Wireless Node Event Detection and Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the location and scale of events like power outages or flooding rely on manual human reports, which are difficult to scale and require costly large-scale deployments of alarm systems, and proprietary map services with unavailable location data.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing wireless nodes, such as home or business Wi-Fi routers, to detect events and generate packets with node identifications and positional data, which are transmitted over a network to create a network map and determine the physical location of an event, enabling relative location reporting and event scaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual human reports are used for determining event location and scale, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but productivity and scalability are severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by having wireless nodes automatically detect events, determine their positions using signal strength measurements, and generate reports without requiring manual human intervention. Each node independently performs detection, positioning, and reporting functions
Solution Approach 2:
Existing wireless nodes such as Wi-Fi routers are utilized for multiple purposes: their primary networking function plus event detection, positioning, and reporting capabilities. This multi-functionality allows the system to leverage already-deployed infrastructure without requiring dedicated alarm systems
2Reliability
If large-scale deployments of alarm systems are implemented, then event reporting coverage is improved, but deployment costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repurposes existing wireless infrastructure (Wi-Fi routers, access points) for event detection and reporting, eliminating the need for costly dedicated alarm system deployments. These universal devices already provide network connectivity and can be leveraged for additional safety and monitoring functions
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying physical alarm systems throughout an area, the system creates a virtual network map by collecting position data from wireless nodes. This informational copy of the physical layout enables comprehensive event reporting without physical deployment at every location
3Measurement precision
If proprietary map services are used for location data, then positioning accuracy is improved, but data availability and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses wireless signal strength measurements as an intermediary to determine relative positions of nodes. Instead of relying on proprietary map services, the signal strength data acts as a mediator that enables positioning using only the existing wireless network infrastructure and basic signal propagation characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from relying on external proprietary services (external dimension) to using internal wireless signal characteristics (another dimension). By measuring signal strength in the wireless domain, the system derives spatial information without needing access to external map databases
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a method, including: detecting an event; determining, using a processor of a wireless node, one or more other wireless nodes within wireless range; generating, after the event, a packet of data including identifications of the one or more wireless nodes and positional data associated therewith; and transmitting, over a network connection, the packet of data to at least one of the one or more wireless nodes. Other embodiments are described and claimed.