Interrogator Device for Personal Item Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tracking systems for personal items are often complex, require users to carry interrogation devices, and are not designed for everyday use in ensuring items are properly associated with their intended locations or scenarios, lacking a system that can effectively notify users of missing items at monitored areas or specific times.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an interrogator device and communication module on personal items, which detects and transmits data when within range, generating notifications if items are not present at predetermined times or during trigger events such as entering or leaving a location, using Bluetooth or other communication technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tracking systems use RF-emitting and RF-detecting attachments to locate lost articles, then the ability to find misplaced items is improved, but the device complexity increases and requires users to carry interrogation devices
Solution Approach 1:
The tracked object itself performs the detection function by containing an interrogator that can detect other tracked objects. This eliminates the need for a separate user-carried interrogation device, as each tracked item serves its own detection needs through its built-in interrogator capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracked object is designed with dual functionality: it can be detected by other tracked objects (target function) and simultaneously act as an interrogator to detect other tracked objects (detection function). This multi-functionality reduces system complexity by eliminating dedicated interrogation devices.
2Reliability
If paired alarm systems output an audible alarm when one unit is separated from another, then the ability to prevent separation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each tracked object contains its own interrogator capability, allowing it to independently detect the presence or absence of other tracked objects and trigger alarms without requiring a central monitoring system or paired device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking function is segmented and distributed to each individual tracked object rather than centralized in a single interrogation device. Each object operates independently with its own detection and alarm capabilities, reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If monitoring devices require users to carry the interrogation device with them, then the ability to detect missing items is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tracked object independently performs monitoring functions through its built-in interrogator, eliminating the need for users to carry separate interrogation devices. The system monitors itself automatically without requiring user intervention or portability of additional devices.
4Measurement precision
If tracking systems are designed for specialized purposes rather than everyday use, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic self-monitoring capability eliminates the need for specialized user operations. The system continuously and automatically detects the presence of tracked objects and generates notifications without requiring user knowledge of tracking technologies or manual activation, making it suitable for everyday use while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-configured with notification parameters and automatically monitors for tracked objects before users need to check for them. This preliminary automatic monitoring and pre-set notification system eliminates complex user operations while maintaining accurate tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and device to interrogate for the presence of objects, to prevent the inadvertent separation of the objects from their owner. An owner is alerted when they are separated from the objects by determining when a trigger event occurs, such as a person leaving and/or entering a particular monitored area or location. These monitored areas can be retrofitted with an electronic interrogation device that monitors local conditions to determine whether a user is entering or leaving the monitored area to trigger an interrogation of the personal items. The interrogation device is constructed and arranged to communicate with the objects to determine whether the objects are with the owner. The interrogation device automatically determines the presence of a particular object at the monitored environment and automatically generates a notification when needed. The system further controls functionality of the objects, according to illustrative embodiments, when the object is present.