Virtual Sensor Bridge Emulating Network Data for Logic Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensors are often costly and inconvenient to deploy and maintain, especially for monitoring large areas, and there is no efficient way to utilize Web-based data as if it were sensor data for logic controllers.
Innovation Solution
A virtual sensor bridge mechanism that interfaces with Web data sources to convert network data into a format usable by logic controllers, emulating sensor data and acting as an adapter between sensors and logic controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are deployed to monitor large areas or specific conditions, then measurement data can be obtained, but the cost and complexity of deployment and maintenance increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual sensor that copies and emulates sensor data functionality by retrieving data from web sources. Instead of deploying physical sensors, the system creates a software-based copy of sensor functionality that interfaces with logic controllers through standard protocols, thereby eliminating the need for expensive physical sensor deployment while maintaining measurement capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual sensor acts as an intermediary layer between web data sources and logic controllers. It translates web-based data into sensor-compatible formats and protocols, allowing logic controllers to interact with web data as if it were coming from a physical sensor, thus simplifying system integration and reducing deployment complexity
2Measurement precision
If physical sensors are used to monitor conditions, then accurate data is obtained, but the initial cost and maintenance costs become prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual sensor replaces expensive physical sensors with a low-cost software-based solution. The virtual sensor can be deployed as a disposable or temporary solution that retrieves data from existing web sources, eliminating the need for expensive hardware while maintaining data accuracy. The software-based approach allows for easy updates and replacements without significant cost
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of sensor functionality that retrieves data from web sources. This copying approach allows the system to obtain accurate measurement data without the cost of physical sensors, as the virtual sensor simply replicates the data collection and output functions of a physical sensor using freely available web data
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are deployed to monitor the same phenomenon, then comprehensive data coverage is achieved, but redundancy increases and costs multiply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple physical sensors into a single virtual sensor. By consolidating data from multiple web sources into one virtual sensor interface, the system achieves comprehensive data coverage without deploying multiple physical sensors. This merging reduces the quantity of hardware while maintaining or improving reliability through aggregated data sources
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual sensor provides multi-functional capability by being able to retrieve data from multiple different web sources and present them through a unified sensor interface. This universality allows a single virtual sensor to perform the function of multiple specialized sensors, reducing the total number of devices needed while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage
4Ease of operation
If Web-based data is used directly, then data availability increases, but compatibility with logic controllers decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual sensor serves as an intermediary that translates web-based data formats into sensor-compatible protocols. It receives data from web sources in various formats and converts it into standard sensor output formats that logic controllers can universally interpret, thereby maintaining data accessibility while ensuring compatibility across different controller platforms
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the data by transforming web-based data formats, protocols, and structures into sensor-compatible formats. This parameter transformation includes converting data types, communication protocols, and output formats to match standard sensor interfaces, enabling logic controllers to process web data as if it were from a physical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer readable medium for employing data obtained from an electronic network, such as the Internet, as an emulation of sensor data. A virtual sensor bridge mechanism may be interfaced to a data source, such as the Internet, to receive Web data or remote sensor data. The virtual sensor bridge may convert the received data into a format usable by a logic controller, thereby emulating sensor data and enabling the logic controller to treat the networked data source as a sensor. Furthermore, the virtual sensor bridge may interface directly with one or more sensors and may serve as an adapter or data relay between a sensor and the logic controller.