Asset Tracking Device Motion-Triggered Ping Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing asset tracking systems face inefficiencies due to non-value-added pings that drain battery life and increased operational costs, as they often rely on timed or scheduled pings unrelated to business logic or exception events.
Innovation Solution
An active RF tracking system that adjusts ping rate and occurrence based on detected pre-selected motion of the tagged asset, using sensors, actuators, and a trigger mechanism to send pings only when predetermined movement conditions are met, optimizing the value per ping and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If timed or scheduled pings are used for tracking, then location information is provided regularly, but battery life is reduced and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the ping rate based on asset movement detection. When movement is detected, the system increases ping frequency to provide timely location information. When no movement is detected, the system reduces ping frequency to conserve battery life. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliable tracking and extending battery duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of ping frequency based on detected conditions. The ping rate is adjusted from a fixed scheduled interval to a variable interval determined by asset movement status. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between information availability and energy consumption based on actual operational needs.
2Measurement precision
If ping rate is increased to capture more location data, then tracking accuracy improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts ping frequency based on asset movement. During periods of movement, ping rate increases to capture accurate location data for tracking critical events. During stationary periods, ping rate decreases to reduce energy consumption. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between tracking precision and energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic movement detection to trigger periodic location reporting. Instead of continuous or fixed-interval pinging, the system employs periodic checks for movement conditions and triggers location pings only when movement is detected. This periodic action based on actual events optimizes both tracking accuracy and energy efficiency.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented to detect asset movement, then critical events are captured, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic movement detection followed by conditional location reporting. Instead of continuous monitoring and reporting, the system periodically checks for movement conditions and only triggers location pings when predetermined movement patterns are detected. This periodic action with conditional triggering captures critical events while reducing operational complexity and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from movement detection sensors to control location reporting. When movement is detected, the system triggers a location ping; when no movement is detected, reporting is reduced or suspended. This feedback mechanism ensures critical events are captured while optimizing resource usage and reducing operational complexity.
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 increases the value per ping by focusing on business-critical events, leading to longer battery life and reduced operational costs, particularly battery maintenance costs, while ensuring accurate tracking of assets.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor, to detect movements of the tagged asset
Implementation Method 2
radio frequency identification (RF or RFID) systems have been developed in which devices, often referred to as 'tags,' wirelessly communicate with readers
Data Source
AI summary
An asset tracking system that optimizes the value per ping by tying the ping to a pattern of movements of the asset. The asset tracking device will send a ping to a remote host (i.e., receiver) when pre-determined condition(s) regarding the movement are met, conditions such as the pattern of movement, and number of movements within a time period. In such a manner, the value per ping is optimized, leading to increased battery life and decreased operational cost. To satisfy these conditions, the asset tracking device is equipped with appropriate sensors, actuators, and trigger mechanism(s). The sensors and actuators detect movements and/or confirm or recognize a sequence of movements. When the detected movements and/or sequence of movements match a predetermined, recognized pattern or condition, the trigger mechanism is activated, after which a data ping is sent.