Cellular Alerting Add-On Device for Sensor Platforms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for enabling sensor platforms to connect to cellular networks are complex, insecure, and lack flexibility, requiring special ports or embedded modems, which limits backwards compatibility and increases vulnerability to network attacks.
Innovation Solution
A cellular alerting add-on device that connects to sensor platforms via existing ports, providing secure, isolated cellular connectivity with fail-over capabilities, allowing placement away from the base unit and supporting multiple networks without modifying the base unit hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cellular modem is embedded into the base unit, then cellular network connectivity is enabled, but device complexity increases and backwards compatibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cellular connectivity function into a separate add-on device that connects to the base unit through an existing sensor port. This segmentation allows the base unit to remain simple while the add-on device handles cellular communications, resolving the contradiction between enabling connectivity and maintaining low complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The add-on device is designed to work with multiple base unit types through standard sensor ports, providing universal cellular connectivity across different sensor platforms. This multi-functionality approach enables widespread adoption without requiring complex base unit modifications.
2Reliability
If a special modem port is provisioned on the base unit, then cellular connectivity is enabled, but ease of manufacture decreases and backwards compatibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The add-on device utilizes existing standard sensor ports that are already manufactured in base units, eliminating the need for special modem ports. This universal compatibility maintains ease of manufacture while enabling cellular connectivity through the add-on device.
3Reliability
If cellular network communication is integrated into the base unit, then connectivity is enabled, but security decreases due to exposure to network attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cellular communication function into a separate add-on device that is physically isolated from the base unit's internal network. This segmentation creates a security boundary where cellular network attacks cannot directly expose the base unit's internal systems, resolving the contradiction between connectivity and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The add-on device acts as an intermediary between the cellular network and the base unit. It receives cellular communications and translates them into sensor port protocols, preventing direct exposure of the base unit to cellular network attacks while maintaining connectivity functionality.
4Reliability
If the base unit is placed in a location with limited cellular reception, then installation flexibility is reduced, but placement options are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the cellular communication component into an independent add-on device that can be positioned independently from the base unit. This allows the add-on device to be placed in locations with optimal cellular reception while the base unit remains in its desired installation location, resolving the contradiction between reception quality and placement flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The cellular alerting add-on device is a device for providing sensor platforms with a new innovative way to transmit alerts, information and any other form of data using cellular networks and this by utilizing existing connectivity capabilities between base units and sensors. The cellular alerting add-on device generally includes one or more cellular alerting sensors that are connected in a wired or wireless way with the base unit. The sensors can perform wireless communications like sending out SMS alerts, email alerts, SNMP traps and other communications like, but not limited to, IoT communications.