Radio Badge Power Reduction via Pedometer Velocity Estimation

The patent implements dynamic sampling rate adjustment based on real-time velocity estimation. The radio badge continuously estimates its velocity using pedometer data and footstep detection algorithms. When velocity exceeds a threshold indicating the user is walking or running, the sampling rate increases to maintain positional accuracy. When velocity is low indicating the user is stationary, the sampling rate decreases to conserve energy. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making sampling rate flexible rather than fixed.

The patent changes the sampling rate parameter based on detected movement states. The system monitors footstep patterns and velocity estimates to determine when to transition between sampling modes. By changing this critical parameter dynamically, the system achieves high positional accuracy only when necessary (during movement) while consuming minimal energy during stationary periods, thus resolving the trade-off between accuracy and energy consumption.

The system dynamically adjusts sampling rate based on movement detection. During stationary periods where positional accuracy requirements are lower, the sampling rate is reduced significantly to improve energy efficiency. When movement is detected through pedometer data and velocity estimation, the system automatically increases sampling rate to maintain accuracy. This dynamic behavior ensures energy efficiency is optimized without permanently sacrificing positional accuracy when needed.

The sampling rate parameter is changed based on movement state detection. The system uses footstep count analysis and velocity estimation to determine appropriate sampling intervals. During low-activity periods, longer intervals between samples reduce energy consumption. During high-activity periods, shorter intervals maintain accuracy. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching sampling intensity to actual positional accuracy requirements.

The patent implements periodic signal emission with variable intervals based on movement state. Instead of continuous transmission, the radio badge emits signals at regular intervals that are dynamically adjusted according to detected activity levels. During stationary periods, emission intervals are extended to reduce power consumption while maintaining sufficient localization reliability. During movement, intervals are shortened to ensure continuous reliable tracking. This periodic action with adaptive timing resolves the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.

The signal emission pattern is made dynamic based on real-time velocity estimation and footstep detection. The system transitions between different emission modes depending on whether the user is stationary or moving. This dynamic control of transmission timing ensures localization reliability is maintained during critical movement periods while minimizing power consumption during stationary periods when frequent updates are less critical.

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach by using pedometer footstep detection as a mediator between position estimation and velocity calculation. Instead of directly differentiating position data (which amplifies errors), the system uses footstep count and timing as an intermediary to estimate velocity. This intermediary measurement provides more accurate velocity data during movement while keeping the system relatively simple by leveraging existing pedometer hardware and established footstep detection algorithms.

The patent substitutes the mathematical differentiation approach (mechanical calculation from position data) with a sensor-based measurement approach using the pedometer. Instead of computing velocity by taking derivatives of position estimates (which is sensitive to noise and errors), the system uses direct acceleration and motion detection from the pedometer sensor. This substitution provides more accurate velocity measurements while maintaining practical system complexity through use of standard sensor components.