Multi-Interface Transponder Power Modes for Range and Battery Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional positional tags suffer from limited battery life due to high power consumption for long-range communication and require sophisticated circuitry, limiting their effectiveness to near-field proximity and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-interface transponder device (MIT) with power management capabilities, transitioning between low-power and high-power states based on events detected by motion sensing or wake-up signals, using ultra-low power RF, Bluetooth, and ultra-wideband interfaces for efficient communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If traditional positional tags use long-range communication interfaces, then communication range is extended, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into multiple interfaces with different range and power characteristics. The patent employs a first interface for long-range communication and a second interface for short-range communication, allowing the system to divide communication tasks based on distance requirements and optimize power consumption accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different communication interfaces based on the operational requirements and distance to the reader. The transponder can transition between first and second interfaces, and the reader can switch between first and second readers, creating a dynamic adaptive communication system that optimizes the balance between range and power consumption.
2Reliability
If traditional positional tags operate continuously at high power, then communication reliability is maintained, but battery life is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the system employs periodic wake-up cycles where the transponder remains in a low-power state and periodically wakes to check for wake-up signals from the reader. This periodic action maintains communication reliability through regular check-ins while dramatically extending battery life by minimizing the time the high-power components are active.
Solution Approach 2:
The transponder autonomously manages its power state by monitoring for wake-up signals and automatically transitioning between power modes. The system self-regulates its operation based on the presence or absence of reader signals, eliminating the need for continuous external power management and optimizing the balance between reliability and battery life.
3Adaptability or versatility
If positional tags use sophisticated circuitry for long-range communication, then communication capability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transponder is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating both first and second communication interfaces within a single device. This universal design allows the same hardware platform to support both long-range and short-range communication modes, improving adaptability while avoiding the need for separate specialized devices and reducing overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple communication interfaces and power management functions into a single integrated transponder device. By merging the first and second interfaces along with their respective power management circuits into one unified component, the system reduces overall device complexity and cost compared to using separate specialized devices, while maintaining enhanced communication capability.
4Use of energy by moving object
If positional tags are limited to near-field communication, then power consumption is reduced, but communication range is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into multiple interfaces with different range and power characteristics. The patent employs a first interface for long-range communication and a second interface for short-range communication, allowing the system to divide communication tasks based on distance requirements and optimize power consumption accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different communication interfaces based on the operational requirements and distance to the reader. The transponder can transition between first and second interfaces, and the reader can switch between first and second readers, creating a dynamic adaptive communication system that optimizes the balance between range and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for performing power management of a multi-interface transponder (MIT) device, e.g., such as positional tag device. The MIT device may transition between various power states, e.g., based on detected events, such as detecting movement of the MIT device, receiving a wakeup signal, receiving an indication of a transition in transportation mode, and/or detecting that the MIT device may be lost, such as based on a lack of contact with another device for more than a threshold period of time.