Wireless Node Paths for Adaptive Asset Tracking and Condition Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems, such as barcodes and RFID tags, are inefficient and costly for monitoring the location and environmental conditions of items, and sensor-based systems are complex and provide redundant information, necessitating a more effective and cost-efficient system for asset management.
Innovation Solution
A wireless node network with a hierarchy of nodes, including ID nodes and master nodes, that adaptively adjust communication formats based on environmental changes, allowing efficient tracking and condition monitoring of items through adaptive messaging and context-aware communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor-based tracking systems are used to monitor location and environmental conditions, then measurement precision and information quality are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides tracking functionality into two segments: basic location tracking using simple RFID tags for all items, and detailed environmental monitoring using sensors only for items requiring condition monitoring. This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive tracking precision while avoiding the complexity and cost of deploying sensors on every item.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tags are designed to serve multiple functions: basic identification, location tracking, and serving as a platform for optional sensor attachment. This multi-functionality allows the same base infrastructure to support both simple tracking and complex monitoring needs, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision for items that require it.
2Productivity
If RFID tags are used for automatic tracking without manual scanning, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision and environmental condition monitoring capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges RFID technology with environmental sensors into an integrated tracking tag. The RFID component provides automatic identification and location tracking for high productivity, while integrated sensors add temperature, humidity, and shock monitoring capabilities. The merged system maintains the automatic tracking efficiency of RFID while enhancing measurement precision through sensor data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking tag uses a composite structure combining RFID circuitry with sensor modules and power management components. This composite design enables the tag to perform both automatic identification (maintaining productivity) and environmental condition monitoring (improving measurement precision), resolving the contradiction between tracking efficiency and monitoring capability.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive sensor-based tracking systems are deployed to monitor all items, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of energy and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts sensor activation and data collection frequency based on item characteristics, location, and risk factors. High-value or temperature-sensitive items receive continuous monitoring with high measurement precision, while standard items use periodic or event-triggered monitoring. This dynamic approach maintains necessary monitoring accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption and operational costs compared to universal continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as sensor sampling rate, transmission frequency, and monitoring intensity based on item priority and environmental conditions. For example, sensors may operate at low power mode during stable conditions and switch to high-precision mode when anomalies are detected. This parameter adjustment maintains measurement precision when needed while minimizing energy loss during normal operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are described for enhanced node communication within a wireless node network having nodes and a server. A first subset of nodes transmits first data messages to the server without using an intermediary device where the first data messages include sensed data generated by the nodes of the first subset of the plurality of nodes about or around the nodes of the first subset of the plurality of nodes. A second subset of the plurality of nodes receives external data from the other of the nodes. The second subset of the plurality of nodes are intermediary devices that transmit the received external data to the server, wherein the received external data from the other of the nodes comprises sensed data about or around the other of the nodes.