Beacon Scan Coordination for Low-Power Object Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems face challenges in accurately determining the location of objects with suitable precision, particularly when using GPS, WiFi, or LTE, which can suffer from signal dropout or transmitter offline issues, leading to reduced location identification accuracy and inefficient power consumption in battery-operated reader devices.
Innovation Solution
A federated beacon scanning approach is implemented, involving reader device-to-reader device coordination and server computing device orchestration to schedule duty cycles, scanning durations, and scanning times, optimizing power consumption and reducing redundant data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reader devices continuously scan for beacon signals to maintain accurate location tracking, then location identification accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic scanning with variable duty cycles where reader devices alternate between active scanning and sleep modes. The server coordinates these periodic scans based on object movement patterns, allowing devices to maintain location tracking accuracy while consuming less power by not continuously scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning duty cycle is dynamically adjusted based on object movement status. When objects are stationary, scanning frequency is reduced to save power. When movement is detected, scanning frequency increases to maintain tracking accuracy. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between continuous monitoring and power conservation.
2Reliability
If multiple reader devices scan simultaneously to improve coverage and reduce signal dropout, then location tracking reliability is improved, but redundant data transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges scanning operations of multiple reader devices through server coordination. When multiple readers detect the same beacon, the server consolidates the data and eliminates redundant transmissions. This combining approach maintains reliable tracking through multiple readers while reducing the energy waste from duplicate data transmission to the server.
Solution Approach 2:
The server implements feedback mechanisms where it monitors scanning results from multiple reader devices and adjusts future scanning assignments. When redundancy is detected, the server provides feedback to reduce scanning frequency for overlapping coverage areas, thereby reducing redundant data transmission while maintaining tracking reliability.
3Measurement precision
If scanning frequency is increased to reduce signal dropout and maintain continuous tracking, then location update accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of coordinating multiple reader devices. Instead of each device independently managing high-frequency scanning, the server centralizes the coordination logic, assigning optimized duty cycles to each device. This intermediary approach enables high-accuracy tracking through frequent scanning while preventing individual devices from becoming overly complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of coordinating beacon signal scanning of reader devices in a tracking system is provided. For instance, first information may be received from a first reader device of the tracking system, and second information may be received from a second reader device, of the tracking system. Based on the first information or the second information that one of the first reader device or the second reader device has moved may be determined. In response to the determination that one of the first reader device or the second reader device has moved, a first coordinated duty cycle for the first reader device and a second coordinated duty cycle for the second reader device may be determined. The first coordinated duty cycle may be provided to the first reader device, and the second coordinated duty cycle may be provided to the second reader device.