Automated Device Positioning via Mobile Terminal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Built-in devices in buildings, such as sensors and actuators, often lack 'position awareness,' making it difficult for higher-level systems to accurately determine their location, leading to manual and error-prone recording processes, inefficient device operation, and challenging maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A method and arrangement that uses a mobile communication terminal with a position determination system to accurately assign spatial positions to devices during commissioning, ensuring target and actual position data match, utilizing existing indoor positioning systems like WLAN or Bluetooth, and ensuring only authorized devices receive location information through QR codes, NFC, or third-party devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual recording of device positions is performed, then position data can be obtained, but accuracy and efficiency deteriorate due to human error and time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition data accuracyVSAvoidcommissioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical recording processes with automated electronic positioning systems. Mobile communication terminals equipped with positioning systems (GPS, Wi-Fi positioning, Bluetooth) automatically capture device locations, eliminating human error in manual recording while significantly reducing the time required for position data collection during commissioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables devices to self-register their positions automatically. When a device is installed, the mobile terminal automatically detects its location and transmits this position data to the device and the higher-level system without requiring manual intervention, allowing the commissioning process to be completed efficiently and accurately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If devices lack position awareness, then system complexity is reduced, but operational efficiency and maintenance capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice operational efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the universal positioning capabilities of mobile communication terminals (which already possess GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth positioning functions) to provide position awareness to devices. This multi-functional approach allows the same mobile device used for commissioning to also serve as the positioning system, eliminating the need for separate positioning hardware and minimizing additional system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile communication terminal acts as an intermediary between the higher-level system and the installed devices. It captures position data, transmits it to devices that need position awareness, and communicates with the higher-level system, thereby enabling efficient device operation and maintenance without directly increasing the complexity of the core device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If position data is transmitted to all devices, then communication capability is improved, but security and data accuracy deteriorate due to unauthorized reception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice communication capabilityVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements selective position data transmission based on device-specific authorization. The mobile terminal determines which devices should receive position information and transmits data only to authorized recipients. This localized approach ensures that each device receives position data appropriate to its function and security clearance, maintaining both communication effectiveness and data security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3484192B1Method and system for allocating the location to a device
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG
  • EP3484192B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3484192B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3484192B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method and arrangement for assigning the location position to a device, in particular during the commissioning of the device (e.g., field device, actuator, sensor), wherein the location position of a mobile communication terminal located in close proximity to the device is determined by a positioning system; wherein the mobile communication terminal (e.g., smartphone) is configured to transmit the location position to the device, and wherein the mobile communication terminal is further configured so that the transmission of the location position from the mobile communication terminal to the device only takes place if the device has been identified as an authorized recipient prior to transmission.