Sensor Commissioning via Scanned Identification and Context Prompts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual commissioning of remotely deployed sensors, such as hubodometers, often results in input errors due to manual data entry, leading to user frustration and incorrectly stored data.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for commissioning sensors using a communication unit that scans sensor-identifying features, such as barcodes or RFID tags, to provide identifying data and contextual information about the sensed object, which is then processed by a system controller for confirmation and authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual data entry is used for sensor commissioning, then the commissioning process can be completed, but input errors occur leading to user frustration and incorrectly stored data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical data entry with automated optical scanning (barcode/QR code) and RFID reading systems. The communication unit automatically captures sensor identifying data through scanning or reading operations, eliminating manual typing and significantly reducing input errors while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor itself provides its identifying data through embedded identifiers (barcodes, QR codes, RFID tags) that can be automatically read by the communication unit. This self-service approach allows the sensor to communicate its own identification information without human intervention, improving both accuracy and efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If automated scanning is used to capture sensor identifying data, then data accuracy improves, but additional hardware and processing requirements are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The communication unit is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating as a standalone commissioning device that can scan barcodes, read QR codes, and communicate with RFID tags. This universal design allows a single device to handle multiple identification methods without requiring separate specialized equipment for each type, thereby managing complexity while maintaining high accuracy.
3Loss of information
If contextual information collection is implemented during commissioning, then data completeness improves, but the commissioning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing sensor identifying data through scanning or reading operations before proceeding to contextual information collection. This preliminary automated data capture establishes a foundation that reduces subsequent manual work, allowing contextual information to be collected more efficiently through structured prompts and pre-populated fields based on the already-captured identification data.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a method for commissioning a sensor via a communication unit includes scanning, by the communication unit, a sensor-identifying feature of the sensor to provide sensor-identifying data and sending, by the communication unit to a system controller, the sensor-identifying data. The method further includes receiving, by the communication unit from the system controller, one or more contextual prompts regarding a sensed object to which the sensor is operatively connected and, in response to the contextual prompts, sending, by the communication unit to the system controller, sensed object context information. Thereafter, the method further comprises receiving, by the communication unit from the system controller, confirmation of commissioning of the sensor. A corresponding method in the system controller, as well as corresponding apparatus, are also described.