Shock Detector Sensitivity Adjustment for False Alarm Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shock detectors often experience false alarms due to environmental noise, leading to reduced sensitivity and missed real threat detections, as the optimal sensitivity setting can vary by environment and surface installation, and is not dynamically adjustable.

Innovation Solution

A shock detection device with processing circuitry that senses physical motion, outputs electrical signals, and adjusts detection sensitivity based on wireless feedback from other devices to differentiate between false and true alarm events, dynamically adapting to its environment by adjusting threshold values and amplification parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the shock detector uses high sensitivity to detect real security threats, then the detection capability for real threats is improved, but the number of false alarms increases due to environmental noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidfalse alarm rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shock detector dynamically adjusts its sensitivity threshold in real-time based on environmental conditions. The system monitors the environment and automatically modifies detection parameters to adapt to changing conditions, allowing high sensitivity when needed while reducing false alarms when environmental noise is detected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where detected shock events are analyzed to determine whether they are true alarms or false alarms. This feedback information is used to adjust the sensitivity threshold, creating a closed-loop system that learns from past detections to improve future performance and reduce false alarms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the shock detector uses low sensitivity to reduce false alarms, then the false alarm rate is reduced, but the detection capability for real security threats deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefalse alarm rateVSAvoiddetection sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than using a fixed low sensitivity setting, the system dynamically adjusts sensitivity based on real-time environmental monitoring. When the environment is calm, the system operates at high sensitivity to catch real threats. When environmental noise is detected, sensitivity is temporarily reduced to minimize false alarms, then restored when conditions improve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes detection parameters (such as threshold values) based on environmental conditions. By monitoring environmental factors and adjusting parameters accordingly, the system maintains optimal detection capability while reducing false alarms, avoiding the need to permanently lower sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the shock detector is installed on surfaces with varying characteristics, then the detection accuracy improves for different locations, but the complexity of configuring optimal sensitivity settings increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shock detector performs self-calibration by monitoring its own responses to environmental conditions. The system automatically adjusts sensitivity settings based on detected patterns, eliminating the need for manual configuration by installers. It learns the characteristics of its installation surface and optimizes detection parameters accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically modifies detection parameters based on the specific installation surface and environmental conditions. Rather than requiring manual configuration for different surfaces, the system monitors and adapts to the physical characteristics of each installation location, simplifying deployment while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If the shock detector operates with fixed sensitivity settings, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to changing environmental conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static to dynamic operation by continuously monitoring environmental conditions and adjusting sensitivity settings in real-time. This dynamic adaptation allows the same device to perform optimally across diverse environments without requiring manual reconfiguration, maintaining simplicity while enhancing versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shock detector uses feedback from environmental monitoring and shock event analysis to automatically adjust its operation. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining relatively simple hardware architecture, as the intelligence is embedded in the control algorithm rather than additional physical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution reduces false alarms while maintaining sufficient sensitivity to detect real security threats, ensuring the shock detector system adapts to its operational conditions and environment, improving overall security effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

The shock detectors may be based on, for example, accelerometers, piezoelectric sensors or other vibration sensors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4049251B1Shock detection device, system and method
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 ESSENCE SECURITY INTERNATIONAL LTD (ESI)
  • EP4049251B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4049251B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4049251B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A shock detector device (110) for premises security is described. The shock detector device (110) comprises a shock detector sensor (112) configured to sense physical motion and to output an electrical signal in response to the physical motion. Processing circuitry (114) is configured to process the electrical signal by: obtaining an indication that a shock event has occurred if a value for at least one parameter of the electrical signal is determined to exceed a threshold value; and processing instructions for adjusting at least one detection parameter of the shock detector device (110) in response to a determination that the shock event is a false alarm event, wherein the adjusting of the at least one detection parameter results in a decrease of a sensitivity of shock detection by the shock detector device (110).