{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854148","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9854148","title":"Micro-location of devices within a wireless network using room boundary images","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-08-04T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["G01S","G01S","G06T","G06V","H04N","G06T","G06T"],"num_claims":24,"abstract":"In a system for detecting location of an object inside of a building, an image capture device of a mobile electronic device captures an image of a boundary of a room in which the portable electronic device is positioned. The system extracts features of a boundary (ceiling, wall or floor) in the image to determine whether the mobile device is in a known location. When the system identifies a known location, it will take an action that provides the portable electronic device with additional functionality at the identified known location. Such functionality may include connecting to a wireless network or communicating with a stationary device at the known location."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Micro-location of Devices Within a Wireless Network Using Room Boundary Images patent introduces an innovative method for determining the location of a mobile device within a building. The core innovation lies in using the device's camera to capture images of room boundaries (walls, ceilings, floors) and extracting features from these images to identify known locations. This eliminates the need for costly and complex infrastructure like Bluetooth beacons or Wi-Fi triangulation, providing a more cost-effective and scalable solution for indoor positioning. The problem being solved is the inaccuracy and limitations of existing indoor positioning systems, which often struggle to provide reliable location data within buildings. The key technical approach involves image capture, feature extraction using computer vision techniques, database matching to identify known locations, and action triggering to provide additional functionality or connectivity. The business value lies in enabling a wide range of applications, including asset tracking, indoor navigation, location-based services, and automated device configuration. The market opportunity is significant, with potential applications in healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and smart homes, where precise indoor location is critical for improving efficiency, enhancing user experiences, and automating processes. This patent represents a significant step forward in the field of indoor positioning and has the potential to transform the way we interact with our environment.","layman_explanation":"The Micro-location of Devices Within a Wireless Network Using Room Boundary Images patent offers a clever solution to a common problem: inaccurate indoor positioning. While GPS works well outdoors, it often fails inside buildings, leading to frustration and limitations for various applications.\n\n**1. What Problem Does This Solve?**\nImagine trying to navigate a large hospital or find a specific product in a sprawling retail store using your phone's GPS. The signal is weak, and the location is often inaccurate, making it difficult to find your way. Existing solutions, like Bluetooth beacons, require installing and maintaining a network of devices, which can be costly and complex. The system described in this patent offers a more streamlined and cost-effective approach to indoor positioning.\n\n**2. How Does It Work?**\nInstead of relying on external signals, this innovation uses the device's existing camera to 'see' its surroundings. Think of it like teaching your phone to recognize different rooms by their unique features. When you walk into a room, your phone takes a picture of the walls, ceiling, or floor. It then compares these features to a library of known locations. If it finds a match, it knows exactly where you are. It's like recognizing a friend's house by the color of the door or the shape of the windows. The system then can trigger an action, like connecting to a Wi-Fi network.\n\n**3. Why Does This Matter?**\nThis technology has the potential to transform various industries. In healthcare, it can help track medical equipment, monitor patient movements, and automate tasks. In retail, it can provide personalized shopping experiences and optimize store layouts. In manufacturing, it can improve asset tracking and worker safety. The market impact is significant, as accurate indoor positioning can lead to increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction. \n\n**4. What's Next?**\nFuture applications could include integration with augmented reality (AR) applications, personalized advertising, and advanced smart home automation. As the technology matures, we can expect to see wider adoption across various industries, leading to new business models and investment opportunities. The timeline for widespread adoption will depend on factors such as device compatibility, regulatory approvals, and market demand.","technical_analysis":"The Micro-location of Devices Within a Wireless Network Using Room Boundary Images patent presents a system that utilizes image recognition for indoor positioning. The technical architecture consists of several key components: an image capture module, a feature extraction module, a database of known locations, and an action triggering module. The image capture module uses the device's camera to capture images of room boundaries. The feature extraction module employs computer vision algorithms to identify key features in the captured images, such as edges, corners, and textures. These features are then compared against a database of known locations to determine the device's position. The database contains pre-recorded features of various room boundaries within the target environment. Implementation details involve selecting appropriate computer vision algorithms for feature extraction, designing an efficient database for storing and retrieving location data, and developing a robust matching algorithm to compare the extracted features against the database. Algorithm specifics might include the use of Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) or Speeded-Up Robust Features (SURF) for feature extraction, and k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN) or Support Vector Machines (SVM) for feature matching. Integration patterns could involve the use of APIs to access the device's camera and wireless network, and the use of cloud-based services for storing and processing location data. Performance characteristics depend on the accuracy of the feature extraction and matching algorithms, the size and quality of the database, and the processing power of the device. Code-level implications include the need for efficient and optimized code to handle image processing and database operations, as well as the need for secure communication protocols to protect location data.","business_analysis":"The Micro-location of Devices Within a Wireless Network Using Room Boundary Images patent addresses a significant market need for accurate and cost-effective indoor positioning solutions. The market opportunity size is substantial, with potential applications in healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and smart homes. Competitive advantages include the reliance on existing device hardware (camera), reduced infrastructure costs compared to traditional solutions like Bluetooth beacons, and improved accuracy in certain environments. The revenue potential lies in licensing the technology to device manufacturers, software developers, and service providers. Business models could include licensing fees, subscription fees, and revenue sharing agreements. Strategic positioning involves targeting industries where precise indoor location is critical, such as healthcare and manufacturing. ROI projections depend on the adoption rate of the technology and the pricing strategy, but the potential for significant returns is high, given the large market opportunity and the cost-effectiveness of the solution. This technology has the potential to disrupt the indoor positioning market by offering a more accessible and scalable solution for a wide range of applications.","faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Micro-location of devices within a wireless network using room boundary images","description":"In a system for detecting location of an object inside of a building, an image capture device of a mobile electronic device captures an image of a boundary of a room in which the portable electronic d","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854148","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854148","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Micro-location of devices within a wireless network using room boundary images\" (US-9854148). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854148","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854148","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9854148","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T06:12:05.366Z"}