Emergency Alarm PCB for Long-Life Mobile Voice Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emergency and hazard systems face challenges with limited operating time due to energy consumption, require frequent recharging, and are unsuitable for noisy environments, lacking reliable voice communication capabilities, and are costly and complex.

Innovation Solution

A device with a metal housing, push-button switch, microphone, loudspeaker, and radio modem on a PCB, powered by a rechargeable storage device, providing two-way voice and data communication via a mobile network, with voltage converters for efficient energy distribution, and a battery life of up to five years without recharging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If alarm triggering devices use accumulators or batteries for independent operation, then mobility and independence from power supply network are improved, but operating time without battery replacement or recharging is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependence from power supply networkVSAvoidoperating time without recharging
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through the solar charging system that continuously recharges the accumulator during daytime, enabling the device to operate indefinitely without manual intervention. The system periodically converts solar energy to electrical energy to maintain battery charge levels, resolving the contradiction between independence and operating duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The solar-powered alarm system applies self-service by automatically charging its own power source (accumulator) through photovoltaic panels. The device serves itself by converting solar energy directly at the installation location, eliminating the need for external power supply networks or manual battery replacement, thus achieving both independence and unlimited operating time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If alarm solutions use mobile network radio modems with rechargeable batteries, then communication capability is improved, but energy consumption increases requiring frequent recharging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic action by leveraging daytime solar energy to recharge the battery, enabling continuous operation of the energy-consuming radio modem without frequent manual recharging. The solar panel periodically replenishes energy during daylight hours, offsetting the continuous energy consumption of the communication module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from grid-powered or manually recharged systems to a solar-powered system with fundamentally different energy availability parameters. The solar accumulator system changes the energy supply parameter from limited capacity requiring frequent replacement to continuous regeneration, enabling sustained high-energy consumption operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If microphones and speakers are operated with higher power levels for reliable voice communication in noisy environments, then communication reliability is improved, but operating time without recharging decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoice communication reliabilityVSAvoidoperating time without recharging
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The solar-powered system applies parameter changes by fundamentally altering the energy availability parameter. The continuous solar charging enables the microphones and speakers to operate at higher power levels indefinitely, transforming the trade-off between power level and operating duration into a scenario where both can be maximized simultaneously through unlimited energy supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ensures reliable, long-term operation without recharging, supports two-way communication in noisy environments, and reduces maintenance costs, ensuring efficient and uninterrupted emergency notifications.

Implementation Method 1

a solar panel for charging the rechargeable storage device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4645277A1Emergency alarm
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 VODAFONE GMBH
  • EP4645277A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4645277A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4645277A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for manually and/or at least semi-automatically triggering a message of an acute emergency or danger by means of voice communication and/or by means of data communication between the triggerer and the emergency response center, wherein a housing (2) comprising at least one control element (3, 4, 5), preferably designed as a push-button switch (3, 4, 5) for manually triggering a message, a microphone (6), a loudspeaker (7), and optionally an antenna (8) or optionally an antenna connection for an antenna (8), is mounted on a single-piece circuit board (9, PCB) or a multi-piece circuit board (9, PCB) with at least one input for the microphone (6) and at least one output for the loudspeaker (7).and optionally at least one connection for the optional antenna (8) or the optional antenna connection for an antenna (8) a power supply unit (10) with at least one rechargeable storage device (10) for electrical energy for preferably uninterruptible power supply of a microcontroller (11, QTPY) and radio modems (12) arranged on the single-piece or multi-piece circuit board (9, PCB) for voice communication and/or data communication via a mobile network according to a mobile communication standard, in particular a mobile communication standard of the second to sixth generation (2G (GSM), 3G (UMTS), 4G (LTE), 5G, and/or 6G).