Systems and methods for detecting building conditions based on wireless signal degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire detection systems in buildings lack efficient methods to accurately and promptly detect fires, particularly in environments where traditional sensors may be ineffective, such as those with high temperatures or smoke, leading to potential delays in fire suppression.
Innovation Solution
A wireless mesh network system that monitors radio signal characteristics, utilizing the 2.45 GHz frequency to detect changes in water vapor levels caused by fires, which degrades signal strength and quality, allowing for precise location identification and triggering of alarms or suppression systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fire sensors are used in high temperature or smoke environments, then fire detection can be performed, but detection accuracy and response time deteriorate due to sensor ineffectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/chemical fire sensors with a wireless signal-based detection system. Instead of using sensors that physically or chemically interact with fire conditions (which fail in high temperature/smoke), the system uses radio frequency signals that pass through smoke and are unaffected by temperature, substituting a non-contact electromagnetic field-based measurement approach
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless signals as an intermediary medium for fire detection. Rather than having sensors directly exposed to harsh fire conditions, the system uses wireless signal transmission and reception as a mediator to indirectly detect fire conditions by measuring signal degradation caused by water vapor from combustion
2Measurement precision
If wireless signal monitoring is implemented for fire detection, then detection precision improves through signal degradation analysis, but system complexity increases due to baseline recording and comparison requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements baseline signal characteristic recording during normal conditions as a preliminary action. This baseline data is stored and later used for comparison during fire detection, allowing the system to identify fire conditions through signal degradation without requiring complex real-time analysis algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent focuses on monitoring specific key signal characteristics (such as signal strength, frequency, or phase) rather than analyzing all possible signal parameters. By concentrating on the most relevant degradation indicators, the system achieves accurate fire detection while keeping the monitoring complexity manageable
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
This method enables early and accurate fire detection by pinpointing the fire location through abnormal signal degradation, facilitating timely fire suppression and enhancing building safety.
Implementation Method 1
monitors radio signals operating at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, where water molecules absorb radio energy
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting an event in or around a building. The method includes recording a baseline signal characteristic that characterizes a wireless signal transmitted between devices in or around the building during a baseline time period and recording a second signal characteristic that characterizes the wireless signal during a second time period after the baseline time period. An event in or around the building is detected in response to a determination that the second signal characteristic is abnormal relative to the baseline signal characteristic, the event degrading the wireless signal during the second time period. An alarm is triggered in response to detecting the event.