Multi-Sensor Tamper Detection With Threshold Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper detection systems face challenges in accurately identifying tamper events, especially in dynamic environments and low-light conditions, and require complex software algorithms to filter out false positives, leading to costly integration efforts across different market sectors.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit or module that monitors and logs data from multiple sensors (light, acceleration, magnetic field, rotation, temperature, pressure, humidity, and audio) and uses a microcontroller to determine if the data exceeds configurable thresholds, assigning scores and evaluating them against a predetermined alarm threshold to identify tamper events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are integrated to improve tamper detection accuracy, then false positives are filtered out better, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple different sensor types (accelerometer, optical sensor, environmental sensors) into a single integrated tamper detection system. This merging approach allows the system to cross-validate readings from different sensor physics, improving reliability by filtering false positives while managing complexity through unified processing architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated module is designed to perform multiple sensor functions within a single device, making it universally applicable across different market sectors. The system can detect various tamper conditions using different sensor types simultaneously, providing multi-functional capability that improves detection accuracy without requiring separate dedicated systems for each sensor type.
2Reliability
If advanced software algorithms are used to analyze sensor data, then false positives are reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service processing where the integrated module autonomously analyzes sensor data using embedded processing capabilities. The device performs its own data evaluation and tamper detection without requiring external complex software algorithms, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining false positive filtering through intelligent sensor fusion and threshold-based decision making.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical detection is used to detect changes in pixel state, then detection works in moving environments, but it becomes ineffective in low-light or no-light environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite sensing approach that combines optical sensors with other sensor types (accelerometers, environmental sensors) to create a multi-physics detection system. This composite approach allows the system to leverage the motion-detection strength of optical sensors while compensating for their low-light weakness using data from other sensor modalities, achieving reliable detection across varying environmental conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application includes a computer-implemented method for detecting a tamper event. The method includes a step of receiving, from one or more sensors on an integrated module, data indicating one or more of light, acceleration, magnetic field, rotation, temperature, pressure, humidity, and audio. The method also includes a step of transmitting, to a microcontroller/evaluation engine coupled to the integrated module, the received data from the one or more sensors. The method further includes a step of determining, via the microcontroller, the received data exceeding one or more configurable thresholds of the tamper event. The method even further includes a step of assigning, via the microcontroller, a score associated with each of the one or more configurable thresholds being exceeded by the received data. The method yet even further includes a step of collecting, via the microcontroller, an aggregate total based on the assigning step. The method still further includes a step of evaluating, via the controller, the aggregate total in view of a predetermined alarm threshold of the tamper event.