Presence Detection Using Optical Signal Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless connection technologies between mobile devices and target devices in medical treatment rooms do not guarantee that the mobile device is present in the same room as the target device, leading to potential unsafe operation scenarios where a user outside the room can accidentally control a target device.
Innovation Solution
A control loop system that uses a stationary signal source and receiver to emit and detect a pilot signal, adjusting its amplitude to ensure the signal-to-noise ratio is sufficient, allowing the mobile device to verify its presence within the room before allowing control of the target device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless transmission technology is used between mobile device and device control unit, then ease of operation and mobility are improved, but reliability of spatial relationship verification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification system consisting of a signal source and signal receiver that mediates between the mobile device and target device. This intermediary system verifies spatial relationships through optical signals, ensuring that wireless control operations maintain proper spatial verification without compromising mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/wired connection verification with optical signal-based verification. Instead of relying on physical connections to guarantee spatial relationships, the system uses optical signals (infrared or visible light) to verify presence in the same room, maintaining wireless operation while improving reliability.
2Measurement precision
If optical signals like infrared are used for verification, then signal-to-noise ratio and detection accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal source and signal receiver are integrated into the existing room infrastructure, utilizing ambient optical environments. The system leverages naturally available optical pathways and uses standard optical detection components, allowing the verification system to serve itself without requiring complex external infrastructure.
3Reliability
If a control loop with signal adjustment is implemented, then reliability of presence detection is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control loop implements periodic verification by emitting optical signals at regular intervals and adjusting signal parameters dynamically. This periodic action maintains reliable presence detection while allowing the system to return to low-power states between verification cycles, balancing reliability with energy efficiency.
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
Ensures that the mobile device is accurately recognized as being in the same room as the target device, preventing accidental control and enhancing safety by maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio and using optical signals like infrared, which are less disruptive and easier to manage.
Implementation Method 1
the signal source (20) and the signal receiver (24) are designed as an optical signal source and an optical signal receiver, respectively
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
Device (10) for presence detection of a mobile device (12) in a room (14), the device comprising a device control unit (16) for controlling a target device (18), a mobile device (12) for controlling a target device (18) via the device control unit (16), a signal source (20) for emitting a pilot signal (22), a signal receiver (24) for receiving a room signal (26) generated by the pilot signal (22), wherein the signal receiver (24) is arranged in spatial proximity to the mobile device (12) and is configured to output a measurement signal (32) in response to the received room signal (26), a signal control unit (34) for controlling the signal source, wherein the signal control unit (34) is configured to control the signal source (20) depending on an actual value signal (36) obtained from the measurement signal (32) such that an approximation of the The actual value signal is converted to a predefinable target value signal.and wherein the device control unit is configured to control the target device by the mobile device depending on whether the approach has taken place. Furthermore, a corresponding method (60, 64) for presence detection is disclosed.