Micro-Zone Transmitter Beacon Tag Indoor Asset Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing asset tracking systems are costly to install and maintain, have limited battery life, and are ineffective for indoor use, especially in tracking mobile assets like shipping containers, due to high infrastructure costs and inefficient power management.
Innovation Solution
A wireless asset location tracking system using micro-zone transmitters and beacon tags that transmit data in specific ISM bands, with motion detection and low-power consumption, allowing for extended battery life and efficient tracking within a host space, and includes features like 'Find' and 'Alert' functions for locating assets and detecting movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS-based tracking devices are used, then location tracking capability is improved, but cost and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces micro-zone transmitters as intermediary devices that broadcast location information in ISM bands. These transmitters act as mediators between GPS satellites and beacon tags, enabling indoor location tracking without direct GPS satellite access. The micro-zone transmitters create a local positioning infrastructure that replaces the need for complex GPS receiver systems while maintaining location tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses RFID-based beacon tags that copy and relay location information received from micro-zone transmitters. Instead of requiring each device to independently calculate GPS coordinates, the beacon tags copy the transmitted location data and broadcast it back, creating a simplified tracking system that achieves location awareness through information copying rather than complex computation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RFID-based tracking devices are used, then indoor tracking capability is improved, but battery life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic broadcasting where micro-zone transmitters send location information at regular intervals rather than continuously. Beacon tags similarly broadcast their status periodically. This periodic action pattern significantly reduces power consumption compared to continuous transmission while maintaining effective tracking capability, directly addressing the battery life limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables beacon tags to operate in a self-service manner by having them broadcast their status only when needed or in response to periodic queries. The tags maintain their tracking function autonomously with minimal power expenditure, allowing extended battery operation without requiring external power sources or frequent maintenance.
3Measurement precision
If continuous signal transmission is used, then tracking accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic transmission cycles where micro-zone transmitters and beacon tags exchange signals at predetermined intervals. This periodic action maintains sufficient tracking accuracy by ensuring regular position updates while dramatically reducing average power consumption compared to continuous transmission. The system achieves an optimal balance between accuracy and energy usage through timed transmission bursts.
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
The system provides accurate and cost-effective location tracking of assets with extended battery life, reducing installation and maintenance costs, and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, including tracking shipping containers, by using low-power Bluetooth communication and efficient data transmission protocols.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a second signal of a frequency in an ISM band of between 2.4-2.485 GHz
Implementation Method 2
a motion detection sensor configured to detect at least one of movement of the beacon tag device and an impact to the beacon tag device
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless asset location tracking system and related techniques are disclosed. The system may include one or more beacon tags and one or more micro-zone (mZone) transmitters disposed at designated locations. A given mZone transmitter may transmit an mZone signal including data pertaining to its identity, and thus location. A given beacon tag receiving the mZone signal may pull mZone identification data therefrom and relay it in its own beacon signal, along with other data. In this manner, a given mZone transmitter may provide information pertaining to the location within the host space of a given beacon tag within its transmission range. The beacon signal may be received by any gateway or reader device within range, and information therefrom may be delivered through the internet to a server database. The information stored at the server database may be accessed to monitor and track tagged assets and control overall system operation.