Property Communication Nodes for Bidirectional Home Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems, such as cell phones and landlines, often fail to provide reliable bidirectional communication within homes and other occupied spaces due to issues like battery drain, volume settings, or distance from the device, leading to gaps in communication, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly and disabled.
Innovation Solution
An interactive property communication system featuring Property Communication Nodes (PCNs) and a broker service that enable programmable, bidirectional communication across a property, using wireless and wired connections, with sensors and annunciators for seamless communication and emergency alerts, allowing users to control and prioritize messages and connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a cell phone is used for communication, then portability and mobility are improved, but battery life is limited and communication range is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a base station as an intermediary device that relays communications between mobile devices and the network. This allows extended communication range without increasing mobile device battery life, as the base station handles the power-intensive transmission functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into mobile devices and fixed base stations. The mobile device handles only lightweight functions while the base station handles heavy transmission tasks, effectively extending range without burdening the mobile battery.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a cell phone is turned off or to diminished alert status, then energy consumption is reduced, but communication availability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service communication capabilities where the base station automatically manages communications, alerts, and information delivery without requiring the mobile device to be actively powered on, ensuring continuous availability with minimal energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary that maintains communication availability by receiving and managing messages even when the mobile device is off, then delivering them when the device is ready, thus decoupling energy consumption from communication availability.
3Reliability
If a single location communication device is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but communication coverage within property is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is divided into multiple distributed nodes including base stations, personal communication nodes, and display devices throughout the property. This segmentation provides comprehensive coverage while keeping each individual node simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal communication infrastructure that can serve multiple functions including voice communication, text messaging, emergency alerts, and information display across different locations, reducing the need for separate specialized devices.
4Reliability
If traditional land-line telephone is used, then communication reliability at home is ensured, but portability and mobility are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments communication functions between fixed base stations (providing reliability) and mobile personal communication nodes (providing portability). The personal nodes can move freely while maintaining connection to the reliable fixed infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the advantages of land-line reliability with cell-phone portability by combining fixed base station infrastructure with mobile personal communication devices, creating a hybrid system that provides both stability and mobility.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for interactive property communication. In various embodiments, an interactive property communication system includes two or more property communication nodes (PCNs) each adapted for coupling to an electrical service. PCNs include a radio transceiver for communications with a broker service adapted for controlling communications with one or more PCNs.