Virtual Sensor Generation for Peripheral Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor network systems lack the ability to effectively utilize various peripheral sensors and actuators, particularly in smart devices, limiting their functionality and service capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A virtual sensor generation apparatus and method that includes a sensor node coordinator, logic sensor manager, virtual sensor manager, and service manager, which sets communication connections, generates logical sensors and virtual sensors, and provides application services using an API, allowing for the integration and utilization of peripheral sensors and actuators in smart devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing sensor network systems are used, then basic sensor functionality is provided, but the ability to effectively utilize various peripheral sensors and actuators is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual sensors as intermediary objects that mediate between physical sensors and application services. The virtual sensor manager creates virtual sensor objects that aggregate and manage data from multiple physical sensors, providing a unified interface to applications without requiring direct access to complex sensor networks. This intermediary layer enables versatile sensor utilization while shielding applications from underlying system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual sensor framework provides universal access to diverse peripheral sensors through a common interface. The service manager and virtual sensor manager enable applications to interact with different sensor types (accelerometers, gyroscopes, cameras, etc.) through unified API calls, making the system adaptable to various sensor configurations without requiring application-specific modifications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual sensors are generated using multiple physical sensors, then application service capabilities are enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments sensor management into distinct functional modules: the sensor node coordinator handles connection management, the virtual sensor manager handles virtual sensor generation and aggregation, and the service manager handles application service provisioning. This segmentation allows complex sensor aggregation functionality to be implemented while maintaining manageable system architecture through clear separation of concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating virtual sensor objects and establishing sensor node connections before applications require them. The virtual sensor manager proactively creates virtual sensors that aggregate data from multiple physical sensors, and the sensor node coordinator pre-establishes communication connections, so that when applications need sensor data, the infrastructure is already in place and ready to serve.
3Ease of operation
If direct access to physical sensors is provided, then simple operation is achieved, but integration of multiple sensors and actuators becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical sensors that replicate sensor functionality at a higher abstraction level. The virtual sensor manager generates virtual sensor objects that mirror the interface and behavior of physical sensors while internally coordinating multiple actual sensor devices. Applications interact with these virtual copies through simple, familiar interfaces, while the complex integration of multiple physical sensors is handled transparently by the virtualization layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual sensor generation apparatus of a sensor network sets a communication connection to a sensor node at a periphery of a smart device, generates a logical sensor corresponding to a physical sensor that is connected to the sensor node, generates a virtual sensor with the logical sensor, and provides an application service to a user using the virtual sensor.