Portable Alarm System with Cellular Backup and Protective Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable alarm systems face challenges in withstanding severe physical abuse and maintaining communication integrity, as existing systems can be disabled or destroyed before completing an alarm signal transmission, and they are vulnerable to power outages and broadband connection failures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a secondary protective housing made from durable materials like polycarbonate, equipped with a super capacitor for energy storage, and a 3G or 4G LTE cellular hot spot system that provides a backup power source and communication mechanism, along with advanced sensors and detection algorithms to prevent tampering and ensure continued operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a portable alarm system uses conventional housing and power supply, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but it cannot withstand severe physical abuse and is vulnerable to power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by implementing a secondary protective housing that encloses critical components (microprocessor, transceiver, power storage device) before they can be damaged by physical abuse or water. This protective housing acts as a pre-established barrier that cushions the critical components from harmful external factors, ensuring the system can withstand severe physical abuse and environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies nested doll by creating a hierarchical protective structure where a secondary protective housing is placed inside or around the primary housing, forming nested layers of protection. The secondary housing specifically encloses critical components within the primary housing structure, creating a nested arrangement that provides enhanced protection without completely redesigning the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If the alarm system relies on broadband connection for communication, then the system is simple, but it fails when broadband connection is lost or interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by switching the communication parameter from broadband-based data transmission to cellular radio frequency communication. The base unit incorporates a cellular transceiver that operates on cellular networks (3G, 4G LTE), fundamentally changing the communication parameter from wired broadband to wireless cellular, thereby ensuring communication reliability when broadband is unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cellular network infrastructure as an intermediary for communication. Instead of relying directly on broadband connection between the base unit and monitoring station, the cellular transceiver uses cellular towers and networks as intermediaries to relay communication signals, providing an alternative communication pathway that maintains reliability when broadband fails.
3Reliability
If the alarm system uses a single housing structure, then the device is simple to manufacture, but critical components are exposed to damage from physical abuse and water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the housing into functional zones: a primary housing for general protection and a secondary protective housing specifically for enclosing critical components (microprocessor, transceiver, power storage device). This segmentation allows the critical components to be isolated and protected separately from non-critical components, providing targeted protection where needed while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly.
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 solution ensures that the portable alarm system can maintain communication with monitoring stations and mobile devices even after severe abuse, water damage, or power loss, and provides a reliable communication network for wireless cameras and sensors, enhancing security and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a super capacitor for energy storage, and a 3G or 4G LTE cellular hot spot system that provides a backup power source
Data Source
AI summary
A portable alarm system has a base unit including a processor electrically connected to a wireless transceiver configured to communicate wireless signals to an external location. The base unit is further configured to receive wireless alarm signals from at least a first sensor and a second sensor, both of the first and second sensors being physically separated from the base unit. The processor is configured to be selectively programmed by a user to cause the base unit to communicate with a remote monitoring station in response to receiving an alarm signal from the first sensor, but not in response to receiving an alarm signal from the second sensor. Instead, when an alarm signal is received from the second sensor, the processor causes a different action, other than communicating with the monitoring station, to occur. Such action can include, for example, sending a wireless communication to a mobile electronic device.