Dynamic Sensor Printing for IoT Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of sensors in IoT systems leads to excessive data collection and analysis, resulting in increased network traffic and resource demands, with many sensors collecting unnecessary data unless critical situations arise or contextual changes occur.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic sensor printing and deployment method that analyzes data from symptom tracking sensors to determine the need for additional sensors, using a 3D printer to create and place sensors only where and when required, potentially on an unmanned aerial vehicle, to reduce the number of permanent sensors and data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are placed on a device to monitor operating conditions, then monitoring capability is improved, but network traffic and resource demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts sensor deployment based on real-time monitoring needs. Instead of having a fixed array of sensors, the system activates additional sensors only when specific conditions are detected, making the monitoring system adaptive and flexible rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures potential sensor locations and types, but only deploys them when needed. The monitoring system has sensor templates ready, but actual sensor activation and deployment is triggered only when analysis of current data indicates a need for additional measurements
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are deployed to capture more data, then measurement completeness is improved, but processing power and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different monitoring intensities to different device components based on their criticality and risk profiles. High-risk areas receive detailed sensor monitoring, while low-risk areas use minimal or no sensors, creating a non-uniform monitoring strategy that optimizes resource usage
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously analyzes sensor data and uses this feedback to determine when additional sensors are needed. The analysis component processes current sensor readings and triggers deployment of supplementary sensors only when data patterns indicate potential issues requiring further investigation
3Speed
If sensors are continuously active to monitor device conditions, then real-time detection capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous sensor operation, the system uses periodic sampling and event-triggered activation. Sensors are activated in cycles or triggered by specific events rather than running continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and processes only the most critical data elements from sensor readings. Rather than continuously analyzing all sensor data in detail, the system identifies and focuses on key indicators that signal potential problems, reducing processing power requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-implemented methods for dynamic sensor printing and deployment. Aspects include receiving, from one or more symptom tracking sensors disposed on an apparatus, data regarding a condition of the apparatus and analyzing the data regarding the condition of the apparatus. Aspects also include determining, based on the analysis, one or more required additional measurements of the apparatus and creating, by a three-dimensional printer, one or more sensors configured to measure the one or more required additional measurements. Aspects further include placing the one or more sensors on the apparatus.