Tap-Activated Radio Access for Safer Field Instrument Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field devices with radio interfaces for remote control pose safety hazards due to potential undesired actuation and increase energy consumption when not in use, as they require complex mechanical interactions for operation.
Innovation Solution
A field device with a housing, measuring transducer, operating electronics, and a radio module that can be turned on and off using a sequence of accelerations detected by an acceleration sensor, allowing for remote control through touch or tap inputs, reducing the need for direct mechanical interaction and minimizing energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a radio interface is provided for remote control, then ease of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates due to potential undesired actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The radio module dynamically changes its operational state between active and inactive based on detected acceleration patterns. The system transitions from a static always-on state to a dynamic state where the radio interface is activated only when specific tap patterns are recognized, thereby improving safety while maintaining ease of operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical keypress interactions with simple mechanical taps detected by an acceleration sensor. This substitution allows the system to distinguish between intentional user input (specific tap patterns) and accidental contacts, improving safety while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive gestures.
2Ease of operation
If a radio interface is provided for remote control, then ease of operation is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radio module operates periodically rather than continuously, being activated only when acceleration patterns indicate intentional user input. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to keeping the radio interface constantly active, while still maintaining remote control capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the acceleration sensor to automatically detect and respond to user intent, activating the radio module only when necessary. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous monitoring and manual activation, reducing energy consumption while preserving ease of operation through automatic response to valid input patterns.
3Ease of operation
If a complex interaction facility with keypad is provided, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control functionality from complex mechanical keypads and concentrates it into a simple tap interface detected by an acceleration sensor. This extraction eliminates unnecessary mechanical components while retaining essential control capability, reducing device complexity without sacrificing ease of operation for common tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple mechanical keys to detect different inputs, the system inverts the approach by using a single tap gesture with different patterns (sequence, intensity, timing) to encode multiple commands. This inversion dramatically reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining or even improving ease of operation through more intuitive gestures.
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
Enhances safety by preventing undesired operation and reduces energy consumption by enabling remote control through touch or tap inputs, thereby minimizing the risk of accidental actuation and optimizing energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
at least one acceleration sensor, which is arranged in the housing chamber and by which an acceleration of the housing body is registrable
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a field device of measuring and automation technology. The field device has a radio module for providing access to an operating electronics of the field device. Such access enables the exchange of information between the operating electronics and a user. The radio module can be turned on by a first input signal sequence composed of accelerations of the field device housing and can be turned off by a second input signal sequence. A field device of the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 1.