Method and system for collecting sensor data in buildings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building environmental sensor systems face challenges in efficiently collecting and persisting data from wireless sensors, particularly in older buildings where wireless signals are disrupted, leading to potential data loss due to limited sensor memory and the need for reliable data offloading.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a data collection device with short-range and near-field communication capabilities, capable of connecting with environmental sensors to receive data streams, ensuring complete data transfer and using a digital map for navigation to uncollected sensors, and transferring data to an external service, while handling different communication protocols and formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wireless sensors are used to reduce installation costs, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability of data collection deteriorates due to signal interference in older buildings
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile data collection device acts as an intermediary between wireless sensors and the external service. The device physically moves through the building to collect data from sensors in areas with poor wireless signal coverage, then transfers the collected data to the external service when connectivity is available, thereby overcoming the reliability issues caused by signal interference in older buildings.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile data collection device performs preliminary data collection from sensors before transferring it to the external service. By collecting data locally when in proximity to sensors and then offloading it later when connectivity is available, the system ensures data is captured even in areas where continuous wireless communication is unreliable.
2Reliability
If data collection frequency is increased to prevent data loss, then reliability is improved, but use of energy deteriorates due to frequent mobile device movements and communications
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile data collection device operates periodically rather than continuously - it moves to collect data from sensors and then remains stationary to transfer data to the external service. This periodic operation pattern reduces energy consumption compared to continuous movement and communication, while still ensuring data is collected frequently enough to prevent loss from limited sensor memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by ensuring data collection occurs whenever the mobile device is in proximity to sensors, and data transfer occurs continuously when connectivity is available. This maximizes data collection efficiency without requiring constant high-energy operations, balancing reliability with energy conservation.
3Ease of operation
If mobile data collection is used to navigate to sensors, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to navigation and protocol handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile data collection device is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple communication protocols (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee) and perform both navigation to sensors and data transfer to external services. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single device, improving ease of operation despite the inherent complexity of handling diverse protocols and navigation requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for collecting building environmental sensor data includes a first data collection device having a first transceiver that is configured to receive data from proximate building environmental sensors and a second transceiver that is configured to communicate with an external service. The device will, upon detecting that the first transceiver is within a receiving range of a first building environmental sensor, communicatively connect with the first building environmental sensor to receive a data stream that comprises sensor data captured by the first building environmental sensor. The device will continue to receive the data stream until the first transceiver either receives all of the sensor data or moves out of the receiving range. The device will repeat this process for additional building environmental sensors. The device will use its second transceiver to transfer the sensor data to the external service.