Gateway Backup Communications for Automated Sensor Enrollment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional security and automation systems face challenges in efficiently enrolling and configuring wireless sensors from different manufacturers and protocols, requiring significant installer expertise and time, and lack seamless integration of sensors with varying operational models and vintages.

Innovation Solution

A communication bridge system that uses image-based device enrollment and artificial intelligence to automatically discover, classify, and configure wireless sensors by analyzing their wireless transmissions and image data, allowing for enrollment without manual configuration or programming, and facilitates communication between sensors and external systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual enrollment and configuration methods are used for wireless sensors, then installer expertise and time are required, but the complexity and time required for sensor enrollment and configuration is significantly reduced with automated methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor enrollment and configurationVSAvoidtime required for sensor enrollment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables sensors to automatically enroll themselves with the gateway device without requiring manual installer intervention. The sensor transmits its identification information and capabilities autonomously, and the gateway automatically processes the enrollment, classifies the sensor type, and configures appropriate settings based on the sensor's self-provided data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical enrollment processes with automated electronic and optical systems. Image-based device enrollment uses camera imaging and computer vision algorithms to automatically capture and process sensor information, substituting the manual visual inspection and data entry processes that previously required installer expertise and time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional enrollment methods are used, then installer expertise is required, but automated image-based enrollment eliminates the need for manual configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of diverse sensor populationsVSAvoidenrollment and configuration process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device incorporates multiple enrollment methods including image-based enrollment, wireless transmission enrollment, and manual enrollment capabilities. The system can handle diverse sensor types from different manufacturers and protocols through a single unified enrollment interface, making the enrollment process universal across various sensor populations without requiring different procedures for each sensor type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an image processing intermediary system that captures images of sensors, extracts identification and capability information through computer vision algorithms, and translates this visual data into structured enrollment information. This intermediary process bridges the gap between diverse physical sensor formats and the standardized digital enrollment requirements, simplifying the overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If manual sensor identification and configuration is performed, then significant installer expertise and time is required, but automated discovery and classification reduces complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor enrollment speedVSAvoidsensor configuration process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically discovering sensors in the environment before formal enrollment occurs. The gateway continuously monitors for wireless transmissions and image data from sensors, pre-classifies sensor types based on initial detection, and prepares configuration templates in advance. This preliminary discovery and classification work reduces the time required during actual enrollment by having much of the identification and setup work completed beforehand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11950325B2Gateway with backup power and communications system

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 RESOLUTION PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

In one implementation, a communications apparatus includes a communications circuit including a first communications system configured to communicate with a first communications network over a first communications medium; a second communications system configured to communicate with the first communications network over a second communications medium; and a communications port configured to communicate with a second communications network. The communications apparatus can further include a power circuit that includes a first power system configured to power the communications apparatus with a first power source; and a second power system configured to power the communications apparatus with a second power source. The communications apparatus can further include a processing system configured to be powered by the power circuit and selectively control communications flows between the communications port and at least one of the first communications system and the second communications system.