Hand-held X-ray Sensor Gesture Wake Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hand-held X-ray sensors face limitations due to power consumption issues, requiring a sleep function that can be inconvenient to wake up from, leading to delays and interruptions in usage, especially in applications like veterinary care where the sensor needs to be quickly ready for image acquisition.

Innovation Solution

A battery-powered X-ray sensing apparatus with a gesture-activated wake function, utilizing a low-clock logic device and accelerometer to detect a wake gesture, allowing the detector array to exit a standby state and enter a ready state for image acquisition, reducing the need for user intervention through external devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the X-ray sensor enters a sleep state to reduce power consumption, then battery life is extended, but the time required to wake the sensor and prepare for image acquisition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidwake time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The accelerometer is kept in a low-power standby mode that continuously monitors for wake gestures without fully powering down. This preliminary monitoring state allows the sensor to quickly transition from sleep to active mode when a gesture is detected, reducing the effective wake time while maintaining power savings during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The accelerometer serves as an intermediary component that bridges the low-power sleep state and the high-power active state. It consumes minimal power in standby mode but can rapidly trigger the wake sequence when a gesture is detected, acting as a mediator that enables fast transitions without requiring the main processor to remain fully powered.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the X-ray sensor remains in a ready state for quick access, then image acquisition readiness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its power state based on operational needs. The accelerometer operates in a dynamic standby mode that can quickly transition to full power when gestures are detected, while the main processor remains in low-power states until needed. This dynamic state management allows the system to optimize the balance between access speed and power consumption in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The accelerometer performs periodic monitoring at low power consumption levels, checking for wake gestures at intervals rather than maintaining continuous high-power operation. This periodic action allows the system to maintain readiness for quick access while minimizing power consumption during extended idle periods between gestures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of time

If the accelerometer continuously monitors for gestures, then wake response time is reduced, but power consumption during standby increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture response timeVSAvoidstandby power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The accelerometer performs partial monitoring during standby, maintaining just enough activity to detect gross motion gestures while avoiding full-power continuous operation. This partial action approach detects the majority of relevant wake gestures (such as picking up the device or deliberate tapping motions) without consuming excessive power, achieving an optimal balance between response time and power usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution minimizes delays and interruptions by enabling quick activation of the X-ray sensor from a sleep state using a gesture-activated mechanism, extending battery life while maintaining convenience and efficiency in usage.

Implementation Method 1

receiving an acceleration signal from the accelerometer, determining with the low-clock logic device that the acceleration signal corresponds to a wake gesture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS10149659B1Hand-held X-ray sensor with gesture-activated wake function

Publication Date: 2018.12.11 VAREX IMAGING CORP

AI summary

An X-ray sensing apparatus includes a detector array configured to generate a plurality of signals in response to x-rays incident on the detector array during an exposure period; a high-clock logic device communicatively coupled to the detector array; a low-clock logic device communicatively coupled to the high-clock logic device; an accelerometer communicatively coupled to the low-clock logic device; and a processor communicatively coupled to the high-clock logic device. The low-clock logic device is configured to receive an acceleration signal from the accelerometer; determine that the acceleration signal corresponds to a wake gesture; and, in response to determining that the acceleration signal corresponds to the wake gesture, send a first power state change signal to the processor and a second power state change signal to the high-clock logic device.