Asset Tracker for Waste Containers Using Motion-Triggered GPS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current asset tracking systems for waste and recycling containers are inefficient in tracking container locations, especially when containers are moved within facilities or transferred between transportation partners, leading to visibility loss and unnecessary purchases of new equipment due to lack of insight into available assets.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost GPS location asset tracker with a housing attachable to waste containers, featuring a primary control board, accelerometer, battery pack, GPS receiver, cellular transceiver, and cellular antenna, optimized for minimal technology usage to reduce costs and extend battery life by using GPS and cellular technologies, with motion detection to conserve power and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple tracking technologies (GPS, cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.) are integrated into the asset tracker, then tracking coverage and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The asset tracker is designed with multiple tracking technologies (GPS, cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy) integrated into a single device, allowing it to function across diverse environments and transmission scenarios. This multi-functional approach ensures reliable tracking whether the container is in motion, stationary, indoors, or outdoors, while sharing common hardware resources like the processor and memory across all functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system is segmented into distinct functional modules: GPS receiver for satellite-based location, cellular transceiver for network-based tracking, WiFi module for local network communication, and Bluetooth Low Energy for short-range device interaction. Each module can operate independently or in combination, allowing the system to select the most appropriate tracking method for each situation, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring all systems to operate simultaneously.
2Reliability
If multiple tracking technologies are integrated into the asset tracker, then tracking coverage is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tracking technologies are merged into a single integrated circuit board, sharing common components such as the microprocessor, memory, power management unit, and antenna systems. The GPS and cellular modules share the same antenna structure, while WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy utilize a combined radio frequency front-end. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components, simplifies assembly processes, and lowers overall manufacturing costs while maintaining multi-technology functionality.
3Loss of information
If the asset tracker continuously transmits location data, then location visibility is improved, but data usage and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The asset tracker implements periodic location data transmission rather than continuous transmission. The system collects location information at regular intervals determined by configurable parameters, and transmits data only when location changes exceed a predefined threshold or at scheduled intervals. This periodic approach maintains adequate location visibility for operational needs while dramatically reducing cellular data usage and power consumption compared to continuous transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission frequency and data update rate are dynamically adjusted based on container status, movement detection, and network conditions. When the container is stationary and no movement is detected, transmission frequency is reduced. When movement is detected or the container is in transit, the system increases transmission frequency to maintain location visibility. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the balance between information availability and resource consumption.
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 solution effectively tracks waste and recycling containers, reducing the need for new equipment purchases by providing accurate location visibility and extended battery life, minimizing data usage and associated costs while maintaining a weatherproof design.
Implementation Method 1
a GPS receiver, a GPS antenna
Implementation Method 2
a cellular transceiver, a cellular antenna
Implementation Method 3
an accelerometer
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for asset tracking for waste and recycling containers. A low-cost GPS location asset tracker can be provided for tracking the whereabouts of waste and recycling containers. The asset tracker can include a housing attachable to the waste container, a primary control board, an accelerometer, a battery pack, and a tracking system consisting of a GPS receiver, a GPS antenna, a cellular transceiver, and a cellular antenna traced directly onto the primary control board.