Wi-Fi Location Tracking for Time-Critical Shipments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current logistics systems for time-critical shipments lack accurate tracking and transparency, often resulting in delays and misrouting due to manual verification processes and separate, closed systems that fail to interface effectively, leading to issues like false positives and delayed notifications.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a client device that communicates via Wi-Fi and GSM to determine its location by comparing nearby Wi-Fi access points to scheduled locations, integrated with a blockchain method for real-time tracking and smart contracts, ensuring accurate and transparent location monitoring and exception reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual verification processes are used for tracking time-critical shipments, then operational simplicity is maintained, but tracking accuracy and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs automatic self-tracking through Wi-Fi access point detection and GSM signal-based location determination. The client device autonomously captures location data without manual verification, while the server automatically compares determined locations against scheduled locations and generates notifications. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual intervention while maintaining high tracking accuracy for time-critical shipments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate closed systems are used for tracking, then system independence is maintained, but interface compatibility and information sharing deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that receives data from multiple independent sources including Wi-Fi access points, GSM networks, and common carrier tracking services. It consolidates this information, determines package location, compares it against scheduled locations, and generates unified notifications. This intermediary approach allows separate closed systems to maintain independence while enabling effective information sharing and integration through the server's coordination.
3Measurement precision
If real-time location tracking is implemented, then tracking accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic location tracking by capturing Wi-Fi access point data and GSM signal information at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. The client device periodically reports its location to the server, which then compares the determined location against the scheduled location and generates notifications only when deviations are detected. This periodic action maintains adequate tracking accuracy while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
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 provides real-time, accurate location tracking and exception reporting, reducing delays and costs by enhancing transparency and efficiency in the supply chain, especially for critical shipments like organs and aircraft parts, while maintaining low power consumption and compatibility with indoor and outdoor environments.
Implementation Method 1
A Wi-Fi receiver in the device finds Wi-Fi access points in range and measures signal strength from the access points
Implementation Method 2
transmitting the data to a remote special purpose computer server via a GSM radio module using GSM wireless transmission protocol
Data Source
AI summary
A client-server system and a blockchain method for calculating whether a time-crucial shipment is located according to an expectation comprising a client device adapted for being adhered to or placed within a time-crucial package shipment; and a remote special purpose computer server comprising a transit plan schedule database based on pickup time and location stored in memory, the remote special purpose computer server being programmed to calculate a location of the client device based on data accessed from a Wi-Fi access point location database, the transmitted identification data, and the transmitted signal strength data, and compare the calculated location to an expected location based on common carrier schedule transit plan pickup time and delivery location received from third party database sources.