Wireless Range Measurement Triggered by Motion Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current range measurement techniques, such as Time-of-Flight (ToF) measurements, consume significant power and increase wireless medium utilization, particularly when repeated unnecessarily due to static or minor device movements.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where wireless communication devices selectively perform range measurements based on movement indicators, such as those detected by sensors, to avoid unnecessary ToF measurements and reduce power consumption and wireless medium usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If Time-of-Flight (ToF) range measurement procedure is performed frequently to maintain accurate proximity detection, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases and wireless medium utilization increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproximity detection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses motion sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) to autonomously detect device movement and automatically triggers range measurements only when movement is detected, eliminating the need for continuous periodic measurements. This self-service mechanism maintains measurement precision when needed while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during static periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the measurement frequency parameter based on detected motion state. When motion is detected, the measurement interval is reduced to maintain accuracy; when no motion is detected, the measurement interval is extended or measurements are skipped, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining measurement precision when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If Time-of-Flight (ToF) range measurement procedure is performed frequently to maintain accurate proximity detection, then measurement precision is improved, but wireless medium utilization increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproximity detection accuracyVSAvoidwireless medium utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system autonomously monitors motion sensors and triggers wireless communications only when movement is detected, making the wireless medium usage event-driven rather than time-driven. This maintains proximity detection accuracy when devices move while minimizing unnecessary wireless medium utilization during static periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous periodic measurements, the system uses event-driven periodic action where measurements are triggered by motion events. This transforms the measurement schedule from fixed periodic intervals to variable intervals based on actual need, reducing wireless medium utilization while maintaining measurement precision when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Use of energy by moving object

If motion detection is used to trigger range measurements selectively, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces motion sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) as intermediary components that detect physical movement and trigger the range measurement process. These sensors act as mediators between the physical world and the measurement system, enabling selective measurements based on actual motion events while keeping the overall system architecture modular and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach reduces the number of range measurements, thereby decreasing power consumption and wireless medium utilization, while maintaining accurate proximity detection between devices.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor to detect a movement of the wireless communication device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

a radio to communicate a discovery frame with a second wireless communication device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Implementation Method 3

The ToF may be defined as the overall time a signal propagates from a first station to a second station and back to the first station. A distance between the first and second stations may be calculated based on the ToF value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS10433109B2Apparatus, system and method of performing a position measurement

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of performing a range measurement. For example, a first wireless communication device may include a radio to communicate a discovery frame with a second wireless communication device, the discovery frame including at least one movement indication field to indicate a time of movement of a sender of said discovery frame; and a controller to perform a range measurement procedure with said second wireless communication device.