Doorbell Chime Extension via Wireless Alert Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current doorbell systems fail to effectively alert homeowners to visitor arrivals at locations throughout the home, as the audio chime may be too quiet or overly loud, and lacks a means to wirelessly communicate the alert to additional areas.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for extending a doorbell chime through a security and automation system, which detects the doorbell input, generates alerts locally, and wirelessly communicates these alerts to various components such as smartphones, control panels, or cameras, using visual, auditory, or haptic notifications, without the need for wired connections or additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the doorbell audio chime is positioned near the front door, then the chime can be generated locally, but the homeowner away from the doorbell may not hear the chime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (WiFi network, mobile device) that mediates between the doorbell signal generating component and the alert component. The detected input is communicated to a doorbell signal generating component, which generates a first alert, and simultaneously communicated to one or more alert components that generate a second alert at different locations throughout the home.
2Ease of operation
If the doorbell chime volume is increased, then the alert can be heard throughout the home, but it may disturb members of the household
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the alert notification function into multiple independent alert components distributed at different locations throughout the home. Instead of one loud central chime, the system provides multiple lower-volume alerts at various locations, allowing the homeowner to receive notification without disturbing other household members with excessive volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing alert components with different notification characteristics at different locations. Each alert component can be positioned in rooms where the homeowner is likely to be, providing localized notification that is audible at that specific location without requiring high volume throughout the entire home.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication is added to extend alerts to multiple locations, then coverage area is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional devices (mobile devices, tablets, computers) that already possess wireless communication capabilities, audio playback, and display functions. By utilizing these universal devices as alert components, the system extends coverage to multiple locations without adding dedicated new hardware, thereby minimizing the increase in system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for security and/or automation systems are described. In some embodiments, the methods may include detecting an input at a doorbell, and communicating the detected input to a doorbell signal generating component associated with the doorbell based at least in part on the detecting. The methods may further include generating a first alert at the doorbell signal generating component associated with the doorbell. In some embodiments, the methods may further include communicating the detected input to one or more alert components associated with the security and/or automation system based at least in part on the detecting, and generating a second alert at the one or more alert components associated with the security and/or automation system.