Sensor Device Wireless Configuration via Physical Property Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor devices lack a user interface for configuring communication settings, making it difficult to connect them to wireless sensor networks, especially when multiple devices need configuration, and existing solutions are cumbersome and require significant user involvement.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with a data decoding unit that decodes network access data coded into measured physical properties, using swift changes in the properties to configure connection to a wireless access point, and a configuring apparatus that varies physical properties to modulate network access data for communication with sensor networks, allowing configuration without a user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sensor devices are provided without a user interface to reduce complexity and cost, then device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but the ability to configure communication settings is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A configuring apparatus acts as an intermediary between the user and the sensor device. This separate device contains the user interface and configuration logic, allowing the sensor device itself to remain simple and interface-free while still enabling configuration through communication between the two devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device automatically detects swift changes in the measured physical property and interprets them as configuration commands. The device serves itself by converting environmental signals into configuration actions without requiring direct user interaction with the device interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor devices need configuration to join wireless sensor networks, then network coverage and functionality are improved, but the time and effort required for configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor device automatically detects swift changes in the measured physical property and self-configures by interpreting these changes as configuration commands. This eliminates the need for manual configuration of each device, dramatically reducing configuration time while enabling network integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuring apparatus pre-prepares configuration data and transmits it to the sensor device before the device needs to join the network. This preliminary configuration action ensures the device is ready for network integration without requiring time-consuming on-site setup.
3Ease of operation
If communication settings are provided beforehand to simplify deployment, then ease of deployment is improved, but adaptability to different network environments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device transitions from a static, pre-configured state to a dynamic, adaptable state. The device can detect and respond to swift changes in the measured physical property, allowing it to adapt its configuration to different network environments while maintaining ease of initial deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its operational parameters based on detected swift changes in the measured physical property. This allows the sensor device to adapt communication settings and other parameters to match the specific network environment it is deployed in, rather than being fixed to a single pre-configured state.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a sensor device, a method, computer and computer program product for configuring the sensor device, a configuring apparatus as well as a method, computer program and computer program code for providing a reporting configuration to a sensor device. The configuring apparatus (26) comprises a signal emitter (28), actuator (44) and a control unit (46) controlling the actuator (44) to vary a physical property of the signal emitter (42) for modulating network access data comprising access point accessing data as a variation of the physical property for conveying to the sensor device (10). The sensor device comprises a sensing unit (12) measuring the physical property (T), a reporting unit reporting measurement data of the physical property, a decoding unit decoding the network access data and a wireless communication unit that connects to a wireless access point (16) of a sensor network (14) using the access point accessing data.