Electronic Locating System Using Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locating and tracking systems face issues with optical signaling being sensitive to pollution and obstacles, and high-frequency radio signals being reflected or blocked, leading to inaccurate positioning and detection challenges, especially in complex environments.
Innovation Solution
The method employs substantially horizontally oriented and planar loop-shaped coils to generate low-frequency magnetic fields with unique frequencies for each base station, allowing transponders to receive X, Y, and Z components of these fields, and uses an ultra-high frequency transmitter to transmit position signals, enabling accurate positioning regardless of orientation and obstacle interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical signaling is used for locating and tracking, then positioning can be achieved, but the system becomes sensitive to pollution and obstacles that block or reflect optical signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of signal type from optical to electromagnetic (radio frequency). This allows the signal to penetrate obstacles and pollution that block optical signals, thereby maintaining positioning reliability while eliminating sensitivity to environmental contaminants and physical barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical signaling mechanism with an electromagnetic field-based mechanism. The locating system uses electromagnetic signals that can pass through obstacles without being blocked or reflected, substituting the mechanical/optical line-of-sight requirement with a field-based detection method that works in complex environments.
2Measurement precision
If high-frequency radio signals are used for locating and tracking, then positioning can be achieved, but the signals are reflected and/or stopped by obstacles leading to detection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the electromagnetic signal to a specific range that optimizes penetration through obstacles while maintaining measurement precision. By selecting appropriate frequency characteristics, the system achieves accurate positioning without the signals being reflected or blocked by environmental obstacles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transponders assume different orientations with respect to field lines, then the system can work in various positions, but field strength measurements become inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third spatial dimension by measuring all three components (X, Y, Z) of the magnetic field vector. This dimensional expansion allows the system to calculate field strength independently of the transponder's orientation, maintaining measurement precision while providing adaptability to various positions and orientations through three-dimensional field analysis.
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
This approach provides reliable and accurate location and tracking of persons, animals, or objects by minimizing signal attenuation and reflection, allowing detection even in complex environments without the need for line of sight, and enabling precise positioning through trilateration.
Implementation Method 1
with the base stations by means of substantially horizontally oriented and substantially planar loop shaped coils low-frequency magnetic fields are transmitted
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A method and apparatus for electronically locating and tracking persons, animals, or objects in a predetermined work area utilizing a number of base stations associated with the work area, provided with stationary transmitting-/receiving devices and a number of transponders added to the persons, animals, or objects to be located, provided with transmitting and receiving means, wherein the base stations generate interrogation fields which can be received by the transponders, wherein with the base stations low-frequency magnetic fields with a unique frequency for each base station are generated in the predetermined work area, and wherein transponders are used, which are provided with means to measure the field strength associated with each separate received frequency at the location of the transponder and then to transmit this as a position signal via high-frequency transmitting means of the transponder to high- frequency receiving means provided in the base stations.