Color-Coded Locator Chip Tracking for Small Household Items
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locator devices are ineffective or cumbersome for tracking small, household, and personal items, leading to frustration and potential loss of valuable items.
Innovation Solution
A color-coded locator chip device with adhesive backing, compatible with smartphone applications, allowing users to assign colors to items, and utilizing audible and visual indicators for location, and leveraging existing smartphone capabilities for tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing locator devices are used, then items can be tracked, but the devices are ineffective or cumbersome for small household items
Solution Approach 1:
The locator system is segmented into two independent parts: a small passive locator chip that attaches to the item and a smartphone application that processes location data. This segmentation allows the chip to be minimal and item-specific while the smartphone handles the complex tracking functionality, making the overall system effective for small items without being cumbersome.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the smartphone as an intermediary device between the passive locator chip and the user. The smartphone application serves as a mediator that receives location data from the chip, processes it, and presents it to the user through the smartphone interface, eliminating the need for complex standalone locator devices.
2Reliability
If comprehensive tracking features are added to locator devices, then tracking capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex tracking, communication, and user interface functionality from the locator chip itself and places it in the smartphone application. The chip only contains the minimal necessary components (transceiver and processor for location data), while the smartphone handles all complex operations including map display, notifications, and user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the smartphone's existing multi-functional capabilities (display, processor, transceiver, battery, notification system) to provide comprehensive tracking features. Instead of building dedicated hardware for each function, the patent uses the universal smartphone platform to deliver location tracking, mapping, alerts, and user communication.
3Measurement precision
If active locator devices with batteries are used, then tracking accuracy improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passive locator chip operates in a periodic wake-sleep cycle, waking only to transmit location data when needed and sleeping otherwise. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous active transmission, while still providing accurate location updates when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the smartphone's existing battery and processing capabilities to provide accurate tracking, location display, and user notifications. The passive chip conserves energy by relying on the smartphone's resources rather than having its own power source for all functions, allowing the chip to remain minimal and energy-efficient.
Data Source
AI summary
A locator chip device is disclosed, which is a color-coded locator chip to be secured to a household or personal item. The locator chip device comprises a chip component that is configured in various shapes and sizes with an adhesive backing. The chip component is secured to an item and a smartphone application allows a user to assign each color of chip to a specific item. If an item is lost, the user selects the corresponding color in the app to locate it. The chip components can also be located via an audible sound or a visual indicator that quickens as one nears the lost item. Additionally, users can use their phone's vibrate feature for assistance. There is no limit as to what items can receive a color-coded chip component. People can place the chip component on the item and track it via the smartphone application with ease.