Body Area Network Gateway Pairing for Mobile Study Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scientific studies face challenges in efficiently and conveniently collecting physiological data from a large number of subjects, particularly during activities like sports or a normal workday, due to logistical difficulties in sensor attachment, wired connections, and time-consuming registration processes, which can skew results.
Innovation Solution
A gateway device with sensor interconnects and a processing unit that facilitates quick pairing and data collection from a body area network, using both long-range and short-range wireless connections, and includes features like magnetic mounts, inductive charging, and signal generators for efficient sensor identification and data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired sensors are used to collect physiological data, then data collection reliability is improved, but subject mobility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication technology. Sensors communicate data to the gateway device via wireless signals, eliminating physical cables while maintaining data transmission reliability. This substitution enables subject mobility during physiological studies without compromising data collection quality.
2Measurement precision
If manual sensor attachment and registration processes are used, then measurement precision is maintained, but time consumption and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic sensor identification and registration capabilities. When sensors are attached to the subject, the gateway device automatically detects the sensors, retrieves their identification information, and registers them with the study coordinating system without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach maintains measurement precision while dramatically reducing registration time and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensor identification information is pre-stored in each sensor device before attachment. The gateway device retrieves this pre-prepared information automatically during the registration process, eliminating the need for manual sensor configuration and calibration steps. This preliminary preparation of sensor data accelerates the overall registration process while preserving measurement accuracy.
3Reliability
If comprehensive sensor pairing and synchronization processes are implemented, then data integrity is improved, but device complexity and time consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device serves as an intermediary between the sensors and the study coordinating system. It automatically manages sensor pairing, establishes communication channels, and synchronizes data collection parameters. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing complex synchronization tasks in one device, thereby maintaining data integrity without requiring complex configuration procedures from users.
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
Enables real-time, convenient data collection outside clinical settings, simplifying the addition of subjects to studies and maintaining data integrity, thus reducing logistical challenges and ensuring random participation.
Implementation Method 1
The physical mount may comprise a magnetic interconnect for attaching the given sensor device to the gateway device.
Implementation Method 2
The at least one sensor device interconnect may also or alternatively comprise one or more inductive coils configured to charge a given one of the one or more sensor devices when the given sensor device is in close physical proximity to the at least one sensor device interconnect.
Data Source
AI summary
A gateway device comprises a processing device, network interface, and sensor device interconnect. The processing device is configured to pair sensor devices associated with a subject with the gateway device utilizing the sensor device interconnect, wherein pairing the sensor devices comprises identifying sensing capabilities of the sensor devices. The processing device is also configured to provide, to a study coordinating system over a first network connection established utilizing the network interface, a gateway identifier and information characterizing the identified sensing capabilities of the sensor devices paired with the gateway device. The processing device is further configured to receive, from the study coordinating system, parameters for a study identifying data to be collected from sensor devices paired with the gateway device, to collect the identified data from the sensor devices over a second network connection established utilizing the network interface, and to provide the collected data to the study coordinating system.