Relay Communication System for Outdoor Groups
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems for outdoor activity groups, such as mountaineering and cycling teams, face challenges in maintaining contact over long distances without internet access, leading to difficulties in locating missing members and inefficient rescue operations due to limited signal range and lack of positioning capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An interconnected system and device that uses RF signals in a public open frequency band with relay transmission, where each member acts as a relay station, transmitting data packets including positioning information to extend communication distance and improve safety by enabling real-time tracking and management of team members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional communication devices (mobile phones, walkie talkies) are used for outdoor activity groups, then basic communication function is provided, but communication distance is limited and positioning capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the communication task across multiple portable nodes (team members' devices), where each node acts as both an endpoint and a relay station. This distributed segmentation enables the communication network to extend beyond the range of any single device, solving the limited communication distance problem while maintaining reliable connectivity throughout the group.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate relay nodes (other team members' portable devices) that mediate signal transmission between distant team members. These intermediary devices receive, regenerate, and forward RF signals, effectively extending the communication range without requiring direct line-of-sight or external infrastructure, thus improving reliability over long distances.
2Reliability
If topological network with loop structure is formed using members' communication devices, then connection status monitoring is improved, but equipment cost, weight, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device performs multiple functions: it serves as both a communication endpoint for the team member and a relay station for extending the network. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated relay equipment, reducing overall device complexity and cost while maintaining reliable connection status monitoring through the topological network structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Team members' own portable devices are utilized to provide relay services for the group, rather than requiring external or specialized equipment. Each device automatically participates in signal relaying and network maintenance, making the system self-sufficient and reducing the need for additional complex infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication module (WIFI or Bluetooth) is used for independent topological network, then short-range communication is achieved, but maximum connection distance is limited to hundreds of meters
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action by having multiple relay nodes continuously receive and forward signals along the communication path. This continuous relay chain extends the effective communication distance far beyond the hundreds of meters limit of single-hop WIFI or Bluetooth, while the automatic network formation maintains ease of operation without manual configuration.
4Length of moving object
If relay transmission mode is adopted where each member acts as relay station, then communication distance is extended, but signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses simple, low-cost portable devices with basic RF transmission and reception capabilities as relay nodes. Each device performs straightforward signal forwarding without complex processing, keeping individual device complexity low. The collective network achieves long-distance communication through the cumulative effect of multiple simple relays rather than through complex processing at each node.
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
The system allows for unlimited extension of communication distance, facilitating efficient emergency response and rescue operations by providing accurate location information even in harsh environments without internet access, thereby enhancing the safety of outdoor activities.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a radio-frequency signal by a public open frequency band
Implementation Method 2
a positioning module capable of generating a positioning information of the interconnected device
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an interconnected system and an interconnected device for an outdoor activity group that are capable of transmitting RF signals by a public open frequency band and transmitting a data packet in a relay manner without requiring the internet and external communication devices. The data packet includes the positioning information of a machine and each interconnected device, and each member of the outdoor activity group acts as a relay station to unlimitedly extend the communication distance of the whole group in a relay manner, so as to overcome the problem of losing contact caused by a long distance and a failed receipt of signals, and the interconnected system and device can improve the safety of outdoor activities.