Compact BLE Beacon with Adhesive Mounting for Low-Power Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a compact, low-power, and efficient location tracking solution that can be easily attached to various objects or individuals, capable of providing distance and directional information, as well as alerting features for proximity and range changes, without the limitations of existing Bluetooth technologies in terms of power consumption and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A coin-sized beacon equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication and an adhesive means, paired with a mobile application that offers features like a radar screen for distance calculation, audible and visual alerts, and task launcher functions, allowing for efficient tracking and notification of the beacon's location and proximity changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Classic Bluetooth technology is used for location tracking, then communication range and data transfer capability are improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from Classic Bluetooth to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, changing the communication protocol parameters to achieve lower power consumption while maintaining location tracking functionality. BLE uses 40 channels compared to Classic Bluetooth's 79 channels, and scans for only 0.6-1.2ms versus 22.5ms, dramatically reducing energy usage while preserving tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon device performs periodic scanning and advertising on BLE channels rather than continuous operation. The system scans for 0.6-1.2ms intervals instead of continuous 22.5ms scanning, creating periodic action that reduces average power consumption while maintaining detection capability
2Volume of moving object
If a compact beacon size is used, then portability and ease of attachment are improved, but battery life may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts BLE technology with lower power consumption parameters, enabling the compact beacon to achieve over one year of battery life. The reduced scanning duty cycle (0.6-1.2ms vs 22.5ms) and fewer channels (40 vs 79) create sufficient energy efficiency to extend battery duration despite the small form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon is designed as a compact, disposable or replaceable unit with integrated battery. The low power consumption of BLE allows the small battery to last over a year, making the entire unit economically replaceable rather than requiring battery replacement or recharging
3Use of energy by moving object
If BLE uses fewer channels for scanning, then power consumption is reduced, but device discovery capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon performs rapid periodic scanning on the three advertising channels (37, 38, 39) at 0.6-1.2ms intervals. This periodic action on limited channels compensates for the reduced channel count by increasing scanning frequency and maintaining discovery reliability through repeated attempts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent concentrates scanning resources on the three specific advertising channels (37, 38, 39) that are dedicated for device discovery. By focusing energy on these specific local channels rather than distributing it across all 79 Classic Bluetooth channels, the system achieves efficient device discovery with minimal power consumption
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
The solution provides effective and energy-efficient tracking of objects or individuals within a range of 100 to 160 feet, with a battery life of over a year, and allows for easy location and notification through audible and visual cues, enhancing usability in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive means, adapted to adhere the beacon to a substantially flat surface
Implementation Method 2
configured to be located via a wireless means... the wireless means is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology
Data Source
AI summary
A locator device and system including (a) a beacon, configured to be located via a wireless means; and (b) an adhesive means, adapted to adhere the beacon to a substantially flat surface, wherein the beacon is configured to be tracked by a mobile device running a mobile application adapted to locate the beacon via the wireless means.