Retrofit Cellular Module for Smoke Detectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smoke alarm detectors lack the capability to report events directly to a remote monitoring center via long-range wireless signals without intermediary equipment, leading to reduced utility, increased installation and maintenance costs, and limited notification capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A retrofit system that enables existing smoke alarm detectors to send event alerts via digital cellular telecommunications systems, using an adapter ring apparatus with logic circuitry and a long-range wireless radio device, allowing direct communication to a remote monitoring entity without the need for onsite intermediary equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional smoke alarm detectors use local alarm mechanisms only, then device complexity is reduced and installation costs are lowered, but notification capability and reliability are insufficient for remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cellular communication module as an intermediary component that enables smoke alarm detectors to communicate with remote monitoring centers via cellular networks. This mediator allows detectors without direct wired connections to transmit alarm signals remotely, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple device architecture and achieving reliable remote notification capability.
2Reliability
If smoke alarm detectors are connected to alarm security panels for remote reporting, then remote notification capability is improved, but device complexity and installation maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the remote communication functionality from the complex alarm security panel system and integrates it directly into the smoke alarm detector itself through a standalone cellular communication module. This extraction eliminates the requirement for intermediary panels, reducing system integration complexity while maintaining reliable remote reporting capability.
3Device complexity
If smoke alarm detectors without alarm security panel connections are used, then device complexity and installation costs are reduced, but remote reporting capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the smoke detection functionality with cellular communication capabilities into a single integrated detector unit. By combining these functions, the system achieves remote reporting capability without requiring separate alarm security panels or complex intermediary equipment, thus maintaining installation simplicity while enabling reliable remote notification.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing smoke alarm detectors are retrofitted with long-range wireless communication capability, then adaptability and utility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication functionality into a separate, modular cellular communication module that can be independently installed in existing detectors. This segmentation allows retrofitting without redesigning the entire detector system, improving adaptability while containing the complexity increase to a discrete, manageable component.
Data Source
AI summary
An alarm sensor can be located at a premises, for example a smoke detector mounted to a wall or ceiling of a building. In response to an alarm event, such as detection of a level of smoke indicative of a fire hazard, the alarm sensor can send a wireless notification directly to a remote recipient that is offsite from the premises. The recipient could be a smart phone or other handheld cellular device carried by a homeowner on vacation, for example. The alarm sensor can be either originally manufactured with remote notification capabilities or retrofitted after installation for remote notification. In some cases, the alarm sensor can be networked with other alarm sensors located at the premises. For example, an alarm sensor having remote notification capabilities can receive alarm notifications from other alarm sensors for relay to the remote recipient.