Electrical Signal Analysis for Industrial and Environmental Monitoring
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A system and method for analyzing electrical signals in various industries and environmental applications to optimize operations, predict equipment failures, and monitor water quality.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent focused on managing storage of sensed information in medical devices. However, the core technology has broader applications beyond medical devices. This inventive concept addresses the limitations of the original patent by applying the electrical signal analysis technology to industrial equipment monitoring, agricultural soil moisture monitoring, and aquatic ecosystem water quality monitoring.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The system comprises a plurality of sensors configured to sense electrical signals in various environments, processing circuitry to receive and analyze the sensed signals, and communication or notification modules to transmit or alert relevant parties. In industrial settings, the system detects anomalies in equipment signals to predict failures. In agricultural fields, the system monitors soil moisture levels to optimize crop yields. In aquatic ecosystems, the system determines water quality metrics to facilitate informed decision-making.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel applications of electrical signal analysis, expanding the scope of the original patent. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the core technology to address specific challenges in industrial equipment monitoring, agricultural soil moisture monitoring, and aquatic ecosystem water quality monitoring.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include using different types of sensors, such as acoustic or optical sensors, or integrating the system with existing industrial control systems or agricultural management platforms. Variations may involve applying the technology to other industries, such as energy or transportation.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in industries such as agriculture, industrial equipment manufacturing, and environmental monitoring. The market demand for predictive maintenance, optimized crop yields, and water quality monitoring is substantial, and this technology can provide a competitive advantage to companies operating in these spaces.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device signal processing and sensor systems, with expertise in electrical signal sensing, analysis, and monitoring across biomedical and industrial domains
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled practitioner with advanced electrical engineering or biomedical engineering training, capable of adapting signal processing techniques across different technical domains, understanding sensor integration, data analysis algorithms, and system design principles
Obviousness Rationale
The PTD demonstrates a straightforward extension of the source patent's core signal processing methodology by applying the fundamental electrical signal sensing and analysis techniques to alternative domains. A PHOSITA would recognize that the core signal processing approach - receiving electrical signals, analyzing characteristic values, and generating actionable insights - is fundamentally transferable across different sensing environments. The technical principles of signal acquisition, characteristic extraction, and predictive analysis remain consistent, merely changing the specific sensor context.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,793 |
|---|---|
| Title | Managing storage of sensed information |
| Assignee(s) | Medtronic, Inc. |