Wireless Security System Power Management and Redundant Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional home security systems face challenges with power consumption and communication reliability, as they often require continuous grid power and physical cables, leading to battery backup depletion during power outages, which limits their operational duration and communication capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A wireless security system with reduced power consumption and redundant communication paths, utilizing a manager resource that selectively communicates security data over primary and bypass paths, such as 4G/LTE, to ensure continuous data transmission to a remote server even during power failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If security system components use battery backup power, then the system can operate during power outages, but the battery depletes quickly and the system becomes useless for long power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic wake-up cycles where the system enters low-power sleep mode between scheduled check-ins. The controller periodically wakes up to transmit status data and then returns to sleep mode, rather than continuously monitoring and transmitting. This periodic operation dramatically reduces battery power consumption while maintaining system operational capability during extended power outages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the remote communication device's existing wireless connectivity and power source to serve dual purposes: it functions as both the user's communication device and the security system's communication endpoint. This eliminates the need for separate battery-powered communication modules in remote devices, reducing overall power consumption requirements.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If security system components are physically tethered with power cables to grid power outlets, then continuous power is provided, but installation complexity increases and mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical power cable connections and mechanical mounting structures with wireless communication technology. All security components communicate wirelessly with the controller, which in turn communicates wirelessly with the remote device. This eliminates the need for drilled holes, mounted brackets, and power cable routing, dramatically simplifying installation while maintaining continuous operational capability.
3Device complexity
If the system uses a single communication path to the remote server, then the architecture is simple, but communication reliability fails when the primary path is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes communication parameters including transmission power levels, data packet sizes, and communication protocols based on battery charge levels. When battery power is high, the system uses higher power transmissions and more frequent updates. When battery power is low, it reduces transmission power and frequency, optimizing the balance between communication reliability and power conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic path selection where the controller can switch between direct wireless communication with the remote device and alternative routing through local network infrastructure. The system continuously monitors communication path availability and dynamically routes data through the most reliable available path, transitioning between static and dynamic operational modes based on environmental conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A security network provides reduced power consumption and more robust communication of messages in comparison to conventional wireless systems. Reducing power consumption as discussed herein ensures that the security system is able to operate for a long duration of time, potentially with minimal or no power from an electrical grid. Additionally, redundant communication paths as discussed herein provide a more robust way of selectively forwarding security data to a remote server. The availability of multiple communication paths ensures that a respective remote target recipient such as a server resource or remote communication device operated by a user can be notified of a trigger event during power failure conditions, such as when certain communication functionality of a security system is disabled.