Remote Alarm Hushing via BLE Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart home devices with power constraints or limited communication types face connectivity issues due to unidirectional communication in low-power networks, especially when hazard detectors require remote alarm hushing, which is difficult due to placement beyond typical user reach.
Innovation Solution
Implementing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connections for secure message communication between devices, allowing hazard detectors to indicate alarms and remote devices to suppress them through low-power wireless signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hazard detectors are placed in locations beyond typical user reach for safety reasons, then detection coverage is improved, but physical access for alarm hushing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A remote device acts as an intermediary between the user and the hazard detector. The remote device receives wireless communication from the hazard detector when an alarm occurs and transmits a hush command back to the detector, eliminating the need for physical contact with the detector itself. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling alarm hushing without requiring the user to physically access the detector in hard-to-reach locations.
2Use of energy by moving object
If low-power communication networks are used to conserve energy, then power consumption is reduced, but communication bidirectionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system dynamically adapts its bidirectionality based on operational needs. During normal operation, the low-power unidirectional mode is used for power savings. When an alarm occurs and hushing is required, the system temporarily activates bidirectional communication capability to receive the hush command, then returns to unidirectional mode. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain low power consumption while enabling bidirectional communication when necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices may be used to remotely hushing alarms by receiving an indication of an alarm event occurring at a remote device and presenting a visual indicator of the alarm event including a hush option to alter an audible and/or visual alarm notification of the remote device. A user selection of the hush option is received. In response to receiving the user selection of the hush option, communicating, from the electronic device to the remote device via a point-to-point low power wireless connection between the electronic device and the remote device, a hush request requests that the remote device alter its audible and/or visual alarm notification and causes an adjustment of the visual indicator to reflect a status of the hush request.