Patent Application
20160073530
This disclosure pertains to a segmented device and more particularly to a segmented system which include power, sensing, and communications sub-modules.
Conventional externally-mounted devices are installed in enclosed systems (e.g., weather-proof boxes) which are often difficult to disguise when mounted to a fixture in a public area. In addition, the dimensions of the weather-proof units make it difficult to mount to various contours of various mounting surfaces.
During maintenance, a technician is required to remove the systems and replace the various defective parts. However, this may lead to other problems as some technicians may cause further damage by inadvertently tampering with other components during the maintenance process. A fixed-size enclosed system may limit the ability of a technician to adequately add new hardware and features. For example, the enclosed systems may include large battery power supplies and other units of various sizes and enclosure types making the enclosed systems difficult to mass produce from a single enclosure type.
Therefore, a need exists for a system that can be easily reconfigured and readily serviced without risking damage to each sub-module or unit. The present disclosure addresses this need.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the relative dimensions of various elements in the drawings are depicted schematically and not necessarily to scale. The techniques of the present disclosure may readily be understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
A detailed description of some embodiments is provided below along with accompanying figures. The detailed description is provided in connection with such embodiments, but is not limited to any particular example. The scope is limited only by the claims and numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents are encompassed. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding. These details are provided for the purpose of example and the described techniques may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to some embodiments have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description.
The present invention discloses a segmented device system. The segmented device system includes a plurality of modules. Each module incorporates a sub-system which provides a unique function (or set of functions). The segmented device includes a set of flexible interconnections which transfer power and data between adjacent modules. A segmented device consistent with the present disclosure can flex, bend, and wrap around a mounting structure. The segmented device allows for the expansion and rapid replacement of any segments. In addition, such extensibility and ability to shorten or contract the device enables the device to fit optimally on that which the device is mounted. A segmented device system may be incorporated within an internet of things system/network.
The segments include at least one cavity through which interconnections are lodged there through. In the embodiment shown, cavities 102a, 102b are disposed on the side of the segments. For example, each segment within segmented device system 100 includes cavities 102a, 102b (along with others not provided with reference numbers) through which interconnections 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d (collectively interconnections 103) are lodged there through to couple adjacent segments of system 100.
Interconnections 103 may comprise ultraviolet-resistant, Kevlar-coated, and plastic conduits. In some embodiments, interconnections 103 may be flexible hollow conduits which serve as structural interconnections between the units. Interconnections 103 can bend without causing the interconnect to fail.
Most notably, interconnections 103 provide support for a common power and data communications rail between the segmented modules. For example, interconnection 103 may serve as a channel to transfer power (i.e. power rail), stemming from power module 101, whereas interconnection 103 may transfer communication data (i.e., communication rail).
Sensor module 101 detects any of a desired characteristic. For example, sensor module 101 may detect air quality, weather, traffic movement, cattle movement, pollution, trespassing, radiation levels, combustion of gases and pre-emptive fire conditions, noise detection, building vibration and other material conditions, fluid levels and variations, gas levels and leakages, payment processing, patient conditions, human vitals, micro-climate levels, soil moisture, storage conditions, fleet route deviation, light intensity, or temperature. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned list.
Segmented device system 100 may also include one or more additional sensor modules 101. Advantageously, additional sensor modules 101 may be added or removed “on the fly” without disrupting or tampering with other components of the system 100. For example, system 100 may include a sensor module 101 that detects the amount of traffic congestion and another sensor module 101 that detects the air quality within an urban area.
Power module 101 includes various electronics and circuitry to generate power to distribute throughout the segmented device system 100. In some embodiments, power module 101 includes an energy harvesting power unit such that as the segmented device system 100 is exposed, the power unit captures, converts, and stores energy from ambient power sources. For example, energy may be derived from solar power, wind sources, salinity gradients, and kinetic sources. In some embodiments, power module 101 includes a common connection and wiring interface to send and receive communications to other modules within the segmented device system 100.
Communications module 110 includes various electronics and circuitry to send, receive and coordinate communication throughout the segmented device system 100. For example, communications module 110 includes a receiver and a transmitter device. Communications module 110 may request information from power module 101 such as the present power state. Communications module 110 may also request information from sensor module 120. For example, communications module 110 may request the data collected by sensor module 120 within a specific time frame (e.g., last hour). Likewise, communications module 110 may output information (e.g., power status, collected data, etc.) to an external device or computer server. Communications module 110 may be programmed to output information or may be pinged from an external device (e.g., a request for present power status).
Sensor module 120 includes various electronics and circuitry to detect a present state, change in condition, etc. of a physical, chemical, electrical or other property. Power module 101 may also include a common connection and wiring interface to send and receive communications to other modules within segmented device system 100.
Each segment is physically separated from each other and may have its own enclosure and shielding which results in better electromagnetic and radio frequency shielding. Accordingly, each enclosure and shielding may be customized to suit each particular module (e.g., metal shielding for radio frequency emitters). For example, a segmented device system 100 for air monitoring may require air apertures (e.g., wind sensor module). In contrast, the other modules can be effectively sealed. In addition, the communications module 110 may require an aperture for an antenna whereas the other modules may be more effectively sealed.
It should be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that segmented device system 100 may not be limited to comprising power, communications, and sensor modules 101, 110, 120. Segmented device system 100 may include one or more sensor modules 120 or one or more power modules according the system's 100 need. For example, segmented device system 100 may include a backup power module. In some embodiments, communications module 110, sensor module 120, and other non-power modules may have an independent power supply therein.
Moreover, segmented device system 100 may include dummy segments. Dummy segments may be used to separate modules within the system 100 further from each other. For example, a dummy segment may separate sensor module 120 from the communications module 110 to minimize radio frequency interference (RFI) or electromagnetic interference (EMI).
The segments shown in the figure are aligned in a linear fashion. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the segments 201 are aligned in a non-linear fashion. The segments 201 shown in
Segmented device system 502 may be coupled to lamp post 501 by any suitable method known in the art. For example, system 502 may be coupled to lamp post 501 via a magnet, adhesive material, clamp assembly, or snap connection. In one embodiment, system 502 is coupled to lamp post 501 via a set of magnets. Although system 502 is mounted vertically on the lamp post 501, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. System 501 may also be mounted in a horizontal fashion on lamp post 501 or any other mounting structure as well.
As shown, segmented device system 502 includes four segment modules 510a, 510b, 510c, 510d (collectively segment modules 510) which are directed to power (power module 510a), communications (communications module 510b), and sensor detection (sensor modules 510c, 510d). Sensor modules 510c, 510d detect weather (e.g., temperature, rain, snow, etc.) and traffic conditions (e.g., vehicle speed, presence, etc.). The collected data from the sensors may be transmitted to the communications module 510b which may be further transmitted to an external device or system.
Based on the detected data by sensor modules 510c, 510d, the communications module 510b of the segmented device system 502 may communicate via a signal to an electronic road sign 503. For example, if the weather conditions are great (e.g., sunny), a higher speed limit may be displayed by the road sign 503. Alternatively, for poor weather conditions, communications module 510b may transmit another signal for the road sign to display a lower speed.
The present disclosure provides a description of a novel segmented device. It will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure disclosed. In addition, the examples and embodiments described herein are in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art of the present disclosure will recognize that other embodiments using the concepts described herein are also possible.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/047,320, filed Sep. 8, 2014.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62047320 | Sep 2014 | US |
