Wireless Gas Detection System with Position Error Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas detection systems are not portable, adaptable to changing conditions, and lack quick centralized access to location-based gas detection information, requiring expensive wiring and delayed availability of gas concentration data.

Innovation Solution

A wireless location-based gas detection system using portable gas detectors and location anchor transceivers that wirelessly transmit gas readings and location information to a central location manager module, enabling real-time notification and historical data logging, with enhanced transceivers for monitoring position accuracy and error correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional gas detection systems are used with fixed locations and centralized access, then gas detection capability is provided, but expensive wiring is required and the system lacks portability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidwiring infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring infrastructure with a wireless communication system. Portable gas detectors use wireless transceivers to communicate gas concentration data and location information to a central station, eliminating the need for expensive physical wiring while maintaining system functionality and enabling portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless transceivers as intermediary devices between the portable gas detectors and the central station. These transceivers receive wireless signals from detectors and relay information to the central station, enabling communication without direct physical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If personal belt-worn gas detectors are used, then portability is achieved, but location information is not available and data access is delayed until log transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidlocation information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the portable gas detector unit: gas sensing, location tracking via transceiver, and wireless data transmission. By merging the gas detector with location-aware transceiver capabilities, the system simultaneously provides both portability and real-time location information to the central station.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous real-time transmission of gas concentration and location data from portable detectors to the central station. This continuous data stream eliminates the delayed batch transfer approach, providing ongoing useful information about both gas levels and detector positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of time

If wireless communication is implemented for real-time data transmission, then quick centralized access is achieved, but position accuracy errors may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata access timeVSAvoidposition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the central station receives real-time location and gas data from portable detectors via wireless transceivers. The system continuously monitors and updates position information, allowing for real-time feedback on detector locations and gas concentrations, thereby achieving both quick data access and maintained position accuracy through continuous verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2461176B1Method and system for determining position
Publication Date: 2016.10.26 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP2461176B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A method and apparatus are provided for estimating the location of a portable device. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of location anchor transceivers and a plurality of enhanced location anchor transceivers within a region, each of the plurality of location anchor transceivers and enhanced location anchor transceivers operating from respective predetermined locations, a portable transceiver within the region detecting and measuring a signal parameter of a signal from at least some of the plurality of location anchor transceivers and enhanced location anchor transceivers within the region, a location engine determining a location of the portable transceiver based upon the signal measurements of the portable transceiver and the respective predetermined locations of the plurality of location anchor transceivers and enhanced location anchor transceivers within the region, each of the plurality of enhanced location anchor transceivers detecting and measuring a signal parameter of a signal from at least some of the plurality of location anchor transceivers and other enhanced location anchor transceivers, the location engine receiving the measured signal parameters from each of the plurality of enhanced location anchor transceivers, the location engine calculating an estimated location for each of the plurality of enhanced location anchor transceivers from the measured signal parameters and the location engine calculating a location error for each of the plurality of enhanced location anchor transceivers based upon the estimated location and predetermined location of the enhanced location anchor transceiver.