Mesh Location Tracking for RF-Attenuating Warehouse Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
RF signals struggle to penetrate materials like glass, steel, and timber, leading to unreliable communication in warehouse environments, especially with objects like pallets made of these materials, reducing the readable distance and making tracking difficult.
Innovation Solution
A system of location tracking devices affixed to objects forms a mesh network for indirect communication, using low-power RF, WiFi, and GNSS capabilities to establish connections through intermediary devices, enabling tracking even when direct communication is hindered by attenuating materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RF signals are used for wireless communication between devices in a warehouse, then data transmission is achieved, but the signal is heavily attenuated when passing through materials like glass, steel, and timber, reducing readable distance and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs intermediary devices (gateway devices and relay devices) to forward communications between location tracking devices and the server. When direct RF communication is blocked by attenuating materials like timber and steel, the system routes signals through multiple intermediary nodes, allowing data to bypass physical obstructions and maintain reliable communication in warehouse environments.
2Measurement precision
If location tracking devices continuously communicate with the server, then accurate location data is obtained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The location tracking devices operate in periodic cycles, alternating between low-power sleep mode and active communication mode. Devices wake periodically to transmit location data and then return to sleep mode, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining sufficient tracking accuracy. The system balances measurement precision with energy conservation through this periodic operation pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service communication where location tracking devices can autonomously determine when to communicate based on their operational needs and energy status. Devices can initiate communications when location updates are necessary and remain in low-power states otherwise, allowing them to self-manage the balance between tracking precision and energy consumption without constant external control.
3Measurement precision
If multiple location tracking devices are deployed to track individual objects, then tracking precision is improved, but device complexity and system management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the tracking function across multiple simple devices rather than using a single complex device. Each location tracking device is designed to be relatively simple, performing basic functions of detecting its own location and transmitting data. The collective network of these segmented devices achieves high tracking precision through their combined observations, distributing system complexity across multiple independent units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the capabilities of multiple location tracking devices into a unified network system managed by a central server. Individual devices remain simple, but their combined data and coordinated operation through the gateway create a powerful tracking system. The server consolidates information from multiple devices to achieve precise object location identification, merging distributed simple functions into a cohesive complex capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to methods and systems for object location tracking of one object from among many objects in a same vicinity. An example method includes: affixing a location tracking device to each of the one object and the many objects, the location tracking device being configured to: detect a movement state of the location tracking device; in response to detecting the movement state, establish a connection to identify itself to an external server and to identify a location of the location tracking device and the one object; and if the connection is established, then allow connection with one or more other location tracking devices, so that the one or more other location tracking devices can be identified to the external server to identify the location of the one or more location tracking devices.