Hazard Detector Light Ring for Silent Status Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hazard detectors in smart buildings and homes face challenges in effectively communicating hazardous conditions to users, particularly in environments where visual cues are necessary but noise may not be feasible, and there is a need for intuitive user input methods.

Innovation Solution

A hazard detector with a ring-shaped light that emits multiple colors and animations, responsive to user presence and audio inputs, using LEDs and a light guide to provide visual feedback and facilitate user input in dark environments, integrated with sensors like PIR detectors for presence detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hazard detectors use audio alarms to notify users of hazardous conditions, then the alarm effectiveness is improved, but the device cannot be used in environments where noise is not feasible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealarm effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the notification parameter from acoustic to optical by implementing a multi-color LED light ring that displays different colors (red, yellow, green, blue) and patterns to indicate various hazard states and operational modes, enabling the detector to function effectively in environments where audio alarms are not feasible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The light ring is divided into multiple independently controllable LED segments that can display different colors and patterns simultaneously or sequentially, allowing the system to convey multiple types of information through a single visual interface, thereby resolving the limitation of audio-only notification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If hazard detectors provide detailed status information, then the information completeness is improved, but the user interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatus information completenessVSAvoiduser interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic light patterns including blinking, pulsing, and rotating sequences to encode different types of status information. For example, different blink rates or rotation patterns can indicate various alarm conditions, battery states, or system modes, allowing detailed information communication through simple, intuitive temporal variations that users can easily distinguish.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a multi-color LED light ring that changes colors to represent different operational states and hazard levels. This color-coding system provides an intuitive visual language where users can quickly understand device status without complex displays or text, maintaining simplicity while conveying comprehensive information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If hazard detectors provide user input capabilities in dark environments, then the ease of operation is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedark environment usabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system activates illumination in advance of user interaction by detecting motion or proximity, providing just enough light for the user to locate and operate controls in dark environments. The illumination is temporary and automatically deactivates after a set duration, minimizing energy consumption while ensuring usability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The light ring serves dual purposes: it continuously provides hazard status indication while also serving as an on-demand illumination source for user input. This eliminates the need for separate indicator lights and button illumination systems, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining continuous useful functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 users to discern hazardous states quickly through visual cues without noise, providing intuitive input methods and ensuring user safety in various environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

integrated with sensors like PIR detectors for presence detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

using LEDs and a light guide to provide visual feedback

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission from LED: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS9613525B2Hazard detection unit providing intuitive illumination-based status signaling

Publication Date: 2017.04.04 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

Various methods and systems for hazard detectors are presented. Such hazard detectors may include one or more hazard sensors that are configured to detect the presence of one or more types of hazards. Such hazard detectors may include a circular or a ring-shaped light comprising a plurality of lighting elements. Such a ring-shaped light may be configured to illuminate using a plurality of colors and, possibly, a plurality of animation patterns. Such hazard detectors may include a processing system configured to cause the ring-shaped light to illuminate using the plurality of colors and the plurality of animation patterns in response to a plurality of states corresponding to the battery module and the plurality of hazard sensors.