Fiber Optic Strap Calibration for Wearable Tamper Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic monitoring devices consume high power when transmitting signals along the strap, leading to frequent battery replacements and inefficient tamper detection, especially when the strap is severed or tampered with.
Innovation Solution
A calibration system that minimizes the transmission power level of signals along the strap by iteratively reducing it until it reaches a predefined threshold, ensuring detection by the receiver, thereby reducing power consumption and extending battery life while maintaining effective tamper detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high power level is used for signal transmission along the strap, then reliable tamper detection is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the signal transmission power level based on calibration data. The system determines an optimal power level that is sufficient for reliable tamper detection while minimizing power consumption. This resolves the contradiction by transforming the power level from a fixed high value to a dynamically optimized parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a calibration process where the system tests different signal power levels and selects the minimum level required for reliable receiver detection. This feedback mechanism ensures that the transmission power is optimized to the lowest effective level, resolving the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.
2Reliability
If high power level is used for signal transmission along the strap, then signal detection reliability is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission power parameter from a fixed high level to a calibrated optimal level. By determining the minimum power level required for reliable signal detection and using that level for normal operation, the system extends battery life while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration action during device setup to determine the optimal signal power level before normal operation begins. This preliminary action establishes the correct power level that balances reliability and battery life, avoiding the need to operate at unnecessarily high power levels throughout the device's operational life.
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 calibration system reduces power consumption, prolongs battery life, and ensures reliable tamper detection by adjusting the signal power based on continuous reception, triggering alarms only when the strap is severed or tampered with.
Implementation Method 1
a signal generator configured to generate and transmit a signal along the strap from the first end of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter discloses a method and system for calibrating an electronic monitoring device having a housing and a strap being connected to a first end and a second end of the housing. The method provides for calibrating a transmission power level for signals transmitted along the strap. Then, the signal is generated and transmitted along the strap from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing. Calibrating the transmission power level for signals transmitted along the strap provides for minimizing the power level to a lowest transmission power level detectable by a receiver located in the housing or until the signal is lower than a predefined threshold.