Mobile Tracking Unit Power Management via Dynamic Location Module Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Security systems face challenges in efficiently tracking remote items due to power management issues with mobile tracking units, which often drain batteries quickly, rendering them useless when lost or misplaced.
Innovation Solution
A mobile tracking unit with a controller that dynamically switches between low power and high power location modules based on proximity to a base station, using a low power module for long-range tracking and a high power GPS module for closer proximity, to conserve battery life and ensure accurate location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high power GPS module is used for location tracking, then location accuracy is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between high power GPS module and low power location module based on real-time conditions. When the mobile tracking unit is within range of the base station, it uses the low power module; when outside range, it activates the high power GPS module to maintain location accuracy while conserving battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power consumption parameter of the location module by switching between two different modules with different power characteristics. This allows the system to adapt power consumption levels to operational needs, using high power only when necessary for accurate location determination outside base station range.
2Loss of information
If continuous tracking is performed to maintain accurate location data, then location availability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic location updates rather than continuous tracking. The mobile tracking unit transmits location information to the base station at intervals, and the base station maintains the location data. This periodic approach ensures location availability while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary that receives, stores, and manages location data. When the mobile tracking unit is out of range, the base station can provide the last known location information, maintaining location availability without requiring the mobile unit to continuously transmit or track its position.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile tracking unit includes a controller having a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by the processor to communicate with a control unit of an automation and security system, determine a position of the mobile tracking unit relative to a base station using a low power location module, and communicate the position of the mobile tracking unit to at least one of the base station and a control unit of the automation and security system. When the mobile tracking unit is outside a specified range from the mobile tracking unit, the controller continues tracking the position of the mobile tracking unit with the low power location module. When the mobile tracking unit is inside the specified range, the controller determines the position of the mobile tracking unit using a high power location module.