Wireless Alert Puck for Discreet Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alert systems for smartphones are limited in their ability to notify users discreetly in various environments, such as libraries or cars, and often fail to account for noise levels or user preferences for different alert types and intensities.
Innovation Solution
A wireless puck device that vibrates and provides visual alerts, equipped with sensors and a rechargeable battery, which can be placed on a mattress, in a pocket, or in a car, and communicates with smartphones to deliver customized alerts through vibration patterns and light signals, allowing users to set specific alert types and intensities based on their environment and preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional phone alarms are used, then users can be notified of events, but the alerts may be too loud or disruptive in quiet environments like libraries or cars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different alert types (vibration, light, sound) for different locations and situations. The system detects the phone's location and automatically selects appropriate alert methods - for example, using vibration and light in quiet environments like libraries or cars, while using sound in noisier environments. This resolves the contradiction by making the alert harmful factors location-dependent rather than uniform.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts alert characteristics based on real-time conditions. It monitors the phone's location, motion state, and surrounding environment to automatically modify the alert behavior. For instance, if the phone detects the user is in a library, it dynamically switches from loud audio alerts to silent vibration alerts, maintaining reliability while reducing noise disruption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple alert types are provided, then user preferences and environmental conditions can be accommodated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by making the smartphone serve multiple alert functions simultaneously. The phone's existing components (vibration motor, speaker, display, lights) are repurposed to provide diverse alert types. This approach achieves high adaptability without adding separate dedicated alert devices, as the smartphone itself becomes a multi-functional alerting system that can deliver vibration, sound, visual, and haptic alerts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service by automatically selecting and configuring appropriate alert types based on detected environmental conditions and user preferences stored in the database. The alert determination module automatically queries the database for user preferences, analyzes current location and context, and configures the alert without requiring manual user intervention. This automation reduces the perceived complexity for users while maintaining versatile alert capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If location-based alert selection is implemented, then appropriate alert methods can be chosen for different environments, but the use of energy increases due to continuous location monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies periodic action by checking the user's location and determining appropriate alerts at specific intervals or trigger events rather than continuously monitoring. The alert determination module periodically queries the database and reassesses environmental conditions based on predefined triggers (e.g., entering a new geographic zone, receiving a notification). This periodic approach maintains environmental awareness while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively notifies users in diverse settings without disrupting others, offering customizable alert methods that account for noise levels and user preferences, ensuring timely and appropriate responses to events like alarms, messages, or environmental sounds.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration system configured for generating vibrations
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a circular pattern around an outer edge of the puck
Data Source
AI summary
The system and method provides users with customized alerts that are unique to each user and environment through the use of an application in communication with a smart wireless signaling puck, the puck vibrates in response to alerts based on a customized vibration pattern from the smartphone and from time based commands stored in memory on the puck.