Mobile Asset Tracking Mesh for Accurate Low-Infrastructure Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location tracking systems face challenges in accurately tracking moving assets in large outdoor or underground environments, as they often require costly and impractical stationary location devices, which may not be feasible in areas like ports or yards where infrastructure installation is difficult.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising stationary location devices affixed to the environment, mobile location devices attached to moving assets, and tagged assets that communicate with both to create a dynamic mesh for tracking, utilizing UWB, GPS, and additional sensors like IMUs and cameras to maintain accuracy and power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If stationary location devices are deployed in large outdoor areas to track moving assets, then location tracking accuracy is improved, but infrastructure cost and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deploying stationary location devices throughout the environment to track moving assets, the patent inverts the approach by attaching location devices to the moving assets themselves. These mobile location devices then communicate with a minimal set of stationary devices or use autonomous navigation (GPS, IMU) to determine their positions, thereby achieving tracking accuracy without extensive infrastructure installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mobile location devices as intermediaries between the moving assets and the tracking system. These mobile devices carry location technology and actively communicate with stationary devices or use self-contained navigation systems (GPS satellites, IMU sensors) to determine position, eliminating the need for dense deployments of stationary tracking infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If stationary location devices are installed in difficult-to-reach areas like ports or yards, then complete area coverage for tracking is achieved, but installation feasibility and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by making the location devices mobile rather than stationary. By attaching location devices to moving assets, the system achieves comprehensive area coverage without requiring installation of infrastructure in difficult-to-reach locations. The mobile devices move with the assets, providing continuous tracking capability across the entire operational area.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile location devices serve multiple functions: they provide location data for tracking, communicate with both stationary devices and satellites, and can operate autonomously using IMU and GPS. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve complete area coverage without requiring specialized installation in various difficult-to-reach environments.
3Device complexity
If mobile location devices are used to track moving assets without stationary infrastructure, then infrastructure cost is reduced, but location accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple location determination technologies within mobile location devices: UWB communication with stationary devices, GPS satellite positioning, and IMU-based inertial navigation. By merging these complementary technologies, the system achieves high location accuracy without requiring extensive stationary infrastructure, as each technology compensates for the limitations of the others.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile location devices use a composite approach to location determination, integrating multiple positioning technologies (UWB, GPS, IMU) into a unified system. This composite positioning system maintains high accuracy by fusing data from multiple sources, thereby compensating for the reduced stationary infrastructure while preserving measurement precision.
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
Enables accurate and cost-effective tracking of moving assets in complex environments without the need for extensive infrastructure, using a combination of UWB, GPS, and sensor technologies to maintain location accuracy and power efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Ultra-wideband (UWB), specifically, is known for its accuracy and ability to timestamp radio frequency (RF) signals
Implementation Method 2
A server determines a position of the mobile device and the tagged asset, based on the set of raw location data
Implementation Method 3
The mobile location device may include additional sensors, such as an inertial measurement unit (IMU)
Implementation Method 4
The mobile location device may include additional sensors, such as a camera
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for tracking movable assets in outdoor or underground environments are provided. The system includes at least one stationary location device affixed to an element of the environment; at least one mobile location device attached to a corresponding moveable asset positioned in the environment and a plurality of tagged assets in the environment. The plurality of tagged assets communicate with the at least one stationary location device and the at least one mobile location device. Information provided by the at least one mobile location device and the at least one stationary device is used to create a trackable area in the environment that enables location of the plurality of tagged assets within the trackable area.