RF Beacon Signal for Misplaced Device Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable user devices such as tablets and smartphones are often misplaced due to their compact size, and existing methods for recovery are hindered by battery shutdowns intended to protect the battery, which can lead to difficulty in locating them when they are most needed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a radio frequency (RF) circuit that continues to transmit a beacon signal using residual battery power even after other resources have shut down, allowing for location through identification and estimation of range, with adjustable transmission rates based on battery voltage and acknowledgment signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery shutdown threshold is set to protect the battery, then battery damage is prevented, but the device becomes undetectable when most needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device resources into two categories: critical resources (RF circuit) that continue operating below the shutdown threshold, and non-critical resources that are shut down. This segmentation allows the device to remain detectable through beacon transmission while protecting the battery from damage by limiting power consumption of non-essential components.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF circuit serves itself by continuing to transmit beacons using residual power even after the main battery shutdown threshold is reached. The circuit monitors its own power consumption and adjusts operation to remain functional within the residual power available, enabling self-detection and location without requiring full device operation.
2Ease of operation
If all resources continue operating to maintain device functionality, then device operation is preserved, but battery is damaged due to excessive discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allowing only the essential RF beacon transmission function to continue operating below the battery shutdown threshold, while shutting down all other non-essential resources. This partial operation preserves the core location functionality without excessive power consumption that would damage the battery.
3Reliability
If the beacon transmits continuously to improve location accuracy, then detection reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RF circuit transmits beacons periodically at intervals rather than continuously, allowing the circuit to remain operational within residual power constraints. The periodic transmission schedule balances detection reliability with energy conservation, enabling the beacon to be detected when needed while limiting total power consumption to levels safe for residual battery 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 effective recovery of misplaced devices by providing location information even when batteries are low, reducing energy consumption and protecting the battery from damage, thus facilitating timely retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
an RF circuit (116) configured to send a beacon signal (112) using residual power
Data Source
AI summary
A misplaced user device deactivates processors and other resources so as to conserve residual battery power, while a radio frequency (RF) circuit remains active. The RF circuit transmits a beacon signal at time intervals to aid a user in locating and recovery of the misplaced user device by way of another user device operating in search mode. Information regarding the identity or other characteristics of the misplaced user device may be encoded in the beacon signal to assist in the search. The misplaced user device may modify the beacon signaling RF power, time intervals, information, or other parameters in response to an acknowledgement signal received from the searching user device.