System, method and apparatus for sensor activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high installation and maintenance costs of wireless sensor networks limit their penetration into the marketplace due to the need for redesign or redeployment when new sensors or application features are introduced, and existing solutions lack scalability and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A plug-and-play universal sensor interface allows sensor module units to be deployed separately from wireless nodes, enabling flexible and cost-effective customization of sensor networks by supporting various types of sensors without reconfiguring the infrastructure, thus reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless sensor networks are deployed with fixed sensor configurations, then initial installation costs are covered, but any new sensors or application features require expensive redesign or redeployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal sensor interface that can accommodate multiple sensor types and application features through a single standardized connection mechanism. This allows the wireless sensor network to integrate new sensors without requiring redesign, as the universal interface handles various sensor protocols and data formats through software configuration rather than hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the sensor interface into modular components: a universal physical interface layer, a protocol translation layer, and an application-specific layer. This segmentation allows new sensors to be added by simply plugging them into the universal interface and configuring the appropriate protocol handler, without affecting the core wireless network infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensor networks are redesigned for new applications, then application-specific performance is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The universal sensor interface uses standardized physical connections and protocol handlers that work across multiple applications. When a new application is deployed, existing sensors can be reused by configuring them with new protocol handlers, eliminating the need for expensive hardware redesign and reducing both installation and maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic protocol configuration where sensor interfaces can be reconfigured through software without physical changes. This allows the same hardware infrastructure to adapt to different applications dynamically, reducing the need for costly redesigns and simplifying maintenance across varying deployment scenarios.
3Device complexity
If sensors are integrated into wireless nodes, then system integration is simplified, but flexibility and scalability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates sensors from wireless nodes while maintaining simplified integration through a universal interface layer. Sensors can be independently selected and configured, then easily connected to wireless nodes through the standardized interface. This segmentation provides both the simplicity of integrated systems and the flexibility of modular components, allowing sensors to be added or removed without affecting the wireless node infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal sensor interface acts as an intermediary between sensors and wireless nodes, providing standardized connection protocols and data formats. This intermediary layer simplifies integration by handling protocol translation and interface standardization, while simultaneously enabling flexibility and scalability by allowing different sensor types to connect through the same standardized mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A configured mode of operation of a wireless sensor node unit can selectively activate a first subset of sensor channels of data and selectively deactivate a second subset of sensor channels of data. The configured mode of operation customizes the sensor functionality in the wireless sensor node unit in support of the delivery of data streams to customers.