Modular Sensor Platform for Reducing Hardware Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems are standalone, redundant, and costly, requiring manual data transcription, which is error-prone and inefficient, lacking centralized data aggregation and remote access, and are not cost-effectively connected for field-service management.
Innovation Solution
A modular sensor platform with a common interface for multiple sensors to communicate with a computational device (mobile phone, tablet, or laptop) for data processing and transmission to a central server, using wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth, WiFi, and cellular networks, enabling automatic data recording and contextual enrichment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple standalone sensor devices are used, then each sensor can independently collect and display data, but hardware redundancy increases cost and device size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer, GPS) into a single integrated sensor platform that interfaces with one computational device. This eliminates the need for multiple standalone sensor devices, reducing hardware redundancy while maintaining independent data collection capabilities through software-based sensor fusion and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor platform is designed with a universal interface that can collect data from multiple different sensor types simultaneously. A single device can perform various sensing functions (motion detection, orientation, location, pressure measurement) that previously required separate dedicated devices, thereby reducing hardware complexity while preserving reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual data transcription is used, then data can be recorded from instruments, but errors are introduced during transcription
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical transcription process with an automated electronic data transmission system. Sensors directly communicate measurement data through digital interfaces to the computational device, eliminating the intermediate step of manual writing or copying. This substitution of mechanical transcription with electronic data flow maintains ease of data recording while dramatically improving data accuracy by removing human error sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automated data capture and validation at the source. Sensors continuously collect and buffer data, which is then automatically transmitted and processed before being stored or displayed. This preliminary automated action prevents errors from occurring during later transcription or data entry phases, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If data transcription occurs after non-nominal time has elapsed, then field work constraints are accommodated, but additional errors are injected into the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous automated data collection and transmission. Sensors continuously measure parameters and automatically transmit data to the computational device in real-time or near real-time, eliminating interruptions caused by manual transcription delays. This continuous automated action maintains field work flexibility while preventing error injection that occurs during delayed transcription processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is self-sufficient, automatically collecting, storing, and transmitting its own data without requiring external manual intervention. The sensors perform their measurement function and autonomously communicate results to the computational device, freeing field workers from transcription tasks while ensuring data accuracy is maintained throughout the process.
4Reliability
If every sensor is equipped with long-range connectivity, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computational device as an intermediary between the sensors and the central server. The sensors connect to the computational device via low-cost short-range interfaces (USB, Bluetooth, WiFi), and the computational device handles the expensive long-range communication with the central server. This intermediary architecture enables continuous monitoring capability while significantly reducing the connectivity hardware cost by concentrating expensive communication resources in a single device rather than distributing them to every sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for aggregating multiple handheld instruments into a single platform facilitating the collection and transfer of measurement data to a centralized or distributed system. The platform comprises multiple sensor heads made up of the minimum hardware required for application specific sensing with a common interface which communicates with a common interface device that provides power for the sensor, passes data from the sensor modules and transmits it to a computational platform (mobile phone, tablet or computer), and a centrally accessible system to receive data transmitted from the computation platform and stores it.