Mobile Sensor Data Management for Environmental Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment and maintenance of networks of distributed sensors for environmental monitoring are cumbersome and expensive, as a large number of sensors are required to provide sufficient information coverage for a given geographic area, and individual sensors are often geographically fixed, limiting their utility.
Innovation Solution
The use of distributed mobile sensor platforms that can collect environmental information over a larger geographic area than fixed sensors, combined with an information service provider system that aggregates, manages, and quality-checks data from multiple sensors, and incentivizes the collection of specific information types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of distributed sensors are deployed to provide sufficient information coverage, then measurement precision and data coverage are improved, but device complexity and deployment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from static, geographically fixed sensors to mobile sensors mounted on moving platforms such as vehicles. This allows the sensor network to dynamically cover different geographic areas, providing sufficient environmental information coverage without requiring a permanently deployed large-scale fixed sensor network. The mobile platforms move through different locations, dynamically expanding the coverage area while using a smaller number of sensors.
2Reliability
If individual sensors are made geographically fixed to ensure stable data collection, then measurement stability is improved, but adaptability to different geographic areas decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the sensors mobile rather than fixed. The sensors are mounted on moving platforms that can travel to different geographic areas while maintaining stable data collection during movement. This dynamic approach allows the same sensors to adapt to different locations without compromising measurement stability, as the sensors remain securely mounted and operational throughout their journey.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a sensor platform that can serve multiple geographic areas and applications. The mobile sensor system is not dedicated to a single location but can be deployed across various regions, making it versatile for different environmental monitoring needs while maintaining reliable data collection capabilities throughout its operational range.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple mobile sensor platforms are used to collect data over larger geographic areas, then area coverage is improved, but data consistency and quality management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a centralized server that receives data from multiple mobile sensor platforms, processes the information, and provides quality control. The server analyzes data from different platforms, compares measurements, and ensures consistency across the network. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain high data quality and consistency even as geographic coverage expands through multiple mobile platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sensor platforms' data through a centralized server that aggregates and harmonizes information from different sources. By merging the data streams and applying quality control algorithms, the system maintains consistent measurement standards across all platforms while benefiting from their combined geographic coverage capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for management of information, including environmental information, obtained by a variety of sensors associated with one or more distributed mobile sensor platforms. In certain embodiments, the geographically transitory nature of a mobile sensor platform may be leveraged to facilitate collection of environmental information over a larger geographic area than that of a fixed sensor platform. Embodiments disclosed herein provide for information consistency and/or quality checking of information obtained by mobile sensor platforms. Further embodiments may be used to incentivize the collection and/or acquisition of certain data via point and/or credit-based compensation.