Multi-Sensory Alarm with Segmented Heat, Sound, and Light Modules

Solution Overview

Problem

Current alarming devices inadequately alert sensory-impaired individuals and fail to direct them or emergency personnel to safety effectively.

Innovation Solution

A multi-sensory alarming device incorporating a power module, trigger module, heat module, noise module, and visual module, with optional vibration and scent modules, designed to stimulate multiple senses and include a wireless connection for enhanced alerting, particularly suited for sensory-impaired individuals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If auditory signals are used to alert people, then the alerting function is effective for hearing-impaired individuals, but the device becomes inadequate for deaf individuals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealerting effectivenessVSAvoidsensitivity to different user needs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The alarm device is segmented into multiple independent alerting modules: auditory alarm, visual alarm (strobe light), and tactile alarm (vibration). Each module can operate independently or in combination, allowing the system to adapt to different user needs. Hearing-impaired individuals can receive visual and tactile alerts, while deaf individuals can receive tactile and visual alerts, ensuring reliable alerting for all users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The alarm device is designed with multi-functionality to serve diverse user groups. It incorporates multiple sensing capabilities (smoke, heat, carbon monoxide detection) and multiple alerting modalities (auditory, visual, tactile). This universal design ensures the device is effective for the general population as well as for hearing-impaired and deaf individuals, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If light signals are used to alert people, then the alerting function is effective for visual stimulation, but the device becomes inadequate for blind individuals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealerting effectivenessVSAvoidsensitivity to different user needs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The alarm device is segmented into multiple independent alerting modules: auditory alarm, visual alarm (strobe light), and tactile alarm (vibration). Each module can operate independently or in combination, allowing the system to adapt to different user needs. Hearing-impaired individuals can receive visual and tactile alerts, while deaf individuals can receive tactile and visual alerts, ensuring reliable alerting for all users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The alarm device is designed with multi-functionality to serve diverse user groups. It incorporates multiple sensing capabilities (smoke, heat, carbon monoxide detection) and multiple alerting modalities (auditory, visual, tactile). This universal design ensures the device is effective for the general population as well as for hearing-impaired and deaf individuals, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensing capabilities are integrated into one device, then the device can alert sensory-impaired individuals effectively, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealerting capability for sensory-impaired individualsVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple detection functions (smoke detection, heat detection, carbon monoxide detection) and multiple alerting functions (auditory alarm, visual strobe light, tactile vibration) into a single integrated alarm device. This merging approach allows the device to serve multiple user groups simultaneously while consolidating components into one unit, reducing the need for multiple separate devices and simplifying installation and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 device effectively alerts sensory-impaired individuals through simultaneous stimulation of multiple senses, improving their ability to respond to emergencies and locate the source of danger.

Implementation Method 1

a heat module...configured to project heat when triggered by the trigger module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a noise module...configured to project sound when triggered by the trigger module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 3

a visual module...configured to project light when triggered by the trigger module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS9153107B2Multi-sensory alarming device

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 AUSTIN KATHLEEN A

AI summary

An alarming device including: a power module, a trigger module, a heat module, a noise module, and a visual module. The trigger module is configured to detect an emergency and trigger an event. The heat module is functionally in communication with the power module and the trigger module and configured to project heat when triggered by the trigger module. The noise module is functionally in communication with the power module and the trigger module and configured to project sound when triggered by the trigger module. The visual module is functionally in communication with the power module and the trigger module and configured to project light when triggered by the trigger module.