Base Unit Locating Remote Control via Signal Phase and Time Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulty in locating remote control devices due to their mobility and the potential for devices to be misplaced in various locations, making it inconvenient to find them when needed.
Innovation Solution
A base unit transmits a location signal to a remote control device's transponder, which responds with a second signal that the base unit analyzes to calculate the device's location, providing navigation information to help the user find it, using techniques such as time and strength differences in signal reception to determine distance and phase differences for direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote control devices are made mobile and portable for user convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to locate the device when misplaced deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the base unit transmit location signals to the remote control device, which then transmits response signals back. The base unit analyzes these response signals to calculate and provide navigation information to the user, creating a closed-loop feedback system that continuously tracks device location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary location signal transmission system between the user and the remote control device. Instead of directly tracking the device, the base unit acts as an intermediary that transmits signals to the device and analyzes the responses to determine location, providing navigation information to the user.
2Measurement precision
If the base unit calculates location by analyzing signal reception time and strength, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit performs preliminary actions by transmitting location signals and recording baseline measurements before the actual location calculation is needed. This preparation work is done in advance, allowing the system to quickly calculate locations when needed without excessive processing complexity at the moment of query.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple measurement parameters (signal reception time, signal strength, phase differences) to calculate location. By using multiple partial measurements rather than a single comprehensive measurement, the system achieves high precision while distributing the processing complexity across multiple simpler measurement tasks.
3Reliability
If the transponder uses a dedicated power supply for reliable operation, then reliability is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transponder operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when it receives a location signal from the base unit. This periodic operation mode maintains reliability by ensuring the transponder is ready to respond when needed, while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transponder is designed to be self-powered through energy harvesting from the received location signals. When a location signal is received, the transponder uses the energy from that signal to power its response transmission, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated power supply and reducing overall energy loss.
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 users to efficiently locate remote control devices by providing accurate navigation information, reducing the inconvenience of searching for misplaced devices and ensuring continued convenience in using associated base units.
Implementation Method 1
The base unit may transmit a first location signal to a remote control device. A plurality of receivers of the base unit may receive a second location signal transmitted by a transponder of the remote control device
Implementation Method 2
The location may be calculated by determining distance between the base unit and remote control device from the receipt time of the second location signal, the receipt strength of the second location signal
Implementation Method 3
The location may also be calculated by determining direction between the base unit and remote control device from phase differences in the second location signal as received by different receivers of the base unit
Data Source
AI summary
A base may locate a remote control by transmitting a first location signal, receiving a second location signal at base receivers from a remote control device transponder transmitted in response, and calculating a location of the remote control device based on the received second location signal. The base may provide navigation information based on the calculated location. In some implementations, the base may perform a setup routine by providing an interface that accepts position information, accepting an indication that the remote control is located at a position, transmitting a first calibration signal, receiving a second calibration signal at the receivers transmitted by the transponder in response, and recording baselines for the position. When the base unit subsequently analyses a second location signal to calculate a location of the remote control, the base may base the calculated location at least partly on the baselines.