Table-mounted sensor assembly for determining a status of a workspace, desk or table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workspace occupancy sensor systems do not provide information on the cleanliness of workspaces and are power-consuming, requiring constant power supply or frequent battery replacements.
Innovation Solution
A table-mounted sensor assembly with a motion and/or proximity sensor, wireless transceiver, processing unit, and local user interface that can be manually configured to indicate states such as dirty, occupied, cleaning, and clean, using a magnetically activated sensor switch and infrared light emitter/sensor for efficient power management and user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If existing workspace occupancy sensor systems are used to monitor occupancy, then occupancy detection is achieved, but information on workspace cleanliness is not provided and power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly uses periodic motion detection to determine occupancy status. The system activates sensors at intervals and transitions between states (dirty, occupied, clean) based on periodic detection cycles, reducing continuous power consumption while maintaining effective monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically transitions between states based on sensor input and timer expiration without requiring continuous external control. The processing unit autonomously manages state transitions, cleaning state timing, and sensor activation, minimizing the need for constant power supply while maintaining operational functionality
2Ease of operation
If existing workspace occupancy sensor systems are used, then basic occupancy monitoring is achieved, but user control and manual state setting are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly integrates multiple functions into a single device: automated motion sensing, manual user input via button interface, timer-based cleaning state management, and wireless communication. This multi-functional design allows the same hardware platform to handle both automated and manual operational modes without requiring separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The processing unit acts as an intermediary that receives inputs from both the motion sensor and the local user interface, then coordinates state transitions and timer operations. This central coordination layer manages the complexity of multiple input sources and state management, presenting a simplified interface to users while handling sophisticated internal logic
3Adaptability or versatility
If a battery-powered sensor assembly is used, then power consumption is reduced and installation flexibility is improved, but device compactness must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly integrates multiple components within a compact housing: the motion sensor, wireless transceiver, processing unit, user interface buttons, and battery are nested together in a space-efficient arrangement. The magnetically activated switches are positioned within the housing to interact with external magnets, maximizing internal space utilization while maintaining a compact external form factor suitable for table-top mounting
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
The solution provides a compact, efficient, and power-efficient means to monitor workspace occupancy and cleanliness, allowing for wireless communication and user input to manage states, reducing power consumption and enhancing user awareness of workspace status.
Implementation Method 1
The motion and/or proximity sensor comprises a light emitter, such as an infrared LED emitter, and a light sensor, such as an infrared light sensor. The light emitter may be configured to emit at least one light pulse at intervals, whereas the infrared light sensor detects reflected light.
Implementation Method 2
The light emitter may be configured to emit at least one light pulse at intervals, whereas the infrared light sensor detects reflected light.
Implementation Method 3
The local user interface comprises a magnetically activated sensor switch, and wherein the manual button comprises at least one magnet.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a table-mounted sensor assembly for determining a status of a workspace, desk or table, the table-mounted sensor assembly comprising: a motion and/or proximity sensor; a wireless transceiver for wireless communication with an external unit, such as a gateway; a processing unit; a local user interface for manually setting a state of the table-mounted sensor assembly; and a battery for powering the motion and/or proximity sensor, the wireless transceiver, the processing unit and the local user interface, wherein the table-mounted sensor assembly comprises at least a dirty state, an occupied state, and a clean state, wherein the processing unit is configured to set the table-mounted sensor assembly in one of the dirty state, occupied state and clean state based on motion and/or proximity sensor data from the motion and/or proximity sensor and user input data from the local user interface to determine the status of the workspace.