Indoor Position Vector Tracking for Home Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home automation systems lack the ability to determine the location, preferences, and motion vectors of individuals within a home, leading to inefficient control of devices and failure to tailor actions to specific occupants' needs.
Innovation Solution
An indoor position and vector tracking system using wearable tags and anchors that utilize radio frequency technology to calculate personal motion vectors, which are then used by an intelligent controller to make informed decisions about controlling networked devices, such as lighting and temperature, based on user preferences and gestures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rudimentary control mechanisms are used in home automation systems, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to tailor performance to individual occupants' needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wearable tags as intermediary devices that occupants wear, which continuously transmit position data to anchors and the intelligent controller. These tags serve as mediators between the occupants and the home automation system, enabling personalized control without requiring complex modifications to the existing system architecture. The tags capture occupant movement and position information, translating it into actionable data for the controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual control mechanisms (such as physical switches, buttons, or voice commands) with an automated system based on RF position tracking and intelligent algorithms. The intelligent controller uses position data from wearable tags to automatically determine and execute control actions, substituting the need for direct mechanical interaction with devices. This substitution enables adaptive control while maintaining relatively simple system structure.
2Measurement precision
If position tracking technology is added to home automation systems, then the ability to control devices based on occupant location improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the position tracking function into separate modular components: wearable tags attached to occupants, fixed anchors installed in the environment, and an intelligent controller that processes data. Each component has a specific function - tags transmit position information, anchors receive and process RF signals to calculate positions, and the controller makes control decisions. This segmentation allows high measurement precision while keeping individual components relatively simple and the overall system manageable.
3Extent of automation
If intelligent controllers with predictive algorithms are implemented, then the automation level and personalization improve, but the computational requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements predictive control by analyzing historical position data and occupancy patterns to anticipate future occupant needs and actions. The intelligent controller learns from past behavior patterns and performs preliminary control actions before occupants explicitly request them. For example, the system can predict when occupants are likely to enter a room or need certain devices activated, enabling proactive automation that enhances personalization without requiring overly complex real-time processing.
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 system provides enhanced control and personalization of home automation by accurately tracking occupants' motion and preferences, ensuring that devices are operated according to individual needs, improving the overall efficiency and comfort of home automation.
Implementation Method 1
Anchors distributed throughout a home detect position data from tags worn by occupants
Implementation Method 2
The intelligent controller calculates a personal motion vector of the tag based on the position data
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system for indoor position and vector tracking includes a plurality of radio frequency (RF) transmitters to detect a mobile radio frequency identification (RPID) tag. The control system includes an intelligent controller to receive location information from the RF transmitters and to calculate a vector associated with the mobile RFID tag. The intelligent controller may utilize the vector as a control input to an algorithm for selecting a control operation for one or more of plurality of networked devices.