Universal Smart Instrumentation System for Modular Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current instrumentation systems are inflexible, costly, and lack compatibility with various sensors and probes, limiting their adaptability and scalability, while traditional instruments are cumbersome and expensive, and wireless sensor networks face challenges in power consumption, real-time data delivery, and security.
Innovation Solution
A universal smart instrumentation system utilizing a smartphone or tablet as a computing device with sensor modules and wireless communication, along with software applications that recognize and configure probes for data reception and display, offering interoperability, scalability, and security through modular design and wireless connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hardware-centered instrumentation systems are used, then measurement functionality is provided, but the systems are expensive, large, cumbersome, and lack flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single smartphone device to perform multiple measurement functions through different sensor modules and probes. Instead of requiring separate dedicated instruments for each measurement type, the system allows one universal platform (smartphone) to be configured for various measurements by connecting different sensors, thereby achieving multi-functionality and flexibility while reducing device complexity and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by replacing physical instrument functions with software implementations on the smartphone. The smartphone copies the measurement capabilities of traditional instruments through applications that interface with sensor modules, eliminating the need for bulky hardware while preserving measurement functionality. This allows the system to maintain versatility without the physical constraints of traditional instruments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional instruments are used, then measurement capabilities are provided, but they are expensive and have excessive features that are rarely used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the measurement system into independent components: the smartphone platform, sensor modules, probes, and software applications. This modular architecture allows users to select only the specific sensor modules and probes needed for particular measurements, rather than purchasing complete traditional instruments with all their features. This reduces cost while maintaining customizability, as users can configure the system with exactly the capabilities they require.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stand-alone electronic instruments are used, then powerful measurement functions are provided, but they require a lot of power and have fixed functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using the smartphone's existing processing power, display, and connectivity capabilities to perform measurement functions. Instead of requiring dedicated power-hungry instruments for each measurement type, the system leverages the smartphone's universal platform to handle multiple measurement tasks through software and sensor modules, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining extensibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional instruments are used, then measurement functions are provided, but users cannot extend or customize them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the system configuration flexible and changeable through software. The smartphone platform allows users to dynamically add, remove, or switch between different sensor modules and probes based on measurement needs. The software can be configured and reconfigured for different measurement types, providing customizability without increasing physical device complexity, as changes are made through software rather than hardware modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device, such as a smartphone, can replace the hardware of various instruments to overcome the cost issue in designing universal smart instruments. Distinguished from traditional instruments, a universal smart instrument takes the maximum advantage of the latest smart phone or mobile computing devices. The instrument control panel is realized on the smartphone by applying the interactive graphical representation of control and indicator elements common in real instruments such as knobs, buttons, dials, graphs and the like. Universal smart instruments unify heterogeneous measurement probes on the market into a single device that can be readily modified or expanded when new technologies need to be added to the existing system or current measurement requirement change. Universal smart instruments also make use of the internet to publish and share data, which was unable to be achieved in conventional propriety instruments.