Harmonic Radar Tracking for Camera-Free Product Interactions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to continuously monitor individual interactions with consumer products effectively, especially when sensors like video monitors are impractical or unwanted.
Innovation Solution
A multi-tone harmonic radar system combining micro-Doppler radar for individual tracking and passive harmonic RFID tags for product tracking, enabling differentiation and continuous monitoring of interactions through 3D motion detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If video monitors are used to monitor individual interactions with products, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and impracticality increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/video-based monitoring systems with a wireless radar system that uses electromagnetic waves to detect motion and interactions. The radar system transmits signals that reflect off individuals and products, enabling contactless monitoring without cameras or mechanical sensors, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces radar waves as an intermediary medium to transfer information about individual-product interactions. Instead of directly observing interactions through video, the radar system uses reflected electromagnetic signals as intermediaries to infer motion, proximity, and interaction patterns, simplifying the system architecture.
2Productivity
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system operates by periodically transmitting electromagnetic signals and listening for reflections, rather than continuously processing complex video streams. This periodic sampling approach enables continuous monitoring capability while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous video processing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar system utilizes the natural reflection of electromagnetic waves off objects to obtain monitoring information, eliminating the need for active sensors on every monitored object. The system serves itself by using the environment's natural properties (reflectivity) to achieve continuous monitoring without requiring powered sensors on each product or individual.
3Device complexity
If passive harmonic RFID tags are used for product tracking, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision for interaction differentiation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges passive harmonic RFID tagging with radar motion detection into a unified monitoring system. The RFID tags provide simple product identification while the radar system simultaneously captures motion and interaction patterns. By combining these complementary technologies, the system achieves both simplicity (from RFID) and precision (from radar) for interaction differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects motion, identifies interactions, and works with both active individuals and passive RFID tags. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain measurement precision for interaction differentiation while using the simplicity of passive RFID tags for product identification, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
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
Enables robust and reliable monitoring of individual-product interactions, providing insights into interaction patterns and product usage, scalable to a large number of items, and adaptable to various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter configured to transmit a plurality of fundamental frequencies towards a scene
Implementation Method 2
a receiver configured to receive a reflected signal from the scene, the reflected signal being modulated based on the scene
Implementation Method 3
a re-radiated signal from a tag, the re-radiated signal being at a harmonic frequency of at least one of the plurality of fundamental frequencies transmitted by the transmitter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
A harmonic radar apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit a plurality of fundamental frequencies towards a scene. A further aspect of the harmonic radar apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive a reflected signal from the scene, the reflected signal being modulated based on the scene, and a re-radiated signal from a tag, the re-radiated signal being at a harmonic frequency of at least one of the plurality of fundamental frequencies transmitted by the transmitter.