Camera-Controlled Barrier Movement Controller
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing barrier movement controllers lack the ability to automatically and appropriately respond to environmental conditions such as fires or carbon monoxide levels by not providing flexible control over the position of movable barriers like garage doors, potentially leading to inappropriate actions.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit that uses a camera to capture images of the barrier's position and wirelessly transmits this information to a recipient, allowing them to decide and instruct the barrier's movement via remote control signals, accommodating various sensors and controllers with minimal modification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If automated control of barrier movement is implemented in response to environmental conditions, then response speed improves, but appropriateness of action deteriorates due to inability to assess contextual factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device that captures visual information about the barrier position and sends it to a remote user. This intermediary allows automated detection of environmental conditions while preserving human judgment for deciding the appropriate action, thus maintaining both fast response and appropriate decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by capturing images of the barrier position and transmitting them to the user, who then provides instructions based on the visual information. This feedback loop ensures that automated systems can respond quickly while human users make informed decisions based on actual barrier positions and contextual factors.
2Productivity
If automated barrier control is implemented, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera, which is a multi-functional device that can serve both as a security monitoring tool and as a means to provide visual feedback for barrier position verification. This universal device approach increases productivity without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the same hardware serves multiple purposes.
3Loss of time
If barrier position is not verified before automated control actions, then response time improves, but harmful effects increase due to inappropriate actions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing an image of the barrier position before executing any automated control action. This preliminary visual verification allows the user to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the automated action, thus preventing harmful effects while maintaining relatively fast response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preliminary anti-action by requiring user confirmation based on visual verification before executing automated barrier control actions. This prevents inappropriate actions (such as closing a barrier when someone might be trapped) by allowing the user to override the automated decision after reviewing the captured image.
Data Source
AI summary
A control circuit, upon detecting a condition of interest, automatically forwards information regarding a recently-captured image to a predetermined recipient. Upon then later receiving an instruction (which instruction was prompted at least on behalf of the predetermined recipient), the control circuit then wirelessly transmits a movable barrier remote control signal to a corresponding barrier movement controller.