Battery Radiobeacon System for Automated IoT Inventory Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Internet of Things (IoT) complexity makes it difficult for individuals to manage and track numerous electronic devices and batteries in home or small business environments, as existing systems require complex setup and are often incompatible with newer devices, lacking user-friendly solutions for inventorying, testing, and replacing batteries.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a battery:radiobeacon system that allows users to configure and monitor batteries with built-in sensors and low-energy transmitters, enabling tracking, alerting, and data sharing through a network, using Bluetooth standards and low-energy protocols, allowing for simple management of local device clusters without complex setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network communications system is implemented to track and monitor batteries in the Internet of Things, then device tracking and monitoring capability is improved, but system complexity and setup difficulty increase beyond average user skill levels
Solution Approach 1:
The battery monitor device automatically performs device discovery, pairing, and network configuration without requiring user intervention. The system self-configures by detecting batteries in the local environment, establishing communications links autonomously, and integrating with the user's existing smart device ecosystem, thereby eliminating complex manual setup while maintaining reliable tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hub device or gateway that acts as an intermediary between the battery monitor devices and the user's smart device. This intermediary handles the complex networking, data aggregation, and protocol translation, allowing simple battery monitors to communicate effectively without requiring users to manage complex network configurations directly
2Loss of information
If existing battery monitoring systems are implemented, then battery inventory tracking is possible, but the systems require complex setup and are incompatible with newer devices
Solution Approach 1:
The battery monitor device is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple battery types (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, lithium-ion) and multiple smart device platforms (iOS, Android, Windows). It incorporates multiple communication protocols and automatic detection capabilities that allow it to adapt to different battery chemistries and user ecosystems without requiring device-specific configurations or obsoleting existing products
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its monitoring parameters, communication protocols, and data formats based on the detected battery type and connected smart device. This allows the same hardware platform to seamlessly adapt to newer devices and battery technologies without requiring firmware updates or hardware modifications, maintaining compatibility across evolving device landscapes
3Reliability
If a battery:radiobeacon system with sensors and transmitters is integrated, then tracking and monitoring functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (battery monitoring, radiobeacon transmission, sensor integration, wireless communication) into a single integrated circuit board that fits within the existing battery housing. By merging these functions into one unified device rather than adding separate components, the system achieves comprehensive tracking and monitoring capability while minimizing the increase in physical complexity and maintaining a compact form factor
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 solution simplifies the management of battery-powered devices by enabling users to track and monitor their condition, location, and environmental data, reducing complexity and costs, while allowing for seamless integration with existing devices and networks, enhancing user experience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a radiobeacon subcircuit, wherein said radiobeacon subcircuit comprises a radio signal generator configured as a local area, low energy radiobeacon configured to generate a low power message
Implementation Method 2
an antenna operatively connected to said radio signal generator, said antenna for broadcasting said message over a local area
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a battery includes a housing, a power terminal, a power cell, a switch, and a circuit. The power cell is disposed within the housing, and the switch is disposed within the housing and is coupled between the power cell and the power terminal. And the circuit is disposed within the housing and is configured to receive a control signal from a source external to the housing and to control the switch in response to the control signal.