Environmental Sensor State Detection and Adaptive Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Environmental sensors face challenges in optimizing their operation when transitioning from a fixed installation location to a mobile state, lacking versatility and convenience in adapting measurement parameters and methods.
Innovation Solution
An environmental sensor system that includes a state determination unit to differentiate between fixed and mobile states, adjusting measured physical quantities and measurement methods accordingly, utilizing sensors like acceleration, atmospheric pressure, and illuminance to determine its location and switch operations for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the environmental sensor is designed to be fixed at an installation location, then measurement stability and reliability are improved, but adaptability to different usage scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system dynamically adjusts its operational parameters based on detected usage state. The state determination unit identifies whether the sensor is in fixed or mobile state, and the control unit modifies measurement parameters accordingly. This dynamic adaptation allows the sensor to maintain reliability in fixed installations while becoming adaptable when carried by users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes measurement parameters such as sampling frequency, measurement intervals, and active sensor elements based on the determined usage state. In fixed state, parameters are optimized for continuous monitoring, while in mobile state, parameters adjust to account for motion and varying environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
2Loss of information
If the sensor measures multiple physical quantities continuously, then information completeness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements partial measurement by selectively activating only the sensor elements and measurement parameters needed for the current usage state. In mobile state, not all sensor elements are activated simultaneously, reducing power consumption while maintaining sufficient information completeness for the specific context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic measurement with varying intervals based on usage state. In mobile state, measurements are taken at optimized intervals that balance information completeness with power conservation, rather than continuous measurement of all parameters.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor operates in mobile state with all sensor elements activated, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but power consumption and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit applies local quality by selectively activating specific sensor elements based on the determined mobile state and current measurement needs. Different sensor elements are activated in different locations of the operational parameter space, maintaining accuracy where needed while conserving power in other areas.
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
Enhances the sensor's operational versatility and convenience by optimizing data collection in both fixed and mobile states, reducing power consumption and improving accuracy, while alerting users to improper reinstallation.
Implementation Method 1
an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration of the environmental sensor
Implementation Method 2
an atmospheric pressure sensor for detecting atmospheric pressure around the environmental sensor
Implementation Method 3
an illuminance sensor for detecting illuminance of light incident on the environmental sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
A technique for optimizing the operation of an environmental sensor in a fixed state in which the sensor is fixed at an installation location and in an unfixed state in which the sensor is away from the installation location increases the use mode variations of the environmental sensor and enhances convenience. The sensor including sensor elements to measure multiple physical quantities associated with a surrounding environment, and includes a state determination unit that determines whether the environmental sensor is in a first state in which the sensor is fixed at a predetermined installation location or in a second state in which the sensor is away from the installation location (S102, S104), and an operation switch unit that switches an operation of each sensor element that measures the physical quantities based on whether a state determined by the determination unit is the first state or the second state (S105, S106).