Smartphone NFC Addressing for Fire Alarm Peripherals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire alarm peripherals require mechanical or proprietary electronic tools for addressing, which are cumbersome and costly, lacking flexibility and efficiency in installation and reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
A smartphone-based addressing system using capacitive or optical switches, NFC communication, or unique identifiers, allowing tool-free and cost-effective assignment of addresses to fire alarm peripherals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical addressing methods (rotary switches or binary DIP switches) are used, then the device can be addressed, but the installation and reconfiguration process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical addressing methods (rotary switches, DIP switches) with optical addressing using light sources and photodetectors. The optical system reads address information from visual patterns (barcodes, QR codes, or manually created patterns) on the device, eliminating the need for manual switch manipulation and significantly reducing installation time and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual patterns (barcodes, QR codes, or manually created light/dark patterns) that represent address information. These patterns can be easily copied, printed, or drawn on the device, and the optical system reads them to automatically assign addresses, replacing the cumbersome mechanical switch setting process
2Reliability
If proprietary electronic tools are used for electronic addressing, then the address can be written to non-volatile memory, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces proprietary electronic addressing tools with an optical reading system that uses light sources and photodetectors to read visual patterns. This simplifies the system by using standard optical components instead of specialized electronic programming tools, reducing cost and complexity while maintaining reliable address assignment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual patterns (barcodes, QR codes, or manually created patterns) that can be easily printed or drawn on the device. The optical system reads these patterns to automatically transfer address information to the device's memory, eliminating the need for complex electronic programming tools and reducing system complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual switch manipulation is required for addressing, then the device can be configured, but the flexibility and efficiency of installation and reconfiguration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual switch manipulation with an optical system that reads visual patterns to automatically assign addresses. This allows for rapid configuration and reconfiguration of devices without physically manipulating switches, significantly improving installation efficiency and operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual patterns (barcodes, QR codes, or manually created light/dark patterns) that can be easily changed or reprinted on devices. The optical system reads these patterns to automatically assign addresses, enabling quick reconfiguration of devices for different locations or purposes without manual switch setting
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 flexible, efficient, and cost-effective installation and reconfiguration of fire alarm peripherals without the need for proprietary tools, enhancing usability and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
each pair corresponding to one of the switches, and having a node capacitance between them. When the head is, e.g., mechanically attached to the base, each node pair is in proximity to its corresponding switch
Implementation Method 2
there is a first capacitive value between the nodes such that the nodes are capacitively coupled such that a high frequency signal sees a low impedance and passes through
Implementation Method 3
an addressable device such as a detector head or base includes a Near-Field Communication (NFC) transponder for receiving an address to be assigned to the device, the address transmitted from a smartphone via the smartphone's NFC transponder
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency alarm system peripheral, such as a hazard detector, intrusion detector, or a notification appliance, includes a base that is permanently installed on a wall or ceiling, and a head which mounts to the base. Various embodiments and methods are provided to easily and efficiently assign addresses to the peripherals in the system.