Bluetooth Asset Tag Safe Zone Alerting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless alerting systems frequently alert users unnecessarily when they move away from an item within a 'safe zone', failing to differentiate between being outside and being inside a predefined monitored area.
Innovation Solution
A wireless alerting system using Bluetooth technology with a NODE-APP and NODE connection, allowing users to define a 'safe zone' and 'time zone' through GPS location, preventing alerts when within the designated area or time interval, and triggering alerts only when outside these boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the alerting system continuously monitors distance from an item, then the user is notified when the device moves away, but unnecessary alerts are triggered when the device is within a safe zone
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring space is segmented into multiple zones: a safe zone where no alerts are triggered, an alert zone where notifications are sent, and potentially other intermediate zones. This spatial segmentation allows the system to differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable distances, eliminating false alarms while maintaining reliable monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
Different alerting behaviors are applied to different spatial locations. Within the safe zone, the system applies a non-alerting policy, while in the alert zone, it applies an alerting policy. This local differentiation of system response based on location quality resolves the contradiction between continuous monitoring and false alarm reduction.
2Loss of information
If the system alerts the user whenever the device is away from the item, then the user is kept informed of separation, but the user experience is degraded by frequent unnecessary notifications
Solution Approach 1:
The notification strategy is segmented based on spatial context: no notifications within the safe zone, and notifications only when entering or exceeding the alert zone boundaries. This ensures the user remains informed of significant location changes while avoiding degradation from unnecessary notifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potential harm of continuous monitoring (which causes user annoyance) into a benefit by using the same monitoring capability to intelligently distinguish between safe and unsafe zones, notifying only when truly necessary.
3Device complexity
If the alerting distance is set to a fixed value, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot adapt to different user requirements for different items
Solution Approach 1:
The alerting system transitions from a static fixed-distance model to a dynamic multi-zone model where safe zone radius and alert zone parameters can be adjusted based on item type and user preferences. This dynamic configuration maintains relative simplicity while significantly improving adaptability to different monitoring scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to modify key parameters such as safe zone radius, alert zone distance, and notification thresholds according to different items and situations. This parameter flexibility enables the system to adapt to diverse requirements without requiring complex reconfiguration or multiple specialized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a wireless alerting system for personal area asset supervision, the system includes an observing device, using a host apparatus such as Bluetooth, capable of monitoring at least one identifier device located within a selected proximity which encompasses an area in a selected radius of distance; wherein the observing device provides infrastructure for the system including power supply and a user interface; and wherein the identifier device is a generic tag or customized to some extent in the system for attachment to any item.