Wireless Mesh Emergency Locator System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locator systems are not effectively utilized in emergency response situations to precisely locate individuals in need of assistance, lacking the necessary precision for timely and accurate location determination.
Innovation Solution
A wireless emergency response system comprising reference tags forming a mesh network, a call tag that communicates with these tags to collect and send data, and a positioning system to determine the location of the call tag within the network, utilizing IEEE 802.11 wireless networking standards to leverage existing infrastructure for accurate location tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional handheld locator systems are used, then the system provides an indication that the asset is within range, but the system cannot precisely locate the person in need of assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the coverage area into multiple zones with reference tags positioned at specific locations. Instead of using a single centralized locator, the system segments the location determination function across multiple distributed reference tags and portable electronic devices, enabling precise location through triangulation or trilateration while maintaining manageable individual device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Reference tags serve as intermediaries between the call tag and the positioning system. These reference tags relay communication signals and provide reference points for location calculation, enabling precise location determination without requiring direct complex communication between all system components
2Measurement precision
If a wireless mesh network with multiple reference tags is deployed, then location precision is improved, but the quantity of components and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Reference tags are designed to perform multiple functions: they serve as location reference points, act as communication relays in the mesh network, and provide signal strength measurements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, allowing the same tags to fulfill multiple roles and reducing overall system complexity despite the increased quantity of tags
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the functions of location reference, communication relay, and signal measurement into a single integrated reference tag component. By merging these functions, the system achieves precise location determination using a distributed network of multi-functional tags rather than requiring separate specialized components for each function
3Measurement precision
If dedicated handheld transceivers with full processing capability are used, then location determination capability is improved, but the device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the complex processing and location determination algorithms from the portable electronic devices and places them in the reference tags and centralized positioning system. The portable devices only need to perform simple signal reception and transmission, while the computationally intensive tasks are handled by the reference tags and positioning system, reducing handheld device complexity while maintaining location determination capability
Data Source
AI summary
A system can be for use with a number of reference tags disposed at respective reference locations in a coverage area. The reference tags can be configured to form a wireless mesh network. A system can include a first tag configured to communicate with the reference tags. The first tag can operate in a sleep mode and includes a motion sensor. The first tag is woken out of the sleep mode on a first periodic basis to communicate with the reference tags. The first tag is woken out of the sleep mode at a second periodic basis in response to motion signal from the motion sensor. The second periodic basis is more frequent than the first periodic basis. The system can also include a positioning system configured to receive data related to the communication between the first tag and the reference tags. The positioning system can be configured to process the data to determine a location of the first tag.