Low Power Wireless Device Location via Base Station Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for locating low power wireless devices over a wide area are inefficient due to high power consumption, cost, and the need for extensive infrastructure, and they struggle with establishing rapid ad-hoc connections while maintaining battery life and minimizing interference.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising wireless devices with a first short range transmitter and sensor, communication devices with a second receiver and third transceiver, and a control station connected via a communications network, where the sensor detects nearby communication devices to trigger a first signal, allowing the third transceiver to communicate the signal to the control station for location determination, leveraging existing accurate location systems like GPS and cellular networks while minimizing infrastructure deployment and reducing inefficient transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS receiver is employed for location determination, then location accuracy is improved, but device size, cost, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces base stations as intermediary devices that perform GPS location determination and transmit location data to mobile devices. The mobile device only needs to receive and transmit signals, not perform complex GPS calculations, thereby reducing its power consumption while maintaining location accuracy through the intermediary base station infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the location determination function into two segments: GPS signal reception and processing is performed by base stations, while mobile devices only handle signal transmission and reception. This segmentation allows the mobile device to use a simpler, lower-power receiver while the base station handles the computationally intensive GPS processing.
2Use of energy by moving object
If short range transmitter is used for location determination, then device cost and power consumption are reduced, but location coverage area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines short-range transmission capabilities of mobile devices with the wide-area coverage of base station networks. Mobile devices use low-power short-range transmitters to communicate with nearby base stations, which then relay location data over wide areas through the cellular network infrastructure, achieving both energy efficiency and extensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Base stations serve as intermediaries that extend the effective coverage area of short-range transmitters. The mobile device's limited-range signal is picked up by base stations within range, which then communicate location data over the wide-area network, effectively multiplying the coverage area without increasing the mobile device's transmission power.
3Area of stationary object
If dense network of readers/antennas/repeaters is deployed for wide area coverage, then location coverage is improved, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing cellular base stations serve the dual function of their original communication purpose and location determination. By utilizing the existing wide-area cellular infrastructure for both voice/data communication and GPS signal reception/transmission, the system achieves wide coverage without deploying a separate dedicated location network, thereby reducing infrastructure complexity and cost.
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
Enables efficient, low-cost, and low-power location determination of wireless devices over a wide area with reduced battery consumption and minimal infrastructure, allowing for swift ad-hoc connections and accurate tracking of valuable objects or individuals.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor configured to detect radiation emitted by the third transceiver
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method and system for location determination of low power wireless devices, over a wide area, utilizing a multitude of communication devices operating on a WAN (Wide Area Network) which can detect signals transmitted by said nearby low power wireless devices, and report this detection to a control station over the WAN. Said station can further locate the reporting communication device by present art methods such as “network based” or “handset based”, and consequently locate the nearby wireless device. Due to the short range nature of the wireless device transmissions, and dynamic mobility of these devices, it is crucial to establish a swift ad-hoc connection between a wireless device and a nearby communication device, still, in order to save battery power and avoid inefficient and interfering transmissions, communications between a wireless device and a communication device are not initiated unitl a sensor comprised in the wireless device detects and a communication device. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless device is Bluetooth and the communication device is a Bluetooth enabled mobile/cellular phone and the sensor detects radiation emitted by the mobile device on non Bluetooth bands.