Mobile Hazard Detector Interface for Remote Event Alerts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Interconnected hazard detection systems in homes are not effective when no one is present, as they rely on alarms that may not prevent property damage, and users find it inconvenient to adjust settings on standalone detectors, especially those mounted high on walls or ceilings.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to remotely access and control hazard detectors through a mobile interface, enabling the transmission of hazard events to a computer server and subsequent notification to mobile devices, along with the ability to adjust settings from a mobile device, facilitating remote monitoring and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hazard detectors are mounted high on walls or ceilings for optimal detection coverage, then detection effectiveness is improved, but ease of adjusting settings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote computing device as an intermediary between the user and the hazard detector. This mediator communicates with the detector over a network, allowing users to adjust settings remotely without needing physical access to the high-mounted device. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by decoupling the physical location requirements for detection effectiveness from the accessibility requirements for setting adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the hazard detection functionality into two separate components: the hazard detector itself (mounted high for optimal detection) and the user interface (located on a portable computing device that users can access anywhere). This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between detection effectiveness and ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If hazard detectors rely on local alarms only, then device complexity is minimized, but effectiveness when no one is present deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hazard detector is enhanced with multiple functions: it maintains its traditional local alarm capability while also gaining network communication capabilities to send notifications to remote devices. This multi-functionality allows the system to remain effective both when occupants are present (local alarm) and when they are absent (remote notification), without significantly increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically sending hazard notifications to registered mobile devices without requiring user intervention. When a hazard is detected, the detector autonomously communicates the event to remote users, ensuring they are alerted even when not present at the location, thus improving reliability without adding operational complexity.
3Device complexity
If users must physically access detectors to adjust settings, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity in managing multiple detectors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the user interface from the physical dimension (requiring presence at the detector's location) to the digital/network dimension (accessible anywhere via portable computing devices). This dimensional change allows users to manage multiple detectors efficiently from a single location, dramatically improving productivity while keeping the detectors themselves simple and unchanged physically.
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.