Doorbell Wireless Notification via Intermediary Computing Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional doorbells often fail to alert remotely located individuals, such as homeowners, about visitors due to the limited range of alerting sounds, making it difficult for them to be aware of someone ringing the doorbell, especially when they are not in close proximity.
Innovation Solution
A doorbell system that wirelessly communicates with a remotely located computing device, enabling visitors to alert users through a network connection mode, using sensors and wireless networks to detect visitor presence and send notifications via cellular or internet connections, even when the user is far away.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional doorbell uses local alerting sounds only, then the device complexity is low, but the alerting range is limited and remotely located users cannot be notified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary between the doorbell and the user. The doorbell communicates visitor information to the computing device via wireless networks (WiFi, cellular, Bluetooth), which then relays notifications to the user's remote device. This mediator approach enables reliable remote notification without requiring complex infrastructure at the doorbell itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The doorbell system is enhanced with multiple communication capabilities (WiFi, cellular, Bluetooth) and integrated sensors (motion, audio, camera) to perform multiple functions: local alerting, remote notification, visitor detection, and two-way communication. This multi-functionality ensures reliable notification across various scenarios while managing system complexity through modular design.
2Area of stationary object
If a doorbell system adds wireless communication capabilities for remote notification, then the alerting range is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments communication functions into distinct modules: the doorbell handles local detection and initial wireless transmission, a computing device manages network connectivity and data processing, and the user's remote device receives notifications. This segmentation allows each component to have specialized, simpler functionality while achieving comprehensive remote alerting coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device serves as an intermediary that simplifies the doorbell's complexity burden. It handles complex tasks like maintaining wireless network connections, managing multiple communication protocols, and processing sensor data, allowing the doorbell itself to remain relatively simple while achieving extended alerting range through standardized wireless interfaces.
3Reliability
If the doorbell continuously monitors for visitors and maintains wireless connectivity, then the detection reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic monitoring instead of continuous operation. The doorbell's sensors and wireless communication activate in periodic cycles or upon triggering events (motion detected, button pressed). The computing device manages connection states periodically, switching between active and sleep modes to maintain reliability while reducing average power consumption of wireless modules and sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where sensors detect visitor presence and trigger appropriate responses. When no visitors are detected, the system enters low-power states. The computing device receives feedback from the doorbell about connection status and visitor detection, dynamically adjusting power consumption based on actual operational needs rather than maintaining constant high-power operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Doorbells often include a button to enable visitors to ring a chime to summon building occupants. In some embodiments, doorbells include a camera to take pictures of visitors. In several embodiments, doorbells include covers that are light filters. These light filters can cover infrared light sources such as infrared light emitting diodes. The light filters can pass infrared light while blocking visible light. In several embodiments, a front portion of a camera assembly fits through a hole in a light filter. Light filters can help secure camera assemblies and can form a portion of a doorbell's outer housing.