UWB Electrical Box Covers for Battery-Free Indoor Device Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultra-wideband technology solutions for integrating secure spatial location capabilities in smart homes are expensive and time-consuming to retrofit, often requiring battery replacements and facing coverage gaps.
Innovation Solution
Embedding ultra-wideband components in electrical device covers, such as light switch and outlet covers, which are powered by the electrical grid, allowing for continuous operation and reliable location tracking without battery replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If battery-powered ultra-wideband devices are used for spatial location tracking, then portable operation is achieved, but continuous operation is compromised due to battery replacements and coverage gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical device cover serves itself by drawing power from the electrical grid through the electrical box, eliminating the need for external battery power. The ultra-wideband component is powered directly from the electrical infrastructure, enabling continuous operation without battery replacements while maintaining reliable location tracking coverage.
2Reliability
If existing ultra-wideband technology is retrofitted into smart homes, then spatial location capabilities are achieved, but cost and installation time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the ultra-wideband component with the electrical device cover, combining two separate functions into a single integrated unit. This integration allows the ultra-wideband technology to be deployed through existing electrical infrastructure installations, significantly reducing retrofit costs and installation time while maintaining reliable spatial location capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical device cover serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection, physical protection, and now also hosts ultra-wideband spatial location capabilities. This multi-functionality allows a single component to deliver both power distribution and location tracking services, eliminating the need for separate ultra-wideband device installations.
3Area of stationary object
If ultra-wideband components are embedded in electrical device covers, then comprehensive spatial coverage is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the ultra-wideband functionality into a separate component that can be independently integrated into the electrical device cover. This modular approach allows the ultra-wideband component to be added without fundamentally redesigning the entire cover structure, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving comprehensive spatial coverage through strategic placement of multiple covers.
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
Provides a cost-effective and efficient method for retrofitting homes with ultra-wideband capabilities, ensuring precise positioning and comprehensive spatial mapping for enhanced smart home experiences.
Implementation Method 1
determining, with an ultra-wideband component, a location of the companion electronic devices using an ultra-wideband ranging process
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a device housing configured as a cover for an electrical box, a power adaptor to receive power from components within the electrical box, and an ultra-wideband component powered by the power adaptor. The ultra-wideband component communicates with at least one electronic device to perform an ultra-wideband ranging process. A method involves capturing images of another electronic device within the environment, determining the location of the other electronic device using ultra-wideband ranging, creating a visual depiction of the environment and the device's location, and presenting this depiction on a user interface. The system enhances smart home applications by integrating ultra-wideband technology into light switch and outlet covers, providing precise location tracking and continuous operation without battery replacements.