Visible Light Alarm Reporting Without a Separate Gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing abnormality alarm systems require a separate gateway to connect with external information terminals, making them costly and impractical for general household use.
Innovation Solution
An abnormality alarm device that outputs information to an information terminal via visible light communication, eliminating the need for a gateway by using a control unit to modulate light signals for data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microprocessor-based alarm system is used to provide detailed diagnostic information, then measurement precision and information quality are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the microprocessor-based diagnostic functionality from the main alarm system, implementing it as a separate, dedicated microprocessor unit that only processes and displays diagnostic information. This separation allows the main alarm system to remain relatively simple while still providing detailed diagnostics through the independent microprocessor module.
Solution Approach 2:
The microprocessor unit is designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring various sensor parameters (temperature, humidity, gas levels), processing diagnostic data, and providing detailed information display. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated unit, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Device complexity
If conventional alarm systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability and false alarm rates worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the microprocessor continuously monitors sensor inputs, compares them against predetermined thresholds, and adjusts alarm activations accordingly. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from patterns and reduce false alarms by distinguishing between legitimate threats and environmental variations, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary diagnostic actions by continuously analyzing sensor data and identifying potential issues before they escalate to full alarm conditions. The microprocessor proactively monitors parameter trends and can provide early warnings, allowing for preventive maintenance and reducing the likelihood of false alarms by addressing issues before they trigger unnecessary alerts.
3Measurement precision
If detailed diagnostic monitoring is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microprocessor unit operates in a periodic monitoring mode, where it samples sensor data at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action allows the system to maintain detailed diagnostic monitoring capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation. The microprocessor can adjust the sampling frequency based on the specific monitoring requirements and environmental conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
An abnormality alarm device (10) including: a sensor (11) which detects an abnormality; a report unit (13) configured to report occurrence of the abnormality in accordance with a result of the detection performed by the sensor (11); and an output unit (14) configured to output information regarding the abnormality alarm device (10) through visible light communication.