Single-Button Security Fob with Accelerometer Tilt Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security system control devices, such as key fobs, face limitations due to their small size, which restricts the number of buttons and functionality, leading to user interface challenges like button label wear-off and accidental selections, necessitating a solution that enhances functionality while maintaining convenience and simplicity.
Innovation Solution
A portable handheld security device utilizing a single button and an accelerometer to control multiple security system functions, with an LCD display and wireless communication, allowing users to select options through tilting motions and transmit commands, providing feedback via an LED indicator, and enabling easy programming by installers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are added to increase functionality, then the control capability is improved, but the device size increases and portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A single button on the key fob performs multiple functions including power on/off, selecting control options, and transmitting commands. The button serves as a universal input mechanism that replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate buttons, thereby maintaining full control capability while preserving the compact device size suitable for key chain portability.
Solution Approach 2:
An accelerometer acts as an intermediary device between the user and the security system. It detects tilting motions of the key fob and translates these physical gestures into control signals, enabling multiple control functions without requiring multiple physical buttons. This mediator allows the system to interpret directional tilts as different command selections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are used to provide more functions, then the versatility is improved, but the user interface reliability deteriorates due to label wear-off and accidental selections
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes traditional button labels entirely from the key fob interface. Instead of relying on printed labels that wear off over time, the control options are displayed visually on an LCD screen. This extraction of the labeling function from the physical button surface eliminates the reliability problem of label degradation while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback through an LCD display that shows control options and their current states. An LED indicator provides additional feedback to confirm when commands are successfully transmitted. This feedback mechanism ensures users can verify their selections and understand system responses without relying on button labels, thereby improving interface reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the number of buttons is reduced to maintain small size, then the portability is improved, but the control functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The key fob utilizes dynamic tilting motions in multiple directions (forward, backward, left, right) to access different control functions. This dynamic gesture-based interface allows a single stationary button to trigger multiple different operations depending on the direction and sequence of tilts, thereby maintaining full control functionality while keeping the device compact and portable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a spatial dimension to the control interface by using three-dimensional tilting motions. Instead of requiring multiple buttons arranged in space, the system uses directional tilts in different spatial dimensions (pitch, roll, yaw) to select different functions. This dimensional approach to input allows comprehensive control functionality to be achieved with a single button, preserving both portability and versatility.
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
Enables efficient remote control of security system functions like arming, disarming, and lighting control with reduced button complexity, improving user experience by providing clear feedback and programmability, thus enhancing the usability and functionality of a compact device.
Implementation Method 1
The accelerometer device is used to determine the tilt of the security device and provide a control signal related to the tilt
Implementation Method 2
The output signal is transmitted by the wireless communication port to the security system
Implementation Method 3
an LED indicator for indicating that the transmission of the output signal has taken place
Data Source
AI summary
A security device which is a hand held portable remote device such as a key fob that allows a user to interact with a security system using a single button. The security system functions such as arming, disarming, panic, garage door open, lamp on/off, and lamp dimming control will be displayed by the security device as control options and will be selected by a user using a forward, backward, left or right tilting motion and depressing the power on/select button. Once a control option has been selected, the security device will transmit the control option to the security system. The security device has a portable housing, a wireless communication port for interface with a security system, a display panel, an accelerometer device, and processing circuitry. The accelerometer device is used to determine the tilt of the security device and provide a control signal related to the tilt. The security device also has an infrared communication port for downloading control options, and single push button, for turning the security device on and for initiating the transmission of the output signal.