Fire Alarm Event Display Control for Adjustable Notice Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire alarm notification systems lack the ability to adjust the timing of display, making it difficult to check notifications immediately when necessary and impossible to check them at other times.

Innovation Solution

A display system that includes an input unit, setting unit, and display control unit to enable or disable notifications and display a history of event information, such as fire incidents, operation tests, and maintenance information, regardless of notification settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a notice is displayed immediately when event information is received, then the notification can be checked immediately, but the user cannot adjust the timing to check the notification at a convenient time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification check timingVSAvoidnotification display flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the notification display behavior based on user settings. The display control unit switches between immediate display mode (when notice display is enabled) and delayed display mode (when notice display is disabled, showing only in history). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond differently to the same event information based on user preferences, resolving the contradiction between immediate notification and user convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by storing event information in the history display function in advance. Even when notice display is disabled, the information is preserved and can be viewed later through the history function. This preliminary storage action ensures that users can check notifications at their convenience without losing the ability to access the information, thus resolving the timing flexibility issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a notice is displayed for every event information, then important information is not missed, but the user may be disturbed by unnecessary notifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation delivery reliabilityVSAvoidnotification disturbance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by differentiating the display treatment of different event information based on user settings. For notice display enabled events, immediate notification is provided ensuring reliability. For notice display disabled events, only history display is provided, avoiding disturbance. This localized differentiation of display quality based on event type and user preference resolves the contradiction between comprehensive information delivery and avoiding unnecessary disturbances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The notification system is segmented into two distinct pathways: immediate notice display pathway and history display pathway. The display control unit routes event information to appropriate pathways based on user settings. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability for important notifications while filtering out disturbances for less critical ones, satisfying both requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If the notice display is always enabled, then all event information is communicated immediately, but the user cannot control when to receive alerts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevent information communicationVSAvoiduser control over notifications
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display control unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle both immediate notice display and history display through a single unified component. This universal design allows the system to communicate all event information reliably while providing user control over the display timing. The setting unit works in conjunction with the display control unit to enable or disable notice display, giving users ease of operation without compromising information communication completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4117265B1Display system, display method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4117265B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4117265B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4117265B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A display system includes a server 440 and a setting unit 544. The server 440 is configured to receive event information from a representative fire alarm 200 or a fire alarm 220 provided in a facility 100. A setting unit 544 enables or disables a notice for communicating that the event information is available when the server 440 receives the event information. The server 440 causes a display unit 518 to display the notice when the setting unit 544 enables a notice and when the input unit 340 receives the event information.