Asset Tracker Satellite Link via Fob Vibration Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle tracking and recovery systems lack the ability to communicate messages to non-emergency individuals, share trip-related information, and provide worldwide coverage, and are limited in their asset tracking capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a small user-carried fob device that wirelessly communicates with an asset tracker via short-range communication and uses satellite communication to transmit simplex messages, allowing for personal and asset tracking, message sending, and alert notifications to remote locations, with terrestrial wireless networks used as a fallback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If satellite communication is used for worldwide coverage, then coverage area is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate devices: a satellite transmitter unit for worldwide coverage and a hand-held user-controlled device for message input and control. This segmentation allows the satellite transmitter to be optimized for communication functionality while the hand-held device provides user interface capabilities, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand-held user-controlled device acts as an intermediary between the user and the satellite transmitter system. It processes user input, formulates messages, and communicates with the satellite transmitter, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining worldwide coverage capability through the satellite component.
2Device complexity
If a single hand-held device is used for tracking and communication, then device complexity is reduced, but functionality is limited to emergency messages only
Solution Approach 1:
The satellite transmitter unit is designed to perform multiple functions: tracking assets, transmitting emergency messages, and communicating trip-related information. By making the satellite transmitter multi-functional rather than limiting it to a single emergency function, the system achieves versatility without requiring multiple separate devices, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and functionality.
3Reliability
If existing tracking systems are used, then asset tracking is provided, but message communication to non-emergency individuals is not enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges asset tracking functionality with general message communication capabilities in a single integrated satellite transmitter unit. This allows the system to maintain reliable asset tracking while simultaneously enabling communication with non-emergency individuals, trip-related information sharing, and alert notifications, thereby resolving the contradiction between tracking reliability and communication versatility.
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
Enables effective personal and asset tracking, message communication, and alert notifications to designated individuals or authorities, providing worldwide coverage and enhancing asset recovery processes.
Implementation Method 1
The simplex satellite transmitter is configured to transmit the location to one or more satellites in low earth orbit
Data Source
AI summary
An asset locator device including (a) a wireless receiver capable of receiving an identifier signal transmitted from a short range wireless transmitter device; (b) a wireless transmitter capable of transmitting a message to a space based network; (c) a positioning system capable of determining the location of the locator device; (d) a vibration sensor; and (e) a controller. The controller instructs the asset locator to: (i) attempt to detect the identifier signal from the transmitter device if the vibration sensor senses vibration; and (ii) transmit a signal, including an asset location, to the space based network if: (1) the identifier signal is not detected; and (2) location fixes from the positioning system indicate a location change of the asset.