UWB Wearable Tag for Sub-Meter Elderly Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for monitoring elderly individuals in their homes lack effective real-time location tracking and distress detection, particularly in indoor environments, which is crucial for ensuring their safety and well-being, especially in cases of falls or other distress situations.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing Ultra-Wide-Band (UWB) communication and Angle of Arrival (AoA) technology for accurate indoor localization, combined with wearable devices and anchor devices, to track seniors' movements and detect anomalies in their daily routines, enabling real-time sub-meter accuracy localization and distress detection without the need for extensive sensor installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional monitoring systems are used for elderly individuals, then basic safety monitoring is provided, but real-time location tracking and distress detection accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sensor-based monitoring systems with UWB (Ultra-Wide-Band) radio frequency technology for location tracking. The wearable device and anchor devices communicate via UWB signals to determine position, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensors and cameras while achieving sub-meter accuracy through angle of arrival measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device serves multiple functions: location tracking via UWB communication, fall detection through accelerometers, panic button functionality, and health monitoring. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices into a single wearable unit, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If more anchor devices are deployed for accurate localization, then location precision improves, but system cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses UWB angle of arrival (AoA) estimation to determine position with fewer anchors compared to traditional methods. By measuring the angle of incoming UWB signals at anchor devices, the system can triangulate position accurately with minimal infrastructure, replacing what would traditionally require dense sensor networks or camera arrays.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented for distress detection, then safety monitoring reliability improves, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device performs UWB communications and accelerometer measurements periodically rather than continuously. Location updates occur at intervals suitable for detecting changes in position or posture, while the panic button and critical fall detection remain immediately responsive. This periodic operation maintains distress detection reliability while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the elderly person's own movements and physiological signals to trigger monitoring events. Accelerometers detect falls or unusual movements automatically, and the panic button allows the user to self-initiate distress alerts. This self-service approach ensures reliable distress detection while minimizing unnecessary continuous monitoring that would drain battery power.
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 system provides reliable real-time localization and distress detection, reducing the number of required anchors, conserving battery life, and minimizing false alarms, thus ensuring the elderly person's safety and reducing the burden on caregivers.
Implementation Method 1
A system utilizing Ultra-Wide-Band (UWB) communication and Angle of Arrival (AoA) technology for accurate indoor localization
Implementation Method 2
A system utilizing Ultra-Wide-Band (UWB) communication and Angle of Arrival (AoA) technology for accurate indoor localization
Implementation Method 3
employing at least one real-time location subsystem which includes: at least one wearable... including at least one ultra-wide-band (UWB) communication transceiver... and at least one anchor device... including an ultra-wide-band (UWB) communication transceiver
Data Source
AI summary
A client system for monitoring elders in a residential setting, the client system comprising communication apparatus operative for sending real time localization data and elder body motion data toward at least one server configured for performing at least one elder-supporting backend service responsive to at least one of THE real time localization data and elder body motion data; and at least one real-time location subsystem including: at least one wearable (“tag”) including at least one ultra-wide-band (UWB) communication transceiver and an accelerometer operative for sensing at least one body motion of an elder wearing the tag thereby to provide the elder body motion data; and at least one anchor device for deployment in an elder's domicile including an ultra-wide-band (UWB) communication transceiver operative for real time sub-meter localization of the tag, thereby to provide the real time localization data.