Wireless Devices as Sensor Network Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deploying millions of disposable sensor devices with communication capability is costly and inefficient, as they require complex multi-hop mesh networking and long battery life, which is challenging for consumer applications.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing ubiquitous wireless devices with built-in communication capabilities, such as cellular phones, to form sensor networks that can collect and aggregate data, eliminating the need for special-purpose devices and providing extensive coverage and data networking flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If disposable sensor devices are deployed to form sensor networks, then sensor coverage and data collection capability are improved, but deployment cost and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repurposes existing wireless devices (cell phones, PDAs, laptops) with built-in sensors for sensor network applications. These devices already possess communication capabilities, processing power, and various sensors, eliminating the need for specialized sensor nodes with complex mesh networking requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Wireless devices that users already carry and operate independently can contribute sensor data without requiring complex deployment infrastructure. The devices self-manage their operation, communication, and data reporting, reducing the need for specialized sensor device deployment and management.
2Productivity
If disposable sensor devices with communication capability are deployed, then data collection capability is improved, but deployment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the multi-functionality of existing wireless devices that users already possess. These devices can simultaneously perform communication, sensing, and data processing functions, eliminating the need to deploy specialized sensor devices and reducing deployment costs significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying physical sensor devices throughout an area, the patent uses copies of sensor data collected by ubiquitous wireless devices. Users naturally carry these devices to various locations, effectively creating distributed sensor coverage without the cost of deploying actual sensor nodes.
3Duration of action of moving object
If sensor devices with long battery life are deployed, then operational duration is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Wireless devices that users already carry and operate independently can contribute sensor data without requiring specialized sensor nodes with complex mesh networking requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent accepts that wireless devices may be temporarily unavailable when not in use, but recovers data collection capability when devices are actively used. Users naturally carry and use these devices throughout the day, providing intermittent but widespread sensor coverage without requiring continuous operational devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for using wireless devices to implement sensor networks are described. For cognitive radio, a wireless device obtains measurements for a first system (e.g., a broadcast system) with which the wireless device is not in communication. The wireless device sends the measurements and associated location information and/or timestamps via a second system (e.g., a cellular system). A server receives measurements from a number of wireless devices and determines the coverage of the first system based on the measurements. For other applications, a wireless device obtains sensor information from at least one sensor at the wireless device and sends the sensor information and associated location information and/or timestamps via a wireless system. A server receives the sensor information and associated information from a number of wireless devices, aggregates the sensor information, and constructs a map. The wireless device may develop a user profile based on the sensor information and associated information.