Multi-Dwelling Alarm System with Dual Radio Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current alarm systems in multi dwelling units, such as apartments and residential buildings, lack comprehensive communication and coordination across security zones, leading to inadequate security and safety, as many units rely on outdated individual systems and lack integrated smart home solutions.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising sensor units with dual radio communication interfaces for broadcasting and addressing messages, and a back-end server that processes alarm messages to determine the development and distribution of alarm conditions, enabling coordinated alerts and responses across security zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual alarm systems are installed in each dwelling unit, then each unit has basic fire detection capability, but security and safety are inadequate across the entire multi dwelling unit complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity and safetyVSAvoidintegrated communication across zones
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual alarm systems into a unified networked system where sensor units from different dwelling units can communicate and coordinate with each other. The controller receives sensor data from multiple zones and can trigger alarms across multiple units, creating a merged security system that provides comprehensive coverage while maintaining individual unit functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it can receive sensor data from various types of sensors (smoke, heat, carbon monoxide), process data from multiple security zones, trigger local alarms, and communicate with remote monitoring systems. This multi-functional design allows a single controller to manage comprehensive security across the entire multi dwelling unit complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional wired systems are used for multi dwelling units, then system stability is maintained, but installation complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional wired mechanical connection systems with wireless communication technology. Sensor units and controllers communicate via wireless signals, eliminating the need for complex physical wiring through building structures. This substitution maintains system stability through reliable wireless protocols while dramatically reducing installation complexity and structural modification requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If sensor units communicate only within their own security zone, then communication is simple, but coordinated alerts across multiple dwelling units cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication simplicityVSAvoidcoordinated security response
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the multi dwelling unit complex into multiple security zones, each with its own sensor units and controllers. Each zone operates semi-independently with simple local communication, while the overall system achieves coordinated response through inter-zone messaging. This segmentation allows each segment to maintain communication simplicity while the aggregated system provides comprehensive coordinated security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3539099B1Safety detector and system for multi dwelling units and the like
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 SFTY AS
  • EP3539099B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3539099B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3539099B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An alarm system for detecting alarm conditions in a security group with a plurality of security zones. Such a system may include a plurality of sensor units each with at least one sensor, a first communication interface for broadcasting messages to other sensor units and a second communication interface for transmitting data packets over a computer network. A back end server is connected to a computer network. Each sensor unit is configured to, upon detection of an alarm condition, generate an alarm message, broadcast the alarm message over the first communication interface and transmit the alarm message over the second communication interface addressed to the back end server. The sensor units, upon receipt of an alarm message, rebroadcast the received alarm message over the first communication interface and transmit the alarm message over the second communication interface addressed to the back end server The back end server is configured to, upon receipt of an alarm message, update a list of alarm messages and retransmit the received alarm message to the plurality of sensor units.