Real-Time Location System Using Pre-Programmed Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional real-time location systems (RTLS) face challenges in accurate positioning due to the need for fixed or precisely determined locating elements, which are time-consuming to set up and can be inaccurate due to obstructions and multipath interference, especially in indoor environments.
Innovation Solution
A real-time location system that decouples the setup process from the tag location finding process by using stationary wireless sensor nodes and portable transceivers, where location markers are programmed with user-friendly names or coordinates, allowing flexible deployment and accurate tracking without requiring precise initial positioning of the system elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional RTLS uses fixed or precisely determined locating elements, then positioning accuracy is improved, but setup time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-programs location markers with unique identifiers and location information before deployment. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site positioning and calibration, as markers are ready to use immediately when placed in the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Portable transceivers automatically determine their own location by reading pre-programmed location markers in the environment, without requiring manual positioning or calibration by operators. The system self-configures as transceivers move through the space.
2Ease of operation
If GPS is used to determine location of portable elements, then positioning is simplified, but accuracy deteriorates in indoor environments with obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces location markers as intermediary reference points between the transceiver and the final position determination. These markers are placed in the indoor environment and provide local reference signals that work reliably without GPS satellite visibility, enabling accurate indoor positioning.
3Measurement precision
If distance measurement between locating elements and tag is used, then location accuracy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the complex distance measurement and triangulation functionality from the location markers themselves, which remain simple pre-programmed reference points. The computational complexity is concentrated in the portable transceiver that carries the processing burden, allowing simple markers to be deployed throughout the environment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A real-time location and tracking system includes location markers programmed with location information of the locations that the location markers are affixed to and a mobile RTLS tracking system to read location information from nearby location markers and a mobile RTLS monitoring and display system. The system is configured to receive signals from the mobile RTLS tracking system that includes a microprocessor and memory that control the functionality of the mobile RTLS monitoring and display system to display status and geo coordinates of the mobile RTLS tracking system.