Smart Sensor Location Identification via Physical Stimulus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart sensors require manual configuration, which is time-consuming and error-prone, leading to deficient monitoring and potential safety issues in systems like aircraft engine monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a processor to broadcast requests for sensor identification, apply physical stimuli to sensors, and evaluate responses to automatically associate sensors with locations and functions, enabling dynamic and automated configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual configuration is used for smart sensors, then installation cabling is reduced and interfaces are simplified, but the configuration process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting physical stimuli and determining its own location and function without manual intervention. The processor receives sensor data, identifies physical stimuli patterns, and automatically configures the sensor for its specific location and monitoring purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensor readings to automatically determine sensor location and function. By analyzing the physical stimuli detected by sensors and comparing expected versus actual sensor responses, the system automatically configures sensors without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and configuration time.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual configuration is used for smart sensors, then installation cabling is reduced and interfaces are simplified, but errors in configuration can occur leading to deficient monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor automatically determines its own configuration parameters by detecting physical stimuli and analyzing its response patterns. This self-service approach eliminates manual configuration errors while maintaining installation simplicity, as the sensor autonomously identifies its location and function based on detected stimuli.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual configuration process with an automated electronic system that detects physical stimuli and programmatically configures sensors. This substitution eliminates human error in configuration while preserving the simplified installation structure, thereby improving monitoring reliability.
3Productivity
If automated stimulus-based configuration is implemented, then configuration time is reduced and errors are eliminated, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a processor as an intermediary that manages the automated configuration process. This intermediary receives sensor data, applies stimulus patterns, analyzes sensor responses, and automatically determines configuration parameters. While this adds a processing layer, it enables rapid automated configuration that outweighs the moderate increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automates configuration by dynamically changing sensor parameters based on detected physical stimuli patterns. By monitoring changes in sensor response parameters under different stimulus conditions, the system automatically determines optimal configuration settings, achieving high productivity with controlled complexity through parameter-based automation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods (400), apparatus (100), and articles of manufacture (800) to identify and configure sensors are disclosed. Certain examples provide an apparatus (100) including a processor (240, 812) and a communication interface (220, 820). The example processor (240, 812) is configured to broadcast, using the communication interface (220, 820), a request for sensor identification in a detection mode. The example processor (240, 812) is configured to receive, using the communication interface (220, 820), sensor identification information. The example processor (240, 812) is configured to instruct, based on the sensor identification information, sensors (101, 102, 103) to enter a monitoring mode to await a stimulus. The example processor (240, 812) is configured to receive, in response to a first stimulus applied to a first location, a first sensor response to the first stimulus from a first sensor (101, 102, 103). The example processor (240, 812) is configured to evaluate the first sensor response with respect to an expected sensor response. The example processor (240, 812) is configured to when the first sensor response satisfies a criterion, associate the first sensor (101, 102, 103) with the first location.