Compact Tracking Device with Crescent PCB and Low Energy Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems for objects, pets, and individuals are ineffective in locating small items within a room or at a distance, require high maintenance, and lack features like audible or visual alerts, remote control capabilities, and efficient power management.
Innovation Solution
A compact, versatile tracking device with sensors and control mechanisms that use Bluetooth low energy transmitters, ceramic antennas, and rechargeable batteries, allowing for remote alerts, location tracking, and energy conservation, integrated with a network system for collaborative data sharing and device control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS systems are used for tracking, then location accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic GPS updates rather than continuous tracking, activating GPS only when needed to determine location. This allows the device to maintain location tracking capability while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous GPS operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces wireless communication modules (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular) as intermediaries to transfer location data and control commands. This allows the device to leverage the power and processing capabilities of external devices for communication tasks, reducing the power burden on the tracking device's own battery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensors and transmitters are added to monitor motion and environment, then monitoring capability is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multi-functional sensor modules that can detect multiple parameters (motion, temperature, humidity, light) using integrated circuits. This allows comprehensive environmental monitoring while minimizing the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses miniaturized sensor technologies and low-power sensor designs that have evolved through parameter changes in sensor sensitivity, size, and power consumption characteristics. This enables comprehensive monitoring capabilities in a lightweight form factor suitable for portable and wearable applications.
3Ease of operation
If audible and visual alert mechanisms are added, then alerting capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines audible (speaker) and visual (LED) alert mechanisms into a single integrated alerting module controlled by the same processor. This unified approach provides multiple alerting modalities while avoiding the complexity of separate independent alert systems, as both outputs are managed through common control logic.
4Ease of operation
If remote control capabilities are implemented, then control flexibility is improved, but communication power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects communication methods based on availability and power considerations. It can switch between WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular, or direct short-range communication modes, adjusting the communication strategy in real-time to balance control flexibility with power consumption based on environmental conditions and device state.
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
Enables efficient location and monitoring of small items, pets, and individuals, with reduced maintenance and power consumption, while providing customizable alerts and remote control functions, enhancing the 'Internet of Things' capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a Bluetooth low energy transmitter that has enough computing power to control sensors and the tracking device
Implementation Method 2
The tracking device has a speaker and a light emitting diode
Implementation Method 3
The tracking device has a speaker and a light emitting diode
Data Source
AI summary
In a tracking device 10, a crescent-shaped PCB 12 partially encircles a battery 15 to minimize thickness of the device 10. A speaker 23 and an LED 24 emit alerts upon command of a control apparatus 37 or in response to motion or temperature sensed by sensor 25. A local network 40 has one hub 41 to tracking devices 33 and a wider area network 45 has multiple hubs for more detailed tracking of devices 33. A wide area network 50 tracks devices anywhere and stores data of each tracking device including its last known position and its sensor data.