Radio Wave Mode Target Detection for Precise Indoor Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing target detection and tracking systems are imprecise in determining movement and position within monitored areas, costly, require active devices or tags, and are inflexible to environmental changes.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing electromagnetic signals with variable wave modes transmitted and received by multiple antennas, processing electromagnetic signal characteristics to determine target position and movement with high precision, without requiring active devices or tags, and adaptable to dynamic environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sensors are deployed to improve target detection capability, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget detection reliabilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensor types (acoustic, video, infrared, radar, LIDAR) into a single integrated sensor unit that captures multiple data modalities simultaneously. This merging approach improves detection reliability through multi-modal fusion while avoiding the complexity of coordinating multiple separate sensor systems, as all sensors are co-located and synchronized within one unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor unit is designed as a universal platform capable of performing multiple detection functions across different modalities (acoustic detection, visual recording, thermal sensing, radar detection). This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized sensor systems into a single versatile unit, improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If sensor coverage area is increased to monitor larger regions, then monitoring capability is improved, but sensor resolution and detection precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring area coverageVSAvoidtarget detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system divides the large monitoring area into multiple overlapping fields of view from different sensor types and multiple sensor units. Each sensor captures data from its specific zone with high precision, and the system segments the overall monitoring task across multiple sensor perspectives, allowing both broad coverage and detailed precision through spatial segmentation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar monitoring to three-dimensional volumetric monitoring by incorporating sensors at different heights and orientations (including aerial drones and ground-based sensors). This dimensional expansion allows the system to cover larger areas while maintaining precision through vertical layering and multi-angle observation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If data processing complexity is increased to improve target identification accuracy, then detection precision is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget identification accuracyVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data processing and feature extraction at the sensor level before data leaves the sensor unit. Basic filtering, noise reduction, and feature detection are executed locally in real-time, preprocessing the data to reduce its complexity before transmission to central processing systems. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden on central systems while maintaining identification accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate processing layers including edge computing devices and distributed processing nodes that act as mediators between sensors and central processing systems. These intermediaries perform partial data analysis and filtering, reducing the volume and complexity of data requiring full processing while preserving critical information needed for accurate target identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3921817B1System and method for detecting one or more targets located within a monitoring area
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 RAMPA VITTORIO
  • EP3921817B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3921817B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3921817B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~6

AI summary

The invention is a system for detecting one or more targets (T) positioned within a monitored area (A), comprising: at least one pair of devices (2), each of which is provided with one or more radio modules (3) having at least one antenna (5) designed to transmit/receive an electromagnetic signal (S); at least one electronic processing unit (4) provided with a first electronic portion (4') associated with one or more radio modules (3) and suited to process the information associated with the electromagnetic signal (S) in such a way as to extract data related to the status of the transmission channel (C), and with a second electronic portion (4") operatively connected to the first portion (4') and suited to process the information associated with the status of the transmission channel (C) in such a way as to obtain data related to the movement and the instantaneous position of the target (T) within the monitored area (A). The electronic processing unit (4) is configured to selectively send a control signal (sc) to at least one radio module (3), wherein said control signal (sc) promotes the variation of the parameters (P) associated with the radio modules (3) to promote the selective emission and/or reception by the same of an electromagnetic signal (S) corresponding to a given wave mode (vx). The invention concerns also a method for detecting one or more targets (T) within a monitored area (A).