Wireless Facility Control via Text Messaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing facility management systems, such as those in schools, face limitations in accessibility and convenience, particularly for administrators who need to control systems outside of regular hours or without access to a PC or local area network, leading to difficulties in managing schedules, alarms, and accessing facilities.
Innovation Solution
A handheld wireless device that interfaces with a facility's network, using a microcontroller and I/O controller to remotely control HVAC, lighting, door locks, public-address, and communications systems, enabling access via a Java-enabled phone or similar device over a CDMA network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional manual and automated school facility control arrangements using PC or local area network are used, then system control capability is provided, but system accessibility is limited when administrators are away from the office or after hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical requirement of physical presence at a PC with a wireless communication system. Administrators use mobile phones with text messaging capability to communicate with the facility management system, eliminating the need to be physically present at the school or use a PC connected to the local area network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (mobile phone text messaging system) between the administrator and the facility management system. This intermediary enables remote access without requiring direct connection to the school's PC or local area network, solving the accessibility problem while maintaining system control capability.
2Ease of operation
If administrators must be physically present at the school or access PC to control facility systems, then system security is maintained, but convenience and after-hours accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical access control method (physical presence or PC login) with a wireless text-based communication system. Mobile phones send text messages to the facility management system, providing after-hours accessibility while maintaining security through authenticated wireless communication protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If remote wireless access is implemented using mobile phones and text messaging, then system accessibility is improved, but new communication infrastructure and devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universal mobile phone technology already widely possessed by administrators. Instead of requiring specialized remote access devices, the system uses common mobile phones with text messaging capability, making the remote access solution universally applicable and reducing the need for specialized infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a handheld wireless device which works in cooperation with a facility system. The system includes a first network device. This first network device includes a webserver and a database on a network. A second network device is also included in the network. This second device includes a microcontroller. The microcontroller is adapted to receive commands from an application running on the webserver, and cause a switch device to control a facility public-address system in response to said first command. The system also includes an I/O controller. This I/O controller receives commands from the microcontroller to control the facilities hardware systems. With respect to hardware systems, the device may interact with the facilities HVAC system, lighting systems, door and locker locks, etc. With respect to the facilities communications systems, the device is able to interface with the buildings alarms, public-address systems, and bell systems.