Data Collection Device for Oscillator Deviation Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The accuracy of signal waveform analysis is degraded due to differences in sampling times between independent observation devices caused by oscillator deviations, leading to inaccuracies in identifying the source of elastic waves.

Innovation Solution

A data collection device that receives a reference signal from an external device, generates a time signal, and performs interpolation processing on sampling data using a parameter value based on the deviation between the reference and measured times, ensuring synchronized sampling and transmission of corrected data to a data analysis device for accurate waveform analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple independent observation devices perform sampling based on their own oscillators, then each device can independently capture signal waveforms, but the sampling times differ due to oscillator deviations causing degraded analysis accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent sampling capabilityVSAvoidsignal waveform analysis accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A reference clock signal is introduced as an intermediary to synchronize the sampling operations of multiple observation devices. Each device receives the same reference clock signal and uses it to control its sampling timing, eliminating the timing deviations that would occur if each device used its own independent oscillator. This mediator ensures that all devices sample at identical time intervals and phases, thereby improving analysis accuracy while maintaining independent operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sampling timing parameter is changed from being device-specific (based on individual oscillator frequencies) to being uniform across all devices (synchronized to a common reference clock). By changing the timing parameter from independent to synchronized, the system maintains the ease of independent sampling while eliminating the measurement precision issues caused by oscillator variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If wired communication is used to transmit signal waveform information, then data transmission is reliable, but installation cost increases when target range is large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical/wired communication system is replaced with a wireless communication system. Instead of using physical cables to connect observation devices to the data analysis device, the patent employs wireless transmission (such as radio frequency communication) to convey signal waveform information. This substitution maintains data transmission reliability while significantly reducing installation costs and complexity, especially when deploying devices over large areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If analog signals are transmitted wirelessly, then transmission is convenient, but unintended noise may be incorporated on the transmission path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless transmission convenienceVSAvoidtransmission noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes analog signal transmission with digital data transmission for wireless communication. Instead of transmitting the continuous analog waveform signal directly over the wireless channel (which would be susceptible to noise and interference), the system first converts the analog signal to digital sampling data at the observation device, then transmits this digitized information wirelessly. This approach eliminates transmission noise while maintaining wireless convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The analog signal is sampled and converted to digital data before wireless transmission. This preliminary action of digitization occurs at the source (observation device) before the signal enters the wireless transmission channel, preventing noise from being introduced during transmission. The digital data is then transmitted wirelessly and reconstructed at the data analysis device, maintaining signal integrity throughout the wireless transmission process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12041576B2Data collection device, signal generation position identification system, data collection method, signal generation position identification method, and program

Publication Date: 2024.07.16 FUJI TECOM INC

AI summary

A data collection device includes a reference signal reception unit that receives a reference signal indicating a first time that is a time measured by an external device, the reference signal being transmitted at first time intervals from the external device, a time signal generation unit that measures a time at second time intervals and generates a time signal indicating a second time that is the measured time, a parameter generation unit that generates a parameter value on the basis of the first time indicated by the reference signal and the second time based on the time signal generated at a point in time when the reference signal is received, a signal reception unit that receives an analog signal indicating a signal waveform of an observed signal, a sampling unit that samples the received analog signal at the second time intervals to generate sampling data, and a data processing unit that performs interpolation processing on the sampling data on the basis of the parameter value.