Universal Sensor Interface for Power Conditioning and Signal Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor technologies face challenges due to their specific power requirements and custom output formats, which often prevent them from operating seamlessly with standard computers, smartphones, and data acquisition devices, as they may need unique power sources and output connectors that differ from standard electronic equipment.
Innovation Solution
A universal interface system that acquires and conditions electrical power from various sources, converts sensor outputs to compatible forms, and communicates these outputs through wired or wireless interfaces, enabling compatibility with standard devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors use custom power connectors and specific power requirements, then sensor operation reliability is improved, but compatibility with standard devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a universal interface device as an intermediary between sensors and standard electronic devices. This interface device includes a power conditioning module that adapts various power sources (USB, battery, wall charger) to provide the specific power requirements of sensors, and a signal conditioning module that converts sensor outputs to standard formats. This mediator resolves the contradiction by maintaining sensor reliability while enabling compatibility with standard devices.
2Measurement precision
If sensors use custom output formats and connectors, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The universal interface device serves as a mediator that receives precise sensor outputs in custom formats and converts them to standard digital or analog signals that can be easily connected to standard electronic devices like smartphones and computers. This maintains measurement precision while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface device is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple sensor types and output formats (analog, digital, frequency-based) and convert them all to standard formats compatible with various electronic devices. This multi-functionality improves ease of operation across different applications while preserving measurement precision.
3Reliability
If sensors require clean regulated power at precise levels, then sensor operation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power conditioning module is designed with universal functionality to accept multiple power source types (USB, battery, wall charger) and automatically condition them to the precise levels required by sensors. This multi-functional design improves reliability while managing complexity through integrated circuitry rather than multiple separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and apparatus of a universal interface compatible with one or more sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises acquiring an electrical power signal of an external source at a universal interface device; communicating with the one or more sensors coupled to the universal interface device; conditioning, at the universal interface device, the electrical power signal; receiving an output of the one or more sensors operating on the conditioned electrical power signal; converting the output of to an appropriate form; communicating the appropriate form to the interface; and communicating the output of the one or more sensors to one or more data processing devices communicatively coupled to the universal interface device.