Bluetooth LE Tracker with Adjustable Transmission Interval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location tracking systems face inefficiencies due to high power requirements of GPS devices and limitations in managing multiple Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) trackers, particularly in large-scale applications like automobile dealerships where distinguishing and locating numerous keys is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A Bluetooth LE tracking device with a user-replaceable battery, adjustable transmission interval, and integrated audible and visual alerts, which associates a unique identification number with tracked items, allowing for efficient location tracking and management through a mobile or desktop application, and can be used to track both items and users, with features like live mapping and alert activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS tracking devices are used to communicate location, then location accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases and battery size must be enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple tracking devices into a single group managed by one paired device. Instead of each tracker independently using GPS and maintaining separate connections to multiple end user devices, the group approach allows one paired device to manage multiple trackers, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining location tracking capability through collaborative operation
Solution Approach 2:
The paired device serves multiple functions: it acts as an end user device for receiving location data, as a management device for configuring multiple trackers, and as a communication hub for the entire tracker group. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate GPS modules in each tracker, thereby reducing overall power consumption
2Reliability
If Bluetooth LE trackers maintain constant connection with paired device, then location updates are reliable, but the number of trackers that can be paired is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the management function by introducing a dedicated paired device that acts as an intermediary between multiple trackers and the remote system. This segmentation allows multiple trackers to be grouped under one paired device, enabling management of large numbers of trackers while maintaining reliable location updates through the paired device's constant connection
Solution Approach 2:
The paired device serves as an intermediary that receives location data from multiple Bluetooth LE trackers and forwards consolidated information to the remote system. This intermediary role allows the system to manage numerous trackers beyond the direct pairing limits of individual end user devices, while maintaining reliable communication through the paired device's persistent connection
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for location tracking using Bluetooth Low Energy tracking devices or tags having a button, a light, a sound generating buzzer, and a user replaceable battery are disclosed. The system may include one or more Bluetooth receiving units, which may be user mobile devices, programmed to receive a signal from one of the tracking devices and send the location of the tracking device to the system. The advertising interval or transmission frequency of the tracking devices may be raised or lowered to either increase the location precision or extend the battery life of the tracking devices. In one embodiment, tracking devices may be attached to automobile keys and the automobile's vehicle identification number may be associated with the corresponding tracking device, to allow an automobile dealership to manage the location of a large quantity of keys.