Wireless Activation of Concrete Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor activation methods for monitoring building materials like concrete slabs are limited in flexibility and ease of installation, often requiring manual light activation or specific engagement, which can complicate the installation process.
Innovation Solution
A method for wirelessly activating concrete sensor devices using a remote computing device or cloud-based system, establishing a communication channel to transmit activation signals and power the sensor, allowing for flexible and remote activation before embedding the sensor into the building material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual light activation is used to activate sensors, then the sensor can be activated, but the installation process becomes more complex and less flexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual light activation (optical/mechanical system) with wireless communication activation (electromagnetic communication system). The computing device transmits activation signals wirelessly to the sensor, eliminating the need for manual light exposure and simplifying the installation process while maintaining sensor activation functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless activation is implemented, then flexibility and ease of installation are improved, but new communication systems and processes are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device performs multiple functions: it communicates with the sensor wirelessly, transmits activation signals, receives sensor data, and can identify and locate the sensor. This multi-functionality approach consolidates activation and monitoring operations into a single device, improving flexibility while managing system complexity through integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes bringing a sensor device proximate to a computing device. The sensor device includes one or more sensors for measuring one or more properties of a building material within which the sensor device can be embedded. The method includes establishing a first wireless communication channel between the sensor device and the computing device and transmitting an activation signal over the first wireless communication channel to power “ON” the sensor device. The sensor device begins to transmit one or more beacon signals upon powering “ON.” The computing device receives the one or more beacon signals and establishes a second wireless communication channel between the sensor device and the computing device that is different from the first. The method includes wirelessly receiving unique sensor device identification information, via the computing device, over the second wireless communications channel before the sensor device is embedded into the building material.