Vehicle-Mounted Tracking System Using Accelerometer-Based Polling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tracking systems are inefficient and costly for medium-sized equipment, often leading to misplacement or theft, and lack effective usage data collection, resulting in inaccurate maintenance schedules and power consumption issues due to continuous communication.

Innovation Solution

A tracking system comprising a tracking device with an accelerometer and a base transmitter/receiver, where communication frequency and content adjust based on vehicle movement, allowing for intelligent data collection and reporting of usage, minimizing power consumption and optimizing network traffic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous communication is used to track equipment location, then tracking reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from continuous communication to periodic communication by polling the tracking device at scheduled intervals. The base transmitter/receiver sends polling signals at predetermined times to request location data, and the tracking device responds only when polled, significantly reducing communication frequency and power consumption while maintaining adequate tracking reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through the polling mechanism where the base transmitter/receiver receives location data from the tracking device and uses this information to update the recorded position. The feedback loop allows the system to maintain accurate tracking while controlling communication frequency based on actual tracking needs rather than continuous transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If frequent polling is used to collect usage data, then data collection accuracy is improved, but network traffic and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage data accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The base transmitter/receiver uses periodic polling at predetermined time intervals to collect usage data from the tracking device. This periodic action ensures adequate data collection accuracy for maintenance scheduling while avoiding the excessive network traffic and power consumption associated with continuous or frequent polling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by collecting usage data at specific predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This partial polling approach provides sufficient accuracy for maintenance purposes while avoiding excessive data collection that would waste network resources and battery power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If tracking devices communicate constantly to maintain location updates, then location accuracy is improved, but device complexity and network requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidcommunication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces constant communication with periodic polling at predetermined times. The base transmitter/receiver initiates communication only when needed to update location data, reducing the complexity of continuous network management and communication protocols while maintaining adequate location accuracy for tracking purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic 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

The system effectively tracks medium-sized equipment, providing accurate usage data, reducing misplacement and theft, and conserving power by adjusting communication frequency, thus enhancing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a tracking device accelerometer, the tracking device associated with the tracked device and a base transmitter/receiver comprising a base transmitter/receiver accelerometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS11567165B1System for efficiently tracking equipment

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 MOMENTUM IOT INC

AI summary

A system is provided that includes a tracking device having a tracking device accelerometer, the tracking device associated with a tracked hardware device, and a base transmitter/receiver having a base transmitter/receiver accelerometer and configured to poll and receive tracking device accelerometer data from the tracking device. The base transmitter/receiver is associated with and transportable by a vehicle and the tracking device and tracked device are positionable within the vehicle. Differences in movements of the vehicle when housing the base transmitter/receiver, the tracking device, and the tracked hardware device produce communication functionality differences between the base transmitter/receiver and the tracking device.