Preprocessing Component Filters RTLS Location Reports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Real-time location systems (RTLS) face significant database load and size issues due to the large volume of location reports generated, leading to resource exhaustion and the need for frequent data purging, which can be costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system that filters, dilutes, or combines location reports based on predefined or self-learning criteria, such as distance, time, telemetry data, and asset categories, to reduce the data stored and processed, using preprocessing components like application gateways to optimize resource usage and maintain location precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all location reports are stored and processed in a database, then complete location data is available for analysis, but database size and load increase rapidly leading to resource exhaustion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential and changing location data from complete location reports, storing only necessary information in the database while discarding redundant data points that do not contribute to location tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different data retention strategies to different types of location data, storing detailed location information when assets move between zones while using summarized or aggregated data for stationary periods, optimizing database storage based on local data characteristics
2Reliability
If location reports are stored frequently and extensively, then accurate location history is maintained, but system performance degrades and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only critical location events (zone transitions, significant position changes) from continuous location reports, maintaining accurate location history for these events while excluding redundant reports that do not impact location accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial data processing by handling only the necessary subset of location reports that impact location accuracy, rather than processing all reports, thereby maintaining reliability while improving system performance
3Loss of information
If complete location data is stored for long periods, then historical analysis capability is enhanced, but storage costs and backup requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and retains only the essential historical location information needed for business analysis, such as zone transition patterns and asset movement trends, while discarding redundant detailed position data that does not contribute to historical insights
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by not storing complete location data and then querying it, but rather storing pre-processed, aggregated location insights that directly answer historical analysis questions, reducing storage requirements while maintaining analytical capability
Data Source
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AI summary
A location system and method operable to locate mobile units has a mobile unit operable to transmit wireless signals. A wireless network is used to receive the wireless signals and to report data used to estimate the location of the mobile unit. A location server is used to process the data reported by the wireless network. The location server generates a plurality of location reports for the mobile unit. A preprocessing component is operable to communicate with the location server. The location reports generated by the location server are transferred to the preprocessing component. A location application is operable to communicate with the preprocessing component, and interfaced to a database operable to store data records related to the mobile unit. The preprocessing component processes the location report and stores the data records only if the data in the data records meets a specified criteria.