Sensor Calibration Data Matching via Identifier Hashing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems face challenges in ensuring unique identification values for sensor units, particularly during manufacturing and recalibration, which complicates the exchangeability and calibration of sensor units in restricted spaces like ATMs, where small, disguised sensors are required.
Innovation Solution
A method where the processing unit determines calibration data by receiving an identifier calculated based on the sensor unit's calibration data, checking for matching identifiers, and requesting new data if necessary, using cryptographic hash functions to ensure data integrity and uniqueness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an identification value is stored in the sensor unit along with calibration data, then the processing unit can identify which calibration data to use, but ensuring the identification value is unique for each sensor unit becomes difficult from a manufacturing point of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the processing unit) that stores multiple calibration data sets and their associated identification values. Instead of relying on the sensor unit to generate unique identifiers, the processing unit acts as a central repository that matches sensor units with appropriate calibration data, thereby eliminating the manufacturing complexity of ensuring unique identifiers while maintaining reliable calibration data identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing unit is designed to handle multiple calibration data sets for different sensor units, making it a universal solution that can accommodate any sensor unit in the system. This multi-functionality allows the same processing unit to serve multiple sensor units with different calibration requirements, eliminating the need for each sensor unit to have unique identification capabilities built into its manufacturing process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor unit is separated from the processing unit to facilitate exchangeability, then maintenance and requirement changes become easier, but the sensor unit requires more external resources for calibration data storage and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts the calibration data storage dimension from the sensor unit level to the processing unit level. By moving calibration data management to a different hierarchical dimension (the central processing unit), the sensor unit can remain simple and exchangeable while the complexity of calibration data management is handled externally at a higher level of the system hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the calibration data storage and management functionality from the sensor unit and places it in the processing unit. This extraction allows the sensor unit to be simplified for easy exchangeability while the processing unit assumes the burden of managing calibration data for multiple sensor units, thereby separating concerns and improving modularity.
3Reliability
If calibration data is transmitted from the sensor unit to the processing unit, then the correct calibration data can be used, but the start-up time increases and bandwidth is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing multiple calibration data sets and their identification values in the processing unit before sensor units are connected. When a sensor unit is connected, the processing unit can immediately compare the sensor unit's identification value against the pre-stored values and retrieve the matching calibration data without requiring time-consuming transmission or computation, thereby reducing start-up time while ensuring correct calibration data usage.
4Reliability
If the identifier is transmitted from the sensor unit for verification, then data integrity can be ensured, but the bandwidth requirement increases for remote connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential identification value from the full calibration data set and transmits only this compact identifier from the sensor unit to the processing unit. The processing unit then uses this extracted identifier to retrieve the corresponding full calibration data from its pre-stored database, thereby ensuring data verification while minimizing the quantity of data that needs to be transmitted over bandwidth-limited connections.
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 reduces start-up time, facilitates easy installation and replacement of sensor units, and ensures the use of correct calibration data, improving data quality and system efficiency, especially in bandwidth-limited connections.
Implementation Method 1
using cryptographic hash functions to ensure data integrity and uniqueness
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed in a processing unit for determining calibration data to be used when processing data from a sensor unit connected to the processing unit, the method including receiving, from the sensor unit, an identifier which identifies and is calculated based on calibration data stored in the sensor unit, checking if there is an identifier stored in the processing unit identical to the received identifier, where the identifier stored in the processing unit identifies and is calculated based on calibration data stored in the processing unit, if an identical identifier is stored in the processing unit, using the calibration data stored in the processing unit identified by the identical identifier when processing data from the sensor unit, if no identical identifier is stored in the processing unit, requesting the sensor unit to transmit calibration data, and using the requested calibration data when processing data from the sensor unit.