Smartphone Adapter for Grain Bin Sensor Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring conditions in agricultural storage bins, such as grain spoilage, require costly dedicated hardware and are time-consuming and awkward to use, especially when transferring data from handheld devices to personal computers.
Innovation Solution
A data communication system comprising an adapter with a portable housing, sensor receiver, and controller that connects to a condition sensor array and a mobile computer device, allowing for direct data transfer and storage, and enabling instructions to be sent from the mobile device to the adapter to retrieve and transmit condition data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated handheld monitoring device is used to connect to the sensor array, then data can be read and stored on the handheld unit, but the hardware cost increases and the device is limited to dedicated use with sensor cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a smartphone to perform multiple functions: it can read data from the sensor array via the adapter, store data locally, transfer data to a personal computer, and potentially use other applications beyond just grain monitoring. This replaces the dedicated single-function handheld device with a multi-functional smartphone that can serve various monitoring and communication needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary device that connects the sensor array cable to the smartphone. This adapter serves as a mediator that enables communication between the specialized sensor array and the general-purpose smartphone, allowing data transfer without requiring the smartphone to have built-in specialized connectivity for this specific sensor type.
2Loss of information
If a handheld monitoring device is used to read and store data, then data can be captured, but the process becomes time-consuming and awkward when transferring data to a personal computer
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as an intermediary that enables direct connection between the sensor array and smartphone, allowing data to be read directly into the smartphone's memory or cloud storage without the intermediate step of transferring data from a handheld device to a personal computer. This eliminates the time-consuming manual transfer process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically connecting and transferring data between devices with an electronic/digital system where data is transferred electronically through the adapter to the smartphone, which can then instantly upload to cloud storage or transfer to a computer via wireless or wired connections, significantly reducing transfer time.
3Measurement precision
If a dedicated handheld device is used for monitoring, then sensor data can be read, but the hardware becomes a costly accessory with limited versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The smartphone serves as a universal platform that can run multiple applications and perform various functions beyond grain bin monitoring, including data analysis, communication, cloud storage, and potentially monitoring other agricultural parameters. This replaces the dedicated single-purpose handheld device with a versatile multi-functional smartphone.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as a universal intermediary that can potentially connect to different types of sensor arrays or monitoring devices, not just the specific grain temperature sensors mentioned. This increases the versatility of the system, allowing the smartphone to work with various sensing technologies through the same adapter interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Sensed conditions are communicated from a cable sensing array suspended in one or more grain storage bins using an adapter which includes a port for making a wired connection with a cable output of the cable sensing array. The adapter further includes a sensor receiver in connection with the port to receive sensed conditions from the cable sensing array, and an interface. In a preferred embodiment, the interface forms a wired connection with a headphone jack of a smartphone. A program executable on the smartphone communicates a sampling instruction from the smartphone to the adapter through the interface to cause the adapter to retrieve the sensed condition data from the sensing array and transmit the sensed condition data back to the smartphone. The program on the smartphone may include further instructions to transmit the data over a wireless network to a remote server for access by internet enabled devices.