Virtual Sensor Mapping for 3D Physical Value Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining physical values in spaces with complex geometry are limited by the need for sensors at every measurement point, which is impractical and inefficient, especially in the food industry where process safety and quality control require comprehensive monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A method using multiple sensors to measure physical values like temperature, humidity, or pressure, which employs interpolation and extrapolation to provide virtual measurements at unsensored positions, creating a 3D value map and utilizing physical or logical models to account for space geometry and object influences, allowing for anomaly detection without physical sensors at every location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are installed at every measurement position to ensure comprehensive monitoring, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of sensor measurements through mathematical modeling. Instead of installing physical sensors at every position, the system uses measurements from limited physical sensors and generates virtual measurement data through interpolation and extrapolation algorithms, effectively copying the measurement function to unsensored locations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mathematical models and algorithms as intermediaries between physical sensors and the information needed at unsensored positions. These models act as mediators that transform limited sensor data into comprehensive spatial information, eliminating the need for direct physical measurement at every point
2Reliability
If sensors are installed at every measurement position, then complete spatial coverage is achieved, but ease of operation and installation become impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by installing sensors only at strategically selected positions rather than at every possible measurement point. The mathematical models compensate for the missing measurements, allowing reliable process monitoring with a subset of potential sensor locations
3Reliability
If multiple physical sensors are deployed to monitor all positions, then anomaly detection capability is improved, but loss of energy and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the limited physical sensors perform multiple functions: they not only measure local conditions but also serve as data sources for generating virtual measurements across the entire space. The same sensor data is reused multiple times through different mathematical models to monitor multiple positions simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
The at least one value is respectively determined from at least one measured value of the sensors (20-29) in a method for determining at least one physical value in a space (10) in which several sensors (20-29) are arranged which are set up to measurer the at least one value, for several positions (30) in the space (10) where there is no sensor (20-29). A system which is set up in order to determine the at least one physical value in the space (10) has several sensors (20-29) which are arranged in the space (10). Furthermore, it has a database, in which information about the space (10) is stored, and a computer which is set up in order to determine the at least one value by means of the method.