Wearable Sensor Battery Extension via GPS Proximity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered personal wearable environmental sensing devices have limited battery life due to continuous operation of power-consuming sensors, especially when users are in proximity to Federal-grade air quality monitors that provide accurate data publicly available online.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that determines the user's proximity to environmental monitors using a GPS and selectively enables/disables sensors on the device, relying on publicly accessible environmental data when available, to conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are continuously operated to monitor pollutant exposure, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensor operation state changeable between active and inactive modes based on real-time location data. The system dynamically adjusts sensor power state according to whether the user is in proximity to a reference monitor, transforming a static continuous operation system into a dynamic adaptive system that optimizes energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the personal sensing device's own GPS location data to automatically determine when to activate or deactivate sensors. By self-determining its operational needs based on location relative to reference monitors, the system eliminates the need for continuous high-power sensor operation, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining monitoring capability when required.
2Reliability
If sensors are continuously operated to ensure monitoring accuracy, then reliability is improved, but duration of action is reduced due to battery limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reference monitors as intermediary devices that provide environmental quality data when available. Instead of relying solely on the personal sensing device's sensors, the system uses reference monitors as intermediaries to supply data when the user is in proximity, thereby reducing the operational burden on the personal device's sensors and extending battery life while maintaining monitoring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by activating sensors only during specific periods when the user is not in proximity to reference monitors. This periodic activation based on location conditions reduces overall energy consumption and extends battery duration while ensuring monitoring reliability is maintained through selective sensor operation during critical periods.
3Use of energy by moving object
If sensors are disabled to conserve battery power, then use of energy is reduced, but loss of information occurs when reference monitor data is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses GPS location feedback to continuously monitor proximity to reference monitors and automatically adjust sensor power state in response. When the user approaches a reference monitor, the system receives feedback about data availability and accordingly deactivates sensors to conserve energy. When reference monitor data becomes unavailable, the feedback mechanism triggers sensor reactivation, preventing information loss while optimizing energy consumption.
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 method extends the battery life of wearable sensing devices by reducing power consumption, allowing for longer usage without compromising user safety and accuracy in pollutant exposure monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
determining the user (and sensing device) proximity to Federal-grade air quality monitors via a global positioning system
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system and the computer-implemented method of extending the battery life of a personal wearable sensing device, the method comprises determining a current location of the sensing device; determining locations of publicly accessible environmental monitors; determining whether the current location is within a proximity limit to a publicly accessible environmental monitor; and receiving information from the publicly accessible environmental monitor when the current location is within the proximity limit to the publicly accessible environmental monitor to save battery life of the sensing device.