Building Sensor Arrays Using Mobile Trilateration for Precise Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in accurately determining the locations of sensor devices in a sensor array within a structure and in sensing changes to materials like glass and fluid volumes efficiently.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a method involving a mobile communication device to determine compass directions, elevation angles, and distances to base stations for sensor device location, and employing piezoelectric transducers to convert vibrations into electric signals for analyzing natural frequency changes in glass and fluid containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sensor location methods are used, then the system is simpler, but the location determination accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile communication device as an intermediary between the sensor devices and the base station. This intermediary facilitates trilateration calculations by receiving signal strength measurements from multiple sensor devices and computing their locations, thereby achieving high precision without requiring complex integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or complex electronic location determination systems with a signal-based trilateration method using mobile communication technology. This substitution achieves accurate location determination through wireless signal strength measurements and mathematical calculations rather than complex mechanical positioning mechanisms.
2Reliability
If piezoelectric transducers are used for sensing, then the sensing capability is enhanced, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic vibration of the test object at its natural frequency using the piezoelectric transducer. By exciting the object only at specific intervals and measuring the response, the system achieves reliable sensing of material properties and structural integrity while minimizing continuous energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration at the natural frequency of the test object to enhance the sensitivity of the piezoelectric transducer. By resonating the object at its natural frequency, the system maximizes the vibration amplitude and corresponding electrical signal output, thereby improving sensing capability with minimal energy input.
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 precise location determination of sensor devices and effective sensing of material changes, such as glass breakage or fluid volume variations, enhancing structural monitoring and environmental awareness.
Implementation Method 1
converting, by the piezoelectric transducer, the first vibration of the pane of glass into a first electric signal
Implementation Method 2
activating the piezoelectric transducer for a first period of time to generate a first vibration of the pane of glass
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining the locations of sensor devices in a sensor array in a structure is disclosed. The method may include determining, by a mobile communication device, a compass direction from a first sensor device to a base station and an elevation angle from the first sensor device to the base station. A distance between the first sensor device and the base station may be determined. Based at least on the compass direction from the first sensor device to the base station, the elevation angle from the first sensor device to the base station, and the distance between the first sensor device and the base station, a location of the first sensor device may be determined. The location of the first sensor device may be caused to be stored with an identifier of the first sensor device.