Dynamic Positioning Interval for Asset Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices used for tracking assets during transportation face a trade-off between operability and power saving, leading to potential late detection of arrival at the destination and increased power consumption, especially when GNSS signals are blocked by buildings or transportation delays cause the device to run out of power.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device estimates the remaining transportation time to the destination and adjusts its position determination intervals based on this estimate, using a movement sensing system to account for delays, ensuring accurate arrival detection while minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If position determination and data transmission are performed at a fixed rate with long time intervals to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but arrival detection is delayed and power-saving functions are postponed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the position determination time interval based on estimated time to arrival. As the electronic device approaches the destination, the system automatically shortens the time interval to enable timely arrival detection, while maintaining longer intervals during transit to conserve power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between power saving and timely arrival detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary estimation of the time to arrival and uses this information to proactively adjust the position determination frequency before arrival occurs. By predicting the arrival time in advance, the system can prepare to increase monitoring frequency at the appropriate moment, ensuring timely detection without unnecessary early power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If position determination is performed frequently to detect arrival timely, then arrival detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the position determination frequency based on the estimated time to arrival. When the device is far from the destination, position determination occurs at longer intervals to save power. As the estimated arrival time decreases, the system automatically increases the frequency of position determinations, achieving high detection accuracy only when necessary near the destination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the time interval parameter for position determination based on the estimated time to arrival. By adjusting this critical parameter dynamically, the system transitions from a static fixed-rate approach to an adaptive approach that optimizes the balance between detection accuracy and power consumption at different stages of the journey.
3Ease of operation
If the electronic device enters a building at the destination before arrival is detected, then GNSS signal blocking occurs, but arrival detection fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary position determinations at adjusted time intervals before the electronic device enters the building. By detecting arrival based on position data obtained while still outside the building where GNSS signals are available, the system ensures reliable detection before signal blocking occurs, maintaining both automatic operation and detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action to detect arrival before the harmful condition of GNSS signal blocking occurs. By monitoring position at appropriately timed intervals and detecting arrival while external signals are still available, the system prevents the problem of undetected arrival due to signal blocking inside buildings.
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
This approach enables precise and safe detection of arrival at the destination while reducing power consumption, preventing unnecessary power usage and ensuring continuous tracking.
Implementation Method 1
operate the positioning system to determine positions of the electronic device, where the positioning system comprises a GNSS receiver
Implementation Method 2
a movement sensing system configured to generate sensor data representing movement of the electronic device
Data Source
Figure 1~3A
Figure 3B~5A
Figure 5B~5C
AI summary
An electronic device (10) is configured to, during transportation to a destination (22), determine its position and transmit position data (PD) to a remote computer. To lower power consumption and enable arrival detection based on the position, the electronic device (10) obtains, based on a first position determined at a first time point, an estimated remaining transportation time to the destination (22), and determines, based on the estimated remaining transportation time, a second time point for determining a second position. To account for unscheduled delays (24), the electronic device (10) determines a third time point by selectively modifying the second time point based on sensor data from a movement sensing system on the electronic device (10) and determines the second position at the third time point.