Vibration Actuator Sensor Communication via Building Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current home automation systems rely on expensive wireless communication protocols and costly hardware, such as multiple wireless radios and complex antenna designs, which can lead to operating range issues and high costs for comprehensive multi-protocol support.

Innovation Solution

The use of vibration actuators and accelerometers to transmit and detect sensor messages through building structures, allowing for communication using any protocol, including ZigBee, Z-wave, WiFi, or Morse code, thereby reducing reliance on costly wireless protocols and hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication protocols (ZigBee, Z-wave, WiFi) and multiple wireless radios are used for sensor communication, then communication versatility and protocol support are improved, but hardware cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication protocol supportVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses building structures (walls, floors, ceilings) as an intermediary medium to transmit sensor messages through vibrations. Instead of using multiple wireless radios to achieve protocol versatility, the system encodes messages into vibration patterns that travel through the building structure to the hub, eliminating the need for complex multi-protocol wireless hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces electromagnetic wireless communication systems with a mechanical vibration-based communication system. Sensor messages are transmitted by converting electrical signals into mechanical vibrations that propagate through the building structure, and the hub detects these vibrations and converts them back into electrical signals for processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wireless radios and complex antenna designs are implemented for multi-protocol support, then communication adaptability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-protocol supportVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The building structure serves as a universal communication medium that can carry vibration-based messages from sensors using any protocol format. The hub can decode various protocol types (ZigBee, Z-wave, WiFi, Morse code) into vibration patterns, allowing a single hardware platform to support multiple communication protocols without requiring separate radios for each protocol

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs inexpensive vibration actuators (such as piezoelectric elements or small motors) and accelerometers for message transmission and detection. These low-cost components replace expensive multi-protocol wireless radio hardware, making the system more affordable and easier to manufacture at scale

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If wireless communication protocols are used for sensor communication, then communication capability is improved, but operating range issues and high hardware costs occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidhardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The building structure acts as a physical intermediary that guides vibration-based communication messages from sensors to the hub. Since vibrations travel through solid structures rather than through air, the communication is less susceptible to interference from walls, floors, and other obstacles that typically limit wireless range, providing more reliable communication throughout the building

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach enables efficient and cost-effective sensor communication within home automation systems, reducing hardware costs and potential operating range issues while maintaining compatibility with various communication protocols.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration actuator to transmit the formatted message through a vibration pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

an accelerometer to detect the vibration pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS11258627B2Sensor communications by vibrations

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

In an example implementation, a sensor communication system includes a sensor to sense a condition and to include the condition in a message formatted in a communication protocol. The system includes a vibration actuator placed in contact with a building structure and operatively coupled to the sensor. The vibration actuator is to transmit the formatted message through the building structure as a vibration pattern, and an accelerometer is to detect the vibration pattern. A receiver hub coupled to the accelerometer is to decipher the condition from the vibration pattern.