Wearable Locator Perimeter Monitoring with Dynamic GPS and Beacon Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing geolocation systems for individuals, such as those with Alzheimer's or autistic persons, face challenges in power conservation and false alarms during power outages, and lack effective perimeter monitoring beyond the range of a base station.

Innovation Solution

The proposed system employs low-power Bluetooth 4.0 transceivers and GPS receivers in wearable devices, which remain in sleep mode within a defined perimeter and activate GPS for location determination when outside, using proximity beacons to conserve battery life and provide alerts upon exiting the perimeter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS receiver is continuously powered on for location determination, then location accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between GPS-based location determination and beacon-based location determination based on the operational mode. In tether mode, GPS is continuously powered for accurate location tracking. In roam mode, the system uses low-power beacon triangulation when available, switching to GPS only when beacons are out of range, thus optimizing power consumption while maintaining location accuracy when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless beacons as intermediary devices that assist GPS in location determination. The beacons provide local reference points that the locator can use for position calculation without requiring continuous GPS operation. This intermediary system reduces GPS usage and power consumption while maintaining location accuracy within the monitored perimeter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If monitoring component is always connected to mains power for continuous monitoring, then monitoring reliability is improved, but false alarms during power outages occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoidfalse alarm information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring component dynamically changes its operational state based on power availability. When connected to mains power, it operates in full monitoring mode with visual and audible alerts. When disconnected, it switches to battery-powered tether mode with vibratory alerts, maintaining monitoring reliability while adapting to power conditions to avoid false alarms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes its alert parameters based on power source availability. Mains-powered operation uses high-intensity visual and audible alerts, while battery-powered operation uses lower-intensity vibratory alerts and modified alert thresholds, reducing false alarms during power outages while maintaining effective monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If perimeter monitoring range is extended beyond base station range, then monitoring coverage is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring coverage areaVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is segmented into multiple distributed wireless beacons placed throughout the facility. Each beacon operates independently at low power, collectively providing extended perimeter coverage. The locator device communicates with multiple beacons to determine position, achieving wide area monitoring without requiring a single high-power base station.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless beacons are designed to be battery-powered and self-contained, requiring no external power infrastructure. They autonomously transmit identification signals and maintain operation independently, enabling extended perimeter coverage while minimizing overall system power consumption through distributed low-power nodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution extends battery life within the perimeter while ensuring accurate geolocation and timely alerts when the individual leaves, reducing the risk of loss and false alarms, and can be deployed in various environments with minimal power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a GPS receiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGPS satellite signal reception:

Implementation Method 2

local wireless transceiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal transmission:

Data Source

PatentUS10453327B2Apparatus and methods for geolocating an individual with respect to a perimeter

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 SAFETRACKS GPS CANADA INC

AI summary

An improved wearable locator has an ultra-low power RF transceiver, GPS receiver, cellular network RF transceiver, processor, programmable non-volatile memory, LCD display, accelerometer and rechargeable battery. To ensure that the locator is within a perimeter, it can cooperate with a subordinate unit that includes an ultra-low power RF transceiver, processor, power supply, DC charging output, rechargeable battery, visual, audible and tactile enunciators and pushbutton, and can be plugged into an outlet or be unplugged and be mobile. Other wireless units can be used to define a perimeter.