Method and system for calibrating a light based positioning system

Abstract

In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a method for manually calibrating a light based positioning system in a location. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a map of positions of a plurality of light sources in the location; while positioned under one of the plurality of light sources on the map, receiving an identification code from the light source, wherein the identification code identifies the light source; and updating the map with the identification code for the light source. In some embodiments, the light source can be a light emitting diode.

1 . A method for manually calibrating a map of a light based positioning system having a plurality of asynchronous light sources in a location, the method comprising:
 providing a map data structure on a mobile device, the map data structure comprising positions of the plurality of light sources in the location;   while positioned under one of the plurality of light sources of the map data structure, wherein the light source has a position stored by the map data structure, the mobile device receiving a broadcast identifier from the light source, wherein the identifier identifies the light source; and   based on the received identifier, updating the map data structure to associate the identifier for the light source with the position on the map of the light source.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a fluorescent light source. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising transmitting the identifier of the light source and the map location to a remote server. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the method comprises transmitting metadata to the server. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the metadata comprises Wi-Fi access points, a received signal strength indication, cellular tower information. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the location comprises an indoor location. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifier is broadcast from the light source as a modulated signal. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the map data structure comprises computer aided drafting files, user provided computerization, or hand drawn images. 
     
     
         10 . A device for manually calibrating a light based positioning system having a plurality of asynchronous light sources in a location, the device comprising:
 memory for storing a map data structure, the map data structure comprising positions of the plurality of light sources in the location;   an image sensor for receiving an identifier from one of the plurality of light sources, wherein the identifier identifies the light source; and   a transceiver for transmitting the identifier of the light source and the map location to a remote server.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the image sensor comprises a CMOS sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the location comprises an indoor location. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the transceiver transmits metadata to the server and the metadata comprises Wi-Fi access points, a received signal strength indication, and cellular tower information. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the identifier is broadcast from the light source as a modulated signal. 
     
     
         15 . A method for calibrating a light based positioning system having a plurality of asynchronous light sources, the method comprising:
 electronically receiving information from a mobile device, the information comprising a light source identifier, an approximate position of the mobile device, and an error associated with the approximate position of the mobile device;   matching the light source identifier to light source position information stored in a map data structure, wherein the map data structure comprises positions of the plurality of light sources;   determining a position of the light source in the map data structure based on the information received from the mobile device; and   updating the light source position information stored in the map data structure to include the determined position.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the light source comprises a fluorescent light source. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the determining is performed using machine learning algorithms. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the approximate position of the mobile device is determined using Wi-Fi, GPS, GSM or inertial sensors. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising electronically receiving information from a plurality of mobile devices. 
     
     
         21 . A server for calibrating a light based positioning system having a plurality of asynchronous light sources, the server comprising:
 logic stored in memory for:
 electronically receiving information from a mobile device, the information comprising a light source identifier, an approximate position of the mobile device, and an error associated with the approximate position of the mobile device; 
 matching the light source identifier to light source position information stored in a map data structure, wherein the map data structure comprises positions of the plurality of light sources; 
 determining a position of the light source in the map data structure based on the information received from the mobile device; and 
 updating the light source position information stored in the map data structure to include the determined position.