System and method for fire detection

Abstract

A system and method for detecting radiation indicative of fire, such as forest fire. In one embodiment, a threshold energy level is determined based on ambient sensor conditions. A sensor unit may be setup to scan a predetermined area for electromagnetic radiation. Any detected electromagnetic radiation may then be band pass filtered to a wavelength range centered about a predetermined frequency associated with the presence of fire. The resulting energy level signal may then be further filter to pass only those signals which exhibit a “flicker” frequency. If the resulting filtered signal exceeds the threshold signal, a fire notification signal may then be generated.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 492,155, filed Apr. 09, 2004, which based upon PCT International Application No. PCT / US02 / 32242, filed Oct. 10, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 328,436, filed Oct. 10, 2001.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates generally to the detection of radiation energy, and more particularly to the use of radiation sensitive sensors to detect physical phenomenon such as emergent forest fires. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] With cities around the world becoming more severely congested and polluted, compounded by the high cost of living in urban areas, increasing numbers of the population are moving into the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)—those areas where forest and grasslands border residential development. The appeal of a rural setting and the privacy of a larger parce...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a system and method for detecting fire using electromagnetic radiation. The system filters out electromagnetic radiation that is not associated with fire, and generates an energy level signal based on the received radiation. This signal is then filtered to a specific frequency range that indicates fire, and compared to a threshold value. If the energy level signal exceeds the threshold, a fire notification signal is generated. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a reliable and early detection of fire, which can help to prevent damage and minimize risks to human safety."

Problems solved by technology

This has resulted in an increased risk of wildfire that endangers structures and lives.

However, much of the development in the WUI has been oriented toward the aesthetics of living in a forested area, and has not incorporated fire safety features in the design of the roads, water systems, structures or landscaping.

For example, in order to preserve the natural environment, road systems leading to the homes are often narrow and present difficult access challenges for multiple large, public safety vehicles in the event of an emergency.

However, successful protection of a structure in a wildfire, regardless of the suppression technique employed, requires proper advanced notice and preparation.

In the case of unoccupied homes, such vacation homes, there are presently no effective means for providing the necessary advanced notification of a proximate wildfire.

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