Self-locating Wireless Sensor Network with Real-time Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

In process control systems, wireless sensors lack efficient self-location capabilities, leading to unclear or lost location information, which can result in incorrect placement and operational issues within the network.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising wireless sensors and a base station that determine and continuously update location information using methods like GPS, multilateration, or signal strength measurements, associating this data with identity information and transmitting it to the base station for display and management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless sensors are used to enable quick deployment and flexibility, then ease of installation is improved, but location tracking reliability deteriorates because sensors can be easily moved and location information is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidlocation tracking reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless sensor automatically determines its own location using onboard GPS receiver and transmits location information to the base station without requiring manual documentation or configuration. The sensor serves itself by autonomously acquiring, processing, and reporting its location data, eliminating the need for operators to track sensor positions manually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously receives location information from wireless sensors and provides feedback by displaying updated location data on the base station. This feedback mechanism ensures that location information is constantly refreshed and maintained, preventing loss of tracking accuracy even when sensors are moved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If wireless sensors are deployed without wired infrastructure, then system flexibility is improved, but location information accuracy deteriorates because wiring diagrams cannot provide location data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidlocation information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The base station acts as an intermediary between the wireless sensors and the control system. It receives location information from sensors using wireless communication, processes this data, and makes it available to the control system. This intermediary enables accurate location tracking without requiring physical wiring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring infrastructure with wireless communication technology. Instead of using physical cables and wiring diagrams to transmit location data, the system uses wireless transceivers and electronic data transmission, maintaining flexibility while achieving accurate location information through electronic means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If manual location documentation is used for wireless sensors, then initial location accuracy is improved, but maintenance of location information deteriorates because documentation is easily lost or updated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial location accuracyVSAvoidlocation information loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless sensor autonomously determines and reports its location without relying on manual documentation. The sensor uses its onboard GPS receiver to continuously acquire location data and transmits this information to the base station, eliminating the human element that introduces errors and loss in manual tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous location tracking through ongoing wireless communication between sensors and the base station. Location information is continuously updated and maintained in the system, ensuring that accuracy is preserved over time without the interruptions and losses associated with manual documentation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9500736B2System and method for providing self-locating wireless sensors

Publication Date: 2016.11.22 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A wireless sensor network is disclosed that comprises a plurality of wireless sensors and a wireless sensor base station. The wireless sensor base station sends a request to one of the wireless sensors requesting the location information for the selected wireless sensor. The wireless sensor determines its location using a location information determination method, associates its identity information with the location information, and sends the identity information and the location information to the wireless sensor base station. The wireless sensor continuously sends updated location information to the wireless sensor base station as the wireless sensor moves within the wireless sensor network. The wireless sensor base station displays the identity information and the location information of the wireless sensor on a display unit.