Smoke Detector Self-Test via Mobile Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoke detection systems require frequent internet connectivity for self-testing, which can drain battery life and expose detectors to security risks, and lack efficient methods for centralized data management and maintenance scheduling.
Innovation Solution
A smoke detector system that uses a personal mobile computing device to establish a wireless communication channel with smoke detectors, allowing self-testing and data collection without direct internet connection, reducing energy consumption and enhancing security, while enabling centralized data storage and maintenance scheduling through a computer program product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If smoke detectors are connected directly to the internet for self-testing and data transmission, then data management and monitoring are facilitated, but security risks increase and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile computing device as an intermediary between smoke detectors and the internet. The mobile device establishes a wireless communication channel with smoke detectors, collects self-test data locally, and then transmits data to a remote server via internet connection. This mediator approach allows smoke detectors to benefit from centralized data management without direct internet exposure, reducing security risks while maintaining operational ease.
2Reliability
If smoke detectors use high-energy wireless protocols for internet connectivity, then communication reliability is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic self-testing of smoke detectors rather than continuous monitoring. The mobile computing device triggers self-tests at scheduled intervals, and data transmission occurs periodically when the mobile device is in range. This periodic action reduces the energy consumption of wireless communication while maintaining sufficient monitoring reliability through regular checks.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile computing device serves as an intermediary that buffers communication between smoke detectors and the remote server. The smoke detectors communicate with the mobile device using lower-energy protocols, while the mobile device handles higher-energy internet transmission independently. This separates the communication tasks, allowing smoke detectors to conserve battery life while maintaining reliable data collection.
3Productivity
If centralized data management is implemented through direct internet connection, then maintenance scheduling is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile computing device acts as an intermediary that simplifies the system architecture for smoke detectors. Instead of each detector needing direct internet connectivity and complex communication protocols, the mobile device handles all internet-related functions. The detectors only need simple wireless communication capabilities to interact with the mobile device, significantly reducing their complexity while still enabling centralized data management and maintenance scheduling.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a smoke detector system (400, 600) comprising: a computer (404), and a group of smoke detectors (402, 402', 402"), and a personal mobile computing device (200, 200', 200"). The personal mobile computing device is configured to connect to the computer via a wireless internet connection (414, 414', 414") and comprises a first wireless communication module (208). The group of smoke detectors that comprise a second wireless communication module (112). The group of smoke detectors are configured for performing a self-test. The group of smoke detectors are configured for acquiring self-test data (124, 124', 124") measured during the self-test. The personal mobile computing device is configured for directly forming a wireless communication channel (412, 412', 412") with the group of smoke detectors. The personal mobile computing device is configured for requesting the self-test (122) from the group of smoke detectors via the wireless communication channel. The personal mobile computing device is configured for receiving the self-test data from the group of smoke detectors via the wireless communication channel in response to requesting the self-test. The personal mobile computing device is configured for sending the self-test data to the computer via the wireless internet connection.