Smart Edge Platform Standardized Interfaces Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The industrial inspection market faces challenges in transitioning from manual to robotic inspection operations, as existing methods require laborious and time-consuming customization of sensor systems and platforms for each application, leading to inefficiencies and limited reuse of developed platforms.
Innovation Solution
A smart edge platform with standardized hardware interfaces and customizable processing functions, allowing for the integration of various sensors and actuation components, and enabling onboard edge processing, data synchronization, and AI-driven automation, thereby streamlining platform development and enhancing reuse across different applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional sensors are manually operated and customized for each application, then sensor functionality can be tailored to specific needs, but platform development becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal robotic-supporting platform that can accommodate multiple sensor types (imaging sensors, depth sensors, thermal imaging sensors, position sensors, orientation sensors) through standardized interfaces and a common processing pipeline, eliminating the need to build custom platforms for each sensor application while maintaining the ability to tailor functionality through software configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom platforms are built from the ground up for each sensor capability, then specific sensor requirements can be met, but the process becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the platform into modular components: standardized hardware interfaces for sensor connection, a common processing pipeline for data handling, and configurable software modules for specific processing functions. This segmentation allows different sensor capabilities to be integrated through standardized connections rather than custom-built platforms, reducing overall system complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If various imaging and position sensors are accumulated for robotic inspection, then comprehensive inspection capability is achieved, but integration and customization become time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal processing pipeline that can handle data from multiple sensor types (imaging, depth, thermal, position, orientation) through a single integrated system. The pipeline includes standardized modules for data reception, processing, and output that can be configured to work with any sensor type without requiring separate integration processes for each sensor category
Data Source
AI summary
Smart sensors, platforms for smart sensors, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In some implementations, the platform includes hardware interfaces that are abstracted and/or standardized as defined by various common group types. The abstracted interfaces allow numerous different sensors to be connected and integrated into the smart sensor as desired for a specific application. Further, the platform can reuse a standardized software backbone as a sensor platform as sensors are varied, as well as across multiple smart sensors. In some implementations, the standardized sensor platform can include an on-board resident user interface (RUI) with an internet-accessible portal, allowing users to connect to the RUI on the sensor platform through any network accessible device. The platform can also include an artificial intelligence and/or machine learning engine to turn raw sensor data into real-time automation and inspection information within the sensor within the local environment.