Wireless Fire Detector Location Mapping for Precise Alarm Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire alarm systems struggle to accurately determine the specific location of a fire within a building, making it difficult for users to quickly identify the source of the fire based solely on alarm sounds.

Innovation Solution

A detection system comprising a master and slave fire alarm devices that communicate wirelessly, with the master device capable of determining the location of the fire and transmitting this information to other devices and an external terminal, which can display the location on a map, allowing for precise identification of the fire's origin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional fire alarm device emits alarm sounds, then the alarm function is achieved, but the location identification capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation identification accuracyVSAvoiduser response efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional acoustic alarm signals to multi-dimensional information transmission by incorporating wireless communication capabilities. The fire alarm device not only emits acoustic alerts but also transmits location data digitally to external terminals, adding a new dimension of information delivery that enables precise location identification without compromising alarm effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an external terminal as an intermediary device that receives and displays location information from the fire alarm device. This intermediary translates the digital location data into visual map representations, bridging the gap between the alarm device's detection capability and the user's need for intuitive location understanding, thereby improving both measurement precision and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple fire alarm devices are deployed throughout a building, then coverage is improved, but location determination becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealarm coverage areaVSAvoidfire location determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the building into multiple zones, each covered by a specific fire alarm device. Each device is assigned a unique identifier and location information, segmenting the overall monitoring task into manageable portions. When a device detects fire, its specific location data is transmitted to the external terminal, which displays the precise zone affected, making location determination straightforward even with multiple devices deployed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where each fire alarm device transmits its location information and detection status to the external terminal in real-time. The external terminal processes this feedback data and presents it in a visual map format, providing immediate feedback about which specific device has detected the fire and its precise location, thereby maintaining high measurement precision across wide coverage areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3889929B1Detector, detection system, detector management system, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3889929B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3889929B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3889929B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An object of the present disclosure is to make a specific location, where an event calling for disaster prevention measures is present, much more easily determinable. A detector (1) detects the presence of any event that calls for disaster prevention measures. The detector (1) includes a holding unit (HI) to hold at least location information about an installation location (L1) where the detector (1) is installed.