless device, and the real time location of the wireless device using the reliability-based WLAN AP. Tracking system. The method of claim 19, The wireless device is a real-time location tracking system of a wireless device using a reliability-based WLAN AP, characterized in that for filtering the unknown AP by referring to the previously stored AP deletion list from the collected AP observation data. The method of claim 19, The location estimation server, A real-time location tracking system of a wireless device using a reliability-based WLAN AP, characterized by dividing an area into a plurality of segments, and assigning and storing the location estimation based data to any one of the plurality of segments. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method of claim 1 on a computer. As a database used to track the real-time location of a wireless device using a WLAN AP, location; A list of APs corresponding to the location; Signal strength of APs included in the list of APs; And At least two location estimation based data subsets having a reliability of APs included in the list of APs; When receiving a search word consisting of an AP list and an AP signal strength from the outside, selecting a location estimation based data set satisfying a predetermined criterion based on the search word from among the location estimation based data subsets, and selecting the selected location estimation based data. A database that provides information about the locations contained in the subset.

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