Wireless Beacon Tracking via Signal Strength Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an automated method to monitor and track the movement of individuals, particularly in domestic or institutional settings, to reduce caregiver burden and ensure timely assistance, without requiring extensive staffing or resources.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight wireless beaconing device that transmits a low-power radio signal, detectable by multiple receivers forming a network, which correlates signal strength and ID information to estimate the individual's location and movement, allowing for precise tracking and alerting caregivers to potential issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple receivers are deployed throughout the household to track individual location, then tracking precision is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring space into multiple zones, each equipped with a receiver node. Each receiver independently detects beacon signals and reports to a central controller, which aggregates data to determine location. This segmentation allows accurate tracking without requiring a single complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver nodes are designed to perform multiple functions: detecting beacon signals, measuring signal strength, determining receiver location, and communicating with the controller. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining tracking precision.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented to ensure timely caregiver intervention, then reliability of care is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the beaconing device transmits signals at periodic intervals. The controller receives these periodic signals and determines location based on the latest available data. This periodic operation maintains monitoring reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing wireless infrastructure (WiFi routers, smart speakers, security systems) as receiver nodes throughout the household. These devices already have power sources and network connectivity, eliminating the need for dedicated powered receivers. The beacon device also leverages existing positioning methods using the receivers' known locations, reducing computational energy requirements.
3Device complexity
If existing security system infrastructure is utilized as receivers, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but adaptability to different tracking scenarios is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to handle multiple tracking scenarios and generate different types of alerts based on analyzed location data. The same receiver infrastructure supports various monitoring needs (fall detection, bathroom visit tracking, general location monitoring) by analyzing patterns in the location data rather than requiring scenario-specific hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adapts to different tracking scenarios by changing the parameters it monitors and analyzes. For example, it can monitor time between bathroom visits, duration of immobility, or distance from safe zones. These parameter adjustments allow the same physical infrastructure to serve multiple purposes without hardware modifications.
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 enables efficient and cost-effective monitoring of individuals, allowing for timely intervention and reduced staffing needs, while utilizing existing security system infrastructure to minimize costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
one or more individuals carries a small, lightweight wireless beaconing device that sends out a low-power radio signal that can be detected by a plurality of wireless receivers
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the principles of the invention, one or more individuals carry a wireless beaconing device that transmits a signal on a regular basis, such as every five seconds, that can be detected by a plurality of wireless receivers positioned at various locations in a household or other area. The receivers form nodes of a wireless network that further includes a control node. Each wireless receiver records the signal strength at which it receives the signal from the beaconing device and sends that information to the control node. The control node correlates this information and uses it to estimate the location of the individual. In this manner, the controller can track the location and movement of a person and provide that information to a caregiver or further process the data to analyze it for particular traits that might indicate that an individual is injured or otherwise in need of assistance. Such traits might include a lack of movement for an extended period of time, failure to go to a particular place in the household, such as the bathroom, on a reasonably regular basis, etc.