Sensor Assignment to Path Intersections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assigning sensors to paths are inefficient, as they often result in excessive sensor deployment and suboptimal placement, failing to maximize coverage and minimize sensor count.
Innovation Solution
The method identifies path intersections and optimizes sensor placement by moving sensors to these intersections and removing excess sensors, using a combined array to prioritize locations with the maximum number of paths, thereby reducing the overall number of sensors required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are deployed along paths without optimization, then path coverage is achieved, but the number of sensors used is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges sensor coverage across multiple paths by identifying path intersections and placing sensors to serve multiple paths simultaneously. The system combines path data from multiple routes and determines optimal intersection points where a single sensor can monitor several paths, thereby reducing the total sensor count while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors placed at path intersections serve multiple functions by monitoring different paths that converge at those points. A single sensor at an intersection point becomes universal, detecting entities on any of the intersecting paths, thus replacing what would otherwise require multiple separate sensors for each individual path.
2Productivity
If sensors are placed at path intersections to maximize coverage, then sensor efficiency improves, but sensor placement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of path data before deploying sensors. It pre-processes path information, identifies all potential intersection points, and calculates optimal sensor locations in advance. This preliminary action simplifies the actual deployment process by providing a clear, pre-determined placement strategy rather than requiring complex real-time decision-making during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational system that acts as a mediator between path data and sensor deployment decisions. This intermediary process analyzes path intersections, determines optimal sensor locations, and generates deployment recommendations, thereby simplifying the complex task of optimizing sensor placement across multiple intersecting paths.
3Ease of operation
If traditional sensor assignment methods are used, then implementation is simple, but coverage optimization is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor deployment problem into distinct analytical steps: path data collection, path intersection identification, sensor location optimization, and deployment recommendation. By breaking down the complex optimization problem into manageable segments, the system maintains ease of implementation while achieving superior coverage optimization through systematic analysis of each segment.
Data Source
AI summary
According to certain embodiments, paths are identified from path data. One or more sensors are assigned to each path. The following are performed: at least one sensor is moved to a path intersection and excess sensors are removed. An excess sensor is a sensor that is not required to satisfy the desired number of sensors of one or more paths. According to certain embodiments, a combined array comprising combined entries is accessed. Each combined entry represents a location and has a value indicating a number of paths at the location. The following are performed to yield a sensor arrangement: a maximum value of the combined array is identified, a sensor is assigned to a location associated with the maximum value, and the paths are removed from the combined array. A result associated with the sensor arrangement is reported.