Relative Position Tracking for Wireless Devices Across Large Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID tag systems struggle to manage position information over large areas without increasing cost, as GPS-based methods are unsuitable for indoor use and require additional components, leading to higher costs.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus that detects wireless devices using a moving body, calculates relative positions based on movement, and associates identification information to manage position information over large areas without additional power sources or fixed infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If GPS-based position detection is used for RFID readers, then position information can be obtained over large areas, but the cost increases due to additional GPS reception circuits and it becomes unsuitable for indoor use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that centralizes the position calculation function. Instead of equipping each RFID reader with complex GPS reception circuits, the server performs position calculations based on detection data from multiple readers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining large-area coverage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic positioning system with a ground-based wireless signal triangulation system. By using wireless signal strength measurements from multiple RFID readers to calculate positions via server-side processing, the system eliminates the need for GPS reception circuits while achieving position detection functionality
2Measurement precision
If RFID readers are deployed over large areas to detect all RFID tags, then complete position information can be obtained, but the cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large detection area into multiple zones, each covered by individual RFID readers. The server integrates detection data from these segmented zones to reconstruct complete position information, thereby maintaining measurement precision while avoiding the need for a uniformly dense reader deployment that would increase system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The server collects detection data from multiple RFID readers and uses feedback algorithms to calculate relative positions of RFID tags. This feedback mechanism allows the system to achieve accurate position information by iteratively processing detection data from distributed readers without requiring excessive reader deployment
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
Enables cost-effective management of position information for RFID tags over large areas, both indoors and outdoors, by using relative positioning and simple installation methods, allowing easy deployment and accurate tracking of tagged items.
Implementation Method 1
The RFID tags receive electric waves (electromagnetic waves) emitted from an antenna of an RFID reader and operate using power generated by the received electric waves (electromagnetic waves)
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus detects a wireless device and calculates a relative position of the detected wireless device with respect to a reference wireless device to be a reference in identifying a position based on a movement amount of the communication apparatus from when the reference wireless device is detected by the communication apparatus. The communication apparatus associates the calculated relative position, identification information about the detected wireless device, and identification information about the reference wireless device.