IP-Based Alerting Server for Hearing Impaired Users

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current alerting systems for hearing-impaired and deaf individuals lack flexibility and interoperability with modern communication devices, and existing solutions are not adaptable to individual preferences, with security concerns and limited adaptability to various alerting methods.

Innovation Solution

An alerting system control server and controller that utilize the Internet Protocol for communication between alerting devices and the alerting system controller, allowing users to select and connect various alerting devices, enabling adaptable alerting methods such as visual or tactile signals, and ensuring security through encrypted communication channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If proprietary communication protocols are used in alerting systems, then device compatibility within the same manufacturer is ensured, but interoperability with devices from other manufacturers and modern communication devices is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidinteroperability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The alerting system is designed to work with multiple types of communication devices (traditional telephones, mobile phones, tablets, computers) and alerting devices (lamps, buzzers, bed shakers) through a universal interface based on standard Internet Protocol, allowing one system to serve multiple functions and compatibility scenarios without requiring proprietary protocols for each device type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If fixed alerting methods are implemented, then system complexity is reduced, but user flexibility and adaptability to individual needs are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoiduser flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The alerting system allows dynamic configuration where users can select and combine different alerting methods (visual, auditory, tactile) and customize which devices receive alerts for different services. The system adapts to individual user preferences and needs rather than imposing a fixed alerting pattern, with configuration options that can be modified at any time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The alerting system is divided into independent configurable components where different services (telephone, email, messaging) can be assigned different alerting devices and methods. Each service and each alerting device can be configured independently, allowing users to create customized alerting patterns without affecting the entire system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If FM-radio based alerting is used, then simple wireless communication is achieved, but security concerns arise due to signal recording and replay

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication simplicityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The alerting system introduces an intermediary component that receives alerts from internet services and forwards them to alerting devices through controlled communication channels. This intermediary layer can implement security measures such as authentication, encryption, and signal validation to prevent unauthorized access and replay attacks while maintaining wireless communication functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3320674B1System and method for alerting a user
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 OMNITOR AB
  • EP3320674B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3320674B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3320674B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An alerting system control server (121) in a set of servers (120) and a method (200) therein, for alerting a user, in particular a hearing impaired user, of an incoming signal for a service associated with the user. The method (200) comprises: receiving (202) information that an internet service server (110) is receiving an incoming signal for the service; generating (203) a control signal for triggering an alerting system controller (130) to alert the user of the incoming signal for the service by activating an alerting device (140); identifying (204) the alerting system controller (130) and extract the address of the alerting system controller (130); and sending (205) the generated (203) control signal to the identified (204) alerting system controller (130), for activating the alerting device (140) and thereby alerting the user; wherein the communication between the alerting system controller (130) and the alerting device (140) is made over a communication protocol based on the Internet Protocol.