Arrow Beacon Transmitter Dynamic Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited battery life of arrows equipped with transmitters, light sources, and sound-emitting devices makes it difficult to locate them after being shot, as the components cease operation once the battery is drained, reducing the duration they can be powered and increasing the difficulty in tracking the arrow's location.
Innovation Solution
A system where the controller adjusts the transmission rate of the beacon signal and the duty cycles of the light and sound-emitting devices based on the elapsed time since the arrow was shot, initially transmitting at a higher rate and decreasing it over time, allowing the battery to power these components for a longer period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the transmitter transmits beacon signals at a high rate to improve arrow location accuracy, then the tracking precision is improved, but the battery drains faster reducing the operating duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transmission rate adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically changes the beacon signal transmission rate based on elapsed time since the arrow was shot, transitioning from high rate initially to lower rate over time. This allows the system to optimize between location accuracy and battery duration based on operational needs at different time stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of transmission rate over time. The controller is configured to transmit beacon signals at a first rate for a first period, then switch to a second rate for a second period, where the rates differ. This parameter change allows the system to maintain high accuracy initially when needed, then conserve battery by reducing rate while still maintaining sufficient tracking capability.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the light and sound-emitting devices operate continuously to improve arrow visibility, then the ease of detecting the arrow is improved, but the energy consumption increases reducing battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the light and sound-emitting devices operate in cycles rather than continuously. The controller activates these devices during specific periods when the arrow is recently shot (when location and visibility are most critical), then deactivates them during later periods when the arrow has been tracked longer. This periodic operation maintains arrow detectability while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics to the operation of light and sound devices by making their activation status change over time based on elapsed time since the arrow was shot. The controller dynamically adjusts whether these devices are active or inactive, transitioning from active state initially to inactive state later, optimizing the balance between visibility and energy conservation.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, an example system includes an arrow nock configured to couple to an arrow, a transmitter coupled to the arrow nock, and a controller. The controller is configured to (i) determine that the arrow has been shot from a bow and (ii) responsive to determining that the arrow has been shot from the bow, cause the transmitter to transmit a beacon signal at a variable rate that varies based on an amount of time elapsed since determining that the arrow has been shot from the bow.