Doorbell Diagnostics via Camera and Wireless Chime Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional doorbell systems fail to notify remotely located individuals of a visitor's arrival, as the notification sound is typically only audible within a short distance from the chime, making it difficult for homeowners to be aware of a visitor when they are not nearby.
Innovation Solution
A doorbell system equipped with a camera and a button that can visually detect visitors, coupled with an electronic switch assembly and an external chime, allowing wireless communication with a remote computing device to send notifications and adapt electricity flow to ensure the external chime emits a summon sound, even when the homeowner is distant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If mechanical chimes or electronic chimes are used to emit notification sounds, then visitors can be alerted within short distance, but remotely located individuals cannot hear the notification sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device that captures visual information of visitors and transmits it to remotely located individuals' computing devices. This mediator bridges the gap between the local notification system and remote users, allowing them to see visitors even though they cannot hear the chime sounds from a distance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the acoustic notification mechanism with a visual notification mechanism. Instead of relying on sound waves that dissipate over distance, the system uses electronic image capture and transmission to convey visitor information to remote users, substituting the mechanical acoustic field with an electronic visual field
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic chimes are used instead of mechanical chimes, then a wider variety of sounds can be played, but electricity is required over a longer period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the chime system multi-functional by incorporating both mechanical chime capabilities and electronic chime capabilities into a single unified system. This allows the doorbell system to access the wide variety of sounds from electronic chimes while also maintaining the lower energy consumption characteristics of mechanical chimes, enabling selective operation based on energy availability and user preference
3Reliability
If the doorbell system includes camera and wireless communication capabilities, then remote notification is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the doorbell system into distinct functional modules: the doorbell unit with camera and wireless communication capabilities, and the separate computing device at the remote location. This segmentation allows the complex functionality to be distributed across multiple components, making each individual component more manageable while achieving reliable remote notification through their coordinated operation
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
Enables remote notification of a visitor's arrival through visual detection and adaptive electricity management, ensuring the homeowner is alerted regardless of their location, enhancing convenience and security.
Implementation Method 1
The camera can be configurable to visually detect a visitor
Implementation Method 2
Some electronic chimes comprise a speaker configurable to emit a summon sound
Implementation Method 3
An adapter (e.g., an electronic switch assembly) can be electrically coupled to the electronic doorbell and an external power supply
Data Source
AI summary
A doorbell can be configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing device. In some cases, components that enable the doorbell to wirelessly communicate with the remote computing device could make the doorbell incompatible with certain types of chimes. In some embodiments, the doorbell is configured to diagnose chime compatibility issues.