Sensor systems and methods

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively identify potential bullying and vaping, and detect the presence of moving objects in enclosed areas, especially in private spaces, due to privacy concerns and interference from other sounds, while also ensuring air sterilization without harming individuals or pets.

Innovation Solution

A sensor system comprising sound, motion, and air quality sensors, along with a controller and ultraviolet (UV) lamp sterilizer, that identifies bullying and vaping by sound and motion thresholds, powers the UV lamp for controlled sterilization periods to minimize ozone production, and uses hydrogen peroxide for enhanced sterilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If camera surveillance is used to identify potential bullying and vaping, then identification capability is improved, but privacy is compromised in private areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification capabilityVSAvoidprivacy violation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful invasive element (camera) from the detection system and replaces it with non-invasive sensors (sound, motion, air quality) that can detect bullying and vaping behaviors without visual surveillance, thereby maintaining identification capability while preserving privacy in private areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical camera surveillance system with an acoustic and environmental sensing system that uses sound sensors, motion sensors, and air quality sensors to detect behaviors indirectly through physical parameters rather than direct visual observation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If sound sensor is used to detect potential bullying, then detection capability is improved, but false identification increases due to other sounds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidfalse identification rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sensing modalities (sound sensor, motion sensor, air quality sensor) into an integrated detection system that cross-validates signals to distinguish bullying events from other sound sources, thereby improving reliability by reducing false identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from multiple sensor inputs to continuously refine detection accuracy, where motion sensor data confirms sound events and air quality data validates vaping detection, creating a feedback loop that reduces false positives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sterilization is performed continuously, then air quality is improved, but harmful ozone is produced when persons are present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair qualityVSAvoidozone production

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of person presence using motion sensors before activating the sterilization function, ensuring that UV sterilization or ozone-generating processes are only activated when the area is unoccupied, thereby improving air quality without generating harmful ozone exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sterilization system operates dynamically based on real-time occupancy detection, adjusting its activation state between on and off based on presence/absence of persons, which allows continuous air quality improvement when safe and prevents harmful ozone production when persons are present

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Effectively identifies potential bullying and vaping, detects moving objects, and sanitizes enclosed areas without generating harmful ozone levels, ensuring safety and public health by minimizing exposure to harmful substances.

Implementation Method 1

a sound sensor configured to sense sounds at the site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound detection: Sound

Implementation Method 2

a motion sensor configured to detect a motion at the site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection:

Implementation Method 3

The sterilizer is an ultraviolet (UV) lamp. The UV lamp emits light having a frequency from about 100 nm to about 280 nm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet radiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 4

The total period is controlled to be less than or equal to a total predetermined period per unit time based on production of ozone by the UV lamp

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOzone production: Ozone

Implementation Method 5

The sterilizer includes hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide is sprayed when the sterilizer is powered on

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS20230310688A1Sensor systems and methods

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 SOTER TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A sensor system for identifying potential bullying and presence of a moving object at a site includes a sound sensor configured to sense sounds at the site, a motion sensor configured to detect a motion at the site, a sterilizer configured to sterilize air in the site, and a controller configured to identify potential bullying based on the sensed sound, identify presence of the moving object at the site based on the sensed sound or detection of the motion, and supply power to the sterilizer based on the identification.