Batteryless Package Tracking With RF Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices require network connections and power sources for data exchange, leading to complex setup procedures and power management issues, which hinder the simplification of devices that need to transmit data over networks.
Innovation Solution
The development of wireless coded communication (WCC) devices that integrate a wireless communication chip and a power-generating or delivering device, capable of harnessing mechanical forces to activate communication, enabling data transmission without explicit power sources or network setups, using piezoelectric elements to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy for storage and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional devices use explicit power sources and network connections for data exchange, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but device complexity and setup procedures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source function from traditional battery or external power dependencies by implementing energy harvesting through piezoelectric elements. The tracking device generates its own power from mechanical movements during package handling, eliminating the need for explicit power sources and reducing setup complexity while maintaining operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking device serves itself by harvesting energy from the mechanical movements it experiences during normal package handling. The piezoelectric elements convert kinetic energy from shaking, dropping, and handling into electrical energy to power the device, making it self-sufficient without external power connections or complex power management
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional devices require network connections and power sources, then data exchange capability is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to power management issues
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically harvests energy from mechanical movements during package handling and uses this energy to power wireless data transmission. No user intervention for power management is needed - the device self-charges through normal handling and self-activates for data exchange, greatly simplifying operation while maintaining data exchange capability
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking device operates in periodic cycles: accumulating energy during package handling movements, then transmitting data when sufficient energy is harvested. This periodic operation pattern allows the device to maintain data exchange capability while eliminating continuous power management requirements
3Use of energy by moving object
If piezoelectric elements are used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, then power source requirements are reduced, but energy harvesting efficiency must be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple piezoelectric elements together to form an array that collectively harvests energy from package movements. By combining multiple elements, the system achieves sufficient total power generation from the mechanical energy available during normal handling, optimizing energy harvesting efficiency while maintaining energy autonomy
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 devices to transmit data wirelessly over networks using harvested mechanical energy, simplifying setup and operation, and allowing for Internet access and cloud processing, while reducing the need for explicit power sources or network connections.
Implementation Method 1
The device may include a piezoelectric element configured to harvest power from handling of the package
Data Source
AI summary
A batteryless device is provided. The batteryless device includes a logic processor, a power storage cell, a sensor, a persistent memory, a wireless logic and an antenna configured to harvest power in response to exposure to radio frequency (RF) energy. The harvested power is transferred to the power storage cell such that when the power storage cell has a threshold amount of power the logic processor is activated to start or resume execution of code associated with a task of sampling the sensor, processing sensor data from the sensor into an encrypted message, and transmitting the encrypted message. The batteryless device transmits one or more of said encrypted messages using said wireless logic to a local device proximate to a location of the batteryless device. The one or more encrypted messages providing information related a state of a package to which the batteryless device is attached. The local device is configured for sending data related to said one or more encrypted messages to a cloud server for processing metrics related to the location and said state of the package. The local device is one of a plurality of local devices that become proximate to the batteryless device when the package moves proximate to said plurality of local devices at different times. The metrics enable tracking over time of the package and said state of the package.