Multi-Technology RTLS for Obstructed Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Real-time location systems (RTLS) face challenges due to reliance on single location technologies, leading to data degradation or loss due to blockages or interference, particularly in environments like football or rugby where tags may be obstructed or out of range, resulting in inaccurate or missing location data.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an over-determined location system that combines multiple location technologies such as ultra-wide band (UWB), GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and NFC to provide redundancy and validation, allowing for a hierarchy of performance accuracy and data filtering to ensure accurate location determination, even in obstructed or complex environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple location technologies are combined to provide redundancy and validation, then location accuracy and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple location technologies (UWB, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC) into a single integrated RTLS platform. The system merges data from different technology layers (infrastructure-based, device-based, and hybrid) to provide redundant location determination paths, ensuring that if one technology fails or is obstructed, others can compensate to maintain accurate tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The RTLS platform is designed with multi-functionality to handle various location determination methods through a unified architecture. The system can selectively activate different location technologies based on environmental conditions, tag type, and required accuracy levels, making the system adaptable to diverse scenarios from open fields to obstructed indoor environments.
2Measurement precision
If multiple location technologies are used to validate and filter data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where location data from multiple technologies is continuously validated against each other. The platform compares location estimates from different sources, identifies discrepancies, and adjusts the weighting or selection of technologies based on observed performance and environmental conditions, thereby maintaining high precision through adaptive data filtering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively using only the necessary number of location technologies based on the specific situation. Rather than always activating all five technologies simultaneously, the system determines the minimum required set for each context (e.g., using only UWB and GPS in open areas, or adding Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in obstructed environments), reducing processing complexity while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If redundancy is implemented across multiple location technologies, then reliability is improved, but loss of information is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for potential data loss by pre-configuring multiple location determination paths and validation rules. When location data from one technology becomes unreliable or unavailable due to blockages or interference, the platform has pre-established alternative technologies ready to compensate, preventing data gaps and maintaining continuous accurate tracking throughout the monitored area.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media are disclosed for improving, in some examples, real time location systems with multiple location technologies. In one embodiment, a method is provided including receiving blink data from a location tag associated with a first sensor; receiving proximity data generated based on communications between the first sensor and a second sensor, the proximity data including a sensor identifier; calculating location data associated with the location tag based on the blink data; and determining sensor position calculation data associated with the first sensor based on the proximity data.