Mobile Device Environmental Sensor Data Processing and Alert System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environmental monitoring systems are complex, expensive, and prone to failure due to reliance on centralized server-based solutions, which can be fragile and have single points of failure, limiting their reliability and scalability for applications like construction projects where multiple sensors are needed to monitor noise, dust, and other pollutants.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device system that communicates with sensing instruments via wired or wireless connections, using inexpensive digital signal processing chips and microcontrollers to gather and analyze data, providing alerts through various channels like text messages, phone calls, and social media, and allowing for redundant setups to enhance reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If centralized server-based solutions are used for environmental monitoring, then data processing capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to single points of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized monitoring system into distributed mobile devices, each capable of independent data processing and threshold evaluation. This segmentation eliminates single points of failure while maintaining processing capability across multiple independent units that can operate autonomously or in coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mobile devices as intermediary elements between sensors and central servers. These intermediaries perform local data processing and threshold evaluation, reducing dependency on centralized servers while maintaining system coordination through optional cloud connectivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are deployed to monitor various environmental parameters, then monitoring coverage is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mobile devices that serve multiple functions: they act as data collectors from various sensors, local processors for threshold evaluation, alert generation systems, and communication hubs. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized systems, reducing overall complexity while expanding monitoring coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple monitoring functions (data collection, processing, threshold evaluation, alert generation, and communication) into integrated mobile devices. This merging approach simplifies system architecture by eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems for each function while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual data download methods are used from sensors, then system cost is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to periodic manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated monitoring where mobile devices automatically collect data from sensors, evaluate thresholds, generate alerts, and communicate results without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains low system costs by using readily available mobile devices while dramatically improving monitoring efficiency through continuous automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual data download operations with automated electronic data collection and processing systems. Mobile devices automatically retrieve sensor data, process it locally, and generate alerts without requiring physical intervention, thereby substituting mechanical manual operations with automated electronic processes that improve efficiency while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for a sensor data gathering, threshold exceedance determination, and alert generation mobile device communication system. One of the methods includes obtaining information associated with sensing instruments monitoring physical characteristics of an environment. Values associated with physical characteristics are determined to have exceeded respective thresholds using the obtained information. Alert information describing the values is generated in response to the determination.