Hybrid Intercom Relay Gateway for Code Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IP-based video-intercom systems face challenges in jurisdictions requiring hard-wired devices, inability to serve residents without smartphones, and concerns about internet connectivity affecting call reception.
Innovation Solution
An intercom system incorporating a cloud server and relay gateway that sends notifications via hard wires to local intercom stations, allowing integration with existing analog systems for backup, code compliance, and providing video capabilities without new wiring or devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hard-wired video-intercom system is installed to meet building codes, then code compliance is achieved, but installation complexity and cost increase due to running new wiring to all apartments
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the intercom functionality into two parts: a centralized IP-based video-intercom system for most apartments, and a hybrid relay gateway for apartments requiring hard-wired connections. This segmentation allows code-compliant hard-wired connections to be provided only where required, rather than throughout the entire building.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay gateway acts as an intermediary device that bridges between the IP-based video-intercom system and the existing analog hard-wired intercom infrastructure. It receives notifications from the cloud server via wireless communication and relays them through hard-wired connections to local intercom stations, thereby meeting building code requirements without requiring new wiring throughout the building.
2Loss of time
If an IP-based smart video-intercom system is installed to reduce installation disruption, then installation time is reduced, but building code compliance fails in jurisdictions requiring hard-wired devices
Solution Approach 1:
The relay gateway is designed with multi-functionality to serve both code-compliant hard-wired intercom stations and IP-based video-intercom systems simultaneously. It can receive notifications from the cloud server and distribute them through multiple channels: hard-wired connections to local intercom stations and wireless connections to remote devices, thereby supporting both installation approaches.
3Ease of manufacture
If solely an IP-based system is used to provide video capabilities, then installation cost is reduced, but service availability fails for residents without smartphones or during internet outages
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by maintaining an existing analog hard-wired intercom system as a backup alongside the new IP-based video-intercom system. The relay gateway ensures that if the IP-based system fails or is unavailable, the hard-wired system remains operational, providing a safety net that cushions against service disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay gateway dynamically changes communication parameters by switching between wireless communication with the cloud server and hard-wired communication with local intercom stations. When the IP-based system is available, it uses wireless communication; when unavailable or for code compliance, it switches to hard-wired communication, thereby adapting to different operational conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an intercom system including a cloud server, and a relay gateway. The cloud server is configured to receive a trigger signal from a visitor door station, and to send a notification when the cloud server receives the trigger signal from the visitor door station. In one embodiment, the relay gateway is configured to receive the notification from the cloud server and to send the notification to one of a plurality of local intercom stations via one of plurality of hard wires, the hard wires being connected to the local intercom stations, respectively. In one embodiment, the cloud server is configured to send the notification to a remote intercom device that corresponds to the one of the plurality of the local intercom stations.