Wall-Mounted Fall Detector With Motion-Triggered Wave Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring systems for detecting the presence and status of individuals in designated spaces, such as buildings, face challenges with high power consumption and limited detection capabilities, particularly when individuals are not wearing wearable devices, and existing reflective-wave systems are inefficient in low-power applications.
Innovation Solution
A wall-mounted device combining a motion sensor and an active reflective wave sensor, where the active reflective wave sensor is activated only upon detection of motion by the motion sensor, allowing for overlapping fields of view to ensure continuous monitoring and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an active reflective wave sensor is used to detect the presence of a person, then the detection capability is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The active reflective wave sensor operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The sensor is activated only when motion is detected by the motion sensor, and deactivated during periods of no motion. This periodic operation dramatically reduces power consumption while maintaining reliable detection capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion sensor serves as a trigger that automatically activates the active reflective wave sensor when motion is detected. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous operation of the high-power sensor, as the system autonomously activates it only when detection is required.
2Reliability
If the active reflective wave sensor is activated continuously to ensure monitoring coverage, then the detection reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic activation of the active reflective wave sensor based on motion detection events. The sensor is activated only during periods when motion is detected, creating a periodic operation pattern that maintains monitoring coverage while minimizing power consumption during static periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation state of the active reflective wave sensor based on real-time motion detection conditions. The sensor transitions between active and inactive states dynamically, optimizing the balance between monitoring coverage and power consumption according to environmental conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the motion sensor's field of view is used alone for monitoring, then the power consumption is reduced, but the detection coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the fields of view of two different sensors: the motion sensor and the active reflective wave sensor. By positioning them to have overlapping fields of view and activating the active reflective wave sensor based on motion detection, the system achieves extended detection coverage that combines the advantages of both sensors while managing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion sensor acts as an intermediary that triggers the activation of the active reflective wave sensor. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to extend detection coverage beyond the motion sensor's field of view by activating the second sensor only when needed, based on motion detection events within the overlapping region.
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 device effectively detects the presence and status of individuals, including falls, by minimizing power usage and extending detection beyond the motion sensor's field of view, ensuring reliable monitoring even when individuals move out of the motion sensor's range.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor for detecting motion of a person within a first field of view of the motion sensor
Implementation Method 2
an active reflective wave sensor for detecting the presence of a person within a second field of view of the active reflective wave sensor using wave reflections from the environment
Data Source
AI summary
A fall detector device (102) for mounting on a wall for monitoring an environment (100), comprising: a motion sensor (204) for detecting motion of a person (106) within a first field of view of the motion sensor; an active reflective wave sensor (206) for detecting the presence of a person within a second field of view of the active reflective wave sensor using wave reflections from the environment, the first and second fields of views at least partially overlapping one another, and a processor coupled to the motion sensor and active reflective wave sensor for receiving output from each of the motion sensor and active reflective wave sensor, wherein operation of the active reflective wave sensor is dependent on a detection of motion of a person within at least a portion of the first field of view by the motion sensor.