Wireless Sensor Synchronization via Master Device Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote patient monitoring systems face challenges in synchronizing physiological signals from multiple independent sensors, which is essential for accurate data processing and noise suppression, especially when sensors need to be connected via wires for synchronized signal acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A wireless body area network (WBAN) system with a master device and slave devices, utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy protocol for communication, where the master device sends synchronization messages with a preamble and sync-word to synchronize sensor data from multiple slave devices, allowing simultaneous multi-site photoplethysmography measurements and enabling synchronized data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are connected via wires to obtain synchronized signals, then measurement precision and noise suppression are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. Multiple independent sensors communicate wirelessly with a central processing unit using radio frequency transmission, eliminating the need for physical cables while maintaining synchronized data acquisition through protocol-based timing coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central processing unit as an intermediary that coordinates synchronization between multiple independent sensors. This mediator receives data packets from sensors, extracts timing information, and aligns signals from different sensors to a common time reference, enabling synchronized processing without direct sensor-to-sensor connections.
2Reliability
If sensors are connected via wires for synchronized acquisition, then reliability of synchronized data is improved, but ease of operation and patient mobility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wired connections with wireless radio frequency communication, allowing patients to move freely without being constrained by cables. The wireless system maintains reliable synchronized data acquisition through protocol-based timing coordination and timestamping mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent sensors are used for multi-site measurements, then adaptability and diagnostic capability are improved, but synchronization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central processing unit as a mediator that receives data from multiple independent sensors, extracts timing information from each sensor's data packets, and synchronizes the signals to a common time reference. This intermediary coordination enables synchronized processing of data from any number of independent sensors without requiring complex peer-to-peer synchronization between sensors themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary timing synchronization by having each sensor embed timestamps in its data packets before transmission. The central processing unit uses these pre-encoded timing information to align signals from different sensors, eliminating the need for complex real-time synchronization protocols during data collection.
Data Source
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AI summary
A monitoring system comprising a master device (10; 30; 61) adapted for wireless communication with at least one slave device (31; 50; 62) having a sensor (15, 16; 93). The sensor of the at least one slave device (13, 14; 31; 50; 62; 90) is adapted for acquiring a physiological signal. The master device (10; 30; 61) is adapted for providing a synchronization signal to the at least one slave device, and instructing the at least one slave device (13, 14; 31; 50; 62; 90) to acquire the physiological signal based on timing instructions. The at least one slave device (13, 14; 31; 50; 62; 90) is adapted for acquiring the physiological signal by means of the sensor according to the received timing instructions and transmitting the acquired physiological signal wirelessly to the master device. The master device (10; 30; 61) comprises a processor (105) for processing the synchronized, physiological signals acquired by sensors (15, 16; 93; 101) synchronized via wireless communication.