Inventory Tag Battery Life via Server-Mediated Network Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inventory tracking tags face challenges in prolonging battery life due to high power consumption, especially when equipped with both cellular and short-range communications capabilities, which quickly drain the battery when searching for available networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a remote server that manages short-range communication network information and credentials, allowing the tag to switch from cellular to short-range communications only when within a known network coverage area, thereby reducing power consumption by eliminating unnecessary network scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tag is equipped with both cellular and short-range communications capabilities, then the adaptability and versatility of the tag is improved, but the battery life is reduced due to high power consumption during network searching
Solution Approach 1:
The remote server performs preliminary actions by maintaining a database of short-range network coverage areas and proactively determining whether the tag is located within coverage areas. This eliminates the need for the tag to perform power-consuming network scanning, as the server has already prepared the network information in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote server acts as an intermediary between the tag and short-range communication networks. Instead of the tag directly searching for and connecting to networks (which consumes battery power), the server mediates by identifying suitable networks and providing connection information to the tag, thereby reducing the tag's power consumption while maintaining communication capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tag continuously searches for available short-range communication networks, then the adaptability of the tag is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The power-consuming network scanning function is extracted from the tag and transferred to the remote server. The server handles the complex task of identifying and evaluating short-range networks, while the tag only needs to receive connection information and establish connections, significantly reducing the tag's power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote server provides self-service by automatically determining whether the tag is within coverage areas of short-range networks and proactively providing connection information. This eliminates the need for the tag to actively search for networks, as the server serves the tag's connectivity needs automatically based on location data.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tag stores and updates numerous network credentials, then the adaptability of the tag is improved, but the device complexity and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex credential management function is extracted from the tag and centralized in the remote server. The server stores and manages all network credentials, authentication information, and access details for multiple short-range networks. The tag only needs to store minimal connection information provided by the server, dramatically reducing its memory requirements and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote server provides universal credential management for multiple different short-range communication networks (WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.). Instead of the tag needing separate credential storage and management capabilities for each network type, the server handles all authentication and credential issues universally, allowing the tag to access various networks with minimal onboard storage.
Data Source
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AI summary
Devices and methods for prolonging battery life of an inventory tracking tag. The tag determines its location and reports to remote server over a cellular data connection using the cellular communication subsystem. The remote server assesses whether the tag is within range of a short-range communication network, such as a WiFi network, and sends an instruction message over the cellular data connection to instruct the tag to use the first short-range communication network. The instruction message may include credentials for connecting to the network. The tag disables the cellular communication subsystem, enables the short-range communication subsystem, and requests a connection to the first short-range communication network for the purpose of sending future location reports to the remote server.