Self-Powered Wireless Sensors for Access Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security monitoring systems for secure areas, such as aircraft, are inefficient due to reliance on human inspections, high bandwidth and power consumption, and labor-intensive installations, leading to potential missed areas and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising self-powered, wireless sensors with two states that automatically record and store access events until queried by a controller, reducing continuous data transmission and power requirements, allowing operation independently of the aircraft's network infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired cameras are used for continuous video monitoring, then security monitoring capability is improved, but bandwidth consumption and power requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity monitoring capabilityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic polling instead of continuous transmission. Sensors remain in sleep mode and only wake up to transmit data when triggered by an event or when polled by the controller, dramatically reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential monitoring function from continuous video surveillance. Instead of transmitting continuous video streams, the system extracts and transmits only relevant sensor data (motion detection, temperature, humidity, etc.) when thresholds are exceeded, reducing bandwidth requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If wired cameras with continuous data transmission are deployed, then monitoring coverage is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors operate in periodic cycles, alternating between low-power sleep mode and active measurement/transmission modes. This periodic operation maintains monitoring coverage while dramatically reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses energy harvesting components (solar panels, thermoelectric generators) to power the sensors autonomously, reducing or eliminating the need for external power sources while maintaining continuous monitoring coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If human inspections are performed, then access detection is achieved, but time consumption and risk of human error increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess detection accuracyVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual human inspection with automated sensor-based detection. Sensors continuously monitor for access events, providing accurate detection without the time constraints and human error associated with manual inspections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system operates continuously, providing uninterrupted monitoring of access events. This eliminates the gaps between periodic human inspections and ensures no access events are missed, improving both accuracy and time efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If wired camera systems are installed, then monitoring capability is improved, but installation labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex wired camera installations with wireless sensor nodes that can be easily deployed and configured. These battery-powered or energy-harvesting sensors require no electrical wiring or network infrastructure, dramatically simplifying installation while maintaining monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3319052B1Autonomous, low energy, access indication system

Publication Date: 2023.06.28 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

A system and method for detecting access to a monitored space including one or more controllers, one or more data collectors, and one or more sensors. The sensors are self-powered, wireless components having two states. Each time a sensor detects a physical change within the space, the sensor switches from one state to another. Each incidence of a sensor changing states is recorded within the sensor. The sensors do not continuously transmit the changed state information and rather report data only when queried by a controller. A data collector may be used to process the data from the sensors before transmitting it to the controller. The wireless, self-powered, limited data storing sensors enable the system to function independently of the environment's network infrastructure and power source. Once a human operator receives notice of an access event via the controller, the operator can escalate the level of inspection of the area. (Fig. 1)