POS Sensor Pod Resiliency via Passive Wake-Up Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Point of service (POS) transactions face high costs due to lack of resiliency, with failures in sensor systems leading to queue buildup and delays, as existing tools fail to accurately identify and trigger alternate paths for completing transactions when active or passive sensors malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a sensor pod with both active and passive sensors, where the passive sensor is triggered by a wake-up signal from the user device to restore functionality when the active sensor fails, leveraging edge computing and LiFi technology for seamless alternate pathway activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active sensor is used for signal transmission in POS transactions, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates when the sensor malfunctions causing transaction failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a backup passive sensor that remains in standby mode ready to activate when the active sensor fails. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if the primary active sensor malfunctions, the transaction can continue using the passive sensor, thus maintaining reliability while preserving the measurement precision benefits of the active sensor during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensor controller as an intermediary that manages both the active and passive sensors. This controller detects failures in the active sensor and automatically switches to the passive sensor, acting as a mediator that ensures continuous transaction completion while maintaining the precision advantages of the active sensor when functional.
2Reliability
If active sensor fails to receive converted signal, then reliability deteriorates, but adding passive sensor as backup increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the passive sensor to serve dual purposes: it acts as a backup when the active sensor fails, and it can also function as the primary sensing mechanism in certain operational modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for completely separate backup systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines both active and passive sensors within a single sensor pod unit, managed by a unified sensor controller. This merging approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into one integrated unit, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring reliability through the combined capability of both sensor types.
3Loss of time
If sensor failure occurs in POS transaction, then loss of time increases due to queue buildup, but implementing resiliency measures increases infrastructure cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a wake-up signal mechanism that proactively activates the backup passive sensor before the transaction is fully compromised. When the active sensor shows signs of failure, the system sends a wake-up signal to the passive sensor to prepare it for immediate operation, minimizing the time loss from queue buildup while avoiding the need for complex real-time failure detection and switching infrastructure.
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
This approach enhances resiliency by reducing downtime and queueing, allowing for immediate activation of alternate paths and reducing latency, thereby maintaining service uptime and minimizing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first signal is sent from the active sensor of the sensor pod to a user device that is initiating a sale for a service. The user device sends a converted version of the first signal to the active sensor
Implementation Method 2
a user wake up signal can be received from the user device at the passive sensor of the sensor pod. Functionality of the active sensor can be restored with a POS wake up signal sent from the passive sensor of the sensor pod to the active sensor of the sensor pod
Data Source
AI summary
Performing point of sale transactions are performed by configuring a point of service (POS) environment with a sensor pod including an active sensor and a passive sensor. A first signal is sent from the active sensor of the sensor pod to a user device that is initiating a sale for a service. A converted first signal is received at the active sensor, wherein the converted version of the first signal includes identification information for the user. It can be determined that the active sensor of the sensor pod of the point of service environment has not functioned. A user wake up call is received from the user device at the passive sensor of the sensor pod. Functionality of the active sensor is restored with a POS wake up signal sent from the passive sensor to the active sensor.