GPS Tracker Battery Life Extension via Sleep Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
GPS tracking devices for boats, power sports, recreational vehicles, and other assets face challenges in extending battery life, as they typically drain quickly and require continuous optimization to function for extended periods, especially when the asset's battery is disconnected during storage.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a GPS tracking device with an internal battery, an SaaS Application, firmware, and an accelerometer, which optimizes battery life by determining data transmission frequency, managing sleep and wake cycles, and switching between internal and asset batteries based on availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If GPS tracking device uses internal battery continuously, then tracking function is maintained, but battery life is short (days or weeks)
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS tracking device implements periodic action by alternating between active tracking periods and sleep periods. The device wakes up at predetermined intervals to collect location data and transmit it, then returns to sleep mode to conserve battery power. This periodic operation pattern extends battery life from days/weeks to months/years while maintaining essential tracking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically adjusts its operational state based on conditions. It transitions between sleep mode and active mode, and between different transmission frequencies (real-time, periodic, or on-demand). This dynamic adaptability allows the device to optimize battery consumption while responding to tracking requirements and external triggers.
2Loss of information
If GPS tracking device transmits data frequently, then data availability is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements periodic data transmission by storing location data in memory during active periods and transmitting accumulated data at predetermined intervals. This approach ensures data availability while significantly reducing transmission frequency and associated energy consumption compared to continuous real-time transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The device autonomously manages data buffering and transmission scheduling without external intervention. It automatically determines when to wake up, collect data, buffer it in memory, and transmit based on internal timing mechanisms and received commands, optimizing the balance between data availability and energy consumption.
3Reliability
If GPS tracking device switches between internal and asset batteries, then operational continuity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the asset's battery as an intermediary power source when available. It monitors the connection status of the asset battery and automatically switches to using it for power-intensive operations like GPS reception and data transmission, preserving the internal battery for periods when the asset battery is disconnected or unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system operates autonomously, automatically detecting battery availability and switching between power sources without user intervention. The device continuously monitors battery connection status and manages the transition between internal and asset batteries based on predefined criteria.
4Reliability
If GPS tracking device operates during asset storage with disconnected battery, then tracking capability is maintained, but internal battery drains quickly
Solution Approach 1:
During asset storage with disconnected battery, the device enters extended sleep mode with wake-up intervals significantly longer than during active use. It performs minimal location updates and transmissions only at predetermined long intervals, maintaining basic tracking capability while extending battery life to cover the entire storage period.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs partial tracking functionality during storage periods, reducing the frequency and detail of location updates compared to active use. It sacrifices some tracking precision and frequency to ensure battery survival throughout the storage period, then resumes full functionality when the asset becomes active again.
Data Source
AI summary
A system of tracking and processing data of moveable assets, including a software application configured to communicate with a GPS tracking device of the moveable asset, the software application including a database configured to process gathered tracking information and attribute data provided to the software application using a taxonomy and ontology associated with the moveable asset.