Animal Sensor Module Reducing Battery Drain via Periodic Position Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal monitoring systems face challenges in efficiently tracking animal location and health conditions while minimizing battery consumption and bandwidth usage, especially for large animal populations, due to continuous data transmission requirements.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system comprising a sensor module with a position locator and condition sensors on animals, which periodically transmits data only when the animal's position or condition changes, using a network to compare with stored boundary and criterion data to determine alarm conditions, reducing unnecessary data transmission and increasing frequency during alarm events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous transmission of position data is used to monitor animal location, then monitoring reliability is improved, but battery consumption and bandwidth usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from continuous transmission to periodic transmission by only sending position data when the animal's location changes significantly. The controller compares current position with previously determined position and only transmits when a threshold change is detected, reducing battery consumption while maintaining effective monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from position comparisons to control transmission behavior. The controller continuously monitors position changes and uses this feedback to determine when transmission is necessary, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes energy usage based on actual monitoring needs.
2Reliability
If continuous transmission of position data is used to monitor animal location, then monitoring reliability is improved, but bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system reduces bandwidth usage by transmitting position data only periodically when changes occur, rather than continuously. This maintains monitoring effectiveness while significantly reducing the quantity of data transmitted over the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the necessary information for monitoring by transmitting only position change notifications rather than continuous position streams. This removes unnecessary data while preserving the essential monitoring function.
3Speed
If transmission frequency is increased to detect theft or alarm conditions faster, then response speed is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission frequency based on operational context. Normal monitoring uses low-frequency periodic transmission, but when alarm conditions are detected or suspected, the system increases transmission frequency to provide faster response, optimizing the balance between speed and energy consumption.
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 approach significantly reduces battery consumption and bandwidth usage while effectively alerting owners of potential theft or health issues, and can detect changes in animal proximity to roadways, enhancing monitoring efficiency and reducing losses.
Implementation Method 1
a position locator arranged to receive position data from a satellite network and determine a current position of the animal
Data Source
AI summary
An animal monitoring system has sensor modules carried on respective animals. Each module includes a GPS position locator to determine a current position of the animal, a transmitter, and a controller arranged to store a previously determined position of the animal thereon. A central monitoring system is located remotely from the animal which stores boundary position data representing a boundary thereon and which is arranged to communicate with the sensor module over a network. If the position of the animal changes significantly, a notification signal is transmitted to the central monitoring system which compares the current position to the boundary position data to determine is a user should be notified of an alarm condition. The sensor modules may also monitor various physiological characteristics of the animal to notify the central monitor system and subsequently the user if the animal appears to be in danger.