Continuous Waveguide Sensor for Wide-Area Proximity Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing proximity sensing technologies rely on discrete sensors, which offer limited coverage and are constrained by size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) limitations, making them unsuitable for large-area monitoring and sensitive applications like aviation and healthcare.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electromagnetic transmission line sensor system that operates as a continuous, passive sensor, capable of detecting touch events, proximity, and gestures by transmitting and interpreting electromagnetic waves along a waveguide, which can be coupled with auxiliary sensors for additional parameter monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If discrete sensors are used for proximity sensing, then the sensing system can be implemented with individual sensor units, but the coverage area is limited and multiple sensors are required to monitor large areas
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discrete sensor functions are merged into a single continuous electromagnetic transmission line sensor. The waveguide structure integrates sensing capabilities across the entire length, eliminating the need for multiple separate sensor units while providing continuous wide-area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing approach transitions from discrete point sensors to a continuous linear sensor along the waveguide. This dimensional transformation allows the sensor to monitor an extended area by distributing sensing capability throughout the waveguide structure rather than using isolated sensor points.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple discrete sensors are deployed to cover large areas, then monitoring coverage is improved, but size, weight, power, and cost constraints are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system consolidates multiple sensing functions into a single continuous waveguide structure, dramatically reducing the total weight compared to deploying multiple discrete sensors across the same area.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic transmission line sensor serves multiple sensing purposes (proximity detection, touch detection, gesture recognition) simultaneously through its continuous structure, eliminating the need for separate sensor systems for different functions.
3Reliability
If discrete sensors are used, then individual sensor units can be implemented, but power consumption and maintenance requirements increase with the number of sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple sensor operations into a single powered unit. The waveguide structure passively detects changes along its length without requiring active power consumption at each sensing point, reducing overall power requirements while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
4Area of stationary object
If discrete sensors are deployed, then sensing can be implemented, but the hardware size and cost increase with the number of sensors required
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide structure integrates sensing, signal transmission, and processing functions into a single unified system, eliminating the need for separate hardware components required by discrete sensor deployments.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic transmission line sensor provides universal sensing capability for multiple parameters (proximity, touch, gestures) through its continuous structure, replacing multiple specialized discrete sensors with a single multi-functional system.
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 solution enables continuous, wide-area sensing with reduced hardware requirements, improved sensitivity, and the ability to detect multiple touch events and gestures, while being free from power and maintenance constraints, thus addressing the limitations of discrete sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the transmitter transmits a packet comprising the electromagnetic wave through the length of waveguide to the receiver
Implementation Method 2
the length of waveguide is configured to couple to one or more auxiliary sensors
Implementation Method 3
the one or more reflected packets are caused by a corresponding one or more of one or more objects, the one or more auxiliary sensors, or another of the first port or the second port
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A system may include a transmitter (112) and receiver (114). The system may include an electromagnetic transmission line sensor (102) configured as a passive sensor, configured to determine at least one of a presence of one or more objects or one or more additional sensing parameters, wherein the electromagnetic transmission line sensor is configured as a continuous sensor, wherein the electromagnetic transmission line sensor includes a first port (104); a second port (106), wherein one of the first port or the second port comprises the transmitter and another of the first port or the second port comprises the receiver; and a length of waveguide (108) suitable for transmitting an electromagnetic wave, wherein the length of waveguide is configured to couple to auxiliary sensors, wherein the transmitter transmits a packet comprising the electromagnetic wave through the length of waveguide to the receiver, wherein the one or more processing elements of the receiver interprets the packet.