Mobile Device Beacon Signal Strength Analysis for Event Device Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual testing of event devices in large facilities is prone to errors due to the need for continuous communication between technicians and control panels, especially when multiple devices are closely located or network connectivity is unavailable, leading to potential misidentification of devices during maintenance and inspection.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device system that uses beacons and indicators to differentiate between event devices, allowing users to determine signal strength and interact with the correct device even without network connectivity, through a device identification analysis and audit actions, ensuring accurate testing and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual testing of event devices is performed with continuous communication between technician and control panel, then device identification accuracy may be maintained, but testing efficiency and reliability deteriorate when network connectivity is unavailable or multiple devices are closely located
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces beacons as intermediary devices that emit signals to enable direct communication between the mobile device and event devices. This intermediary system allows the mobile device to receive unique identifiers and signal strength information from beacons, eliminating the need for continuous technician-control panel communication while maintaining accurate device identification even when multiple devices are closely located or network connectivity is unavailable.
2Productivity
If technicians visually inspect and functionally test event devices simultaneously, then maintenance completeness is improved, but error rate increases due to misidentification of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mobile device continuously receives signal strength information from beacons associated with event devices. As the technician moves through the facility, the system provides real-time feedback about which event device is currently closest (based on strongest signal), allowing the technician to confirm device identity before and during testing. This feedback loop prevents misidentification errors while maintaining efficient simultaneous visual inspection and functional testing.
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
This approach reduces errors in device testing by enabling users to confirm which device they are interacting with, even in areas with multiple devices or without network access, ensuring accurate maintenance and inspection processes.
Implementation Method 1
The mobile device is configured to determine a signal strength between the mobile device and each beacon of each event device
Data Source
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AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for event device maintenance are described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a mobile device comprising a user interface, a memory, and a processor to execute instructions stored in the memory to receive an inventory including a group of event devices, generate a device identification analysis for the group of event devices, display on the user interface the device identification analysis, receive an input for an event device of the group to take an audit action, and initiate the audit action to be taken by the event device of the group in response to the input.