Wireless Alarm Audio Stations Cellular Voice Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional alarm systems that allow voice communication with a monitoring center require a dedicated wired connection or prolonged use of a telephone line, limiting their functionality and necessitating the replacement of the central panel for upgrades.

Innovation Solution

An alarm system incorporating audio stations with wireless communication capabilities, a radio transceiver, and an audio station network interface that uses a cellular network to enable voice communication with a monitoring center, allowing for wireless voice monitoring and bridging of radio channels to establish an audio channel from audio stations to the monitoring center.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated wired connection is used for voice communication with a monitoring center, then voice communication reliability is improved, but system complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice communication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system using radio frequency transceivers. The audio stations and network interface communicate via wireless radio channels, eliminating the need for physical wiring while maintaining voice communication functionality. This substitution reduces installation complexity and system complexity while preserving communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a dedicated wired connection is used for voice communication, then voice communication quality is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice communication qualityVSAvoidease of installation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical wiring requirements by implementing wireless radio frequency communication between audio stations and the monitoring center. The network interface uses a radio transceiver to establish wireless connections, allowing easy installation without drilling, wiring, or physical infrastructure modifications, thereby dramatically improving ease of installation while maintaining voice communication quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If the premises telephone line is used for voice communication, then existing infrastructure is utilized, but occupancy communication flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrastructure utilizationVSAvoidoccupancy communication flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wireless network interface as an intermediary between the monitoring center and audio stations, using cellular or other wireless networks instead of the premises telephone line. This intermediary enables voice communication without occupying the telephone line, allowing occupants to freely use the telephone for other purposes while maintaining alarm communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the central panel is replaced to upgrade voice communication capabilities, then functionality is improved, but cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice communication functionalityVSAvoidpanel replacement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the voice communication functionality into separate, independent components (audio stations and network interface) that can be added to the existing alarm system without replacing the central panel. This modular approach allows voice communication upgrades while preserving the existing panel and reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network interface is designed as a universal component that can interface with existing alarm panels while providing additional voice communication functionality. The system allows the existing panel to continue its alarm monitoring functions while the new wireless interface handles voice communication, creating a multi-functional system without requiring panel replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8933803B2Alarm system providing wireless voice communication

Publication Date: 2015.01.13 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH

AI summary

An alarm system includes one or more audio stations, and an audio station network interface. The audio stations communicate wirelessly with the audio station network interface. The audio station network interface communicates with a monitoring center over a cellular network, to allow audio monitoring of the premises at the audio stations. The audio station network interface may be called by the monitoring center. Calls may optionally be placed by it in response to user interaction with one of the audio stations.