5431results about "Fire alarm smoke/gas actuation" patented technology

The present invention is directed to a system and method for accessing home monitoring devices remotely via a distributed wide-area network (WAN). More specifically, the present invention is directed towards smoke detector system, which monitors for the presence of smoke and communicates the smoke condition to a remote location. The smoke detection system comprises a smoke detection device connected to a communication device. The smoke detection device outputs a signal or a change in a signal upon detection of smoke. This signal or change in signal is monitored by the communication device. The smoke condition is then communicated to the remote central location via a message system.

Systems and methods for controlling a climate control system of a smart-home environment that includes a plurality of smart devices are provided. One method includes detecting, with a hazard detector of the smart devices, a level of carbon monoxide (CO) at the hazard detector that exceeds a threshold CO level at a location of the hazard detector, determining, by one of the smart devices, that the climate control system includes a combustion based heat source, and in response to the detecting and the determination, transmitting, by a system controller of the climate control system, a first signal to turn off at least one aspect of the climate control system.

A sensor unit that includes at least one sensor configured to measure an ambient condition is described. The controller can be configured to receive instructions, to report a notice level when the controller determines that data measured by the at least one sensor fails a report threshold test corresponding to a report threshold value. The controller can also be configured to obtain a plurality of calibration measurements from the at least one sensor during a calibration period and to adjust the threshold based on the calibration measurements. The controller can be configured to compute a first threshold level corresponding to background noise and a second threshold level corresponding to sensor noise, and to compute the report threshold value from the second threshold. In one embodiment, the sensor unit adjusts one or more of the thresholds based on ambient temperature.

A system for monitoring air quality conditions, comprising, a multi-point air monitoring system comprising, a plurality of sensors for collecting air quality data from a plurality of at least partially enclosed areas; one or more data processing units for processing one or more air quality parameters based on the collected air quality data; and one or more communication devices for communicating the data from the sensor to the processing unit; and a signal processing controller that generates one or more blended air quality parameter signals via the multi-point air monitoring system based at least in part on one or more of the processed air quality parameters representative of data from a plurality of the sensors.

include using an application on a mobile device to establish first wireless communications with a first hazard detector that was previously paired with the user account. The method may also include transmitting, to the first hazard detector and using the first wireless protocol, a transmission that instructs the first hazard detector to establish second wireless communications with a second hazard detector, where the second wireless communications use a second wireless protocol. The method may additionally include transmitting network credentials to the first hazard detector using the first wireless protocol, where the credentials are then sent from the first hazard detector to the second hazard detector using the second wireless protocol, such that the second hazard detector can pair with the user account using the first wireless protocol.

The sensor network may include a location capture processing unit; and a plurality of sensors in communication with the location capture processing unit. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors includes a controller and a RF receiver configured to receive RF signals. The RF receiver is in communication with the controller. A localization engine is configured to receive beacon signals transmitted by other sensors in the sensor network. The localization engine is in communication with the controller. The controller of each of the plurality of sensors is further configured to determine a position of its respective sensor using either RF receiver or localization engine or both. The plurality of sensors communicates their position to the location capture processing unit.

A low cost, robust, wireless sensor that provides an extended period of operability without maintenance is described. The wireless sensors are configured to communicate with a base unit or repeater. When the sensor unit detects an anomalous ambient condition (e.g., smoke, fire, water, etc.) the sensor communicates with the base unit and provides data regarding the anomalous condition. The sensor unit receives instructions to change operating parameters and / or control external devices.

The invention provides use of one or more emitted beams of radiation (16), for example, laser beam(s), in combination with an image capturing means (14), for example, one or more video cameras and / or optical elements to detect particles (30), for example smoke particles, located in an open space (12).

A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each. The sensors of the sensor module can take the form of chemically sensitive resistors having resistances that vary according to the identity and concentration of an adjacent vapor. These chemically sensitive resistors can each be connected in series with a reference resistor, between a reference voltage and ground, such that an analog signal is established for each chemically sensitive resistor. The resulting analog signals are supplied to an analog-to-digital converter, to produce corresponding digital signals. These digital signals are appropriately analyzed for vapor identification. The device can then subsequently transmit the digital signals over a computer network, such as the Internet, for analysis at a remote location.

A low cost, robust, wireless sensor that provides an extended period of operability without maintenance is described. The wireless sensors are configured to communicate with a base unit or repeater. When the sensor unit detects an anomalous ambient condition (e.g., smoke, fire, water, etc.) the sensor communicates with the base unit and provides data regarding the anomalous condition. The sensor unit receives instructions to change operating parameters and / or control external devices.

A low cost, robust, wireless sensor system that provides an extended period of operability without maintenance is described. The system includes one or more intelligent sensor units and a base unit that can communicate with a large number of sensors. When one or more of the sensors detects an anomalous condition (e.g., smoke, fire, water, etc.) the sensor communicates with the base unit and provides data regarding the anomalous condition. The base unit can contact a supervisor or other responsible person by a plurality of techniques, such as, telephone, pager, cellular telephone, Internet, etc. In one embodiment, one or more wireless repeaters are used between the sensors and the base unit to extend the range of the system and to allow the base unit to communicate with a larger number of sensors. In one embodiment, each sensor is labeled according to its intended location, and system configuration data containing the sensor identification codes and corresponding sensor locations is provided to the user.

In an embodiment, a method determines one or more sources of carbon monoxide (CO) in a smart-home environment that includes a plurality of smart devices that have at least measurement and communication capabilities. The method includes measuring a level of CO in the smart-home environment to generate a CO measurement, and providing the CO measurement and one or more current characteristics of the smart-home environment, from one or more of the smart devices to an analyzing device. The method further includes evaluating, by the analyzing device and with the CO measurement and the current characteristics of the smart-home environment, a set of CO correlation scenarios that attribute generation of CO to a corresponding one of a set of specific sources, and selecting one or more of the specific sources as the most likely source of the CO, by aggregating results of the correlation scenarios.

The system and method for detecting water and / or gas leaks by monitoring usage patterns is described. In one embodiment, the existence of a leak is detected by looking for usage patterns wherein water or gas is always being used, at least at a low rate. A leak is indicated if usage does not drop to zero, at least for a period of time, during a given time interval (e.g., during a 24-hour period). The severity of the leak is indicated by the minimum amount of usage during the given time period. In one embodiment, the leak detection system is provided in connection with an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system.

The present invention is directed to a system and method for accessing home monitoring devices remotely via a distributed wide-area network (WAN). More specifically, the present invention is directed towards a smoke detector system, which monitors for the presence of smoke and communicates the smoke condition to a remote location. The smoke detection system comprises a smoke detection device connected to a communication device. The smoke detection device outputs a signal or a change in a signal upon detection of smoke. This signal or change in signal is monitored by the communication device. The smoke condition is then communicated to the remote central location. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

A sensor node arrangement in a wireless network, includes a sensor to sense information, an RF transceiver to communicate the information to at least one element of the wireless network, and a coil to establish a secondary communications channel with a handheld device via inductive coupling, the secondary communications channel used, for example, to receive, during installation of the sensor node arrangement, a node identifier of the sensor node arrangement.

A robot includes a hazard sensor, a locomotor, and a system controller. The robot senses a hazard intensity at a location of the robot, moves to a new location in response to the hazard intensity, and autonomously repeats the sensing and moving to determine multiple hazard levels at multiple locations. The robot may also include a communicator to communicate the multiple hazard levels to a remote controller. The remote controller includes a communicator for sending user commands to the robot and receiving the hazard levels from the robot. A graphical user interface displays an environment map of the environment proximate the robot and a scale for indicating a hazard intensity. A hazard indicator corresponds to a robot position in the environment map and graphically indicates the hazard intensity at the robot position relative to the scale.

An article for mounting from or against the ceiling is removably coupled to a base fixedly secured to the ceiling, by a person standing on the floor, supporting the article on an elongated rod, and thrusting the article against the base to couple the article and the secured base. The article is removed by inserting the rod into the article, exerting a force on the rod to uncouple the article from the base, and supporting the article on the rod as the article is lowered. The article is thus positioned on or hung from the ceiling, without being manually contacted by the person. The article may be used to mount other devices, such as a sign, smoke detector, etc. or may include such device as a part of the mount.

A compact particle sensor for detecting suspended particles includes a housing, a light source, a light receiver and a plurality of optical elements. The housing provides a test chamber and includes at least one opening for admitting particles into the test chamber, while simultaneously substantially preventing outside light from entering the test chamber. The light source is positioned for supplying a light beam within the test chamber. The plurality of optical elements are positioned to direct the light beam from the light source to the receiver, which is positioned to receive the light beam supplied by the light source.

A low cost, robust, wireless sensor system that provides an extended period of operability without maintenance is described. The system includes one or more intelligent sensor units and a base unit that can communicate with a large number of sensors. When one or more of the sensors detects an anomalous condition (e.g., smoke, fire, water, etc.) the sensor communicates with the base unit and provides data regarding the anomalous condition. The base unit can contact a supervisor or other responsible person by a plurality of techniques, such as, telephone, pager, cellular telephone, Internet, etc. In one embodiment, one or more wireless repeaters are used between the sensors and the base unit to extend the range of the system and to allow the base unit to communicate with a larger number of sensors. In one embodiment, each sensor is labeled according to its intended location, and system configuration data containing the sensor identification codes and corresponding sensor locations is provided to the user.

The present invention is directed to providing systems and methods for remotely monitoring sites to provide real-time information which can readily permit distinguishing false alarms, and which can identify and track the precise location of an alarm. In embodiments, monitoring capabilities such as intrusion / fire detection and tracking capabilities, can be implemented through the use of multistate indicators in an interface which permits information to be transmitted using standard network protocols from a remote site to a monitoring station in near real-time. In embodiments, communications can be handed from the centrally located host monitoring station to a mobile monitoring station (for example, a laptop computer in a responding vehicle, such as a police or fire vehicle). Additional embodiments include the measurement of environmental parameters such as temperature, carbon monoxide and differential air pressure to detect, monitor and manage a fire event. These measurements along with selected controllable output devices deployed in a space, such as sprinkler control valves and individually or zoned sprinkler heads, are used to initiate and control fire suppression technology both locally and remotely. For instance, a system of the present invention may detect a fire and cause a sprinkler system to disburse water in a facility.

Methods and systems to screen equipment operators for impairments, such as intoxication, physical impairment, medical impairment, or emotional impairment, to selectively test the equipment operators and control the equipment if impairment of the equipment operator is determined. One embodiment is a method to screen an equipment operator for intoxication. A second embodiment is a method to screen an equipment operator for impairment, such as intoxication, physical impairment, medical impairment, or emotional impairment. A third embodiment is an equipment operator screening system to determine impairment, such as intoxication, physical impairment, medical impairment, or emotional impairment.

Embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method provide for the detection and location of people trapped in emergency situations. One embodiment of the apparatus may have: at least one detector having a predetermined location, the at least one detector structured to detect a respective predetermined event; a video camera operatively connected to the at least one detector; and a wireless communication device operatively connected to the at least one detector and to the video camera; wherein, upon detection of the predetermined event the detector activated the video camera and the wireless communication device to thereby transmit at least the occurrence of the predetermined event and video from the video camera.

Methods and systems for waking an individual to an alert condition such as smoke or a fire have greatly improved ability to wake sleeping individuals compared to conventional methods. For example, preferred waking devices include a fluid spray directed toward the head of a bed and the person sleeping in that bed. Used in conjunction with standard digital processing techniques, the systems offer greatly improved reliability and the ability to save lives.

A smoke detection device for use in a portable device such as a mobile terminal. The smoke detection device comprises a light emitter and a light detector disposed on different locations on the portable device so that when smoke or an intruding object is presence in the light path of the light emitter outside the device housing, it causes the light emitted by the light emitter to be scattered or reflected. When the light detector senses the scattered or reflected light, it can cause an alarm signal to be produced by the portable device. The emitted light can be in the infrared region so that the detection is independent of the ambient light. Alternatively, the light emitter is operated in a pulsed mode. Additional light emitter and light detectors can be disposed on the portable device for proximity sensing in addition to smoke detection.

A networked system of addressable alarms notifies citizens of conditions within a community, A control center is communicably linked via the network to alarm devices such as smoke detectors in controlled environments such as buildings in order to alert citizens of conditions outside of the controlled environment, which may be situations requiring an emergency response. The alarm devices may also be capable of sending local status information (e.g., fire alarms, security alarms, etc.) to the control center so that the control center can respond as necessary to any local emergencies.

A smoke detector system wherein a smoke alarm which is turned “on” by the sensing of smoke is turned “off” for a predetermined period of time using a disable signal transmitted by a remote controller and an indicator light is turned “on” to indicate that the alarm is turned “off”, and wherein after the predetermined period of time, the alarm is returned to a normal state and the indicator light is turned off. Thus, when the smoke detector alarm is turned “on” by an erroneous or non-lethal sensing of smoke, a housekeeper can readily turn “off” the alarm for the predetermined period of time and see by the indicator light that the alarm is off for that period of time. Advantageously, the remote controller comprises a container having a permanent magnet and the remote controller is physically apart from the detector so that the controller can be conveniently stored, for example on a refrigerator door for quick use and storage.

A signal processing system and associated methods are disclosed for reliably detecting audible alert signals, such as Temporal-3 (or Code-3) and Temporal-4 (or Code-4) alert signals generated by commercially available smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors. The system and methods are capable of detecting audible alert signals of different intensities in the presence of dynamic background environment (e.g., television programming, music, noise, and the like). The system and methods are capable of detecting audible alert signals generated by far away smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors. The signal processing system and methods may, in some embodiments, be incorporated into a bedside or other unit that generates a supplemental alert signal capable of alerting individuals who might not otherwise respond to the alarm condition, such as individuals who are asleep, children, hearing impaired, or intoxicated.

A system and method displays a safe route from a location to a destination that avoids one or more hazards detected, such as a fire or a gas leak.