PoE Virtual Sitting Retrofit for Permit-Free Room Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional virtual sitting systems face challenges in mobility and installation complexity due to battery limitations, the need for electrical modifications, and the requirement for electrical permits and electrician services when retrofitting rooms for remote patient monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A virtual sitting system utilizing a PoE splitter to power a camera, speaker, and infrared illuminator via an Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for 120 VAC power and allowing for easier installation without electrical permits or electrician services, and enabling integration with backup power systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If battery power is used to power the camera and audio equipment, then the system can be portable and easily installed, but the duration of action is limited and requires frequent recharging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportability and ease of installationVSAvoidoperational duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the battery-powered mechanical system with a PoE (Power over Ethernet) electrical system. The PoE splitter converts electrical power from the building's infrastructure into usable power for the camera and audio equipment, eliminating battery limitations while maintaining ease of installation through simple Ethernet cable connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of moving object

If 120 VAC power is used to power the system, then the duration of action is extended, but the device complexity increases due to need for electrical modifications and permits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational durationVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The PoE splitter acts as an intermediary device that bridges the building's existing electrical infrastructure and the monitoring equipment. It converts standard electrical power into PoE-compatible power through simple Ethernet cable connections, eliminating the need for complex electrical modifications, permits, and electrician services while providing continuous power supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If PoE splitter is used to power the system, then the ease of manufacture is improved by eliminating electrical modifications, but the power delivery capability is limited compared to direct 120 VAC connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidpower delivery capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The PoE splitter provides multi-functionality by simultaneously delivering power to multiple devices (camera, speaker, infrared illuminator) through a single Ethernet cable connection. This universal power delivery solution maintains ease of installation while providing sufficient power for all monitoring components through centralized power distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system provides a cost-effective and efficient solution for retrofitting existing rooms with virtual sitting capabilities, enhancing mobility and reducing installation complexities by using Ethernet cable power, while ensuring continuous operation with backup power.

Implementation Method 1

A power-over-Ethernet (PoE) splitter is configured to: receive power and data over a first Ethernet cable, provide power to the speaker, the infrared illuminator, and the camera; and output the data to the camera over a second Ethernet cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower over Ethernet (PoE):

Implementation Method 2

The infrared illuminator is positioned within the illuminator opening and mounted to the speaker plate such that light output by the infrared illuminator is directed toward the location of the occupant within the room

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 3

The speaker is positioned within the speaker opening and mounted to the speaker plate such that audio output by the speaker is directed toward a location of the occupant within the room

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Data Source

PatentUS11823802B2System and method to retrofit a room for virtual sitting

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 LAUX ARNOLD INC

AI summary

An example system for monitoring an occupant of a room includes an enclosure, a speaker plate, a speaker, an infrared illuminator, a camera, and a power-over-Ethernet (PoE) splitter. The enclosure is mountable within an interior surface of the room. The speaker plate is removably positionable within the enclosure, and includes a speaker opening and an illuminator opening. The speaker is positioned within the speaker opening and mounted to the speaker plate. The infrared illuminator is positioned within the illuminator opening and mounted to the speaker plate. The PoE splitter is configured to: receive power and data over a first Ethernet cable, provide power to the speaker, the infrared illuminator, and the camera; and output the data to the camera over a second Ethernet cable. The camera is configured to send an audio signal to the speaker over an audio cable.