Future Ideas

This project offers a range of options including changes to the primary unit and a range of accessories. 

Companion lamp shades

As is may be difficult to get the unit to fit all types of lampshades. there is an opportunity here to release our own compatible shades in different styles, colours and materials. These could be for both ceiling, bedside and standing lamps.

Range of colours

This would allow the sentinel to blend in more, or perhaps add an extra accent. Possibly matching a feature wall or the furniture.

Vertical orientation

Early on I toyed with a vertical orientation. there is no reason why this couldn't be explored further.

Expand connectivity
This would be a huge advantage for elderly and deaf people. It would allow the already built in Bluetooth to enable things like vibrating wristbands and pillows which would allow these people to feel the alarm.

Sentinel branding

This is the logo I came up with for the fictitious company that hired Envoy. I wanted something that would represent the idea that they were always watching, less in a 1984 way but more like a watchman or guard. The image of the eye as a symbol is quite powerful and was the obvious choice. The flame insert serve multiple purposes first is indicates fire. the second it could be interpreted as the fire being reflected in the watchers eye as they see it. Third the narrow nature of the flame gives a somewhat animalistic and savage look making it look like a predator' eye. This helps to emphasis the keenness of it's gaze.

Mission Statement

Sentinel is a firm dedicated to being at the for font of protective
equipment. Our aim is to serve our clients, shareholders, and
colleagues, by providing products and services of the highest
quality So as to ensure the protection and welfare of the
community. To operate with honesty and integrity. To be...
“Ever Vigilant”

When developing the mission statement I wanted the company to be more akin to a service ie police or fire. They are in the business of helping and protecting people after all.

Features being addressed

Product features

Photoelectric
Used for smouldering fire
more environmentally
friendly then ionisation

Duel tone
520Hz hard of hearing
3000Hz conventional
Wireless communication
(Bluetooth Low Energy)
same draw a a single led
Between Alarms
Between devices
(Computers/mobiles)

Emergency lighting
visual cue
aids evacuation

Low battery maintenance
requires periodic
charging lights must be
left on for an hour a week

Stylish case
Form following function

Starting the electronics

One of the ways in which I intend to improve the communication between the detector and occupants is to include a second tone at the lower level of around 500Hz. Smoke alarms producing the lower frequency have been shown to be better at waking up adults, elderly and those who are hard of hearing. This is because as we age we loose our ability to hear the higher frequencies as well as we once did. This make hearing the conventional 3000Hz alarms more difficult.
This is the reason for the duel tones. To increase the likelihood of it being heard.



The test rig below is being assembled by Roy Murcutt (Senior Technical Officer School of Elect Engineering and Computer Science) and myself. It's based off a toy piano circuit.

 

Camouflage

I've done some research into camouflage in order to see if this would be appropriate to help the design be less obtrusive. I've looked at a wide range of things from cuttlefish to WW2 ships and SAS training. Whilst all theses are interesting, they don't really offer much in the way of any help on the project as they are all about disrupting visual recognition. It became quite clear that what the design needs to blend into is featureless ie the ceiling so a minimalist approach will be required

Concept proposal

Concept Proposal
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1IGCmsJPzSSTFVMMHVMYU1UelU/edit?usp=sharing