Solar-Aware Geofence Tracking With Adaptive Indoor-Outdoor Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current geo-fence services for location tracking devices, particularly for elderly individuals with dementia and pets, face challenges due to high communication costs, limited battery life, and restricted coverage, necessitating a low-power consumption solution that adapts to indoor and outdoor environments.
Innovation Solution
A location tracking device equipped with a solar charging module and energy harvesting capabilities, which dynamically selects communication modules based on indoor or outdoor conditions, using LPWAN for outdoor and UWB for emergency situations, to optimize power usage and extend service duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile communication network, Bluetooth, or WIFI communication is used for geo-fence service, then location tracking functionality is achieved, but service cost increases and battery capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different communication modules (GPS, BLE, UWB, LPWAN) based on environmental conditions detected by the solar charging module. When outdoor and solar charging is active, GPS with LPWAN is used; when indoor or solar charging is inactive, BLE or UWB is selected. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing energy consumption according to real-time conditions while maintaining location tracking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the communication system by selecting different modules based on solar charging status and indoor/outdoor detection. The system transitions between high-power GPS and low-power BLE/UWB modes, and between bidirectional UWB and unidirectional LPWAN communication, thereby adjusting energy consumption parameters to match available energy from solar charging while maintaining service reliability.
2Measurement precision
If GPS module is used for outdoor location tracking, then accurate location data is obtained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between GPS and alternative location tracking methods based on solar charging status. When solar charging is active (indicating outdoor presence), GPS is used for accurate location tracking. When solar charging is inactive (indicating indoor presence), the system switches to BLE or UWB-based location tracking, which consumes less power. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and power consumption.
3Reliability
If UWB module is used for emergency situation communication, then bidirectional communication capability is achieved, but power consumption increases compared to LPWAN
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different communication qualities to different situations: LPWAN with broadcasting communication is used for normal operation to minimize power consumption, while UWB with bidirectional communication is activated locally only when emergency situations are detected. This localized application of high-power bidirectional communication only when necessary resolves the contradiction between emergency communication reliability and overall power consumption.
4Duration of action of moving object
If solar charging module is used for self-power generation, then power supply is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar charging module serves multiple functions: it generates power to extend service duration, it detects indoor/outdoor environments based on charging status, and it triggers appropriate communication module selection. By making the solar charging module a multi-functional component that participates in power generation, environment detection, and communication decision-making, the invention reduces overall device complexity despite adding the solar module.
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
The solution enhances power supply through self-generated energy, reduces power consumption by adaptively selecting tracking modules, and provides a flexible battery configuration, enabling extended geo-fence service with reduced costs and increased coverage.
Implementation Method 1
a solar charging module and an energy harvest module for self-power generation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and device of location tracking for providing low power consuming geo-fence service by using an indoor/outdoor location information based on solar charging module estimation. In detail, the present invention relates to the method and device of location tracking for providing the low-power consuming geo-fence service by selecting a location tracking module based on the indoor/outdoor information decided by operation of the solar charging module.