Terminal Device Position Measurement Using Wireless Tag and Base Stations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional position measurement techniques cannot accurately measure the positional relationship between a host terminal and a wireless tag, limiting their effectiveness in various applications such as animal observation and collision avoidance.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device equipped with a between-base-station-distance measurement unit, a host terminal position specifying unit, and a tag position specifying unit, which measures distances from base stations to both the host terminal and the wireless tag, allowing for the determination of their positional relationship without GPS, and optionally includes a photographing unit and estimator for confirming successful image capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional position measurement techniques are used, then the position of the host terminal can be measured, but the positional relationship between the host terminal and the wireless tag cannot be obtained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition measurement accuracyVSAvoidpositional relationship information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces base stations as intermediary devices that receive wireless signals from both the host terminal and the wireless tag. By measuring distances between base stations and these devices, the system can calculate the positional relationship between the host terminal and wireless tag without requiring direct communication between them. The base stations act as mediators that enable indirect position measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from direct position measurement to indirect position measurement by introducing a third dimension - the base station network. Instead of measuring position directly between host terminal and wireless tag, the system measures distances from multiple base stations and uses triangulation to derive positions in a multi-dimensional space, enabling the calculation of relative positional relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal device measures position using wireless signals from base stations, then GPS-free position measurement is achieved, but the ability to measure wireless tag position is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition measurement capabilityVSAvoidwireless tag position measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the base station system universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: measuring the position of the host terminal, measuring the position of the wireless tag, and calculating the positional relationship between them. The same infrastructure of base stations serves multiple measurement purposes, enhancing the versatility of the position measurement system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the terminal device specifies host terminal position using distance measurements, then position can be obtained without GPS, but the wireless tag position remains undetermined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition measurement reliabilityVSAvoidwireless tag position information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary measurements by having base stations measure distances to both the host terminal and the wireless tag before calculating their positional relationships. This preliminary data collection enables the system to determine positions reliably without GPS, while also capturing the necessary information about the wireless tag's position in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 efficient measurement of the positional relationship between the host terminal and the wireless tag, enhancing accuracy and applicability in scenarios like animal tracking and collision prevention, with the ability to confirm successful image capture without extensive image processing.

Implementation Method 1

measures a first distance between a plurality of base stations provided at individual reference positions and the host terminal on the basis of wireless signals emitted by the base stations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless signal propagation: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Data Source

PatentUS10841895B2Terminal device for position measurement, computer program, and system

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 TEAM LAB

AI summary

To efficiently measure the positional relationship between a host terminal and a wireless tag in a terminal device. A terminal device 30: measures a first distance between a plurality of base stations 20 provided at individual reference positions and host terminal on the basis of wireless signals emitted by the base stations 20; specifies the position of the host terminal on the basis of the first distance; and specifies the position of a wireless tag 10 on the basis of information pertaining to a second distance between the wireless tag 10 and the base stations 20, said information being transmitted by base stations 20 that have received a wireless signal emitted by the wireless tag 10.