Wireless Sensing for Time-Dependent Abnormality Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting abnormalities and disasters in roads, buildings, and equipment are costly, time-consuming, and lack time-dependent detection capabilities, and there is a need for more accurate information on ground displacement and water content.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing wireless devices with time and phase deviation correction, distance calculation, and sensors for detecting abnormalities and disasters, including optical fiber for sound, vibration, and temperature sensing, and antennas for water content measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If workers visually monitor abnormalities in roads, buildings, or equipment, then human judgment and flexibility are utilized, but monitoring requires a lot of cost and time, and abnormality detection is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormality detection accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual monitoring with automated sensor systems (optical fibers, inclination sensors, water content sensors) that continuously detect abnormalities without human intervention. This substitution eliminates the time loss associated with manual monitoring while maintaining or improving detection accuracy through continuous automated observation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system enables self-service by allowing the infrastructure itself to detect and report abnormalities through embedded sensors. The optical fibers and sensors automatically monitor their own environment, eliminating the need for external human workers to perform routine inspections, thereby reducing both cost and time while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If optical fiber is laid on the side of a road to detect rockfall, then automated detection is achieved, but time-dependent detection capabilities are not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated detection efficiencyVSAvoidtime-dependent abnormality information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the monitoring system dynamic by implementing continuous real-time monitoring with time-stamped data collection. Unlike static optical fiber systems that only detect events when they occur, this system continuously monitors and records abnormalities with precise timing, enabling the detection of temporal patterns and progressive changes in the infrastructure state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining constant monitoring through continuously operating sensors and data collection mechanisms. This continuous operation captures time-dependent information throughout the monitoring period, preventing information loss that would occur with intermittent or event-triggered-only monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If ground displacement is observed using inclination sensors, then ground stability monitoring is achieved, but accurate time-dependent ground situation information is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveground displacement measurement accuracyVSAvoidtime-dependent ground situation information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by continuously recording ground displacement data with precise time stamps before critical events occur. This continuous preliminary monitoring builds a time-dependent database of ground conditions, enabling retrospective analysis and early warning capabilities that simple snapshot measurements cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sensor data is continuously collected, analyzed, and used to update the monitoring system's understanding of ground conditions. This feedback loop maintains current knowledge of the ground situation with accurate timing information, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and provide timely warnings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If water content in the ground is measured using sensors, then underground situation monitoring is achieved, but time-dependent water content information is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater content measurement accuracyVSAvoidtime-dependent water content information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The water content monitoring system operates continuously, maintaining constant measurement of ground moisture levels with precise time recording. This continuous operation captures the temporal evolution of water content, enabling the detection of saturation patterns, drainage issues, and other time-dependent hydrological conditions that affect infrastructure stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4692724A1Abnormality detection system
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 THE CHUGOKU ELECTRIC POWER CO INC
  • EP4692724A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4692724A1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP4692724A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a system that calculates information usable for abnormality detection. A system comprising at least one computer apparatus, the system comprising a communicator that establishes communication between at least two wireless devices, and a calculator that calculates information usable for abnormality detection.