Multipoint Sensor Master-Slave Control for Lower Power Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices with multiple sensors face frequent battery recharging or replacement issues due to inefficient power management, leading to user frustration and dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A multipoint sensor system that communicates with multiple sensors to determine capabilities, configures them based on application intent, designates a master sensor to collect and process data, and sends data to the device only when necessary, allowing the device to remain in a low power mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors continuously collect and transmit data to the computing device, then data availability and monitoring capability are improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The master sensor acts as an intermediary between slave sensors and the computing device. Slave sensors transmit data to the master sensor, which then selectively transmits aggregated data to the computing device. This intermediary role reduces the number of direct communication links and allows for centralized power management, enabling the computing device to enter low power mode while maintaining data availability through the master sensor's buffering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic data transmission instead of continuous transmission. The master sensor collects data from slave sensors at intervals and transmits aggregated data to the computing device periodically. This periodic action maintains data availability while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring and transmission by all sensors.
2Measurement precision
If all sensors operate at full power continuously, then sensor data quality and collection frequency are improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different operational modes to different sensors based on their roles. Master sensors operate at full power to maintain data quality and perform processing, while slave sensors operate at reduced power or are periodically activated. This local quality differentiation ensures that measurement precision is maintained where critical (at the master sensor) while extending battery life through selective power management across the sensor network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functionality of multiple slave sensors into a single master sensor that aggregates and processes data from all sources. This consolidation allows the computing device to receive comprehensive sensor data through a single interface, enabling the device to remain in low power mode while maintaining access to high-quality sensor data that has been pre-processed and validated by the master sensor.
3Speed
If the computing device frequently wakes up to process sensor data, then data processing responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master sensor performs preliminary data collection, filtering, and aggregation before transmitting to the computing device. This preliminary action at the sensor level means the computing device receives pre-processed, ready-to-analyze data, reducing the need for frequent wake-ups and intensive processing. The master sensor prepares data in advance, maintaining responsiveness while allowing the computing device to remain in low power mode longer.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device includes a control system that communicates with multiple sensors that capture data regarding a user. The control system communicates with each of the sensors to obtain information regarding the capabilities of each sensor, and uses this capability information to determine how to configure each of the sensors. The control system also selects one of the multiple sensors to be the master sensor, and the rest of the multiple sensors are slave sensors, and notifies the multiple sensors of whether they are a slave sensor or a master sensor. The master sensor collects sensor data for the multiple sensors, capturing data itself as well as receiving data captured by the slave sensors from the slave sensors. The master sensor sends an indication of the collected data (e.g., the collected data itself or data resulting from processing the collected data) to the control system for analysis and/or processing.