US 2019/0058977 A1 · METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SCHEDULING THE TRANSMISSION OF LOCALIZATION SIGNALS AND OPERATING SELF-LOCALIZING APPARATUS

Abstract

Localization systems and methods for transmitting timestampable localization signals from anchors according to one or more transmission schedules. The transmission schedules may be generated and updated to achieve desired positioning performance. For example, one or more anchors may transmit localization signals at a different rate than other anchors, the anchor transmission order can be changed, and the signals can partially overlap. In addition, different transmission parameters may be used to transmit two localization signals at the same time without interference. A self-localizing apparatus is able to receive the localization signals and determine its position. The self-localizing apparatus may have a configurable receiver that can select to receive one of multiple available localization signals. The self-localizing apparatuses may have a pair of receivers able to receive two localization signals at the same time. A bridge anchor may be provided to enable a self-localizing apparatus to seamlessly transition between two localization systems.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A localization system, comprising:

a plurality of positioning anchors configured to wirelessly transmit localization signals capable of being used by self-localizing apparatus within a region to determine position information;
and
at least one scheduling unit communicatively coupled to the plurality of positioning anchors, wherein the at least one scheduling unit is configured to:
schedule the transmission of the localization signals according to a first transmission schedule, wherein the first transmission schedule defines a first temporal order for each of the plurality of positioning anchors to transmit the localization signals;
determine when to change from the first transmission schedule to a second transmission schedule, wherein the second transmission schedule defines a second temporal order for each of the plurality of positioning anchors to transmit localization signals, and wherein the second temporal order is different than the first temporal order;
and
schedule, in response to a determination to change from the first transmission schedule to the second transmission schedule, the transmission of the localization signals according to the second transmission schedule, thereby changing the positioning performance within the region.

4 more elements

A method for transmitting localization signals in a localization system comprising a plurality of positioning anchors, the method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting, using the plurality of positioning anchors, localization signals capable of being used by self-localizing apparatus within a region to determine position information;
scheduling, using at least one scheduling unit communicatively coupled to the plurality of positioning anchors, the transmission of the localization signals according to a first transmission schedule, wherein the first transmission schedule defines a first temporal order for each of the plurality of positioning anchors to transmit the localization signals;
determining, using the at least one scheduling unit, when to change from the first transmission schedule to a second transmission schedule, wherein the second transmission schedule defines a second temporal order for each of the plurality of positioning anchors to transmit localization signals, and wherein the second temporal order is different than the first temporal order;
and
scheduling, using the at least one scheduling unit, in response to a determination to change from the first transmission schedule to the second transmission schedule, the transmission of the localization signals according to the second transmission schedule, thereby changing the positioning performance within the region.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and systems for scheduling the transmission of localization signals and operating self-localizing apparatus

Life of this patent

Methods and systems for scheduling the transmission of localization signals and operating self-localizing apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20