Property Communication Nodes for Reliable Bidirectional Messaging
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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 incomplete or absent communication capabilities, especially for the elderly and disabled.
Innovation Solution
An interactive property communication system that employs Property Communication Nodes (PCNs) connected to a broker service, allowing programmable bidirectional communication across a property, using sensors, radio devices, and annunciators to ensure continuous communication through various protocols and power backup systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cell phone is used for communication within the home, then portability and mobile access are improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to battery drain, volume settings, and distance from the device
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the communication function into multiple distributed Property Communication Nodes (PCNs) placed throughout the property. Each PCN provides local communication capabilities, eliminating the need for a single centralized device and ensuring that communication is always available within proximity of any node.
Solution Approach 2:
The broker service acts as an intermediary between PCNs and external communication networks. It receives messages from external sources and distributes them to appropriate PCNs, while also collecting messages from PCNs for external delivery, thereby maintaining reliable bidirectional communication without requiring users to carry personal devices.
2Reliability
If a land-line telephone is installed in the home, then communication reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as users cannot communicate from locations outside the home
Solution Approach 1:
Each PCN is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides local inter-comcommunication between occupants, receives and displays messages from external sources, and can initiate outbound communications. This multi-functional design replaces both land-line and mobile phone capabilities within the property.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-location communication (land-line) to multi-location communication by distributing multiple PCNs throughout the property. Users can communicate from any location within the property boundaries, effectively adding the dimension of spatial flexibility to fixed-line communication.
3Reliability
If multiple communication devices are deployed throughout the property, then communication coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The broker service merges the intelligence and control functions of multiple PCNs into a single centralized system. It manages message routing, device registration, and communication protocols, allowing multiple simple PCNs to work together as a unified system rather than requiring each device to be independently complex.
Solution Approach 2:
PCNs automatically register themselves with the broker service and begin providing communication services without manual configuration. The broker service automatically manages message distribution and device coordination, eliminating the need for users to manually configure or manage the complexity of multiple devices.
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.