Location Tracking via Assistant Terminals for Short-Range Wireless
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Solution Overview
Problem
Short-range wireless communication terminals have limited communication ranges, making it difficult to track their location effectively when they move out of range, as existing methods rely on communication capabilities within a specific area and lack efficient assistance from adjacent terminals.
Innovation Solution
A location tracking method that determines if a short-range wireless communication terminal has entered a communicable area, identifies it as an intensive tracking target, searches for adjacent assistant terminals, and controls the terminal's settings through a communication relay device based on assistance possibilities, including signal strength and history, to enhance tracking capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If short-range wireless communication is used for location tracking, then communication range is limited, but tracking reliability deteriorates when terminal moves out of range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces assistant terminals as intermediary devices that relay communication between the tracked terminal and the tracking system. When a terminal moves out of direct communication range, assistant terminals within range act as mediators to maintain tracking reliability through indirect communication paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct one-to-one communication to a multi-dimensional networked communication structure. By utilizing multiple assistant terminals at different spatial positions, the system creates redundant communication paths, allowing the tracked terminal to be monitored from multiple dimensions even when out of direct range of any single terminal.
2Measurement precision
If intensive tracking is implemented for all terminals, then tracking precision is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different tracking intensities to different terminals based on their characteristics and locations. High-priority terminals receive intensive tracking with multiple assistant terminals, while low-priority terminals use standard tracking. This localized differentiation improves precision where needed while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts tracking parameters such as the number of assistant terminals, communication frequency, and signal strength based on terminal priority, location, and movement patterns. This parameter adaptation enables precision tracking for critical terminals while conserving resources for others, balancing precision with system complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple assistant terminals are deployed to extend tracking range, then tracking coverage is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a selective deployment strategy where assistant terminals are activated only when and where needed. Instead of continuously operating multiple terminals across the entire coverage area, the system activates the minimum necessary number of assistant terminals based on real-time tracking requirements, thus extending coverage while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number and positioning of assistant terminals based on real-time conditions such as terminal movement, signal strength, and coverage gaps. This dynamic adaptation allows the tracking coverage area to expand when needed while reducing the active terminal count during stable conditions, optimizing the balance between coverage and energy usage.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a location tracking method capable of controlling setting of a short-range wireless communication terminal based on search results of assistant terminals adjacent to a communication relay device when a short-range wireless communication terminal, which is an intensive tracking target, enters an area in which the short-range wireless communication terminal can communicate with the communication relay device, and a server and a program using the location tracking method.