Asset Tracker Proximity Logic and Cellular Handoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless security systems fail to effectively alert asset owners of theft or tampering in real-time and lack continuous monitoring capabilities beyond visual range.
Innovation Solution
A tracker device attached to assets that transitions between disarmed and armed modes based on proximity to a user device, using cellular networks to transmit location data and activate motion sensors, and deploys additional resources like drones and cameras for high-speed or distant movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tracker uses short-range wireless communication to monitor asset proximity, then real-time alerts can be provided when assets are within visual range, but the system fails to provide continuous monitoring when assets move beyond threshold distance
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches communication modes based on asset distance. When the asset is within threshold distance, short-range wireless communication is used for real-time monitoring. When the asset moves beyond threshold distance, the system transitions to cellular network communication to maintain continuous monitoring capability, thus adapting to different spatial conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracker device acts as an intermediary between the asset and the user device, managing multiple communication pathways. It selectively uses short-range wireless communication for proximity monitoring and cellular networks for remote monitoring, bridging the gap between different communication ranges to ensure continuous asset tracking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tracker continuously transmits location data through cellular network, then asset location can be monitored beyond visual range, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the system uses periodic transmission of location data through the cellular network. The tracker transmits asset location information at predetermined time intervals when the asset is beyond threshold distance, maintaining monitoring capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial monitoring action by switching between different monitoring intensities. When the asset is within threshold distance, full real-time monitoring is applied. When beyond threshold distance, reduced-period monitoring is applied, using cellular network transmission only at necessary intervals, thus avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining adequate surveillance.
3Reliability
If motion sensors are activated continuously to detect asset movement, then theft detection reliability is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The motion sensor operation is made dynamic based on asset location. When the asset is beyond threshold distance, motion sensors are activated to detect movement and trigger alerts. When the asset returns within threshold distance, the motion sensors are deactivated. This dynamic activation strategy maintains theft detection reliability when needed while conserving battery life during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for potential theft by having motion sensors ready to activate. When the asset moves beyond threshold distance, the system preliminarily activates motion sensors in anticipation of potential theft attempts, enabling quick detection without requiring continuous sensor operation, thus balancing reliability and battery life.
4Measurement precision
If additional resources like drones and cameras are deployed to track high-speed moving assets, then tracking precision is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system preliminarily deploys additional tracking resources such as drones and cameras only when the asset is moving at high speed beyond threshold distance. For normal-speed movement, the standard tracker suffices. This preliminary deployment strategy ensures high tracking precision is available when needed for fast-moving assets while avoiding unnecessary system complexity and costs during routine operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Additional tracking resources are deployed locally and selectively based on asset movement characteristics. When high-speed movement is detected, drones and cameras are activated specifically for that asset's tracking. This localized enhancement provides high measurement precision where needed without increasing overall system complexity for all assets at all times.
Data Source
AI summary
A device that is configured to track an asset is disclosed. In one aspect, the device includes a radio module that generates proximity data that indicates a distance between the computing device and the device. The device includes a processor that compares the distance between the computing device and the device to a distance threshold. The processor determines that the distance between the computing device and the device satisfies the distance threshold. The processor arms the device. The device includes a motion sensor that generates motion data. The processor compares the motion data to a motion threshold. The processor determines that the motion data satisfies the motion threshold. The processor activates an alarm state.