Anchor Cable Infrastructure for Rapid Location System Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Precise localization systems face challenges in easy and quick deployment, calibration, and configuration due to complexity and infrastructure requirements, leading to increased costs and expertise needs.
Innovation Solution
A cable-like infrastructure integrating anchors, power supply, and optional network connections, where anchors are installed at known distances along the cable, allowing for easy installation, calibration, and configuration, with power supplied through the cable and connectivity provided via Ethernet or wireless connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional anchor deployment methods are used, then location tracking functionality is achieved, but deployment complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple anchors into a single integrated anchor assembly that can be deployed as one unit. The assembly includes multiple anchors positioned at known distances from each other on a rigid structure, allowing simultaneous deployment of multiple location-tracking points in one action, thereby dramatically increasing deployment speed while reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The anchors within the assembly are pre-positioned at known, predetermined distances from each other during manufacturing. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex post-deployment calibration and positioning work, as the geometric relationships between anchors are already established and known before deployment occurs
2Measurement precision
If multiple anchors are deployed individually, then location precision is improved, but calibration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid structure holding the anchors maintains fixed, known distances between them that are established during manufacturing. This pre-established geometry provides a known reference frame that simplifies calibration significantly, as the system already knows the relative positions of all anchors without requiring complex measurement and calculation procedures
Solution Approach 2:
By fixing the distances between anchors in the assembly to known values during manufacturing, the patent transforms the calibration problem from one requiring complex field measurements to one that can be solved using the pre-established geometric parameters, thereby reducing calibration complexity while maintaining multiple anchor points for precise location determination
3Productivity
If anchors are deployed without integrated power supply, then deployment flexibility is maintained, but deployment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the power supply into the anchor assembly itself, combining multiple functional components (anchors, power supply, and mounting structure) into a single deployable unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate power installation steps and reduces the number of individual components that need to be installed and connected, thereby improving deployment efficiency and ease of operation
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
This solution enables quick and easy deployment of multiple anchors, reduces calibration complexity, and simplifies configuration, making the system applicable in various environments without local infrastructure support, while lowering deployment costs and expertise requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The power supply circuit is operatively connected to the anchor cable and is configured to supply power to each of the first and second anchor devices via the anchor cable
Implementation Method 2
Each of the first and second anchor devices is configured to wirelessly communicate with the tag device, which e.g., enables a remote network of processors in communication with the anchor devices to determine location data for the tag device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
An anchor system for a location system tracks a location of a tag device mounted to a mobile entity using a plurality of anchor devices. The anchor system comprises an anchor cable, a first anchor device affixed to the anchor cable, one or more second anchor devices affixed to the anchor cable, and a power supply circuit.Each of the second anchor device(s) is spaced from the first anchor device along a length of the anchor cable by a predetermined distance. The power supply circuit is operatively connected to the anchor cable and is configured to supply power to each of the anchor devices via the anchor cable. Each of the anchor devices is configured to wirelessly communicate with the tag device, e.g., which enables a remote network of processors in communication with the anchor devices to determine location data for the tag device.