Remote Control Location via Signal Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote control devices often go missing within a home and existing systems fail to efficiently locate them when out of range of networked devices, leading to user frustration and wasted time.
Innovation Solution
A system of communicatively coupled networked devices that search for and triangulate the location of a remote control device by sending commands and measuring signal strength across multiple rooms, using wireless and wired networks, and instructing the device to generate an audible signal for user guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single networked device sends a command to locate the remote control device, then the device can generate an audible signal when in range, but the remote control device cannot be located if it is out of range of that networked device
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the home into multiple zones, each monitored by a different networked device. Instead of relying on a single networked device to detect the remote control, multiple networked devices segment the detection task, with each device responsible for its own coverage area. This segmentation enables comprehensive coverage of the entire home while maintaining reliable detection within each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the detection capabilities of multiple networked devices into a unified location determination process. By combining signals and data from multiple networked devices, the system achieves both extended search range coverage and reliable location detection, resolving the contradiction between single-device reliability and multi-device versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple networked devices are used to search for the remote control device, then the search range is expanded, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized controller or cloud platform acts as an intermediary that coordinates the multiple networked devices. This intermediary manages the complex communication and data processing between devices, allowing them to work together as a unified system without requiring complex peer-to-peer coordination. The intermediary handles task distribution, data aggregation, and result synthesis, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where each networked device reports its detection status and signal strength to the centralized controller. This feedback loop enables the system to dynamically adjust the search strategy, identify the device with the strongest signal, and determine the remote control's location efficiently, reducing the complexity of coordinating multiple devices.
3Ease of operation
If the remote control device is instructed to generate an audible signal, then the user can locate it, but the command cannot be received if the remote control device is out of range
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using passive signal monitoring before attempting to deliver the locate command. By first detecting the remote control's presence and approximate location through outbound signals from multiple networked devices, the system ensures the device is within range before instructing it to generate an audible signal, guaranteeing command delivery reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
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 users to efficiently locate remote control devices from a single location, saving time and reducing aggravation by expanding the search range and using signal strength triangulation to determine the device's position, even when it is out of range of initial networked devices.
Implementation Method 1
each having a communications circuit configured to transmit a return signal to the networked device
Implementation Method 2
determine, based on the strength of the return signal received from the remote control device, which of the networked devices is nearest to the remote control device
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a networked device is programmed to transmit, to one or more second networked devices, a request to locate a remote control device of the networked device. Based on the responses to the request, the networked device is further programmed to provide an indication via a user interface of the networked device concerning a location of the remote control device.