Plug-and-play radio module for separate channel location tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems for location tracking, such as RTLS, often rely on cellular or Wi-Fi channels, which may be restricted or unavailable, limiting the ability to track locations in real-time without latency.

Innovation Solution

A plug-and-play radio module that provides a separate radio communication channel, distinct from device-specific channels like Wi-Fi or cellular, allowing a portable device to communicate with a location system, enabling real-time location tracking without utilizing cellular capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cellular or Wi-Fi channels are used for location tracking, then communication can be established using existing device capabilities, but the communication may be restricted or unavailable limiting real-time tracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking availabilityVSAvoidcommunication channel flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A separate radio communication channel acts as an intermediary between the portable device and location system, enabling communication when traditional cellular or Wi-Fi channels are restricted or unavailable. This intermediary channel ensures continuous location tracking capability independent of conventional communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a separate radio communication channel is provided, then enhanced security and performance are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidradio module configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into separate functional components: existing device-specific communication channels for general purposes, and a dedicated separate radio communication channel for location tracking. This segmentation allows the location tracking function to operate independently with enhanced security without compromising the simplicity of the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If traditional communication channels are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but location tracking latency increases when channels are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking speedVSAvoidtracking latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The separate radio communication channel is pre-configured and made available before location tracking is needed. This preliminary preparation ensures that when location tracking is required, the system can immediately utilize the dedicated channel without experiencing latency associated with channel availability issues or restrictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8884755B2Plug-and-play radio module for communicating on a separate radio channel

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A system and methods for communicating with a location system are disclosed. An electronic communication device is provided to a user that performs a communication through a device specific communication channel. A separate radio communication channel that is different from the device specific communication channel is provided. Location information is received at the electronic communication device from a location system through the separate radio communication channel. The location information is viewed on the electronic communication device.