Active Wireless Transmitter Pedestrian Alert System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for providing information to pedestrians, such as those at crossings, require a large number of passive RFID tags to effectively cover the area, leading to increased installation costs, complexity, and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a small number of active wireless transmitters, communicating via a short-range protocol like Bluetooth, paired with protrusions on a substrate, which transmit information signals that can be received by a mobile phone or similar receiver to generate alerts, reducing the need for extensive tag coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive RFID tags are used to cover the crossing area, then information can be provided to pedestrians, but a large number of tags are required leading to increased installation cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single active transmitter unit: information transmission, location identification, and wireless communication capability. This consolidation replaces the need for numerous passive RFID tags distributed across the crossing area, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical RFID tag system with an active electronic transmitter using wireless communication protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi). This substitution eliminates the need for physical distribution and configuration of multiple passive tags, significantly reducing installation complexity and improving system reliability through fewer components.
2Reliability
If passive RFID tags are used to cover the crossing area, then information can be provided to pedestrians, but installation cost increases due to the large number of tags required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single active transmitter unit: information transmission, location identification, and wireless communication capability. This consolidation replaces the need for numerous passive RFID tags distributed across the crossing area, thereby reducing installation cost while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical RFID tag system with an active electronic transmitter using wireless communication protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi). This substitution eliminates the need for physical distribution and configuration of multiple passive tags, significantly reducing installation cost and improving ease of deployment.
3Area of stationary object
If a large number of passive RFID tags are deployed, then coverage area is sufficient, but system reliability reduces due to more components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coverage area into zones defined by the location of individual transmitter units. Each transmitter serves a specific zone or crossing point, and multiple transmitters can be strategically placed to achieve comprehensive coverage. This segmentation approach reduces the total number of components needed compared to deploying numerous passive tags, thereby improving system reliability while maintaining adequate coverage.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system for providing information to pedestrians comprising a plurality of protrusions; at least one active wireless transmitter adapted to transmit an information signal, the at least one wireless transmitter arranged in fixed relation to the protrusions; and, a wireless receiver adapted to receive the information signal and generate an alert in response thereto.