Turn-by-turn navigation system and method using feedforward location estimation

• US 9,551,581 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2014
• Issued: 01/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Albright Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Albright Holdings, Inc.
• Inventors: Pittman, Adrian D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Rodney
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRUSHABER, FREDERICK M
• Application Number:
  US14/587,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20150185023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation

Abstract

A turn-by-turn internal navigation system for use with a mobile electronic device includes three receives for using a trilateration navigational algorithm using first receiver for receiving a cellular tower radio frequency (RF) signal, a second receiver for receiving a WiFi RF signal; and a third receiver for receiving at least one Bluetooth RF signal based upon a BLE tag network. A processor works to execute an algorithm using feed-forward estimation such that no feedback is needed for distance error correction. The algorithm uses dead reckoning navigation in combination with information from the first receiver, second receiver and third receiver to generate positional information such that in-building navigation instructions are displayed on the mobile electronic device.

Claims

1. A system for providing turn-by-turn internal navigation comprising:

at least one mobile device comprising;

at least one receiver for receiving a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signal types;

a display; and

at least one microprocessor for executing the step of;

receiving at least one of a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) signal, a Wifi signal or a cellular signal;

determining a least two in-building geographic points based on receipt of the at least one of the BLE signal, Wifi signal or cellular signal;

executing cyclical feedforward estimation position verification via redundant data collection for determining position calculation though available BLE, WiFi, or cellular signals readily available at a point in time;

utilizing dead reckoning navigation in combination with results from the step of executing to generate positional information;

providing building turn-by-turn navigation instructions to a selectable in-building location; and

displaying the turn-by-turn navigation instructions on a map generated on the mobile device.

2. The system as in claim 1, wherein dead reckoning navigation utilizes at least one gyroscopic device integral to the mobile device.

3. The system as in claim 1, wherein feedforward estimation position determines distance to a predetermined target based on the equation:

Distance=exp( 1/10*log(10)*(RSSI+A)/(n*(C1+C2+C3)))

where;

A is the radio signal strength indication (RSSI) for a given beacon at 1 meter;

n is the signal'"'"'s effectiveness value; and

C1, C2, C3—

are coefficients from adaptives based on geometric orientation and physical obstacles.

4. A method for providing turn-by-turn internal navigation for use with a mobile device comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one of a first Bluetooth low energy (BLE) signal, a Wifi signal or a cellular signal;

determining a least two in-building geographic points based on receipt of the at least one of the first BLE signal, Wifi signal or cellular signal;

executing cyclical feedforward estimation position verification via redundant data collection for determining position calculation though available BLE, WiFi, or cellular signals readily available at a point in time;

utilizing dead reckoning navigation in combination with results from the step of executing to generate positional information;

providing building turn-by-turn navigation instructions to a selectable in-building location; and

displaying the turn-by-turn navigation instructions on a map generated on the mobile device.

5. The method for providing turn-by-turn internal navigation as in claim 4, wherein the feedforward estimation uses trilateration navigation.

6. The method for providing turn-by-turn internal navigation as in claim 4, wherein dead reckoning navigation utilizes a compass within the mobile device.

7. The method for providing turn-by-turn internal navigation as in claim 4, wherein the feed forward estimation position is determined using the equation:

Distance=exp( 1/10*log(10)*(RSSI+A)/(n*(C1+C2+C3)))

where;

A is the radio signal strength indication (RSSI) for a given beacon at 1 meter;

n is the signal'"'"'s effectiveness value; and

C1, C2, C3—

are coefficients from adaptives.

8. A method for determining turn-by-turn navigation information displayed on an mobile device comprising the steps of:

receiving a cellular tower radio frequency (RF) signal, a WiFi signal, or a Bluetooth signal using the receiver on the mobile device; and

executing trilateration navigation using feedforward estimation having at least one coefficient modifier and uses the equation;

Distance=exp( 1/10*log(10)*(RSSI+A)/(n*(C1+C2+C3)))

 

where;

A is the RSSI for a given beacon @ 1 meter

n is the signals effectiveness; and

C1, C2, C3—

are coefficients from adaptives.

9. The method for providing turn-by-turn internal navigation as in claim 8, wherein the WiFi signal and Bluetooth signal are broadcast from substantially open space in-building within a walled area.