Asset Tracking Device Battery Extension via Batch Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote asset tracking devices face battery life issues due to frequent data transmission, leading to reduced operational periods, increased maintenance costs, and potential asset loss.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a 'store 'n' times, transmit once' data protocol that stores multiple location data points in non-volatile memory and transmits them as a batch, reducing the number of data transmissions and computing cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If data is transmitted frequently to remote host, then tracking accuracy is improved, but battery life deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by storing multiple location data points (n times) in the device's memory before transmitting them to the remote host. This batch storage approach allows the device to accumulate tracking data locally and then transmit it in a single operation, thereby maintaining tracking accuracy while significantly reducing the frequency of power-consuming transmission operations and extending battery life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple separate data transmission operations into a single batch transmission. By combining n individual location data points into one consolidated transmission event, the system reduces the total number of transmission cycles while preserving all tracking information, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining tracking precision and conserving battery power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If data is transmitted frequently to remote host, then data freshness is improved, but maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata freshnessVSAvoidmaintenance costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data accumulation by storing n location data points before transmission. This approach ensures that data freshness is maintained through regular local updates while reducing the frequency of remote communications, thereby lowering maintenance costs associated with frequent data fetching and device monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action by establishing a batch transmission schedule where data is transmitted at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic batch transmission maintains adequate data freshness for tracking purposes while significantly reducing the operational overhead and maintenance requirements compared to continuous real-time transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Speed

If data is transmitted frequently to remote host, then real-time tracking is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time trackingVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing multiple location data points in the device's non-volatile memory before transmission. This allows the system to maintain real-time tracking capability through local data accumulation while deferring energy-intensive transmission operations to batch intervals, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while preserving tracking functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic batch transmission where n data points are transmitted at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic approach maintains adequate real-time tracking performance for most applications while dramatically reducing the energy consumption associated with frequent wireless communications, as the radio transmitter operates less frequently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9402160B2Methodology to extend battery power in asset-tracking device
Publication Date: 2016.07.26 ROAMBEE CORP
  • US9402160B2 patent drawing
  • US9402160B2 patent drawing
  • US9402160B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A protocol and methodology that extends the battery power in a remote asset tracking device by storing location data more than once (i.e., ā€œnā€ times), yet transmitting that data only once to a server. In other words, multiple data points are transmitted simultaneously. Devices and systems incorporating the protocol are also provided.