Acoustic Signal Device Provisioning via Passive Tag Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor devices in smart environments are underutilized due to the need for significant user intervention and configuration, limiting their ability to perform advanced tasks and integrate with other devices effectively.

Innovation Solution

The use of passive tags that generate acoustic signals in response to physical motion, allowing for the detection and analysis of these signals by sensor devices to identify and monitor objects and provision devices, thereby simplifying configuration and enhancing integration within smart environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If devices are configured with individual sensor capabilities and advanced features, then device functionality and sensor capabilities are improved, but user intervention and configuration time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables devices to automatically provision themselves by detecting acoustic signals from passive tags. When a device is placed in an environment, it autonomously detects the acoustic signature, identifies the object state, and configures itself without requiring user intervention, thus resolving the contradiction between device capability and configuration time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Passive tags are pre-configured with acoustic signatures that correspond to specific object states before deployment. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly identify and provision devices based on pre-established acoustic patterns, eliminating the need for time-consuming configuration processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If devices are set up with significant user intervention, then device configuration accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoiduser intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual configuration operations with acoustic signal detection and automated processing. Acoustic sensors detect passive tag signatures, and the system automatically matches these signatures to provision devices, substituting user intervention with an automated acoustic-based provisioning mechanism that maintains accuracy while improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If sensor capabilities are enhanced in individual devices, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs passive tags that can be universally applied to multiple object types without requiring different sensor configurations. A single acoustic sensing mechanism can detect and differentiate various object states by analyzing acoustic signatures from different passive tags, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision across diverse applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables more efficient monitoring and provisioning of devices, increasing user satisfaction and the effectiveness of smart environments by automating the detection of object states and triggering alerts or actions without requiring extensive user intervention.

Implementation Method 1

passive tags that generate acoustic signals in response to physical motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic signal generation from physical motion: Acoustic Emission

Data Source

PatentUS10209690B2Systems and methods for provisioning devices using acoustic signals

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A computer system is communicably coupled to one or more sensor devices. The computer system obtains a database of stored acoustic signatures characterizing predefined acoustic signals generated by passive tags in response to physical motion of the passive tags. The passive tags are associated with non-provisioned devices, and the acoustic signatures are associated with sets of executable instructions for provisioning the non-provisioned devices. A first acoustic signal characterized by a respective acoustic signature and generated by a first passive tag is detected. In response, and based on the respective acoustic signature and information in the database, a first non-provisioned device associated with the respective acoustic signature is identified, and a first set of executable instructions for provisioning the first non-provisioned device is identified. After, the computer system causes execution of the first set of executable instructions, thereby causing to commence a software process for provisioning the first non-provisioned device.