On-Body Sensor Hub Wireless Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable devices face limitations due to bulky on-board power sources, which restrict their form factor and longevity, and there is a disparity between advancements in sensor components and backend processing and transmission technologies.
Innovation Solution
An interchangeable sensor system featuring a hub that wirelessly transmits power and data to sensor nodes, allowing continuous, periodic, or semi-periodic operation without an on-body power source, enabling efficient acquisition and transmission of sensor information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If sensor nodes have on-board power sources, then they can operate independently, but the form factor increases and longevity is limited due to bulky batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The power source is extracted from the sensor node and placed in a separate hub device. The hub wirelessly transmits power to the sensor node, eliminating the need for bulky on-board batteries in the sensor node while maintaining operational independence through wireless power transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
A hub device serves as an intermediary between the power source and the sensor node. The hub contains the power source and wirelessly transmits power to the sensor node, enabling the sensor node to operate without an on-board power source while maintaining operational independence.
2Volume of moving object
If sensor nodes use wireless power transfer, then form factor is reduced, but the reader must be in constant proximity to the sensor node
Solution Approach 1:
The hub device integrates multiple functions including power transmission, data collection, and processing capabilities into a single device. This allows the sensor node to be small and simple while the hub handles the complexity of power management and data processing, eliminating the need for constant proximity to a separate reader device.
3Productivity
If sensor nodes have integrated backend components, then processing and storage are available, but the disparity between sensor and backend advancements limits overall system performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into separate functional components: sensor nodes dedicated to sensing and a hub dedicated to backend processing and storage. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling faster adaptation of sensor technology without being constrained by backend component advancements.
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 solution enhances the form factor and longevity of wearable devices by decoupling backend components from sensor nodes, allowing for faster adaptation of advancements in sensors and backend technologies, and enabling continuous monitoring without constant proximity to an off-body computer device.
Implementation Method 1
the hub is configured to transmit electrical power and operational data wirelessly to the one or more sensor nodes
Data Source
AI summary
An on-body sensor system includes a hub configured to be attached to a surface of a user. The hub being further configured to transmit electrical power and data signals into the surface and to receive response data signals from the surface. The system further including at least one sensor node configured to be attached to the surface or just below the skin. The system further including at least one sensor node being further configured to receive the electrical power and data signals from the hub through the surface and to transmit the response data signals into the surface. The electrical power from the hub powers the at least one sensor node and causes the at least one sensor node to generate sensor information that is transmitted back to the hub within the response data signals.