Smoke Alarm Sensor Hushing Using Geo-Location Proximity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining user proximity to silence fire and smoke alarms are unreliable due to signal interference, network instability, and user error, limiting the adoption of hushing features.
Innovation Solution
A system using mobile computing devices to determine proximity based on geo-location tracking, allowing selection and operation of sensors in hush or testing modes, with threshold distance detection and alert generation for accurate user presence verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If point-to-point communication methods are used to determine user proximity, then the system can control sensor hushing, but the reliability is poor due to signal interference and network instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces geo-location data as an intermediary element to mediate between the mobile device and the sensor. Instead of direct point-to-point communication, the system uses location coordinates retrieved from a database as a neutral intermediary to determine proximity, eliminating signal interference issues while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electromagnetic signal-based proximity detection system with a geo-location-based system. By substituting direct communication signals with location coordinate comparisons, the system eliminates the harmful effects of signal interference and network instability while achieving more reliable proximity determination.
2Reliability
If geo-location tracking is used to determine proximity, then proximity detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to database requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing geo-location data of sensors in a database during the commissioning stage. This advance preparation eliminates the need for real-time location determination during operation, simplifying the runtime process while maintaining high reliability through accurate pre-recorded location information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing mobile devices to independently retrieve and process geo-location data from the database without requiring complex real-time communication protocols. Each device can autonomously determine proximity by comparing its own location with stored sensor locations, reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If real-time geo-location comparison is performed, then accurate proximity detection is achieved, but the response time increases due to database retrieval operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-populating the database with sensor geo-location data during commissioning. This eliminates the need for real-time database queries during proximity detection, as the mobile device can directly compare its current location with pre-stored sensor locations, achieving both high precision and fast response.
4Ease of operation
If threshold distance detection is implemented, then user-friendly control is achieved, but the system requires additional configuration parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by allowing administrators to configure threshold distances and other parameters through a user-friendly interface during the commissioning stage. Once configured, the system autonomously uses these parameters for proximity detection and sensor control, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust complex settings during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein is a system for controlling one or more sensors (106). The system comprises one or more mobile computing devices (102) in communication with one or more sensors (106) installed in an area of interest (AOI), and a database (108) storing geo-locations of the sensors (106), wherein individual ones of the mobile computing devices (102) are configured to allow selection of at least one of the sensors (106) among the one or more sensors (106) to be operated in a hush mode or a testing mode, retrieve the geo-location of the selected sensors (106) from the database (108), determine a distance between the selected sensors (106) and the corresponding mobile computing device (102), based on the retrieved geo-location of the selected sensors (106), detect if the determined distance is within a threshold distance, and in response to a positive detection, issue a control signal to the selected sensors (106) and operate the selected sensors (106) in the hush mode or the testing mode.