Graphical Alarm Notification via Floor Plan Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Security systems often struggle to clearly identify the source of an alarm condition due to limited display space, requiring users to manually search for the triggering sensor, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A security system with a user interface that displays a floor plan image and allows users to place sensor icons at corresponding locations, enabling the creation of user-defined regions and storing associations between sensors and image objects, facilitating quick identification of the alarm source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a limited display size or limited number of characters is used for alarm notifications, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot easily identify the alarm source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional text-based alarm notifications to two-dimensional graphical floor plan displays. The floor plan visually represents the building layout with sensor icons positioned at their actual locations, allowing users to immediately identify alarm sources spatially rather than interpreting text codes. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by providing rich spatial information without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a graphical copy of the physical building layout on the display. The floor plan image replicates the actual spatial arrangement of sensors and rooms, with icons positioned to match real-world locations. This visual copy allows users to intuitively understand alarm sources without needing to physically search or interpret abstract sensor identifiers.
2Device complexity
If text-based alarm notifications are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of information increases because specific sensor locations cannot be clearly identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to alarm information display by using graphical floor plans instead of text. The visual representation preserves complete location information by showing exactly where each sensor is positioned in the building, eliminating the information loss that occurs when locations must be described through text codes like 'WIN_1ST_BDR'.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color coding to convey sensor status and location information. Different colors indicate alarm states, sensor types, or regional categories, allowing multiple layers of information to be displayed simultaneously without increasing system complexity. This visual encoding preserves rich information while maintaining simple display hardware.
3Device complexity
If users must manually search for the alarm source, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of time increases because locating the sensor is time-consuming and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-positioning sensor icons on the floor plan at their actual physical locations during system setup. When an alarm occurs, the corresponding icon is already in the correct position and can be immediately identified, eliminating the need for users to manually search through rooms or interpret sensor codes. This preliminary configuration saves significant response time without adding system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements immediate visual feedback by displaying the alarm source location directly on the floor plan when a sensor triggers. The graphical interface provides real-time information about which sensor alarmed and where it is located, allowing users to respond immediately rather than spending time searching. This feedback mechanism reduces response time while keeping the system simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A security system that provides an easy to read and understand alarm notification. In one example, if an alarm condition is detected by a particular sensor of a security system, the security system may be configured to display on a display of the security system and/or a mobile device a user-defined image object. Each image object may correspond to a user-defined region of a building space image, such as a floorplan.