Sensor Tag Wireless Data Collection via Reader Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional sensor applications, sensors often lack connectivity, leading to time-intensive manual data collection, especially when they do not include long or medium range connectivity capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Associating sensors with tags that use short range wireless protocols for data transmission, allowing electronic devices to detect and collect sensor information, which is then communicated to an application server through a network of tag reader/detector devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If sensors are equipped with long/medium range connectivity capabilities, then data transmission distance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the connectivity function into two parts: short-range wireless communication (handled by tags using protocols like NFC, Bluetooth, or RFID) and long-range network communication (handled by separate reader/detector devices connected to networks). This segmentation allows sensors to remain simple while achieving extended communication range through the distributed reader infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Reader/detector devices serve as intermediaries between the simple tags/sensors and the network. These intermediaries collect data from multiple tags using short-range protocols and relay the aggregated information over long distances through network connections, eliminating the need for each sensor to have long-range connectivity capabilities.
2Device complexity
If manual data collection is used for sensors without connectivity, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tag/sensor system performs self-service by automatically transmitting its data to readers/detectors whenever it comes within range. This eliminates the need for manual data collection while keeping the sensor itself simple and connectivity-free, as the automatic transmission is handled by the passive tag and reader infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Reader/detector devices serve multiple functions: they act as data collectors from multiple tags, network gateways for long-range transmission, and potentially as processing nodes. This multi-functionality enables automated data collection across distributed sensors without requiring each sensor to be complex or have built-in connectivity.
3Loss of information
If sensors transmit data continuously, then data availability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the system uses periodic or event-triggered data collection where readers/detectors periodically scan for tags or tags transmit data only when specific events occur. This periodic action maintains data availability while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The reader/detector intermediary handles the active scanning and data retrieval, allowing the passive tag to remain in a low-power state. The intermediary periodically activates to collect data from nearby tags, ensuring data availability while keeping the actual sensor/tag energy consumption minimal.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is operated by detecting a tag having a sensor associated therewith and being configured to transmit information over a defined distance using a short range wireless protocol, and receiving sensor information transmitted by the tag over the communication link.