Object Location System Using Segmented Bluetooth and GPS Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing object location systems, particularly those using short-range communication protocols like Bluetooth, are ineffective for tracking moving objects such as pets, children, or elderly individuals over long distances and are power-intensive, leading to frequent device failure.

Innovation Solution

An object location acquiring system that includes a cloud center, a target device with a unique identifier, and multiple acquiring and tracking devices with geolocation capabilities, utilizing short-range communication for initial connection and long-range communication for continuous monitoring and tracking, with low-power communication to extend battery life and alert mechanisms to prevent loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If GPS and GSM modules are used for long-range monitoring, then the monitoring range is extended, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring rangeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the monitoring function into two segments: short-range monitoring using low-power Bluetooth communication when the object is nearby, and long-range monitoring using GPS/GSM only when needed (when the object strays or gets lost). This segmentation allows the system to achieve extended monitoring capability while minimizing power consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The GPS and GSM modules are activated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The system uses Bluetooth for continuous low-power monitoring and switches to GPS/GSM only when the object moves out of the short-range communication area or when location tracking is specifically needed, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining monitoring effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If short-range communication is used for object location, then power consumption is reduced, but the device becomes unusable when out of communication range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddevice usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges two communication technologies: Bluetooth (short-range, low-power) and GPS/GSM (long-range, high-power). The target device combines both short-range communication module and positioning module, allowing it to use Bluetooth for everyday low-power operation and GPS/GSM for long-range tracking when needed, thus achieving both low power consumption and reliable usability across different ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses Bluetooth as an intermediary for normal communication and only activates GPS/GSM when Bluetooth communication fails or the object moves out of range. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain low power consumption during normal operation while ensuring reliability when the object strays, as the GPS/GSM module serves as a backup long-range communication mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If GPS and GSM modules are installed for continuous monitoring, then the object can be tracked over long distances, but the installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring rangeVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the communication functionality into two parts: a low-cost Bluetooth module for primary short-range communication and a GPS/GSM module for long-range tracking. By using Bluetooth as the primary communication method, the system reduces the need for continuous GPS/GSM operation, thereby lowering the effective cost of long-range monitoring while maintaining the capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The GPS and GSM modules are activated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The system uses Bluetooth for continuous low-cost monitoring and switches to GPS/GSM only when the object moves out of the short-range communication area or when location tracking is specifically needed, thereby reducing operational costs while maintaining monitoring effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2827168B1Object location acquiring system and location acquiring method thereof

Publication Date: 2021.01.06 GLORY TRIPOD PROPERTY

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AI summary

An object acquiring system (100) includes a cloud center (10), a target device (30) disposed on an object, a host device (20), and a plurality of acquiring and tracking devices (40). The target device (30) is provided with an ID (34). The host device (20) registers an object account database (11), according to the ID (34), in the cloud center (10), and records a state message (301) for the target device (30) in the object account database (11). When receiving the ID (34) transmitted by the target device (30), the acquiring and tracking devices (40) log in the cloud center (10) to check the state message (301), and determine whether to report the geolocation (441), and/or the time (411) the ID (34) is received, to the cloud center (10). The geolocation (441) and the time (411) information, reported by the acquiring and tracking devices (40), are used to track the moving trace of the target device (30), so that the object can be quickly located when straying or getting lost.