Animal Tag Dual Accelerometer Orientation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating orientation sensors into animal tags is challenging due to their energy demands and size constraints, making it difficult to monitor animal behavior reliably.
Innovation Solution
An animal tag equipped with two three-dimensional accelerometers arranged at opposite ends, allowing for the determination of inclination angles and elevation based on acceleration vectors, eliminating the need for gyroscopic sensors and enabling energy-efficient detection of complex motion patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gyroscopic sensors are used to measure orientation parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gyroscopic sensors (mechanical/physical orientation sensing system) with a combination of accelerometers and mathematical processing. Two three-dimensional accelerometers positioned at opposite ends of the animal tag measure acceleration vectors, and the processing unit calculates orientation parameters through computational methods rather than direct mechanical measurement, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acceleration vectors as an intermediary measurement quantity. Instead of directly measuring orientation with gyroscopes, the system measures acceleration at two different positions and uses these acceleration vectors as intermediaries to compute orientation parameters mathematically, enabling energy-efficient orientation detection
2Measurement precision
If gyroscopic sensors are used to measure orientation parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex gyroscopic sensor systems with simpler accelerometer-based measurement combined with mathematical computation. The processing unit executes algorithms to derive orientation from acceleration data, reducing hardware complexity while achieving the same functional goal of orientation monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the accelerometers serve multiple functions: they measure both linear acceleration for motion detection and serve as orientation sensors when used in pairs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate gyroscopic orientation sensors, reducing overall device complexity
3Measurement precision
If the distance between accelerometer positions is increased, then measurement precision is improved, but volume of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the two accelerometers at opposite ends of the animal tag along a space diagonal, utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement. This diagonal positioning maximizes the effective measurement baseline within the compact tag volume, improving orientation detection accuracy without significantly increasing the overall device footprint
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
The solution provides reliable detection of angular and altitude changes, determining whether an animal is standing or lying down, and correlating these behaviors with time, while being energy-efficient and flexible in attachment options.
Implementation Method 1
first and second three-dimensional accelerometers configured to register first and second acceleration vectors respectively. The first acceleration vector describes a spatial movement of a first position of the animal tag, and the second acceleration vector describes a spatial movement of a second position of the animal tag
Implementation Method 2
the processing unit is configured to receive the first and second acceleration vectors, and based thereon determine at least one behavior-related parameter for an animal carrying the animal tag. More precisely, the processing unit is configured to determine at least one inclination angle of the animal tag relative to a reference frame external to the animal tag and/or an elevation of the animal tag relative to a reference level external to the animal tag
Data Source
AI summary
An animal tag that contains first and second three-dimensional accelerometers and a processing unit, where the first accelerometer registers a first acceleration vector describing a spatial movement of a first position of the animal tag, and the second accelerometer registers a second acceleration vector describing a spatial movement of a second position of the animal tag, the second position separated from the first position by a distance, and the processing unit receives the first and second acceleration vectors and based thereon determines at least one behavior-related parameter for an animal carrying the animal tag in the form of inclination angle(s) (ψ, Φ, θ) of the animal tag relative to a reference frame external to the animal tag, and/or an elevation of the animal tag relative to a reference level external to the animal tag.