Mobile Device Sensor Enrollment via Signal Strength Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for enrolling sensor devices with control panels are time-consuming, difficult, and require specific addresses or numbers, making them uncomfortable and inefficient, especially when sensors are installed in hard-to-reach locations.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device communicates with sensor devices using built-in or external transceivers (RF, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) to detect and display signal strengths, allowing users to select and enroll sensors with a control panel, facilitating configuration and reducing installation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sensor devices are installed in various locations and at different heights before control panel configuration, then the monitored region can be covered, but it becomes difficult to reach installed sensor devices for configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor installation flexibilityVSAvoidsensor configuration accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary tool that communicates with both the control panel and sensor devices. The mobile device receives sensor identifiers from sensors within wireless range, transmits them to the control panel, and displays enrollment status, thereby enabling configuration without physical access to high or hard-to-reach sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If traditional enrollment methods (direct serial number entry, RFID scanning, automatic scanning) are used, then sensor configuration can be achieved, but the process is time consuming and difficult to implement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenrollment efficiencyVSAvoidenrollment difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor devices automatically transmit their identifiers to any mobile device within wireless range without requiring manual intervention. The mobile device then automatically transmits these identifiers to the control panel, which automatically enrolls the sensors. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual serial number entry or physical RFID scanning, significantly reducing enrollment time and difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If specific addresses or numbers are required for each sensor device, then precise identification is achieved, but the enrollment process becomes complex and requires specific information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor identification accuracyVSAvoidenrollment process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring users to manually enter or locate specific sensor addresses and numbers, the mobile device automatically captures copies of sensor identifiers through wireless communication. The control panel receives these identifier copies and uses them to enroll sensors, maintaining precise identification while eliminating the complexity of manual information gathering and entry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

The method is comfortable, easy to implement, reduces installation time, and helps avoid conflicts between nearby sensors, making it easier to troubleshoot faulty devices.

Implementation Method 1

a transceiver built into or connected to the mobile device detects signals transmitted by sensor devices within range of the mobile device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3171611B1System and method of enrolling sensors with a control panel using a mobile device
Publication Date: 2019.05.29 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP3171611B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3171611B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3171611B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods of enrolling sensor devices with a control panel device using a mobile device are provided. Some methods can include detecting signals received from sensor devices, identifying a signal strength of each of the signals, displaying a list of each of the sensor devices and the signal strength of respective signals received from respective ones of the sensor devices, receiving user input to select at least one of the sensor devices, and transmitting an identifying signal to a control panel device to enroll the at least one sensor device with the control panel device for configuration thereof.