On-Sensor Field-of-View Analytics for Obstruction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial machine sensors, particularly those on heavy equipment, are prone to blockages from dust, dirt, and debris, leading to unreliable readings, which are difficult to detect during adverse conditions, posing safety risks to people and objects in the vicinity.
Innovation Solution
A signal evaluation platform that utilizes multiple sensors to capture images, analyze field-of-view information, and predict object positions across overlapping sensor maps, automatically detecting and mitigating obstructions by generating alerts or executing interference mitigation programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual reporting by operators is used to detect sensor blockages, then detection capability relies on human observation, but detection reliability deteriorates during adverse environmental conditions such as adverse weather or at night
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs self-diagnosis by automatically detecting its own blockages through cross-validation with other sensors, eliminating the need for manual operator observation. The system monitors itself and generates alerts when blockages are detected, making the detection process autonomous and reliable under all environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where sensor data from multiple sources is continuously compared and validated. When discrepancies indicate potential blockages, the system generates feedback alerts to notify operators, creating a closed-loop detection system that maintains high reliability without requiring constant manual monitoring.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are deployed to capture comprehensive surroundings, then detection coverage is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data from multiple sensors into a unified detection system that uses cross-validation to identify blockages. By merging sensor inputs and comparing their outputs, the system achieves comprehensive coverage while managing complexity through integrated processing and centralized blockage detection logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality where each sensor serves both primary detection purposes and secondary blockage detection purposes. This universal approach allows the same sensor array to perform both environmental monitoring and self-diagnosis, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
3Measurement precision
If parallel detection across multiple sensors is implemented, then blockage detection accuracy is improved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial validation by comparing sensor data only when necessary - specifically when discrepancies are detected that suggest potential blockages. Rather than continuously performing full cross-validation computations, the system activates intensive comparison only when anomalies are identified, reducing overall computational energy consumption while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for mitigation of sensor obstructions or interference. The system can generate a first sensor map using a first sensor and a second sensor map using a second sensor. The system can detect a first representation of a first object in the first sensor map. The system can obtain first field-of-view information associated with the first sensor and second field-of-view information associated with the second sensor. The system can generate a prediction for an object position of the first object. The system can determine, in the second sensor map, a predicted sensor cell for the first object. The system can determine that the second sensor map does not include a second representation of the object. The system can generate a sensor operation status for the second sensor. The system can execute an interference diagnostic program according to the sensor operation status.