UWB Pet Containment System Using Wireless Beacons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pet containment systems, such as underground and wireless fencing, are limited by high upfront costs, maintenance issues, and lack of portability, with GPS systems being inaccurate and requiring professional installation, while also being restricted to specific property sizes.
Innovation Solution
A wireless tracking system utilizing ultra-wideband (UWB) beacons and a rechargeable collar-mounted device that allows for the creation of customizable containment zones without the need for underground wires, enabling easy relocation and accurate tracking using a smartphone application, with UWB beacons providing precise location data and integrated LTE and GPS for extended tracking capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If underground containment systems are used, then containment reliability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical underground wire system with a wireless ultra-wideband communication system. Instead of burying physical wires to create containment boundaries, the system uses wireless signals transmitted between beacons and collar devices to establish and enforce containment zones, eliminating the need for complex underground installation while maintaining containment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless tracking device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a containment boundary detector and a location tracker. The device can operate with just beacons for basic containment, or integrate with GPS and cellular networks for extended tracking capabilities, making the system adaptable to various needs without requiring separate systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If GPS tracking is used, then location tracking capability is improved, but accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple location determination methods into a single integrated system. The ultra-wideband triangulation method provides accurate local positioning within containment zones, while GPS and cellular tower triangulation provide broader location context, creating a hybrid system that leverages the strengths of each method for both accuracy and versatility
3Reliability
If professional installation is required, then system reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be easily configured and installed by end-users without requiring professional installation services. The wireless beacons can be简单地 placed in the environment, and the collar devices automatically connect to the network, allowing homeowners to set up and adjust containment zones themselves through user-friendly interfaces
4Device complexity
If fixed property size is specified, then system simplicity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The containment system uses dynamic, software-defined boundaries rather than fixed physical constraints. The containment zones are created and modified through software configuration, allowing the same hardware system to adapt to properties of various sizes and shapes by simply adjusting the virtual boundary parameters rather than reinstalling physical infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods related to a wireless tracking system: The wireless tracking system having a plurality of beacons, each of the plurality of beacons having at least one antenna and at least one power source. When the at least one antenna is supplied with power via the power source, a local ping is transmitted from the beacon. A wireless tracking device then receives the ping via its own antenna. Once the wireless tracking device has received a locational ping from at least two of the plurality of beacons, it can then calculate a direct connection path between the at least to beacons. Based on this known path, the wireless tracking device can then determine a distance between the wireless tracking device and connection path. Based on the determined distance, the wireless tracking device may then issue a corrective measure.