Animal Tracking System with Relative Position Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional animal tracking systems, while using GPS technology, lack the ability to provide a comprehensive graphical representation of an animal's location and direction relative to a user, including historical movement data, which can be cluttered and difficult to interpret.
Innovation Solution
An animal tracking system comprising a first device with a GPS receiver worn by the animal and a second device carried by the user, which calculates and displays the animal's location and direction using GPS data, incorporating a graphical representation with direction arrows and historical movement data points, and adjusts the display based on compass readings to provide clear and intuitive tracking information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional GPS tracking systems display all historical movement data points, then complete tracking information is provided, but the display becomes cluttered and difficult to interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the historical movement data into distinct visual elements: current position is represented by a large arrow, past positions by smaller arrows, and historical轨迹 by dotted lines. This segmentation allows the system to present complete tracking information while organizing it in a way that reduces visual clutter and improves interpretability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from displaying only raw data points to a multi-dimensional graphical representation that includes directional arrows, historical trajectory lines, and relative position indicators. This dimensional enhancement allows the system to convey complete information while making it more easily interpretable through visual patterns.
2Loss of information
If the system displays detailed graphical representations with direction arrows and historical data, then user understanding is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pieces of information into a single integrated graphical display: current position, direction of movement, historical positions, and movement trajectory are all combined into one visual representation. This merging enhances user understanding while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate display systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical display serves multiple functions simultaneously: it shows current location, indicates movement direction, displays historical trajectory, and provides relative position information. This multi-functionality enhances user understanding without requiring separate complex subsystems for each function.
3Measurement precision
If the system calculates and displays relative position and direction based on current GPS data, then real-time tracking accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of relative position and direction based on current GPS data before displaying the graphical representation. By preparing this information in advance, the system achieves high measurement precision while minimizing the processing time required for real-time display updates.
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
The system effectively tracks and displays the animal's current and historical location and direction relative to the user, enhancing user understanding and enabling better monitoring of animal movements with clear graphical representations and adjustable display options.
Implementation Method 1
a first device having a receiver to acquire global positioning system (GPS) data corresponding to the location of an animal
Implementation Method 2
a second device to receive the GPS data of the first device and to acquire GPS data corresponding to the location of the user, the second device including a controller to calculate location information of the animal and the user
Implementation Method 3
a display unit to display a graphical representation indicating the location of the animal relative to the user and a current direction of the animal relative to the user based on current calculated location information
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of tracking an animal including a first device worn by an animal to acquire global positioning system (GPS) data corresponding to a location of the animal, and a second device carried by a user to receive the GPS data from the first device and to acquire GPS data corresponding to a location of the second device. The second device can include a compass element to provide a compass reading corresponding to an orientation of the second device, and a controller to calculate location and direction information of the first device relative to the second device, and a display unit to display a graphical representation indicating the location and direction of the first device relative to the second device.