Mobile Hazard Detector Interface for Remote Alerts and Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interconnected hazard detection systems in smart homes are limited in effectiveness when no one is present, as they rely on alarms that may not prevent property damage, and users face inconvenience in adjusting settings due to the location of detectors, which are often high up on walls or ceilings.
Innovation Solution
A mobile user interface system that allows remote monitoring and adjustment of hazard detectors via a mobile device, enabling users to receive notifications and adjust settings wirelessly, with hazard events transmitted to a computer server system for processing and display on the mobile device, facilitating remote interaction with network-connected hazard detectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hazard detectors are installed high on walls or ceilings for optimal detection coverage, then detection effectiveness is improved, but user accessibility for adjusting settings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the hazard detector's control interface on a remote mobile device. Users can access and adjust detector settings, view status, and receive alerts through a mobile application that replicates the detector's functionality remotely, eliminating the need to physically access the high-mounted detector.
2Reliability
If hazard detectors are interconnected via network for remote monitoring, then responsiveness to hazards is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that manages the network communication between hazard detectors and mobile devices. The server handles data transmission, storage, and processing, simplifying the complexity by centralizing these functions rather than requiring direct peer-to-peer communication between detectors and user devices.
3Loss of information
If multiple hazard events are grouped together in the user interface, then information presentation is improved, but difficulty in identifying individual events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display of hazard events by organizing them into expandable groups based on their relationships. Related events are clustered together in a collapsed view, while individual events can be accessed by expanding the group. This segmentation allows users to see an overview without being overwhelmed by detailed information, while still enabling access to specific event details when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
System for displaying hazard events and adjusting hazard detector settings on a mobile device includes a user interface executed on the mobile device, a hazard detector, and a computer server system communicatively coupled to the mobile device and hazard detector. The hazard detector generates hazard events indicating detection of smoke or carbon monoxide. The hazard events are transmitted to the computer server system and then to the mobile device. User interface displays the hazard events in an event group. User interface receives an adjusted value for a setting of the hazard detector and transmits the adjusted value to the computer server system. The computer server system determines that the adjusted value corresponds to the hazard detector, receives a check-in event from the hazard detector, and transmits the adjusted value to the hazard detector in response to receiving the check-in event. The hazard detector applies the adjusted value to the setting.