Modular architecture for adding a sensor service at a monitored location

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The high installation and maintenance costs of wireless sensor networks limit their penetration in the marketplace due to the need for redesign or redeployment with each change in sensor applications, and existing solutions lack scalability and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A plug-and-play universal sensor interface allows sensor module units to be easily connected and disconnected from wireless nodes, enabling flexible deployment and customization without requiring significant reconfiguration of the wireless sensor network infrastructure, thus reducing costs and enabling seamless scaling with changing sensor application objectives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless sensor networks are deployed with fixed sensor applications, then initial installation costs are covered, but any change in sensor applications requires redesign or redeployment, increasing maintenance costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to new sensor applicationsVSAvoidredesign and redeployment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor network is divided into independent modular components: sensor modules, carrier modules, and wireless communication modules. Each sensor module can be independently attached or detached from a carrier module without affecting other modules, enabling easy reconfiguration for different sensor applications while maintaining the existing wireless infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier module is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of sensor modules. The standardized mechanical and electrical connections allow a single carrier module to support various sensor applications (environmental sensing, industrial monitoring, healthcare, etc.), eliminating the need for redesign when changing applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional sensor networks are redesigned for each new application, then application-specific requirements are met, but installation and maintenance costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for customizationVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier module is pre-configured with wireless communication capabilities, power management, and standardized interfaces during manufacturing. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex field configuration when deploying new sensor modules, reducing both installation time and maintenance costs while maintaining full customization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor modules are designed with self-identifying features and automatic configuration capabilities. When a sensor module is attached to a carrier module, the system automatically detects the module type, configures appropriate parameters, and integrates it into the network without requiring manual setup, thereby reducing installation and maintenance expenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If sensor networks require significant reconfiguration for new applications, then application requirements are satisfied, but deployment time and downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoiddeployment time and network downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor network architecture transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. Sensor modules can be quickly attached or detached from carrier modules without shutting down the network, allowing continuous operation and minimal downtime while adapting to new sensor applications through hot-swappable modular components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If existing wireless sensor network infrastructure is retained, then costs are reduced, but flexibility and scalability for new applications are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost efficiencyVSAvoidscalability and flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The network infrastructure is segmented into reusable core components (wireless communication modules, carrier modules, power systems) and replaceable sensor components. This segmentation allows the existing expensive wireless infrastructure to be retained and reused while only replacing the relatively inexpensive sensor modules, achieving both cost efficiency and enhanced scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier module serves as an intermediary between the existing wireless infrastructure and new sensor modules. It provides standardized interfaces and adaptation layers that enable legacy wireless networks to support new sensor applications without requiring infrastructure changes, thus maintaining cost efficiency while improving flexibility and scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11546677B2Modular architecture for adding a sensor service at a monitored location

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 SENSEWARE INC

AI summary

A universal sensor interface enables selective coupling of one or more sensor module units to a wireless node. Each sensor module unit can contain a suite of sensors selected for a particular sensor application at a monitored location. Reconfiguration of the wireless sensor network can occur seamlessly through the plug-and-play connectivity between the sensor module units and the wireless node.