Smartphone Object Tracking via Wi-Fi Access Point Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing object location and tracking technologies, such as GPS and RFID, are limited in bounded spaces without clear satellite access and require costly installations of fixed readers, making them inefficient for tracking individuals or objects within enclosed areas like hotels, stadiums, or cruise ships.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a smartphone's wireless communications link with a remote wireless access point to receive a short-range wireless signal, extract an object identifier, and transmit it to a host server, which correlates the identifier with the access point's location, allowing for object tracking without the need for fixed RFID or Bluetooth readers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS technology is used for object tracking, then location accuracy is improved, but it cannot function in bounded spaces without satellite access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidapplicability in bounded spaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses wireless access points as intermediary devices to enable location tracking in bounded spaces. Instead of directly using GPS satellites, the system mediates location determination through Wi-Fi access points that are deployed within the bounded space, allowing objects to be tracked indirectly via their connection to these access points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic system with a Wi-Fi based electromagnetic system for location tracking. By substituting the GPS infrastructure with Wi-Fi access points, the system achieves location tracking functionality in environments where GPS satellites are not accessible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If RFID technology is used for object tracking in bounded spaces, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase due to required fixed readers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability in bounded spacesVSAvoidinstallation of fixed readers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes wireless access points serve multiple functions: their original function for network connectivity plus an additional function for location tracking. By enabling access points to perform both networking and tracking duties, the system eliminates the need for separate RFID readers, reducing overall device complexity and installation costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the location tracking functionality with the existing Wi-Fi access point infrastructure. Instead of deploying separate tracking devices, the system combines object identification and location determination functions with the access points that are already present for network purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If Bluetooth readers are deployed for object tracking, then tracking capability is improved, but installation cost increases due to centralized controller requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables smartphones to perform self-service location reporting by automatically detecting connected Wi-Fi access points and transmitting their own location data. This eliminates the need for centralized Bluetooth controllers to actively query and track objects, as the tracking-capable devices themselves perform the reporting function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having fixed readers actively scan for and track objects (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by having mobile objects passively report their locations through their connections to known access points. The tracking function shifts from the infrastructure to the mobile devices themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10645536B1Object location and tracking

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for object location and tracking. A method for object location and tracking within a bounded space includes establishing a wireless communications link between a wireless network adapter disposed within a smartphone and a wireless access point positioned remotely from the smartphone, and receiving thereafter, an identity of the wireless access point. Thereafter, a short-range wireless signal is received in the smartphone by a short-range wireless receiver disposed within the smartphone separately from the wireless network adapter, and an identifier of an object is extracted therefrom. Finally, a message is generated that combines the identity of the wireless access point and the identifier of the object and the message is transmitted through the wireless communications link to a host server coupled both to the wireless access point and also several other wireless access points over a computer communications network.