Sensor Colony Dynamic Allegiance Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional security and home automation systems are costly and inflexible, lacking the ability to dynamically adapt and provide personalized services based on user preferences and location, leading to inefficient resource allocation and billing structures.

Innovation Solution

A network of sensors, referred to as a 'colony,' collaborates to provide security and automation services by dynamically switching allegiance based on detected mobile devices and positional orientation, allowing for personalized and efficient resource allocation and billing through a centralized database that associates device identifiers with operational parameters and billing structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional security systems are deployed to provide comprehensive monitoring and alerting services, then security coverage and reliability are improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity coverageVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a unified sensor colony architecture where a single network of sensors provides multiple functions including intrusion detection, fire detection, water leakage detection, and gas detection. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated systems for each security function, thereby reducing overall system cost and complexity while maintaining comprehensive security coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines previously separate security subsystems (intrusion detection, environmental monitoring, automation control) into a single integrated sensor colony network. By merging these functions into one unified system with shared infrastructure and centralized management, the patent reduces redundant costs and simplifies system deployment while achieving comprehensive security monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If traditional security systems are installed to ensure continuous monitoring, then security reliability is improved, but installation cost and system flexibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous monitoringVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the security system into modular sensor nodes that can be independently deployed and configured. Each sensor in the colony can function autonomously while contributing to the overall network, allowing for scalable installation from small to large deployments without requiring complete system installation upfront, thereby reducing initial installation costs while maintaining continuous monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor colony implements dynamic allegiance switching where sensors can reassign their primary service responsibility based on real-time conditions, user presence, and system needs. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different deployment scenarios and usage patterns, providing flexibility in installation and operation while ensuring continuous monitoring coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If fixed billing structures are used for security systems, then billing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different users and usage patterns deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebilling simplicityVSAvoiduser customization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic billing parameters that automatically adjust based on sensor colony usage patterns, user presence detection, and service utilization metrics. The system can modify billing rates, thresholds, and allocation rules in real-time based on collected data, providing customized billing structures for different users and usage scenarios while maintaining operational simplicity through automated parameter adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If centralized control is implemented for sensor colonies, then system coordination and reliability are improved, but system complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem coordinationVSAvoidprocessing requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized control function into distributed intelligence across individual sensor nodes, with each sensor capable of local decision-making and autonomous operation. This distributed architecture reduces the processing burden on any single central controller while maintaining system-wide coordination through standardized communication protocols and shared data structures, thereby reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11675861B2Sensory allegiance

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Personalized sensory services are provided to mobile devices. As a sensor monitors an area of surveillance, the sensor may detect a passing mobile device. The sensor may thus ally itself to the passing mobile device and provide personalized sensory operations.