Smartphone-Based Target Position Estimation Without Dedicated Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for tracking targets require extensive infrastructure and resources, including dedicated detectors and RFID tags, which are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method using a plurality of smartphones capable of communicating over a limited wireless range to estimate a target's position by transmitting a unique identification signal and storing location data, allowing for location estimation without the need for extensive infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated infrastructure with detectors and RFID tags is built to track a target, then the target can be detected and tracked, but the system requires a lot of resources and is costly to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using smartphones, which are universal devices already present in society, to perform tracking functions. Instead of deploying dedicated tracking infrastructure, the system leverages the ubiquitous presence of smartphones with their built-in wireless communication and localization capabilities to create a distributed tracking network, thereby eliminating the need for specialized detectors and RFID infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a copy of the target's identification signal (MAC address) that is broadcast by the target device itself. Rather than requiring active detectors to sense the target, the system copies the target's own wireless signal characteristics and uses these copies to identify and track the target's location through passive reception by smartphones in the vicinity.
2Measurement precision
If RFID tags and tracking processors are used to detect the target, then the target can be identified, but the system requires a lot of resources and is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The target device performs self-identification by broadcasting its own MAC address through its wireless interface. The tracking system does not require external active detectors or RFID readers; instead, it uses the target's self-service signal transmission combined with passive reception by smartphones to achieve accurate identification and location tracking, thereby reducing the number of tracking components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces smartphones as intermediary devices that mediate between the target and the tracking system. The smartphones receive the target's wireless signal, determine their own locations using built-in localization systems, and relay this information to a central server. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for dedicated tracking processors and RFID infrastructure while maintaining accurate target identification.
3Measurement precision
If a GPS system is installed on the target to determine location, then precise location data can be obtained, but the target requires additional power consumption and hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional tracking approach by not installing GPS or active localization hardware on the target. Instead, it uses the target's existing wireless communication capability to transmit its location information passively. The smartphones, which have their own localization systems, perform the location determination and relay this data back, effectively inverting who performs the energy-intensive location measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
Smartphones serve as intermediaries that perform the energy-consuming location estimation using their built-in GPS or Wi-Fi-based localization systems. The target device only needs to transmit its identification signal passively, consuming minimal energy. The smartphones, which are powered by their own batteries, perform the location determination and communicate this information to the tracking server, thereby eliminating the need for power-intensive GPS hardware on the target.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for estimating a position of a target using a plurality of smartphones, each smartphone being capable of communicating with the target over a limited wireless range, the method comprising providing a target transmitting a wireless signal having a corresponding identification for uniquely identifying the target; providing the corresponding identification of the target to track to a group of smartphones; each smartphone of the group of smartphones being capable of receiving the signal transmitted if the target is in its vicinity and storing the corresponding identification of the target with a time stamp and an indication of a corresponding location of the smartphone and obtaining each of the stored corresponding identifications of the target with a time stamp and an indication of a corresponding location of the smartphone to thereby estimate a position of the target.