Dynamic Gateway Scan Timing for Wireless Asset Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gateway systems for asset tracking consume excessive power due to continuous scanning for beacon signals from wireless tags, which is inefficient and can deplete battery power when using internal sources.
Innovation Solution
The gateway dynamically adjusts its scanning time and frequency based on the number of beacon signals received, reducing power consumption by decreasing or extending scan time and frequency to match the dynamic movement of assets and tags, thereby optimizing power usage without compromising scanning accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gateway continuously scans for beacon signals to track assets in real-time, then the scanning accuracy and asset tracking reliability are improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway dynamically adjusts its scan time based on the number of unknown tags detected. When new tags are detected, the gateway increases scan time to ensure accurate tracking. When no new tags are present, the gateway reduces scan time to minimize power consumption. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliable asset tracking and reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the scan time parameter based on environmental conditions (number of tags present). The gateway monitors tag presence and adjusts the scan time parameter accordingly, transitioning between different operational states to balance tracking reliability with energy efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If the gateway increases scan time to detect all beacon signals from moving assets, then the measurement precision of asset location is improved, but the time efficiency and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway employs dynamic scan time adjustment where the scan duration is not fixed but adapts based on the number of unknown tags detected. This allows the system to achieve necessary measurement precision only when needed, rather than continuously scanning at maximum duration, thus improving overall scanning efficiency while maintaining location precision when assets are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway performs partial scanning actions based on conditions. Instead of always executing full scan cycles regardless of tag presence, the system applies scan time selectively - increasing it only when unknown tags are detected and reducing it when the area is clear, thereby optimizing both precision and efficiency.
3Device complexity
If the gateway uses fixed scan intervals to monitor assets, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to dynamic asset movement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway transitions from fixed to dynamic scan intervals based on tag detection. The system maintains operational simplicity through automated logic that adjusts scan behavior according to the number of unknown tags, providing adaptability to asset movement without requiring complex manual configuration or intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes one or more assets disposed within a physical location. Each asset is coupled to a wireless tag, and each wireless tag is configured to wirelessly transmit beacon signals at predetermined intervals. The system also includes a gateway configured to cover the range of the physical location. The gateway is configured to scan the physical location to identify beacon signals transmitted by each of the wireless tags and receive the beacon signals from each wireless tag at the predetermined intervals. The gateway is also configured to dynamically optimize a function of the gateway by adjusting a current total scan time based at least in part on the number of beacon signals received from previously unknown or new wireless tags disposed within the physical location.