Wireless Sensor Voice Annunciation for Signal Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless devices face challenges in installation and maintenance due to limited radio range and cryptic annunciation methods, requiring users to rely on cumbersome software applications or visual cues, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A wireless device equipped with a voice annunciation module that provides real-time guidance and instructions on signal strength, quality of service, and sensor status, allowing users to intuitively diagnose issues and perform maintenance without smartphone apps or cryptic indicators, using a quality of service algorithm and sensor monitoring algorithm executed by programmable processors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless devices use limited radio range with cryptic annunciation (blinking LED, beep), then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates during installation and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation and maintenanceVSAvoidannunciation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/optical annunciation systems (blinking LEDs, beeps) with a voice synthesis system that provides verbal feedback. The voice synthesis module converts signal strength data into spoken words, making the device much easier to operate during installation and maintenance without requiring users to interpret cryptic visual or auditory signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a voice synthesis module as an intermediary between the radio signal strength measurement and the user. Instead of directly presenting raw signal strength data or simple LED patterns, the system uses voice synthesis to translate technical parameters into natural language feedback, bridging the gap between device status and user understanding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If wireless devices rely on smartphone software applications for information access, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases during installation and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation and maintenance timeVSAvoidinformation delivery system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the wireless device to provide its own diagnostic information through voice synthesis, eliminating the need for users to externalize the device to a smartphone for information. The device serves itself by verbally announcing signal strength, quality of service, and sensor status, allowing users to obtain information immediately without needing to download or navigate smartphone applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary information delivery by providing all necessary diagnostic information through voice annunciation before the user would need to consult external resources. The system proactively announces signal strength and device status during installation and maintenance, eliminating the need for subsequent smartphone app consultations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If wireless devices provide detailed sensor information, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal strength and sensor statusVSAvoidinformation processing and delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses voice synthesis as a substitution for complex display interfaces or data transmission systems. Instead of requiring sophisticated screens, buttons, or wireless data transmission to smartphones, the system uses voice synthesis to deliver detailed sensor information, maintaining measurement precision while avoiding complex information delivery mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3059715B1Wireless sensor device with voice annunciation of signal strength
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP3059715B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3059715B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Systems and methods of voice annunciation of signal strength, quality of service, and sensor status for wireless devices are provided. Some methods can include determining a signal strength or range of a radio, determining quality of service events and statistics for a wireless device, or determining a status of a sensor and then verbally annunciating information or instructions relating to the determined signal strength or range, the determined quality of service events and statistics, or the determined sensor status.