Flexible Radio Beacon Activation for Low-Power Asset Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current asset tracking systems are not optimized for mobile environments and do not effectively integrate the capabilities of radio frequency wireless communication systems, lacking a fully integrated solution that correlates features across multiple delivery mechanisms and use cases.
Innovation Solution
A physically flexible, active radio beacon system, known as Flex Tag, which combines an active radio beacon with optional RFID tags, using a flexible printed circuit board and a semi-flexible battery, allowing for activation via physical or electronic means, and supporting communication standards like Bluetooth and LoRa for asset tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an active radio beacon is continuously powered on for asset tracking, then tracking reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radio beacon operates in periodic cycles, alternating between dormant and active states. The beacon is activated only when needed for tracking operations and remains dormant otherwise, creating a periodic operation pattern that reduces overall power consumption while maintaining tracking reliability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system activates the radio beacon in advance of actual tracking needs based on predicted usage patterns or scheduled operations. This preliminary activation ensures the beacon is ready when needed while avoiding continuous operation, optimizing the balance between reliability and power consumption.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible radio beacon system is designed for easy activation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radio beacon system activates itself automatically based on predetermined conditions, environmental triggers, or integrated sensors without requiring manual intervention. This self-service activation mechanism simplifies operation for users while the underlying complexity is handled autonomously by the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical activation switches with electronic or field-based activation methods such as RFID readers, magnetic field detection, or wireless communication triggers. This substitution maintains ease of activation while reducing mechanical complexity and improving reliability.
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
The Flex Tag system enables efficient and flexible asset tracking by remaining dormant until activated, using minimal power, and integrating with existing technologies for various use cases, ensuring optimal power conservation and ease of activation, while maintaining tracking capabilities even after battery exhaustion.
Implementation Method 1
The battery remains dormant until activated by the switch, and the radio beacon and battery are an integrated transmitter and power source
Implementation Method 2
The radio beacon is configured to transmit radio frequency signals
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are Flexible Radio Beacons and Flexible Delivery Structures for asset and inventory identification and management. The Flexible Radio Beacon is dormant until activated at time of use. The Flexible Radio Beacon has optional activation means and can be activated physically or electronically. The Flexible Radio Beacon and Flexible Delivery Structures make a flexible radio frequency (RF) tag useful for asset tracking. Disclosed herein is a method for using Flexible Radio Beacons and Flexible Delivery Structures in flexible RF tags for asset and inventory identification and management. Disclosed herein is a system for asset and inventory identification and management using Flexible Radio Beacons and Flexible Delivery Structures in flexible RF tags.