Sensor Malfunction Compensation via Dynamic Resource Reallocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous systems often shut down upon sensor failure without considering the impact of the lost sensor or providing supplemental operational modes, leading to inefficient failure handling.

Innovation Solution

A controller system that monitors sensor malfunctions, determines the criticality of the failing sensor, and adjusts processing to utilize other sensors to maintain operation by reallocating resources and modifying algorithms, allowing the system to continue functioning even with sensor failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system implements a shut-down failure mode upon sensor malfunction, then safety is ensured through known failure states, but system productivity and operational continuity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoperational continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensor types (e.g., LIDAR, cameras, radar) to perform complementary sensor functions. When one sensor fails, other sensors are merged together to compensate for the loss, allowing the system to maintain operational continuity while ensuring safety through redundant sensing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically reconfigures sensor assignments and processing resources in response to sensor malfunctions. The controller continuously monitors sensor health and adapts the sensor network configuration in real-time, transitioning from static sensor assignments to dynamic reconfiguration that maintains safety while preserving operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the system shuts down upon sensor failure, then harmful factors from malfunctioning sensors are eliminated, but loss of time and operational efficiency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor malfunction impactVSAvoiddowntime

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary sensor verification and establishes backup sensor assignments before actual malfunctions occur. During normal operation, the system pre-configures alternative sensor pathways and verifies backup sensor functionality, so that when a malfunction occurs, the transition to backup sensors is immediate and seamless, minimizing downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of sensor malfunction into a beneficial opportunity to activate redundant sensing capabilities and improve system robustness. Rather than viewing sensor failure as purely negative, the system uses malfunction events to trigger adaptive reconfiguration that ultimately strengthens the sensor network's resilience and reduces future downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system uses multiple sensors to compensate for failures, then adaptability and operational resilience improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor replacement capabilityVSAvoidsensor management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universal sensor interfaces and standardized data processing pipelines that allow different sensor types to perform multiple functions. Sensors are designed with multi-functionality, where a single sensor can fulfill multiple sensing roles, reducing the need for dedicated backup sensors and simplifying the overall system architecture despite the need for adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that abstracts the complexity of sensor management from the overall system. It provides a unified interface for sensor verification, malfunction detection, and reconfiguration, mediating between the physical sensor network and the higher-level autonomous system functions, thereby hiding management complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the system reallocates processing resources to compensate for sensor failures, then operational continuity is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidprocessing energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial reconfiguration rather than full system reactivation when sensors fail. Instead of activating all possible backup sensors and processing pathways, it selectively engages only the minimum necessary resources to maintain operational continuity, avoiding excessive energy consumption while preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10732582B2Technologies for managing sensor malfunctions

Publication Date: 2020.08.04 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Technologies for managing sensor malfunctions in a compute system include detecting a malfunctioning sensor of the compute system and determining a sensor function performed by the malfunctioning sensor. In response to detection of the malfunctioning sensor, a different sensor of the compute system is selected to perform the sensor function of the malfunctioning sensor. The selected sensor may be of a different sensor type relative to the sensor type of the malfunctioning sensor. The compute system subsequently performs the sensor function of the malfunctioning sensor using the selected sensor. To do so, the compute system may increase, modify, or adjust the manner in which the sensor data from the selected sensor is processed.