Multi-Protocol Antenna Assembly for GPS-Free Item Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in locating personal property that is not an electronic device or electronic devices lacking a GPS, as traditional GPS systems are ineffective for these scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A wirelessly locatable tag configured to send a wireless signal to an electronic device, facilitating its localization. The tag includes a housing with an antenna assembly featuring multiple antennas operating on different wireless protocols, allowing communication with electronic devices and sending localization signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional GPS systems are used for locating electronic devices, then GPS-capable devices can be located, but electronic devices without GPS and non-electronic personal property cannot be located
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless tag as an intermediary device that attaches to personal property or electronic devices without GPS. The tag contains an antenna assembly with multiple antennas that communicate with a receiver device (such as a smartphone) to enable location tracking. This intermediary solution bridges the gap between GPS-capable and non-GPS devices, allowing universal locating capability while maintaining reliability through multiple communication protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas with different wireless protocols are used in the antenna assembly, then communication compatibility with various electronic devices is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antennas with different wireless protocols (such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular) into a single integrated antenna assembly. The housing contains all these antennas in one unified structure, which simplifies the overall device architecture compared to having separate communication modules. This merging approach maintains communication compatibility across multiple protocols while reducing device complexity through consolidation.
3Volume of moving object
If the antenna assembly is integrated into the housing, then the tag structure becomes more compact, but the housing design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing into distinct components: a main housing that contains the antenna assembly, and a removable cover that provides access to the antenna. This segmentation allows the antenna assembly to be integrated into a compact form factor while simplifying the overall housing design. The modular structure enables independent optimization of each component and facilitates easier manufacturing and maintenance, thereby reducing housing design complexity despite the integrated antenna assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A wirelessly locatable tag may include a first housing member defining a first exterior surface of the tag, a second housing member removably coupled to the first housing member and defining a second exterior surface of the tag, and an antenna assembly. The antenna assembly may include an antenna frame defining a top surface and a peripheral side surface, a first antenna on the antenna frame along the peripheral side surface and configured to communicate with the electronic device using a first wireless protocol, a second antenna on the antenna frame along the peripheral side surface and configured to send a localization signal to the electronic device using a second wireless protocol different than the first protocol, and a third antenna on the antenna frame along the top surface and configured to communicate with the electronic device via a third wireless protocol different than the first and second protocols.