Networked Sensor Sharing for Obstruction Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in gathering desired information and providing output effectively due to obstructions and limitations in sensor resources, leading to suboptimal performance and reduced signal quality.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically shares sensor resources among multiple electronic devices, such as head-mounted devices, cellular telephones, and computers, to overcome obstructions and enhance sensor measurement quality by using unobstructed sensors and optimizing resource allocation based on device positions and available resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single electronic device uses its own sensors, then device independence is maintained, but sensor measurement quality deteriorates due to obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sensor resources from multiple electronic devices into a unified networked system. Devices share sensors through a network connection, allowing any device to access sensors from other devices. This merging approach resolves the contradiction by pooling sensor capabilities across devices, thereby improving measurement quality while distributing the complexity burden across the entire system rather than requiring each individual device to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal sensor pool where sensors from different devices can serve multiple purposes and multiple devices. A single sensor can be accessed by multiple devices depending on their needs, and each device can function as both a sensor consumer and sensor provider. This multi-functionality allows the system to overcome individual device limitations while maintaining relative simplicity in each device's design.
2Measurement precision
If multiple devices share sensor resources, then measurement accuracy improves, but resource coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where each device autonomously evaluates its own sensor needs and independently selects appropriate sensors from the network. Devices publish their sensor requirements and consume sensors that match their needs without requiring centralized arbitration. This self-service approach improves measurement accuracy through resource sharing while avoiding the complexity of centralized coordination by distributing decision-making to individual devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes preliminary device discovery and sensor publishing mechanisms where devices advertise their available sensors and capabilities in advance. This preliminary action allows other devices to know what sensors are available before they need them, eliminating the need for complex real-time coordination. Devices can make sensor selection decisions based on pre-exchanged information, improving accuracy while keeping coordination complexity manageable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If devices operate independently with dedicated sensors, then system simplicity is maintained, but sensor utility deteriorates due to obstructions and limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network infrastructure as an intermediary that connects devices and enables sensor sharing. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of resource management, discovery, and allocation, allowing individual devices to remain relatively simple while achieving high adaptability. The network mediator abstracts the complexity of coordinating multiple devices, enabling versatile sensor utilization without requiring each device to become complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include electronic devices such as a head-mounted electronic device, a cellular telephone, a wristwatch device, a computer, and other devices. During operation of the system, one or more of the electronic devices may gather information on the positions of the electronic devices. Information may also be gathered on the positions of objects and obstructions. This position information and/or other information such as information on which sensor resources are available in each of the devices may be used to determine which of the sensors of the electronic devices in the room should be shared. Shared sensors may gather information that is communicated wirelessly to other devices for use by those devices.