Motion Detector Dwell Time Adaptation for Battery and Detection Balance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motion detectors in home security systems face challenges with fixed dwell times that either drain battery life unnecessarily or fail to detect motion events due to settings that are too long or too short, leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A motion detector that automatically adjusts its dwell time based on detected activity levels, increasing or decreasing the dwell time according to the frequency of movement in the monitored area, thereby optimizing battery life and detection efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If the dwell time is set too long (e.g., 3 minutes or longer), then battery life is extended, but motion events may not be captured completely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidmotion detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic dwell time adjustment where the motion detector automatically modifies its dwell time based on detected activity patterns. During periods of high activity, the dwell time is reduced to ensure motion events are captured, while during low activity periods, the dwell time is extended to conserve battery life. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the dwell time flexible rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the dwell time parameter based on detected motion patterns and activity levels. By monitoring the frequency and intensity of motion events, the system adjusts the dwell time parameter to optimize both battery life and detection reliability under different conditions, rather than using a single fixed value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the dwell time is set too short (e.g., 15 seconds), then motion events are detected frequently, but battery is drained needlessly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion detection responsivenessVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts dwell time based on real-time activity detection. When motion is detected, the dwell time is automatically reduced to ensure responsive detection, but when no motion is detected for extended periods, the dwell time increases to reduce battery consumption. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between responsiveness and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The motion detector uses feedback from its own motion detection events to adjust its operational parameters. By monitoring the frequency of detected motion events, the system provides feedback to its control logic, which then adjusts the dwell time to optimize the balance between detection responsiveness and battery conservation based on actual usage patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If a fixed dwell time is used, then device operation is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying activity levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice configuration simplicityVSAvoidactivity level adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The motion detector performs self-configuration by automatically adjusting its dwell time based on detected activity patterns without requiring user intervention. The system monitors its own operational environment and autonomously optimizes its parameters, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration while providing adaptability to varying activity levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically changes operational parameters (dwell time) based on detected conditions. This automatic parameter adjustment provides adaptability to different activity levels while maintaining ease of operation, as users do not need to manually configure or adjust these parameters based on their specific environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4356085B1Adjustable dwell time for motion detector based on activity
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4356085B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4356085B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4356085B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motion detector that can automatically adjust a dwell time used by the motion detector to prevent unnecessary transmissions as an activity level of an area increases or decreases. The motion detector determines the activity level in the area and if the activity level is increasing, the dwell time is reduced and vice-versa.