Portable Tracker Using Accelerometer Displacement for Indoor Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inertial navigation systems face limitations in accuracy and power management when tracking individuals or objects in enclosed or partially enclosed structures, as they rely on GPS signals that can be obstructed, leading to errors and battery depletion.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic tracking device equipped with a transceiver, accelerometer, and antenna that measures acceleration to compute location coordinates without GPS signaling, conserving battery power and improving accuracy by using signal strength to control power consumption and activate accelerometer measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS signals are used for location tracking, then location accuracy is improved, but the system fails in enclosed structures where GPS signals are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces accelerometer measurements as an intermediary mechanism to bridge the gap between GPS availability and continuous location tracking. When GPS signals are obstructed in enclosed structures, the accelerometer serves as a mediator to compute displacement from the last known GPS position, enabling location tracking to continue without direct GPS signal access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary GPS location acquisition before signal obstruction occurs, storing the last known position as a reference point. This preliminary action enables the accelerometer to calculate displacement from a known starting position, allowing the system to maintain location tracking capability even when GPS signals become unavailable in enclosed structures.
2Measurement precision
If accelerometer measurements are continuously taken, then location tracking accuracy in enclosed structures is improved, but battery power is depleted faster
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic accelerometer measurements triggered by specific conditions rather than continuous sampling. The accelerometer is activated periodically when GPS signal strength falls below a threshold or when movement is detected, allowing the system to maintain location tracking accuracy in enclosed structures while significantly reducing battery power consumption compared to continuous measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from GPS signal strength monitoring to control accelerometer activation. When GPS signal strength indicates obstruction (below threshold), the system feedback-triggers accelerometer measurements to compensate. This feedback mechanism ensures accelerometer measurements are taken only when necessary, improving location tracking accuracy in enclosed structures while optimizing battery power usage.
3Use of energy by moving object
If GPS signal strength monitoring is implemented, then power management is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transceiver performs dual functions: both GPS signal reception and signal strength monitoring. By making the signal strength monitoring capability inherent to the existing transceiver component, the system achieves improved power management without adding separate dedicated hardware for monitoring, thus minimizing the increase in system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate location tracking and power management within enclosed structures, reducing errors and battery drain by using accelerometer measurements to determine displacement and alert guardians of potential injuries, while maintaining functionality without continuous GPS access.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer to measure acceleration forces applied to the tracking device
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method to monitor location coordinates of an electronic tracking device are disclosed here. The device includes transceiver circuitry to receive at least one portion of a receive communication signal comprising location coordinates information; accelerometer circuitry to measure displacements of the portable electronic tracking device; a battery power monitor configured to selectively activate and deactivate at least one portion of the transceiver circuitry and location tracking circuitry; and processor circuitry configured to process the at least one portion of the receive communication signal. The method includes receiving at transceiver circuitry of a portable electronic tracking device at least one portion of a receive communication signal comprising location coordinates information; measuring displacements of the portable electronic tracking device; activating and deactivating at least one portion of the transceiver circuitry and location tracking circuitry; and processing the at least one portion of the receive communication signal using processor circuitry.