Mobile Geo-Location Perimeters for Low-Power Asset Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for geographically locating mobile apparatuses, such as cleaning machines, consume excessive communication resources and power, and result in high data charges due to constant online communication requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system that defines an offline perimeter around the mobile apparatus, only establishing communication with a central location when the apparatus moves outside this perimeter, and then sets up a larger online perimeter for continuous tracking and notification if the apparatus exits this area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If constant online communication is used to track the mobile apparatus, then the location tracking reliability is improved, but the power consumption and communication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from constant online communication to periodic communication triggered by perimeter boundary crossings. The mobile apparatus communicates with the central location only when it exits the offline perimeter, converting continuous communication into event-driven periodic communication. This reduces power consumption while maintaining location tracking reliability through strategic communication moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts communication state between offline and online modes based on the apparatus's location relative to the perimeter. When inside the perimeter, the apparatus operates in offline mode with minimal power consumption; when exiting, it transitions to online mode for location reporting. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between continuous tracking and power conservation.
2Reliability
If constant online communication is used to track the mobile apparatus, then the location tracking reliability is improved, but the communication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements event-triggered periodic communication based on perimeter boundary events. Instead of incurring continuous communication costs, the system only communicates when the apparatus crosses the perimeter boundary, converting continuous cost incurrence into discrete event-based costs. This significantly reduces communication expenses while preserving tracking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the essential communication function from continuous operation and concentrates it only at critical moments when the apparatus exits the perimeter. By taking out the communication requirement from constant operation and applying it only when necessary, the system reduces communication costs while maintaining the core tracking function.
3Use of energy by moving object
If an offline perimeter system is used, then the power consumption is reduced, but the response time for detecting unauthorized movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes the offline perimeter boundaries and monitoring logic before the apparatus operates. When the apparatus approaches and exits the perimeter, the pre-configured system can immediately detect and report the violation without delay. This preliminary setup ensures that while power consumption is reduced, the response time for detecting unauthorized movement remains minimal through pre-programmed boundary detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for determining a location of a mobile apparatus. The mobile apparatus can include a chassis, a communications module, and a controller including a processor and memory, wherein the processor is programmed to perform instructions that are stored in the memory. The instructions can include defining an offline perimeter surrounding the chassis, locating a chassis position in relation to the offline perimeter, and determining whether the chassis position is outside the offline perimeter. Upon making this determination, the processor is programmed to establish communication between the mobile apparatus and the central location via the communication module, receive an indication from a network that the chassis is located outside an online perimeter that is larger than the offline perimeter, and output a signal upon receiving the indication.