UWB Trilateration System for Precise Danger Zone Warning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for protecting individuals in potentially dangerous zones, such as construction or mining sites, require manual encoding of reference marker locations and lack efficient methods for defining and tracing borders, especially in environments with obstacles and the need for precise location accuracy within +/-10 cm.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing UWB radio transmitters and ultrasonic transducers with a central terminal in a suitcase, equipped with a touch screen and push-buttons, automatically establishes an XY reference frame by positioning anchors and determining their distances, allowing for the definition of danger zones without manual encoding, and uses trilateration and filtering algorithms to accurately determine tag positions relative to borders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual encoding of reference marker locations is used, then the system can be implemented with simple hardware, but the implementation time increases and precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidimplementation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines the positions of reference markers through wireless communication and trilateration algorithms, eliminating the need for manual encoding. Each reference marker autonomously communicates with the central terminal, and the system self-calibrates by calculating positions based on distance measurements from multiple anchors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical encoding of reference marker locations with an automated electronic system using UWB radio transmitters, ultrasonic transducers, and trilateration algorithms to determine positions wirelessly and automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated reference frame establishment is used, then implementation time decreases, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The central terminal acts as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple reference markers and tags. It receives wireless communications from reference markers, processes the data through filtering algorithms, and manages the trilateration calculations, thereby automating the reference frame establishment without requiring complex interactions between all system components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses parameter changes in wireless signal propagation (time of flight, signal strength) to automatically determine spatial relationships. By measuring these physical parameters and applying trilateration algorithms, the system automatically establishes the reference frame without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If trilateration with filtering algorithms is used, then location precision reaches +/-10 cm, but computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidcomputational power
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a filtering algorithm that processes measurements from multiple reference markers, selecting and weighting the most reliable measurements. Rather than processing all possible combinations equally, the filter applies partial action by focusing computational resources on the most significant measurements, achieving high precision with reduced computational load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Area of stationary object

If multiple reference markers are deployed, then coverage area increases, but the difficulty of defining borders increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidborder definition difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously receives feedback from multiple reference markers through wireless communications. The central terminal processes these feedback signals using trilateration and filtering algorithms to dynamically calculate and update border definitions, enabling accurate border detection across large areas with multiple distributed reference markers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 quick and precise warning of individuals entering danger zones with accurate location determination within +/-10 cm, reducing implementation time and eliminating the need for manual encoding of reference markers, while providing collaborative protection through visual, auditory, and vibratory alerts.

Implementation Method 1

The location of the tags relative to the reference terminals is determined by trilateration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

A system utilizing UWB radio transmitters and ultrasonic transducers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP3123195B1System for protecting people on a worksite through precise positioning
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 BORDERSYST
  • EP3123195B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3123195B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3123195B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (1) for protecting people individually or collectively in a potentially dangerous area, which includes a plurality of reference markers (3) and a central marker (4) which are distributed in said area, said reference markers (3) being in two-way communication with one another and with the central marker (4), and which are capable of measuring the distance therebetween with an accuracy which is at least equal to a predetermined value, the central marker (4) being capable of determining a two-dimensional or XY frame of reference, i.e. of assigning a position to three reference markers (10, 20, 30) and then of locating the other reference markers (40, ...) in said XY frame of reference by a trilateration method; at least one movable transceiver, referred to as a tag or indicator (6), worn by a person (1) and capable of two-way communication with at least the central marker (4) and with other tags (6), and of measuring, by trilateration, the distance separating the transceiver from each of the reference markers (3), said tag (6) being provided with danger-warning means which can be actuated by the central marker (4); and means (5) for tracking a border (2) of the potentially dangerous area from the position of the reference markers (3) once the latter have been located in the aforementioned XY frame of reference, said border (2) being suitable for defining at least one area in which the presence of a person (1) causes the central marker (4) to actuate the danger-warning means associated with the tag (6).