Pet Carrier Mesh Network for Real-Time Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no current solution to monitor the location of pet carriers in transit or the well-being of pets within them beyond accessing video feeds or speaking with someone at the kennel via phone.
Innovation Solution
A pet carrier equipped with a location sensor, wireless transmitter, and processor that configures a mesh network to upload location and pet-related signals to a network, allowing for real-time monitoring via a consumer electronics device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a mesh network is implemented in pet carriers, then real-time location and condition monitoring is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into independent pet carriers, each functioning as an autonomous mesh node with its own sensors and transmitter. This allows the network to scale incrementally without requiring complex centralized infrastructure, as each carrier operates independently while contributing to the overall monitoring ecosystem.
Solution Approach 2:
Each pet carrier is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously provides location tracking, environmental monitoring (temperature, humidity), shock detection, and wireless communication capabilities. This consolidation of multiple monitoring functions into a single integrated device reduces overall system complexity while comprehensive monitoring information.
2Loss of information
If multiple sensors and transmitters are added to pet carriers, then monitoring capability is improved, but weight of the carrier increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs modern low-power sensor technologies and efficient wireless transmission protocols that provide comprehensive monitoring capabilities while minimizing weight. By optimizing the technical parameters of individual components (using lightweight materials, low-power electronics), the system achieves adequate monitoring functionality without excessive weight addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh network implementation uses a partial approach where only essential monitoring functions are activated based on specific transport needs. Not all sensor capabilities are continuously engaged; instead, the system activates monitoring at appropriate levels, reducing the effective weight burden while maintaining necessary oversight.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then pet safety is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system operates on periodic cycles rather than continuous transmission. Sensors collect data continuously but transmit information at intervals or when threshold changes are detected. This periodic operation maintains pet safety monitoring while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where transmission is triggered by specific events or threshold exceedances rather than continuous operation. When environmental parameters or location data remain within normal ranges, the system enters low-power mode, activating transmission only when feedback indicates a change requiring notification, thus balancing safety with energy conservation.
Data Source
AI summary
Mesh node modules are associated with pet carriers and companion nodes can dynamically form a mesh network which uploads location information of the nodes and in some cases additional information, e.g., temperature or pet physical parameter signals, to a network. The information may be downloaded to an owner's CE device.