Asset Tracking Device for Collocated Asset Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location tracking systems, such as GPS and RFID, face challenges in accurately determining the location of assets that are collocated or in motion, due to limitations in precision and interference from environmental factors, making it difficult to track specific assets within a group or in transit.
Innovation Solution
The use of asset tracking devices equipped with processors, communication devices, and sensors that measure signal strength and synchronization data to determine the relative and absolute location of assets, with a master device reporting the location of chained assets to a remote server system, employing techniques like multilateration and filtering to distinguish between chained and unchained assets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS receivers are used to determine asset location, then location information can be obtained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal delays, atmospheric conditions, and multipath distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary devices (reference transceivers and asset transceivers) that communicate via controlled wireless signals to establish relative positions. These intermediaries mediate the location determination process, avoiding direct reliance on vulnerable GPS signals while still enabling precise relative positioning through measured signal travel times between known points.
2Measurement precision
If multiple assets are tracked individually with separate devices, then each asset location can be determined, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the location determination function for multiple assets into a coordinated system where reference transceivers serve multiple assets simultaneously. Asset transceivers communicate with multiple reference transceivers to determine their positions, eliminating the need for each asset to have an independent GPS receiver and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Reference transceivers perform multiple functions: they serve as known position references for multiple different assets, act as signal relays, and provide timing references. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of devices needed compared to individual tracking solutions for each asset.
3Reliability
If all assets continuously report location data, then real-time tracking is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous reporting, the system uses periodic or event-triggered communication where asset transceivers report their positions at intervals or when position changes exceed a threshold. This periodic action maintains real-time tracking capability while significantly reducing the power consumption compared to continuous data transmission.
4Adaptability or versatility
If signal strength measurements are used to determine relative position, then location can be determined without GPS, but precision is affected by environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the position determination into two independent measurement components: time-of-flight measurements for distance calculation and signal strength measurements for relative position refinement. This segmentation allows the system to use the more reliable time-based measurements as the primary method while using signal strength as a supplementary refinement, improving overall precision in GPS-denied environments.
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
This approach enables accurate tracking of multiple assets by determining their relative and absolute positions, even when collocated, and filters out unchained assets, improving location determination precision and reducing power consumption by designating a master device for centralized reporting.
Implementation Method 1
calculates asset signal strength data based on the obtained asset signal data
Implementation Method 2
A Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based global navigation satellite system that utilizes a network of geo-synchronous satellites that can be utilized by a GPS receiver to determine its location
Implementation Method 3
determines the location of the asset relative to the asset tracking device based on the asset signal strength data
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for locating collocated assets in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, an asset tracking device includes a processor, a memory connected to the processor, and a communications device connected to the processor, wherein the processor obtains asset signal data, where the asset signal strength data includes asset data identifying an asset, calculates asset signal strength data based on the obtained asset signal data, and determines chained asset data based on the asset signal data and the asset signal strength data, where the chained asset data identifies a set of assets chained to a master asset associated with the asset tracking device.