AED Notifier Alternating Light and Sound Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) face a challenge in notifying users of abnormalities while minimizing the instantaneous load on the battery, as simultaneous visible and audible alerts can increase power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The AED employs a notifier system that alternates between high and low power consumption modes for both visual and auditory alerts, ensuring at least half of each mode's period overlaps with corresponding periods of the other mode, thereby reducing battery load while maintaining effective notification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If both visible alert and audible alert are simultaneously performed, then user notification effectiveness is improved, but instantaneous battery load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser notification effectivenessVSAvoidinstantaneous battery load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by alternating between visible alert modes (high intensity light emission) and audible alert modes (sound generation) in a cyclic sequence. The notification system switches between these modes periodically, ensuring that at least half of each period overlaps between the two alert types, thereby maintaining effective user notification while reducing instantaneous power consumption compared to simultaneous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If visible alert and audible alert are alternated, then battery power consumption is reduced, but notification effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidnotification effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic alternation between visible and audible alert modes, where each mode operates for a defined period followed by switching to the other mode. This periodic switching reduces average power consumption while maintaining notification effectiveness through consistent temporal patterns that ensure user awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the visible and audible alert systems by overlapping their operation periods. At least half of each period in which the first mode (visible alert) is executed overlaps timewise with a corresponding period in which the fourth mode (audible alert) is executed, and vice versa. This merging ensures that both alert types are active simultaneously during overlapping periods, maintaining comprehensive notification effectiveness while managing power consumption through coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration allows for efficient battery power management while ensuring users are alerted to abnormalities through visible and audible means, reducing the overall power consumption and extending battery life.

Implementation Method 1

the display unit executes a first mode and a second mode alternately and one or more times respectively, so that the display unit makes the light source emit light with a first intensity in the first mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from LED: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

the sounder executes a third mode and a fourth mode alternately and one or more times respectively, so that the sounder generates the alert sound with a third intensity in the third mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroacoustic conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP4161634B1Automated external defibrillator and method for notification about abnormality of automated external defibrillator
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 NIHON KOHDEN CORP
  • EP4161634B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4161634B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3A
  • EP4161634B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~3D

AI summary

An AED (1) is provided with a detector (10) and a notifier. The notifier has a display unit (40) and a sounder (50). The display unit (40) executes a first mode and a second mode alternately and one or more times respectively. In the first mode, the display unit (40) makes at least one light source (42) emit light with a first intensity. In the second mode, the display unit (40) either makes the light source (42) emit light with a second intensity lower in power consumption than the first intensity, or makes the light source (42) not emit light. The sounder (50) executes a third mode and a fourth mode alternately and one or more times respectively. In the third mode, the sounder (50) generates an alert sound with a third intensity. In the fourth mode, the sounder (50) either generates the alert sound with a fourth intensity lower in power consumption than the third intensity, or does not generate the alert sound. At least a half part of each period of the first mode overlaps timewise with a corresponding period of the fourth mode. At least a half part of each period of the third mode overlaps timewise with a corresponding period of the second mode.