Alarm Controller Two-Way Voice via GSM
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alarm systems face challenges in efficiently distinguishing between different alarm conditions and optimizing communication pathways, particularly in situations where public telephone networks are unavailable, leading to potential false alarms and inadequate response due to the lack of integrated digital and analog voice communication capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An electronic security system that includes a processor-configured alarm controller capable of distinguishing among various alarm conditions to determine if two-way voice communications are necessary, using a communications interface to transmit digital reporting messages or establish voice communications over available pathways like GSM, PSTN, or Internet networks, ensuring effective communication with remote monitoring services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the alarm system attempts two-way voice communications for all alarm conditions, then verification of alarm validity is improved, but communication costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating communication methods based on alarm condition type. For intrusion alarms, the system attempts two-way voice communications to verify validity, while for other alarm conditions it uses automated digital reporting without voice verification. This selective approach optimizes reliability for critical alarms while reducing complexity and costs for routine alarms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the alarm response process into distinct pathways: voice communication pathway for intrusion alarms requiring verification, and automated digital reporting pathway for other conditions. This segmentation allows the system to handle different alarm types through appropriate communication methods, improving overall system efficiency.
2Device complexity
If the alarm system uses only public telephone networks for communication, then system simplicity is maintained, but reliability deteriorates when networks are unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the alarm system to communicate through multiple network types (PSTN and GSM cellular networks) rather than relying on a single network infrastructure. The system can select appropriate network pathways based on availability and alarm type, ensuring continuous communication reliability regardless of public network status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces GSM cellular network as an intermediary communication pathway between the alarm system and remote monitoring station. This intermediary network provides backup communication capability when the primary PSTN network is unavailable, enhancing system reliability without requiring direct integration with multiple network infrastructures.
3Loss of information
If the alarm system sends detailed digital reporting messages for all conditions, then information completeness is improved, but communication bandwidth and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting detailed digital reporting messages only for alarm conditions that do not require voice verification. For intrusion alarms where voice communication is attempted, the system uses more concise automated reporting followed by verbal confirmation. This selective detailed reporting approach maintains information completeness for critical alarms while reducing overall communication data volume.
Data Source
AI summary
An alarm system senses alarm conditions on a premises, reports the occurrence of an alarm condition to a remote monitoring facility and for selected alarm conditions establishes two way voice communications with a person at the monitored premises or elsewhere. Multiple modes of communication are available such as public switched telephone (audio or audio modulated data), GSM (cellular audio), GPRS (cellular packet data), GSM/SMS (cellular text), etc. The programmed processor selects the network and communication protocol to rely on data communications if only data reporting is required. When two way voice communications will be required, the processor can select a network (e.g., GSM) that can be used for both data and audio communications.