Mobile Terminals for Electric Field Strength Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Regulatory bodies face challenges in continuously monitoring and mapping the electric field levels across the entire territory and at any time due to the limited number of fixed and mobile stations, which is costly and impractical to scale up.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a plurality of mobile terminals equipped with electromagnetic wave reception, communication, and geographical positioning capabilities to measure and transmit electric field levels, which are then aggregated to create a map of the electric field distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of fixed or mobile stations are deployed to ensure comprehensive coverage and continuous monitoring of electric field levels across the entire territory, then the monitoring coverage and timeliness are improved, but the investment cost and operating costs become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile terminals (smartphones, tablets) as copies of dedicated measurement stations. These consumer devices are equipped with measurement software that replicates the functionality of expensive fixed/mobile stations, allowing them to perform electric field measurements. This copying approach enables comprehensive territory coverage without deploying a large number of costly specialized stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes mobile terminals universal measurement devices by installing measurement software on them. These terminals serve multiple functions: they act as measurement stations, data collection points, and communication nodes. The same device used for daily communication also performs regulatory monitoring functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated infrastructure.
2Productivity
If the number of measurement stations is increased to reduce the time interval between measurements in the same place, then the temporal resolution and update frequency are improved, but the investment and operating costs increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic measurement network where mobile terminals move with users throughout the territory. Instead of fixed stations requiring physical relocation to increase coverage, the system leverages the natural mobility of users carrying their devices. This dynamic approach allows frequent measurements across different locations without additional infrastructure deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the existing mobile terminals that users already carry for communication purposes. These devices perform measurements autonomously as part of their normal operation, utilizing their built-in antennas, processors, and communication capabilities. No separate measurement infrastructure is needed, as the terminals serve themselves by performing both communication and monitoring functions.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated fixed or mobile stations are used for electric field measurements, then measurement precision and repeatability are improved, but the spatial coverage and ability to monitor at any point in the territory are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement function across multiple distributed mobile terminals rather than concentrating it in a few fixed stations. Each terminal independently performs measurements in its local environment, and the results are aggregated to provide comprehensive territory-wide coverage. This segmentation allows precise local measurements while achieving broad spatial coverage through the distributed nature of the network.
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
Enables comprehensive and timely monitoring of electric field levels across the territory, reducing the need for extensive infrastructure and lowering operational costs while allowing for real-time mapping and evolution tracking.
Implementation Method 1
means for receiving electromagnetic waves connected to an antenna, operating at an operating radio frequency located in an allocated frequency band, and capable of delivering a relative measurement of the level of the electric field received at the operating frequency
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves acquiring (120) a relative measurement of an electric field level and a position measurement using each of a set of mobile terminals i.e. mobile phones. A message comprising the measurements and an operating radio frequency at which power measurement is carried out, is created (140). The message is transmitted (150) to a communication platform via a communication structure i.e. cellular radio infrastructure. The field level measurements from the phones are aggregated in the form of a map at the platform by correcting (180) the power measurement contained in the message. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an information recording medium comprising a set of instructions for implementing an electric field level mapping method (2) a mobile terminal such as mobile phone, comprising a communication unit.