Real-Time Location System Using Segmented Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional real-time locating systems (RTLS) struggle to accurately and efficiently locate a large number of portable devices in proximity to a vehicle or object, often leading to incorrect localization, poor response times, or failure to scale beyond a few devices.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize multiple controller devices and sensor devices to communicate with portable devices via different communication channels, allowing simultaneous communication and obtaining sensed characteristics to determine location information for multiple devices, including up to 40 or more devices, within a mass transit system or other environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional RTLS uses a single transceiver to locate devices, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot scale to support a significant number of devices (more than 10 devices)
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the locating function into multiple independent controller devices, each capable of communicating with multiple portable devices. This segmentation allows the system to scale by adding more controller devices rather than increasing the complexity of a single controller, enabling support for 40 or more devices while maintaining manageable system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Each controller device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can communicate with multiple portable devices simultaneously, process location data, and coordinate with other controllers. This multi-functionality at the controller level enables the system to handle large numbers of devices without requiring specialized hardware for each device type.
2Measurement precision
If a conventional RTLS focuses on high accuracy and fast response time for devices in proximity, then location precision is improved, but the system fails to scale beyond a handful of devices
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the locating system into multiple controllers, each responsible for tracking a subset of devices, the system maintains high location accuracy for individual devices while scaling to support 40 or more devices overall. Each controller can provide precise location data for its assigned devices without being overwhelmed by the entire device population.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a hierarchical dimension by organizing controllers into a network that can coordinate with each other. This allows the system to scale vertically by adding more controllers rather than horizontally increasing the complexity of individual controllers, maintaining both precision and scalability.
3Productivity
If a conventional RTLS uses a single communication channel, then the communication system is simple, but simultaneous communications cannot occur leading to incorrect localization and poor response time
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into multiple communication channels distributed across different controllers. This allows simultaneous communications with multiple portable devices through different channels, improving response time while keeping each individual channel simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses more communication channels than a single channel would provide, allowing parallel communications with multiple devices simultaneously. This excessive action in terms of channel quantity enables the system to handle 40 or more devices with fast response times without creating incorrect localization results.
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 accurate and efficient location determination of multiple portable devices in high-density environments, such as mass transit systems, with features like user authentication without an internet connection and background operation, maintaining responsiveness and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a transceiver or master controller located within a vehicle and capable of communicating via radio frequency (RF) with a portable device
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to determine location information with respect to a plurality of portable devices, with potentially a large number of portable devices such as 40 or more portable devices in proximity to the system. The system may connect to and locate each of the plurality of portable devices in proximity to the system. The location information may be determined with respect to an object, such as a vehicle or building, and optionally within a larger system of objects, such as a mass transit system.