Universal Sensor Interface for Scalable Shared Monitoring Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high installation and maintenance costs of wireless sensor networks limit their penetration in the marketplace due to the need for customized solutions that are not scalable across various industries and markets, leading to significant redesign and redeployment costs when new sensors or features are added.
Innovation Solution
A plug-and-play universal sensor interface allows sensor module units to be deployed separately from wireless nodes, enabling flexible and cost-effective customization of sensor networks by supporting multiple sensor types and applications without requiring significant reconfiguration or replacement of existing infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wireless sensor networks are customized for specific applications, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal sensor interface that can accommodate multiple sensor types and protocols through a standardized connection mechanism. This allows the same infrastructure to support diverse sensing applications without requiring custom integration work for each sensor type, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing deployment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the sensor interface layer from the wireless communication layer, creating modular components that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows sensors to be swapped or upgraded without affecting the wireless infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining application-specific measurement capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless sensor networks are redesigned to add new sensors or features, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease due to redeployment costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sensor module units that can be hot-swapped into wireless nodes without requiring network reconfiguration or downtime. The system dynamically recognizes and integrates new sensors, allowing adaptability improvements while eliminating the time loss associated with traditional redeployment processes
Solution Approach 2:
The universal sensor interface is pre-configured with standardized connection protocols and compatibility layers, so that new sensors can be integrated without preliminary system reconfiguration. This preliminary preparation of the interface standard enables rapid sensor addition while preventing time loss during deployment
3Measurement precision
If traditional sensor networks are deployed, then measurement precision is maintained, but installation and maintenance costs increase due to lack of scalability
Solution Approach 1:
The universal sensor interface enables a single standardized connection mechanism to support multiple sensor types and protocols, allowing the same infrastructure to serve diverse applications. This maintains measurement precision through proper sensor integration while significantly reducing deployment and maintenance costs through eliminated customization requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic configuration of sensor parameters and communication protocols through software rather than hardware reconfiguration. This enables the same physical infrastructure to adapt to different measurement requirements, maintaining precision while reducing the cost of deployment and scaling
Data Source
AI summary
Parties having different responsibilities and interests at a monitored location can be given a partial view of the totality of the sensor channels of data generated by the various sensors installed at the monitored location. The partial views deliver customized sets of data streams to customers. The selective distribution of sensor information accommodates the divergent interests and needs of parties responsible for tracking the various characteristics of a monitored location.