Gesture-Controlled Hazard Detection System via Wireless Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hazard detection systems, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, often require users to physically access a high-mounted hush button, leading to inconvenient and unsafe scenarios, as existing solutions do not effectively allow for remote control of alarm states.
Innovation Solution
A system and method enabling users to perform gestures with a personal device to communicate instructions to a hazard detection system, allowing remote alteration of its operational state, utilizing a fabric network with multiple communication circuits to facilitate rapid interaction and priority access to RF mediums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hush button is mounted high on the wall or ceiling for safety and proper alarm coverage, then the alarm system performs its safety function effectively, but users cannot easily access the button to silence false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless communication system acts as an intermediary between the user and the hazard detection system. The user's personal device communicates with the hazard detection system through a wireless network, enabling remote silencing of alarms without requiring physical access to the high-mounted button. This mediator resolves the contradiction by decoupling the physical location requirements for alarm effectiveness from user accessibility requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the hush button is placed within easy reach of users, then users can easily silence alarms, but the alarm system may not provide adequate coverage and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication system serves as a mediator that enables easy operation (silencing alarms) without compromising the high-mounted placement of the hazard detection system. The intermediary communication channel allows users to silence alarms from any location in the network coverage area, eliminating the need to place the hush button within physical reach while maintaining proper alarm coverage.
3Device complexity
If users require physical access to the hazard detection system to silence alarms, then the system structure remains simple, but users face inconvenient and unsafe scenarios requiring ladders or chairs
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless communication intermediary enables remote operation of the hazard detection system without requiring physical access. The system uses existing wireless networks (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular) as mediators to transmit silencing commands from the user's personal device to the hazard detection system, adding minimal complexity while dramatically improving safety and convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical interaction (physically pressing a button on the device) with an electronic/wireless communication mechanism. Instead of requiring mechanical access to the hazard detection system, users send electronic commands through wireless networks, substituting a potentially unsafe mechanical operation with a safe remote electronic operation.
4Device complexity
If the hazard detection system uses a single communication circuit, then the device complexity is low, but the system cannot provide rapid interaction and priority access to RF mediums
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into multiple independent communication circuits (e.g., Wi-Fi circuit, Bluetooth circuit, cellular circuit). Each circuit operates independently and can handle different types of communications simultaneously. This segmentation enables the system to provide rapid interaction through multiple channels and implement priority access by directing time-sensitive communications through appropriate circuits, resolving the contradiction between complexity and performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods systems and methods for altering a state of system using a remote device that processes gestures are described herein. The electronic device can communicate with the system in response to monitoring a user generated gesture or other interaction. For example, a user can wave the personal device or wave to the personal device, and in response thereto, the personal device can transmit an instruction to the system that causes it to change its operational state. Thus, embodiments discussed herein enable a user to perform remote gestures with a firstdevice to affect the operation of a second device.