Optical Tag Removal Detection for Wireless Asset Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless location asset tracking systems face challenges in detecting tag removal due to space restrictions and power consumption issues, as well as inaccuracies caused by environmental obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A tracking tag equipped with a motion sensor, processor, and optical tag removal sensor that activates only when tag removal is likely, using a low-power optical sensor to determine if the tag is attached to the asset by emitting and receiving light, thereby conserving power and optimizing the tag removal function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical sensor is continuously activated to detect tag removal, then tag removal detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor is activated periodically based on motion detection events rather than continuously. When the motion sensor detects movement, it triggers the optical sensor to check tag attachment status. This event-driven periodic activation maintains detection accuracy while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion sensor performs preliminary detection of movement before activating the optical sensor. This preliminary action filters out unnecessary optical sensor activations by only triggering tag removal checks when motion is detected, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy when needed.
2Reliability
If additional sensors are added to detect tag removal, then tag removal detection capability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the motion sensor and optical sensor into a single integrated tag device with a unified power source and control system. This merging approach improves tag removal detection capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity by sharing common components and control logic between the sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the motion sensor and optical sensor. It receives motion detection signals, triggers appropriate optical sensor activation, and processes the combined information to determine tag removal status, thereby managing system complexity through centralized control.
3Ease of operation
If triangulation is used to determine tag location, then location tracking is achieved, but accuracy deteriorates due to environmental obstacles and multipath effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback from multiple signal strength measurements and motion detection data to continuously refine location determination. By comparing expected signal patterns with actual readings and adjusting for environmental factors based on motion context, the system compensates for multipath effects and maintains accurate tracking despite environmental obstacles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively determines if a tag is removed from an asset while minimizing power consumption, ensuring the tag's power supply lasts longer and providing accurate tracking with optimized security monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The optical sensor emits light from the tag to the asset and receives the light reflected from a surface of the asset
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless tracking system and method with a tag removal detection feature is disclosed herein. The system and method utilize a tag attached to an asset which includes a processor, a motion sensor (such as an accelerometer), a transceiver, a tag removal sensor and a power source having a limited supply of power. The tag removal sensor is an optical sensor which is activated only when the motion sensor detects motion. In this manner, the tag conserves power since the tag is typically only in motion ten percent of the day. If the tag is removed from the asset, the optical sensor confirms the removal and an alert is activated by the system.