Portable Object Detection via Cluster Head Mutual Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current anti-loss and anti-theft technologies for smartphones and portable items are inadequate, particularly in situations where immediate action is needed, as they require access to another device for tracking and often result in delayed responses due to power consumption issues and limited communication ranges.

Innovation Solution

A network monitoring system that forms clusters of devices and items, using a smartphone as a cluster head to manage and monitor small communication devices attached to portable items, adjusting transmission power based on location, mobility, and power capacity to enable real-time detection and extended search capabilities with low power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If monitoring is performed with a short detection interval to detect loss or theft quickly, then detection speed is improved, but power consumption increases and device battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic monitoring with adjustable intervals instead of continuous monitoring. The monitoring interval can be dynamically adjusted based on power availability and risk levels, allowing the system to achieve timely detection while conserving battery power through scheduled wake-up and sleep cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring interval is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system can adaptively adjust the detection interval based on current power capacity, historical patterns, and risk assessment, enabling faster detection when power is abundant and slower monitoring when power is constrained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If mutual monitoring is implemented among multiple devices to expand search space, then detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases due to more communication paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network is segmented into clusters with designated cluster head devices. Each cluster manages its own members independently, reducing the number of direct communication paths needed. This hierarchical structure allows expanded search capability while limiting power consumption by localizing communication within clusters rather than requiring all-to-all device communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cluster head devices act as intermediaries between member devices and the external network. The cluster heads aggregate information and coordinate communication, reducing the total number of communication paths required. This mediator approach enables multi-device monitoring while constraining power consumption by funneling communications through selected intermediate nodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Length of stationary object

If transmission power is increased to extend communication range, then communication range is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication rangeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Transmission power is adjusted locally based on specific communication needs rather than using a fixed high power level. The system dynamically sets transmission power according to distance, environmental conditions, and data priority, achieving sufficient communication range only when and where needed while conserving power during normal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10438467B2Portable object detection systems and methods for mutual monitoring based on cooperation in a network including devices with asymmetric and constrained power capacities

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 CHOE MYONGSU

AI summary

This disclosure provides a portable object detection system and method. The system includes a first cluster network, a family cluster network, and a detection server. The first cluster network includes a portable object coupled with a small communication device (SCD), a first cluster head device (first CHD) including a smartphone that registers the SCD prior to monitoring, and performs mutual monitoring between the SCD and the first CHD. The detection server manages the first CHD and a second CHD, and when the detection server receives a loss event from the first CHD in the first cluster network, it requests a mutual search by the second CHD for the SCD as a lost target in the first cluster network.The mutual monitoring in a first cluster network adjusts a message transmission interval and a radio transmission power depending on collected parameters such as the SCD's location information, mobility, power capacity, and others.