Seismic Sensor Threshold Adjustment for Power Saving
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Seismic sensors with microcontrollers face high power consumption due to false environmental noise detection, which cannot be fully mitigated by conventional offset adjustments, especially in battery-driven devices used in meter boxes.
Innovation Solution
A seismic sensor operates in power-saving and measuring modes, with a threshold adjuster increasing the first threshold when a predetermined condition is met, reducing the frequency of transitioning to the measuring mode and thus lowering power consumption. This is achieved through an index calculator and threshold adjuster that autonomously adjust the threshold based on acceleration measurements, allowing for more appropriate threshold settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the first threshold is set low to detect small earthquakes, then earthquake detection sensitivity is improved, but false detection frequency increases due to environmental noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment where the first threshold is not fixed but automatically modified based on measured acceleration tendencies. The threshold adjuster increases the first threshold when environmental noise is detected (when acceleration exceeds the threshold frequently), and decreases it when quiet conditions prevail, thereby adapting to changing environmental conditions to maintain detection sensitivity while reducing false alarms
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the measured acceleration is continuously monitored and fed back to the threshold adjuster. When the acceleration frequently exceeds the first threshold (indicating environmental noise), this feedback triggers an increase in the threshold value, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically balances sensitivity and false detection rate
2Measurement precision
If the seismic sensor operates in measuring mode continuously, then earthquake detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by switching between power-saving mode and measuring mode based on acceleration levels. The sensor operates in low-power mode during normal conditions and transitions to full measuring mode only when the acceleration exceeds the first threshold, creating periodic measurement cycles that significantly reduce average power consumption while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service through automatic mode transition based on acceleration thresholds. The threshold adjuster and mode controller work autonomously to switch between power-saving and measuring modes without external intervention, optimizing power consumption based on real-time environmental conditions while maintaining earthquake detection accuracy
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the first threshold is increased to reduce false detection, then false alarm frequency is reduced, but earthquake detection sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the first threshold a dynamic parameter rather than a fixed value. The threshold adjuster continuously modifies the first threshold based on the tendency of acceleration measurements, increasing it during noisy periods to reduce false alarms and decreasing it during quiet periods to maintain sensitivity for detecting small earthquakes
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
The solution effectively reduces power consumption by decreasing the frequency of transitions to the higher power-consuming measuring mode, minimizing false noise detection and optimizing threshold settings based on environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an acceleration measuring part (101) that measures acceleration
Data Source
AI summary
Power consumption of a seismic sensor is suppressed. The seismic sensor is operated in a power-saving mode and a measuring mode in which the power consumption is larger than that of the power-saving mode. The seismic sensor includes: a measuring part configured to measure an acceleration; an index calculator configured to transition from the power-saving mode to the measuring mode to calculate an index value indicating a size of an earthquake when the acceleration measured with the measuring part exceeds a first threshold; and a threshold adjuster configured to change the first threshold so as to increase the first threshold relative to a predetermined reference value when a tendency of the acceleration measured with the measuring part satisfies a predetermined condition.