Intermittent Sensor Activation for Motion Characterization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices face challenges in accurately monitoring and characterizing human body motion in real-time while maintaining low power consumption, as existing methods often require continuous high power usage from multiple sensors.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize a first sensor generating data continuously and a second sensor enabled intermittently, with a processor and classifying circuit determining changes in state to activate the second sensor only when necessary, allowing for accurate motion characterization using both sensors' data while minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are continuously activated to accurately characterize motion, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts sensor activation states based on detected motion characteristics. The first sensor operates continuously while the second sensor is activated only when motion exceeds thresholds, creating a dynamic power consumption profile that adapts to activity levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The second sensor is activated periodically based on motion detection events rather than continuously. The system uses the first sensor to monitor motion continuously and triggers the second sensor only during periods when motion characteristics indicate a need for enhanced measurement.
2Measurement precision
If a second sensor is added to improve motion detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into two functional groups: a first sensor for continuous basic motion monitoring and a second sensor for enhanced periodic measurement. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision only when needed, reducing overall system complexity compared to having all sensors active simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The first sensor acts as an intermediary that monitors motion continuously and triggers the activation of the second sensor only when necessary. This intermediary role reduces the direct interaction complexity between multiple sensors while maintaining measurement precision.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the second sensor is activated intermittently instead of continuously, then use of energy is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The first sensor performs preliminary continuous monitoring to detect motion characteristics before activating the second sensor. This preliminary action ensures that the second sensor is activated only when motion patterns indicate a need for enhanced measurement, preventing loss of critical motion data while saving energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the first sensor's continuous monitoring to control the activation of the second sensor. When the first sensor detects motion exceeding predefined thresholds, it triggers the second sensor to activate, ensuring measurement precision is maintained during significant motion events while reducing power consumption during low-activity periods.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a device may include a first sensor configured to generate first sensor data during a first time period and a second time period; a second sensor configured to be disabled during the first time period, the second sensor further being configured to generate second sensor data during the second time period; and a processor configured to determine a characteristic of the first sensor data during the first time period. The device may further include a classifying circuit configured to determine, during the first time period, whether the device has changed state based on the characteristic of the first sensor data, the classifying circuit further being configured to cause the second sensor to be enabled in response to a change in a state of the device.