Sensor Network Location Detection via Transaction Merging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current location determination methods in sensor networks incur high computational costs due to active location determination techniques, which are less desirable as they drain battery power and fail to capture location data from non-connected devices or visitors without cellular devices.

Innovation Solution

A distributed sensor network method where connected sensors with accurate location data detect and exchange transaction data with mobile sensors, merging and transmitting this data to a current state database for location determination, utilizing blockchain technology to maintain a synchronized transaction record across the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If active location determination techniques are used, then location data can be determined and transmitted, but computational cost increases and battery power is drained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation data accuracyVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables passive sensors to contribute location data automatically without requiring active participation from tracked objects. Objects are located through the natural movement and data collection of passive sensors in the environment, eliminating the need for energy-consuming active location determination on tracked devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having tracked objects actively determine and transmit their own location data (conventional approach), the system inverts the approach by having passive sensors collect and generate location data about objects as they move through the sensor network. The location information is derived from the sensor's perspective rather than the object's perspective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Loss of information

If active location determination requires connected sensors and applications, then location data can be captured, but location data from non-connected devices or visitors without cellular devices cannot be captured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation data coverageVSAvoidcompatibility with non-connected devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a universal location detection mechanism that works for all objects regardless of their connectivity status. Passive sensors in the environment serve multiple functions: they detect both connected and non-connected objects, and their data can be used to determine locations of any object that enters their detection range, making the system adaptable to diverse device types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Passive sensors act as intermediaries between the environment and the location determination system. These sensors capture information about objects in the environment and relay this data through the network, enabling location determination for objects that cannot directly communicate with the network, thus bridging the gap between connected and non-connected devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If continuous location calculation is performed by each node, then location data can be determined, but significant computational costs are required on devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation determination speedVSAvoidcomputational requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the computational burden of location determination from individual tracked devices and concentrates it in the passive sensors and central system. Passive sensors perform the calculation work using their own position data and detected object information, while tracked objects simply need to be detected, significantly reducing computational requirements on mobile devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical/computational approach of active location determination on tracked devices with a sensor-based detection approach. Instead of devices calculating their positions through complex algorithms, passive sensors detect objects and the system determines locations based on sensor data, substituting computational mechanics with sensor-based detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9351124B1Location detection and communication through latent dynamic network interactions

Publication Date: 2016.05.24 COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP

AI summary

A method is performed by a first connected sensor having accurate location data and includes detecting an identifying signal of a second sensor in proximity to the first sensor. The method includes electronically transmitting to the second sensor a set of one or more electronic transactions locally stored at the first sensor and electronically receiving from the identified second sensor a set of one or more electronic transactions locally stored at the second sensor, wherein at least one of the first and second sets of electronic transactions comprises transaction data with one or more objects of interests. The method includes merging the two sets of electronic transactions into an updated set of electronic transactions and transmitting the updated set of electronic transactions to a current state database, wherein the updated transactions may be accessed by a location server to determine the location of the one or more objects of interest.