Wi-Fi Theft Tracking Device with Wall-Plugged Remote Locator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Property crimes, particularly burglaries, result in significant losses with low recovery rates due to the lack of effective tracking and recovery systems for stolen items, as burglars target affluent properties with low security measures and quick entry/exit strategies.
Innovation Solution
A multifaceted theft tracking system comprising a remote locator (HUB) inserted into a wall receptacle, communicating with theft tracking devices on items likely to be stolen, and a networked server system that alerts owners and law enforcement via internet communication when items are moved from their designated locations, utilizing GPS and cellular networks for real-time tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional security systems are installed in homes, then the risk of burglary may be reduced, but the cost and complexity of security measures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The security system is segmented into three main components: (1) tracking devices attached to valuable items, (2) a control panel installed in the home, and (3) a remote server system. This segmentation allows the system to provide comprehensive security through distributed, specialized functions rather than a single complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking devices are self-contained units that autonomously monitor their attached items and automatically communicate location data to the control panel and server without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by having each component perform its designated function independently.
2Reliability
If tracking devices are attached to all valuable items, then the recovery rate of stolen goods increases, but the time and effort required to secure and monitor items increases
Solution Approach 1:
Tracking devices are attached to items before theft occurs, establishing continuous monitoring in advance. The system is pre-configured with item locations and ownership information, so that when theft occurs, tracking and recovery can begin immediately without delays in setup or configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback through automatic alerts to homeowners and law enforcement when tracked items are moved or stolen. This real-time feedback mechanism enables immediate response actions, significantly reducing the time between theft and recovery compared to post-theft investigation methods.
3Speed
If real-time tracking systems are implemented, then the speed of locating stolen items improves, but the energy consumption and cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking devices transmit location data periodically rather than continuously, and the system activates full tracking mode when triggered by motion detection or alarm events. This periodic operation maintains the ability to locate items quickly when needed while significantly reducing energy consumption during normal, non-threat conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A device tracking system of the present disclosure has a theft tracking device that permanently secures to an item that has the propensity to be stolen, the theft tracking device has a theft tracking processor and a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) module, and the theft tracking processor receives ping data and in response transmits response data via the Wi-Fi module. The system also has a remote locator device that has a case and that has a plug for securing the remote locator device to a power receptacle. The remote locator device also has a remote locator processor and a Wi-Fi module, and the remote locator processor periodically transmits a ping to the theft tracking device and receives the response data from the theft tracking device. The processor further transmits data indicating that the theft tracking device is not responding via a network when a response is not received from the tracking device. The system also has at least one server comprising a server processor that is communicatively coupled to the remote locator device, and the server processor receives the data indicating that the theft tracking device is not responding. Further, the server processor transmits location data periodically that shows a location of the item and displays the location to a user.