Smoke Detector Alert Logic Using Door and Window Sensor Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoke detectors lack integrated security features and communication capabilities to provide comprehensive safety and security measures, particularly in cases of network failures or user absence.
Innovation Solution
A smoke detector system that integrates with door and window sensors via local networks like Bluetooth and cloud-based networks, allowing status checks, reporting of uncommunicated alarms, and suppressing or resuming alerts based on user presence or absence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If smoke detectors are integrated with door and window sensors via local and cloud-based networks, then home security and communication capabilities are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines smoke detection functionality with door and window sensor capabilities into a single integrated system. The smoke detector housing incorporates sensors that detect both smoke particles and door/window opening events, merging multiple safety functions into one device. This reduces the need for separate security devices while enhancing overall home protection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The smoke detector is designed to perform multiple functions: smoke detection, door opening detection, window opening detection, and communication via local and cloud-based networks. By making the device universal and multi-functional, the system enhances adaptability and versatility without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby managing complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation.
2Reliability
If the smoke detector reports all alarms including uncommunicated ones, then reliability of safety notification is improved, but loss of time for processing and communication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting and logging alarm events locally before attempting cloud communication. When smoke or door/window sensors trigger an alarm, the device immediately processes the event, stores it locally, and prepares notification data in advance. This ensures that even if cloud communication is delayed or fails, the alarm has already been detected and is ready for transmission, improving reliability without significant time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the smoke detector continuously monitors its own operational status, communication status, and sensor readings. When an alarm occurs, the device provides immediate local feedback (such as audible alerts) and simultaneously attempts cloud feedback. This dual feedback approach ensures reliable notification while managing communication time efficiently by not waiting for cloud confirmation before issuing local alarms.
3Ease of operation
If alerts are suppressed during user absence, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting user presence or absence and pre-configuring alert suppression accordingly. When the system determines that no users are present (through sensors or communication with other smart home devices), it automatically suppresses non-critical alerts while maintaining the ability to log and report them later. This provides ease of operation by preventing disturbing notifications during absence while preserving information for when users return.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud-based network serves as an intermediary that stores and manages alarm information when users are absent. Rather than completely suppressing information, the system uses the cloud as a mediator to hold alarm data securely during periods of user absence. When users return, the cloud intermediary delivers the stored information, thus maintaining information integrity while providing ease of operation by suppressing local notifications during absence.
Data Source
AI summary
A smoke detector system is provided and includes a smoke detection element; and at least one of a door sensor and a window sensor. The smoke detection element is communicative with the at least one of the door sensor and the window sensor and is configured to read a status of the at least one of the door sensor and the window sensor and to take action related to one or more of remote user notification of status, change in monitoring of parameters and local user indication related to sensor status.