Appliance Notification via Mobile Device Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often miss notifications from appliances like ovens and washing machines when they are not in the same room, as existing alert systems rely on audio cues that may be overlooked, and manual setup of mobile devices is required for push notifications.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that detects a user's mobile device via short-range or body-coupled communication technologies when a task is initiated, allowing the appliance to send notifications via wireless networks without user intervention, enabling flexible and timely alerts regardless of the user's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If audio alert functions are used to notify users when appliances are finished, then users can be alerted without manual intervention, but users in different rooms or locations will miss the notification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the appliance and the user. The appliance sends notifications to the mobile device via wireless network, which then delivers the notification to the user regardless of their location. This mediator resolves the contradiction by decoupling the notification delivery from the user's physical proximity to the appliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the notification system from a local spatial dimension (audio alerts in the same room) to a networked dimension (wireless communications across different locations). By moving the notification delivery to another dimension (network space), the system overcomes the limitation of physical proximity while maintaining reliable notification delivery.
2Reliability
If manual setup of mobile device numbers is required for push notifications, then notifications can be sent to mobile devices, but the system becomes complex and requires user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic detection where the appliance autonomously identifies and associates the user's mobile device without requiring manual input. The system performs self-service by automatically establishing the notification channel, eliminating the need for users to manually enter phone numbers or configure settings, thus reducing complexity while maintaining reliable notification delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting and storing the mobile device information in advance before notification is needed. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for manual configuration at the time of use, reducing the perceived complexity for the user while ensuring reliable notification delivery when needed.
3Reliability
If users must be present in the same room to receive notifications, then audio alerts can be heard, but user freedom of movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device acts as a portable intermediary that travels with the user, delivering notifications regardless of their location. This resolves the contradiction by allowing users to move freely while maintaining the guarantee of notification receipt through the intermediary device that follows the user across different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the notification system dynamic by allowing the notification destination to move with the user via their mobile device. Instead of a fixed location-based system, the notification follows the user dynamically, enabling freedom of movement while ensuring notification receipt through the adaptive, mobile notification channel.
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
Ensures users receive timely notifications about appliance tasks without needing to monitor the appliance, allowing them to move freely while ensuring they are informed of completion or status changes, reducing the risk of missed alerts and enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus is arranged to detect the mobile notifying device by way of sending out an ID request using short range wireless communication technology, such as Bluetooth
Implementation Method 2
The apparatus and notifying device are arranged to communicate a notification message via a wireless communication network
Implementation Method 3
The apparatus is arranged to detect the mobile notifying device using a body-coupled communication technique, such as ADA (Active Digital Aura) communication
Data Source
AI summary
A notifying system for notifying a user is provided. The system comprises an apparatus (1; 21) arranged to perform a task. The apparatus may for example be a kitchen appliance such as an oven, where its task is heating food. The apparatus may also be a ticket machine of a public transport service. The system further comprises a mobile notifying device (2; 22; 40) for notifying the user about a task of the apparatus. The apparatus may be arranged to automatically detect the mobile notifying device if the mobile notifying device is in the vicinity of the apparatus once the task is initiated by a user, and to associate the task with the mobile notifying device. The apparatus and notifying device are arranged to communicate a notification message via a wireless communication network. This notification message comprises information related to the task, such as a message telling the user that the food is cooked. By automatically detecting the mobile notifying device, the apparatus is able to send a message to a person which has (most probably) initiated the task.