Wireless Alarm Triggering via User Device Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire safety systems are inefficient and inaccessible for raising alarms during smoke or fire incidents, particularly for individuals who are physically handicapped, as they require manual effort to locate and activate call points, which is time-consuming and often impossible.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a user device with an interface to receive commands, a converter to generate an alarm signal, and a location determination unit to transmit the user's location and alarm signal to a control panel via wireless communication, allowing users to trigger alarms using voice or text commands without needing manual call points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual call points are deployed in premises for fire safety, then fire safety coverage is improved, but the time and effort required to locate and activate the alarm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safety coverageVSAvoidtime to locate and activate alarm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual call point system with a wireless communication system. Users can trigger the alarm through voice commands, text messages, or smartphone applications instead of physically locating and activating manual call points, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with searching for and reaching manual alarm devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (smartphone application, voice recognition system, or text messaging service) between the user and the fire safety system. This intermediary enables alarm activation without direct physical interaction with manual call points, allowing users to trigger the alarm remotely through digital communication channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If manual call points are used for alarm activation, then the alarm system is simple to implement, but accessibility for physically handicapped individuals is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem implementation simplicityVSAvoidaccessibility for physically handicapped individuals

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical activation requirement with electronic/digital interaction methods. Physically handicapped individuals can use smartphones or other digital devices to communicate alarm activation commands wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical manipulation of manual call points and thereby improving accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal alarm activation system that works through multiple input methods (voice commands, text messages, smartphone applications). This multi-functional approach ensures that the alarm system is accessible to diverse users including physically handicapped individuals, while maintaining ease of implementation through existing wireless communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If traditional manual alarm systems are used, then device complexity is low, but the speed of alarm activation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structure simplicityVSAvoidalarm activation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical alarm activation with electronic communication and processing. The system uses wireless transmission and automated signal routing to achieve faster alarm activation. Although this increases device complexity, the automated processing eliminates manual search and activation time, resulting in net speed improvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-configuring wireless communication pathways, pre-installing alarm activation applications on user devices, and pre-establishing signal routing protocols. These preliminary preparations enable rapid alarm activation when needed, as the system components are already in place and ready for immediate operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11210927B2Method and a system for enabling user/s to trigger an alarm

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 KIDDE FIRE PROTECTION LLC

AI summary

A system and method for enabling a user to trigger an alarm. A method includes receiving a command from a user to trigger an alarm, the user provides the command through an interface of a user device and converting the command to an alarm signal. The method further includes determining a location of the user device and transmitting the location and the alarm signal to one or more devices, wherein the one or more devices transmit the location and the alarm signal to a control panel for notifying a facility regarding the alarm.