Alarm Profile Message Format for Fabric Network Device Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart home networks face challenges in propagating alarms across devices of different types and capabilities, making it difficult to coordinate operations efficiently and ensure seamless communication.
Innovation Solution
A fabric network system that enables devices to communicate using various profiles, including a data management profile, network provisioning profile, and alarm profile, allowing devices to send and request information in a standardized message format, thereby facilitating alarm propagation across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If devices of different types with different capabilities are connected to the smart home network, then the network can support diverse functionalities and device versatility, but it becomes difficult to propagate alarms uniformly across all devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal alarm message format that can be used across all device types in the smart home network. The standardized profile structure allows different devices (smoke detectors, CO detectors, security systems, etc.) to send and receive alarm messages using the same format, enabling uniform alarm propagation despite device diversity. The message includes universal fields such as alarm counter, alarm condition, alarm length, and alarm type that can be interpreted by any device supporting the profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter-based profiles to adapt the alarm message format to different device capabilities. By defining specific parameters within the standardized message structure (such as alarm type, alarm condition, alarm counter indicators), the system can accommodate various device types while maintaining a consistent communication framework. Devices can interpret and respond to alarm parameters according to their specific capabilities.
2Reliability
If a standardized message format with profiles is implemented across all devices, then alarm propagation becomes reliable and efficient, but the device complexity and implementation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm message format is segmented into distinct, well-defined fields and profiles. Each message contains specific segments such as alarm counter indicators, alarm condition, alarm length, and alarm type. This segmentation allows devices to process only the relevant portions of the message according to their capabilities, reducing implementation complexity while maintaining reliability. The profile-based structure divides the communication protocol into manageable, standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized profile acts as an intermediary layer between diverse devices and the alarm propagation mechanism. Rather than requiring each device to implement complex custom protocols, devices communicate through the standardized profile format which mediates the interaction. This intermediary structure simplifies device implementation while ensuring reliable alarm propagation across the network.
3Loss of information
If alarm messages include detailed information such as alarm counter indicators, alarm conditions, and alarm length, then the alarm information becomes more comprehensive and useful, but the message size and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential alarm information parameters needed for effective alarm propagation and response. Rather than transmitting all possible device data, the message format includes specifically extracted fields such as alarm counter indicators, alarm condition, alarm length, and alarm type. This extraction approach provides comprehensive alarm information while keeping message size manageable by including only the most critical parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for transferring alarm information by sending an alarm message containing information about an alarm. The alarm message includes an alarm counter indicator that indicates whether an alarm status has changed from a previous alarm message. The alarm message also includes one or more indications of alarm conditions indicating an alarm state or an alarm source. Furthermore, the alarm message includes an alarm length that indicates a number of alarm conditions included in the alarm message.