Portable Device Drop Detection Using UWB and IMU Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to efficiently monitor and manage impact events on portable devices used in interactive environments, leading to potential damage and suboptimal guest experiences.

Innovation Solution

An impact detection system utilizing ultra-wideband (UWB) tags and inertial measurement units (IMUs) to track the position, orientation, and acceleration of portable devices, comparing these data against a mapped environment to identify and categorize impact events, and generate impact profiles for maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing systems are used to monitor portable devices, then device tracking is provided, but impact events are not detected leading to potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice integrityVSAvoidimpact event detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary impact detection system that includes impact detectors mounted on environmental surfaces (floors, walls, ceilings) rather than directly on the portable devices. These detectors serve as mediators that sense impact events when devices collide with surfaces, translating physical impact into detectable signals without requiring direct attachment to the monitored objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical impact sensors on devices with an environmental sensing network that uses acoustic, vibrational, or force sensors mounted on surfaces. This substitution transforms the detection mechanism from device-centric mechanical sensing to environment-centric physical field sensing, enabling indirect but effective impact detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If no impact monitoring system is implemented, then system complexity is low, but device damage occurs leading to poor guest experiences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operational statusVSAvoidmonitoring system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The impact detectors mounted on environmental surfaces serve multiple functions: they detect impacts from any portable device in the venue, provide location information, and can potentially detect other environmental events. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated sensors on each device and simplifies the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects impact events, determines device locations, and generates notifications without requiring manual intervention. The environmental detectors continuously monitor and self-report impact events, enabling automated device protection and maintenance scheduling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If impact detection is added to existing tracking systems, then impact events are identified, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact event identificationVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the monitoring function into separate components: environmental impact detectors mounted on surfaces, central processing systems that analyze detector signals, and notification systems that alert appropriate personnel. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the integration of impact detection with existing tracking infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Effectively monitors and manages impact events on portable devices, ensuring they are not damaged, maintaining operational integrity and enhancing guest experiences by facilitating timely maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

inertial measurement units (IMUs) to track the position, orientation, and acceleration of portable devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial measurement: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

An impact detection system utilizing ultra-wideband (UWB) tags and inertial measurement units (IMUs) to track the position, orientation, and acceleration of portable devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltra-wideband electromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250216534A1Systems and methods for drop detection of portable devices

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC

AI summary

An impact detection system includes processing circuitry with one or more processors. The impact detection system also includes memory storing instructions, that when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to process positioning data to determine a position of a portable device within an interactive environment, compare the position of the portable device to a location of a boundary within the interactive environment, identify an occurrence of an impact event based on the position of the portable device and the location of the boundary, and update an impact profile for the portable device based on the occurrence of the impact event.