Smart home device with integrated conditional lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hazard detectors in smart buildings and homes lack a user-friendly feature to provide ancillary benefits such as conditional lighting, which is essential for user safety and comfort, especially in dark environments without triggering false alarms from incidental movements.
Innovation Solution
A hazard detector system that includes a processing unit, motion sensor, light sensor, and light source, which activates lighting based on ambient brightness levels, user presence, and battery charge, offering customizable lighting modes and colors, and can be configured via wireless communication for specific room types and user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If motion-activated lighting is added to hazard detectors, then user safety and comfort in dark environments is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (hazard detection, motion sensing, light sensing, and illumination) into a single integrated device. The hazard detector housing incorporates a motion sensor, light sensor, and light source, eliminating the need for separate motion-activated lighting devices and reducing overall system complexity despite adding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hazard detector is transformed into a multi-functional device that not only detects hazards but also provides conditional lighting assistance. This universal approach allows one device to serve multiple purposes: safety monitoring and navigation assistance in dark environments.
2Measurement precision
If conditional lighting is activated based on multiple parameters, then lighting precision and appropriateness is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors and responds to changes in multiple parameters (ambient light level, motion detection state, battery charge level) to determine lighting activation. By establishing predetermined thresholds for these parameters, the system achieves precise control over when lighting should be activated without requiring complex algorithms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and processing functions are integrated, then functionality and user benefits are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting function is activated locally and conditionally only when and where needed, rather than continuously. By using the light sensor to detect ambient brightness levels and the motion sensor to detect user presence, the system provides illumination only in the specific condition of darkness combined with detected motion, minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
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
Enhances user safety by providing conditional lighting that is both functional and user-friendly, reducing false alarms and improving navigation in dark environments while maintaining the primary hazard detection functionality.
Implementation Method 1
A light sensor may be present that detects an ambient brightness level
Implementation Method 2
A motion sensor may be present that detects motion of a user
Implementation Method 3
A light may be present that is capable of outputting light into the ambient environment of the hazard detector
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of hazard detectors are presented. A hazard sensor may be present that detects the presence of a hazardous condition. A light sensor may be present that detects an ambient brightness level. A motion sensor may be present that detects motion of a user. A light may be present that is capable of outputting light. A processing system may receive an indication of the ambient brightness level in the ambient environment of the hazard detector from the light sensor. The processing system may determine that the ambient brightness level is less than a threshold brightness. The processing system may receive information indicative of the user moving in the ambient environment of the hazard detector. The processing system may cause the light to illuminate based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness and the user moving in the ambient environment of the hazard detector.