Intelligent smoke sensor

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 9646484
  • Patent Number
    9,646,484
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, September 24, 2014
    9 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 9, 2017
    7 years ago
Abstract
Method and/or system for an intelligent smoke sensor may comprise a sensor system configured to detect at least one of a plurality of predefined conditions, a processor coupled to the sensor system. The processor may be configured to generate an alarm indication in response to having detected at least one predefined condition. The intelligent smoke sensor system may comprise a recorder coupled to the processor. The recorder may be configured to record the alarm indication and the detected predefined conditions. The intelligent smoke sensor may comprise communication circuitry that mat be configured to communicate the alarm indication and the detected predefined condition to the network.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to electronic systems and/or networking More specifically, certain implementations of the present disclosure relate to an intelligent smoke sensor.


BACKGROUND

Existing methods and systems for providing smoke detection can be costly, cumbersome and inefficient. Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such approaches with some aspects of the present method and apparatus set forth in the remainder of this disclosure with reference to the drawings.


BRIEF SUMMARY

A system and/or method is provided for an intelligent smoke sensor, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the disclosure and/or the claims.


These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of illustrated implementation(s) thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 illustrates an example home network.



FIG. 2 illustrates an example intelligent smoke sensor.



FIG. 3 illustrates an example flow chart of a method for an example process for managing one or more intelligent smoke sensors.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain implementations may be found in a method and system for an intelligent smoke sensor. An exemplary embodiment provides an intelligent smoke detecting system for use in a network. The intelligent smoke detecting system includes a sensor system to detect at least one of a plurality of predefined conditions. The intelligent smoke detecting system also includes a processor coupled to the sensor system to generate an alarm indication in response to the sensor system having detected at least one of the predefined conditions. The intelligent smoke detecting system also includes a recorder coupled to the processor to record the alarm indication and the detected at least one of the predefined conditions, and a communication circuitry to communicate the alarm indication and the detected at least one of the predefined conditions to the network.


Another exemplary embodiment provides an intelligent smoke detecting system for use in a network. The intelligent smoke detecting system includes a device communicatively coupled to the network, and a network manager communicatively coupled to the device to communicate control signals via the network. The intelligent smoke detecting system also includes an intelligent smoke sensor communicatively coupled to the network manager via the network. The intelligent smoke sensor houses therein a sensor system to detect at least one of a plurality of predefined conditions, a processor coupled to the sensor system to generate an alarm indication in response to the sensor system having detected at least one of the predefined conditions, and a recorder coupled to the processor to record the alarm indication and the detected at least one of the predefined conditions, and a communication circuitry to communicate the alarm indication to the network manager via the network. The network manager further communicates the control signals to the device in response to receiving the alarm indication. The device is activated in response to receiving the control signals.


Another exemplary embodiment provides a method of controlling a device via a) an intelligent smoke detecting system being remote from the device, and b) a network manager operable to communicate control signals to the device. The method includes detecting at the intelligent smoke detecting system at least one of a plurality of predefined conditions. In response to having detected the at least one of the predefined conditions, the method includes generating an alarm indication, recording the alarm indication and the at least one of the predefined conditions, and communicating the alarm indication from the intelligent smoke detecting system to the network manager. The method also includes communicating the control signals from the network manager to the device in response to the network manager receiving the alarm indication, and activating the device in response to receiving the control signals.


As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and “circuitry” refer to physical electronic components (i.e. hardware) and any software and/or firmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by the hardware, and/or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As used herein, for example, a particular processor and memory may comprise a first “circuit” when executing a first plurality of lines of code and may comprise a second “circuit” when executing a second plurality of lines of code. As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. As utilized herein, the terms “block” and/or “module” refer to functions than may be performed by one or more circuits. As utilized herein, the term “example” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, the terms “for example” and “e.g.” introduce a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. As utilized herein, circuitry is “operable” to perform a function whenever the circuitry comprises the necessary hardware and code (if any is necessary) to perform the function, regardless of whether performance of the function is disabled, or not enabled, by some user-configurable setting.



FIG. 1 illustrates an example home network. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a home network 100.


The home network 100 may correspond to a location 101. The location 101 may, for example, correspond to a residence (e.g., home, apartment) or non-residence premises (e.g., a small business, a school, a library). In this regard, the home network 100 may, for example, comprise a plurality of home network elements, such as, for example, a plurality of home network elements 120a-120k. The home network elements (e.g., home network elements 120a-120k) may, for example, comprise one or more devices, systems, fixtures, appliances, and/or other circuitry. The home network elements (e.g., home network elements 120a-120k) may comprise, for example, one or more televisions 120a, one or more computers (e.g., laptop computer 120b, desktop computer 120c), one or more personal handheld devices (e.g., tablet 130j, mobile phone 130k), one or more multimedia devices and/or components (e.g., speakers 120f), one or more structural fixtures (e.g., windows/window blinds 120d), one or more lighting and/or electrical fixtures 120e, one or more appliances (e.g., refrigerator 120g), one or more environmental sensory devices 120h (e.g., thermometers, humidity meters), and/or one or more security devices 120i (e.g., a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, a security alarm, a motion detector).


The disclosure is not limited to any particular type of a home network. Furthermore, the disclosure is not limited to any particular combination of home network elements. It is to be understood that although the network is referred to as a “home network” throughout the disclosure, the disclosure is not limited in this way. Specifically, the network may comprise any other network that may be operable to control one or more network elements.


In some instances, the home network 100 may incorporate a home network manager 110. The home network manager 110 may comprise suitable circuitry, interfaces, logic, and/or code for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the home network manager 110 may be configured for use in managing, servicing, and/or interacting with one or more home network elements. Although the home network manager 110 is shown in FIG. 1 as a single and separate device, the disclosure is not limited in this way. For example, in some implementations, one or more functions of the home network manager 110 may be provided by one or more existing home network elements (e.g., providing user interface via tablet 120j and/or television 120a). In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the home network manager 110 may be implemented as a virtual platform, such as, for example, one or more software modules may run on, and/or utilize resources of one or more existing home network elements (e.g., laptop 120b or desktop 120c).


The home network manager 110 may be configured to communicate with one or more elements (e.g., home network devices) in a home network. In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the home network manager 110 may be operable to communicate with one or more devices and/or systems that may be external to a home network, using, for example, optical, wired and/or wireless communication links.


The home network manager 110 may interact with one or more of the home network elements 120a-120k via corresponding links 130a-130k, which may be supported by the home network manager 110 and/or the corresponding home network element(s). For example, the links 130a-130k may be implemented and/or configured to operate using a wireless protocol, such as, for example, a Z-wave protocol. In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the home network 100 may be implemented as Z-Wave network. However, the disclosure is not limited in this way. For example, the home network 110 may comprise one or more wired and/or wireless links and/or protocol. Wireless links and/or protocols, may comprise, for example, WPAN (e.g., Bluetooth or ZigBee) and/or WLAN (WiFi/802.11) protocols and/or any other wireless links and/or protocols suitable for implementation consistent with the disclosure. Wired protocols and/or links may comprise, for example, Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), and/or any other wired links and/or protocols suitable for implementation consistent with the disclosure.


In an example implementation of the disclosure, the home network manager 110 may be operable to support one or more communication methods from one or more home network devices (e.g., home network elements 120a-120k). For example, one or more home network elements may communicate with the home network manager 110 utilizing a particular wireless link and/or protocol (e.g., Z-wave) and/or a particular wired link and/or protocol (e.g., Ethernet), while one or more other home network elements may communicate with the home network manager 110 utilizing a different particular wireless link and/or protocol (e.g., WiFi) and/or a different particular wired link and/or protocol (e.g., USB).


In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the same one or more home network elements may communicate with the home network manager 110 by, for example, using one or more wired and/or wireless links and/or protocols at the same and/or at different times. For example, a particular network element may communicate with the home network manager 110 using a Z-Wave communication protocol for a particular communication and may communicate with the home network manager 110 using a WiFi communication protocol for another particular communication.


In operation, the home network manager 110 may be operable to manage a home network (e.g., the home network 100). The home network manager 110 may be utilized, for example, as an interface platform for interacting with various network elements (e.g., the home network elements 120a-120k). In this regard, the home network manager 110 may support establishing and/or configuring one or more communication connections/links (e.g., the links 130a-130k) with the one or more elements of the home network 110. Once established, the connectivity between the home network manager 110 and the home network elements (e.g., elements 120a-120k) may, for example, be utilized to enable centralized monitoring, control, and/or management of the home network elements, and/or of the home network 100 as a whole. For example, the home network manager 110 may be operable to control operations of certain elements (e.g., turn on television 120a, switch to particular channel(s) at particular days/times, and/or record if recording is supported); monitor environment in the home network, such as by obtaining environmental readings (e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.) via example environmental sensory devices 120h, and may process these readings (e.g., to determine if/when to adjust other home network elements accordingly); adjust one or more example lighting and/or electrical fixtures 120e (e.g., turn lights on or off); lower/raise example window (blinds) 120d; adjust operations of example appliances (e.g., refrigerator 120g), such as, for example, based on a pre-configured power efficiency/optimization profile; monitor for any indications of a security/safety problem, based on, for example, input from example security devices 120i, and/or act accordingly (e.g., send notifications to users, such as by texting example smartphone 120k, and/or automatically notify authorities, e.g., by dialing ‘911’ and/or contacting pre-configured emergency numbers).


In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the home network manager 110 may provide and/or utilize user interface services in the home network. In this regard, the home network manager 110 may be operable to support use of user interface functions, and/or to generate and/or store information corresponding thereto, which may be utilized to enable interactions between the home network manager 110 and users (e.g., in the home network 100). For example, in some implementations, the home network manager 110 may be configured to generate and/or use a graphic user interface (GUI), for visually displaying information and/or providing interactivity with users (e.g., for providing input thereby). One or more user interfaces may enable configuring the home network manager 110 and/or functions provided by the home network manager 110. In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the one or more user interfaces may enable user interaction with, configuring and/or adjusting other elements in the home network 100 (e.g., elements connected to the home network manager 110).


In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the user interfaces may be provided via one or more other devices that may be communicatively coupled to the home network manager 110. For example, a GUI generated and/or used by the home network manager 110 may be displayed using existing home network elements, such as, for example, television 120a, laptop 120b, tablet 120j, and/or smartphone 120k.


In an example embodiment of the disclosure, one or more home network elements (e.g., home network elements 120a-120k) may be configured to provide enhanced functionality, especially in the context of the home network provided by home network managers (e.g., the home network manager 110). For example, rather than utilize a typical smoke detector, an enhanced (intelligent) smoke sensor may be utilized, such as to provide enhanced monitoring (e.g., better detection), improved recording of information relating thereto, and/or other functions. An example intelligent smoke sensor is depicted in and/or described with respect to FIG. 2.



FIG. 2 illustrates an example intelligent smoke sensor. Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an intelligent smoke sensor 200.


The intelligent smoke sensor 200 may comprise suitable circuitry, interfaces, logic, and/or code for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure. In particular, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may be implemented and/or configured to provide enhanced functionality, such as with respect to monitoring and/or detection of, e.g., carbon monoxide, smoke, and/or fire; and/or with respect to recording and/or maintaining of information related thereto. For example, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may be configured for operation on a home network (e.g., home network 100 as depicted in and/or described with respect to FIG. 1), such that, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may be utilized as a home network element. In this regard, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may be configured to interact, for example, in a home network (e.g., home network 100 as depicted in and/or described with respect to FIG. 1) with, for example, a home network manager (e.g., network manager 210). The home network manager may be substantially similar to the home network manager 110 as depicted in and/or described with respect to FIG. 1.


For example, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may be configured to interact with the home network manager 210 via a communication link 220. The communication link may, for example, comprise a Z-Wave link. In this regard, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may incorporate a built-in communication transceiver (e.g., a Z-Wave transceiver) and/or related processing resources for allowing use of intelligent smoke sensor. The disclosure is not limited to any particular type of a communication link. For example, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may be implemented to support, for example one or more wireless and/or wired links, protocols and/or connections. For example, wireless links, protocols and/or connections, may comprise, for example, WPAN (e.g., Bluetooth or ZigBee) and/or WLAN (WiFi/802.11) protocols and/or any other wireless links, protocols and/or connections suitable for implementation consistent with the disclosure. Wired links, protocols and/or connections may comprise, for example, Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), and/or any other wired links, protocols and/or connections suitable for implementation consistent with the disclosure.


In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may be operable to be used with any standard and/or customized alarm system, for example, by utilizing a direct and/or indirect wired connection to the alarm system (e.g., in lieu of and/or in addition to any other wired and/or wireless links and/or connections for communicating with, for example, a home network manager).


The intelligent smoke sensor 200 may incorporate various features for providing enhanced functionality and/or operations. For example, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may be designed and/or built as an ultra-light device, with efficient and reliable power supply (e.g., driving power directly from electrical grid, and/or by incorporating efficient and/or long lasting 12/24 VDC batteries and/or other batteries and/or power sources). The intelligent smoke sensor 200 may, for example, incorporate one or more sensors. The one or more sensors may be operable to enhance, for example, the smoke/fire/carbon monoxide monitoring and/or detection functions of the intelligent smoke sensor 200. For example, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may incorporate one or more photoelectric sensors 230 and/or one or more temperature sensors 240. The one or more photoelectric sensors 230 and/or the one or more temperature sensors 240 may provide enhanced detectability of smoke/fire/carbon monoxide, for maximum protection from flaming and/or smoldering fires.


In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may incorporate one or more alarm indicators. The one or more alarm indicators may be provided to ensure that the users are more likely alarmed of detected smoke/fire/carbon monoxide. For example, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may incorporate one or more alarm indicators 250, which may comprise both a visual (e.g., RGB) indicator 250A and an audio (e.g., 100 dBm built-in siren) indicator 250B.


In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may be built utilizing a metal screen (not shown) that may go around the edges of the intelligent smoke sensor 200. In this regard, the metal film may comprise beveled microscopic holes (e.g., the holes may comprise rounded edges) that may allow for an enhanced penetration of the smoke into a smoke chamber (not shown) housed within the intelligent smoke sensor 200 such that, for example, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may be operable to detect presence of smoke (utilizing various sensors) more accurately (e.g., faster) as compared with traditional smoke detectors.


In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may incorporate a wireless range tester (not shown) that may be operable to, for example, determine whether the intelligent smoke sensor 200 is within a range of a home network manager (e.g., home network manager 210). In this regard, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may be operable to generate an alarm condition when the intelligent smoke sensor 200 is not within a rage on any home network manager (e.g., home network manager 210) and/or when the intelligent smoke sensor 200 that, for example, was previously within the range of a (e.g., home network manager 210), is now outside of that range. In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the alarm condition may active one or more alarm indicators (e.g., alarm indicators 250A, 250B) to generate indicate an alarm condition by, for example, generating an audible and/or a visual alarm.


In another example embodiment of the disclosure, the home network manager 210 may be operable to generate an alarm condition, when for example, the intelligent smoke sensor that, for example, was previously within the range of the home network manager 210, is now outside of that range.


In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may incorporate one or more various features for, for example, particularly providing (and enhancing) recording and/or maintaining of information (e.g., information relating to alarms, alarm conditions and/or detection of smoke/fire/carbon monoxide). For example, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may incorporate, for example, a data recorder 260. The data recorder 260 may be operable to record data and/or information relating to operation of the intelligent smoke sensor 200. In this regard, the data recorder 260 may comprise suitable circuitry, interfaces, logic, and/or code for obtaining, processing and/or storing of data and/or information. The data and/or information may be related to operation of the intelligent smoke sensor 200 and/or any detected alarms and/or alarm conditions. The recording and/or storing of data may be done in, for example, a continuous manner, periodically, or it may be event-triggered (e.g., whenever an alarm-triggering event is detected).


The alarm-triggering event may comprise, for example, an increase in temperature (e.g., above a pre-defined and/or per-configured threshold(s), rapid increase of temperature, such as, for example, a raise in temperature by more than a pre-defined and/or pre-configured number of degrees during a pre-defined and/or pre-configured time interval), detection of carbon monoxide, detection of smoke, and/or detection of fire.


In some instances, the data recorder 260 may be specifically designed and/or built to survive a fire incident. For example, the data and/or information stored in the data recorder 260 may be recoverable from the data recorder 260 even when, for example, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 is otherwise destroyed during a fire event. Accordingly, the data and/or information regarding a fire event may be recovered and/or used subsequently to a fire event. The data and/or information may be relevant to, for example, investigating one or more causes of the fire event. For example, the data and/or information may comprise the time and date information of when an alarm condition was triggered and/or the temperature measurements before and throughout the fire even (e.g., for determining how rapidly the fire started and/or how rapidly the temperature was rising, whether a fire, carbon monoxide and/or smoke triggered an alarm condition).


In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may comprise other suitable circuitry, interfaces, logic, and/or code for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may comprise a memory and/or a processor.


The memory may store, for example, configuration data, which may comprise parameters and/or code, comprising software and/or firmware. The memory may comprise different memory technologies, including, for example, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), low latency nonvolatile memory, flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or other suitable electronic data storage capable of storing data, code and/or other information.


In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may be operable to receive software and/or firmware updates. For example, the intelligent smoke sensor 200 may receive software and/or firmware updates from a network manager (e.g., the home network manager 210). In an example embodiment of the disclosure the software and/or hardware updates may be received, processed and/or installed automatically and/or manually. For example, the process may be completely automatic (e.g., a network manager may send an update to the intelligent smoke sensor and the intelligent smoke sensor may process it automatically), semi-automatic (e.g., an update may be initiated by a user through, for example, a network manager and/or through an interface on the intelligent smoke sensor, and may, for example, be processed by the intelligent smoke sensor automatically) and/or manual (e.g., an update may be initiated by a user through, for example, a network manager and/or through an interface on the intelligent smoke sensor, and may, for example, be processed by the intelligent smoke sensor in response to a user action indicative of a desire to install the particular update (e.g., through an interface)).


The processor may comprise suitable circuitry, interfaces, logic, and/or code that may be operable to process data, and/or control and/or manage components, operations and/or functions of intelligent smoke sensor 200, and/or tasks performed therein. In this regard, the processor may configure and/or control operations of various components and/or subsystems of the intelligent smoke sensor 200, such as, for example, the memory, the communication subsystem (e.g., for communicating with, for example, the home network manager 210), the photoelectric sensor(s) 230, the temperature sensor(s) 240 and/or the indicators 250A, 250B, etc. by utilizing, one or more control signals.


In some embodiments, the processor may also automatically detect a malfunction, for example, when the smoke chamber is damaged. For example, the processor may perform a self test periodically, for example, every 5 seconds. If the processor detects a malfunction, the processor may generate an intermittent sound alarm through the indicator 250B. In other embodiments, the processor may also activate both of the indicators 250A and 250B, that is, both visually through the RGB indicator 250A and audibly through the alarm indicator 250B. In some embodiments, the processor may also transmit an alarm signal via the Z-Wave communication protocol to the network manager and any of the associated devices (120a-120k).



FIG. 3 illustrates an example flow chart of a method for an example process for managing one or more intelligent smoke sensors. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a flow chart 300 comprising a plurality of example steps.


In example step 302, an intelligent smoke sensor (e.g., the intelligent smoke sensor 200 as depicted in and/or described with respect to FIG. 2) may connect with a home network manager (e.g., the home network manager 210 as depicted in and/or described with respect to FIG. 2). The connection may comprise a communication link (e.g., the communication link 220 as depicted in and/or described with respect to FIG. 2), such as, for example, a Z-Wave link. The connection may comprise one or more types of wireless and/or wired connections. The connecting may, in some instances, comprise determining whether the intelligent smoke sensor is within range of the home network manager. In this regard, the intelligent smoke sensor may incorporate a wireless range tester for determining whether the intelligent smoke sensor is within a range of a home network manager as described with respect to FIG. 2, for example.


In example step 304, the intelligent smoke sensor may monitor ambient environment close thereto for various hazard conditions, which may comprise, for example, smoke, fire, carbon monoxide and/or other conditions. In this regard, the intelligent smoke sensor may utilize one or more sensors, such as, for example, temperature sensor(s) and/or photoelectric sensor(s), such as for example, sensors depicted in and/or described with respect to FIG. 2.


In example step 306, it may be determined whether a hazard condition is detected, and in instances where no hazard condition is detected, the process may loop back to the example step 304 for continuing and/or periodic monitoring. Returning to the example step 306, in instances where a hazard condition is detected, the process may proceed to example step 308.


In example step 308, alarm indications, pertaining to the detected hazard condition, may be generated. The alarm indications may comprise visual alarm indictors and/or audio alarm indicators.


In example step 310, information regarding detected hazard condition (and other related conditions) may be recorded, particularly in a protected data recorder, which may be specifically designed and/or implemented (as described with respect to FIG. 2, for example) to survive fires and/or other hazardous conditions so as to ensure that the information is not lost.


Other implementations may provide a non-transitory computer readable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machine readable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for an intelligent smoke sensor.


Accordingly, the present method and/or system may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present method and/or system may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other system adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.


The present method and/or system may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.


While the present method and/or apparatus has been described with reference to certain implementations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present method and/or apparatus. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present method and/or apparatus not be limited to the particular implementations disclosed, but that the present method and/or apparatus will include all implementations falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims
  • 1. A detector comprising: a smoke sensor configured to determine a presence of smoke;a temperature sensor configured to measure temperature;a processor configured to communicate with the smoke sensor and the temperature sensor, wherein the processor is configured to generate a first alarm indication based on at least one of the presence of smoke or the temperature exceeding a pre-configured threshold;a wireless transceiver configured to communicate the alarm indication over a wireless network with a home network manager;a recorder configured to record: the presence of smoke at a first time, the temperature at the first time, and a value of the first time; andthe presence of smoke at a second time, the temperature at the second time, and a value of the second time;a range tester configured to determine whether the wireless transceiver is connected to the wireless network and generate a second alarm indication if the wireless transceiver is not connected to the wireless network;an audio indicator configured to be activated in response to at least one of the first alarm indication or the second alarm indication; anda visual indicator configured to be activated in response to at least one of the first alarm indication or the second alarm indication.
  • 2. The detector of claim 1, wherein recording, by the recorder, is triggered by an event of detecting the presence of smoke.
  • 3. The detector of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to perform a malfunction test to determine whether the detector is malfunctioning and to responsively generate a third alarm indication if the detector is malfunctioning, whereby at least one of the audio indicator or visual indicator is activated in response to the third alarm indication.
CLAIM OF PRIORITY/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This patent application makes reference to, claims priority to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/881,808 entitled “Intelligent Smoke Sensor” filed on Sep. 24, 2013, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

US Referenced Citations (93)
Number Name Date Kind
3873927 Overall Mar 1975 A
D301869 Schwartz Jun 1989 S
D325902 Hudson et al. May 1992 S
D334561 Crater et al. Apr 1993 S
D349687 Khoo et al. Aug 1994 S
5335536 Runnevik Aug 1994 A
D359043 Althans Jun 1995 S
D381633 Hiyakumoto et al. Jul 1997 S
D396471 Kolinen Jul 1998 S
D402909 Stanuch Dec 1998 S
D405424 Winkler et al. Feb 1999 S
D417871 Hisatsune Dec 1999 S
6597288 Amano Jul 2003 B2
D481056 Kawasaki et al. Oct 2003 S
D487728 Murray Mar 2004 S
D489337 Murray May 2004 S
D492262 Murray Jun 2004 S
D494583 Guerrera Aug 2004 S
6892751 Sanders May 2005 B2
D513497 Whitehouse Jan 2006 S
D514118 Christianson Jan 2006 S
D520500 Storti et al. May 2006 S
D521403 Shain et al. May 2006 S
D523873 Huang Jun 2006 S
D533186 Chen et al. Dec 2006 S
D533851 Yoon Dec 2006 S
D540752 Hayes et al. Apr 2007 S
7206645 Seguin Apr 2007 B2
D541762 Nakagawa e May 2007 S
D548702 Girard Aug 2007 S
7253741 Fiorletta et al. Aug 2007 B2
7309216 Spadola, Jr. et al. Dec 2007 B1
D559233 Tang Jan 2008 S
D567187 Oba et al. Apr 2008 S
D570297 Gibbons et al. Jun 2008 S
D588484 Bandringa et al. Mar 2009 S
D604254 Lanfear et al. Nov 2009 S
D604725 Chen Nov 2009 S
D609701 Hou Feb 2010 S
D610479 Shi Feb 2010 S
D621287 Kaneko et al. Aug 2010 S
D631165 Fisher et al. Jan 2011 S
D631446 Lanfear et al. Jan 2011 S
D638372 Clymer et al. May 2011 S
D639752 Li et al. Jun 2011 S
D646640 Clymer et al. Oct 2011 S
D647504 Choi Oct 2011 S
8154398 Rolf et al. Apr 2012 B2
D660261 Huang et al. May 2012 S
D660809 Kern Koskela et al. May 2012 S
D664460 Aurongzeb et al. Jul 2012 S
D665290 Bhate et al. Aug 2012 S
D665773 Behringer Aug 2012 S
D671851 Treharne et al. Dec 2012 S
D678097 Elwell et al. Mar 2013 S
D678258 Seto Mar 2013 S
D680015 Hauser et al. Apr 2013 S
D682777 Gupta et al. May 2013 S
D683251 Dumas et al. May 2013 S
D689441 Kah, Jr. et al. Sep 2013 S
8539567 Logue Sep 2013 B1
D692332 Ni et al. Oct 2013 S
D693311 Biller et al. Nov 2013 S
D695234 Santiago Dec 2013 S
D695693 Lee et al. Dec 2013 S
8635373 Supramaniam Jan 2014 B1
D699177 Higashi Feb 2014 S
D703156 Parsons et al. Apr 2014 S
D703566 Chen et al. Apr 2014 S
D704625 Tsutsumi et al. May 2014 S
D705719 Wong May 2014 S
D706152 Ni et al. Jun 2014 S
D706228 Ishiura Jun 2014 S
8836522 Thorpe et al. Sep 2014 B2
20050135570 Binning Jun 2005 A1
20050242948 Tarr Nov 2005 A1
20080133063 Bisson et al. Jun 2008 A1
20090212936 Granatelli Aug 2009 A1
20090231129 Edwards Sep 2009 A1
20090240377 Batzler et al. Sep 2009 A1
20110012726 Jessiman et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110061014 Frader-Thompson et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110093217 Kates Apr 2011 A1
20110130880 Nishino et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110289561 Ivanov et al. Nov 2011 A1
20120130513 Hao et al. May 2012 A1
20120212341 Siber Aug 2012 A1
20130082835 Shapiro et al. Apr 2013 A1
20130103207 Ruff Apr 2013 A1
20130145826 Richarz et al. Jun 2013 A1
20130241479 Wright, Jr. et al. Sep 2013 A1
20140005809 Frei et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140354425 Siber et al. Dec 2014 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (89)
Number Date Country
2009100570 Jul 2009 AU
70745 Jun 1992 CA
74034 Mar 1994 CA
74569 Aug 1994 CA
74610 Aug 1994 CA
3274285 Jan 2003 CN
301936325 May 2012 CN
102598076 Jul 2012 CN
201230432179X Jun 2013 CN
302767627 Mar 2014 CN
4029615 Apr 1992 DE
102009046096 May 2011 DE
0241676 Oct 1987 EP
000137351-0008 Feb 2004 EP
000145644-0001 Mar 2004 EP
000166350-0001 Apr 2004 EP
000242888-0001 Oct 2004 EP
000253380-0002 Nov 2004 EP
000268032-0002 Dec 2004 EP
000321971-0007 Apr 2005 EP
000352943-0001 Jun 2005 EP
000481304-0001 Feb 2006 EP
000536438-0001 May 2006 EP
000603709-0002 Oct 2006 EP
000623608-0001 Nov 2006 EP
000757620-0004 Jul 2007 EP
000779061-0001 Aug 2007 EP
000792791-0001 Sep 2007 EP
000827118-0001 Nov 2007 EP
000830542-0006 Nov 2007 EP
000883269-0001 Feb 2008 EP
001015788-0001 Oct 2008 EP
001032437-0001 Nov 2008 EP
001032437-0002 Nov 2008 EP
001057392-0001 Dec 2008 EP
001223457-0002 Jun 2010 EP
001720590-0001 Jun 2010 EP
001781188-0001 Nov 2010 EP
001259204-0001 Feb 2011 EP
001828070-0001 Feb 2011 EP
001295182-0001 Sep 2011 EP
001914029-0004 Sep 2011 EP
001920018-0004 Sep 2011 EP
002041764-0001 May 2012 EP
002074989-0001 Jul 2012 EP
002079673-0001 Jul 2012 EP
2494532 Sep 2012 EP
002143784-0002 Nov 2012 EP
002163360-0001 Jan 2013 EP
002177667-0001 Feb 2013 EP
002242800-0001 May 2013 EP
002278887-0001 Jul 2013 EP
002293415-0002 Aug 2013 EP
002440198-0001 Apr 2014 EP
002465476-0002 May 2014 EP
1177905 Jun 2003 JP
1203574 Apr 2004 JP
1220720 Oct 2004 JP
1333401 Jun 2008 JP
1348157 Jan 2009 JP
1400836 Nov 2010 JP
1422635 Sep 2011 JP
1463123 Feb 2013 JP
1491697 Mar 2013 JP
1386160 Apr 2013 JP
1471658 Jun 2013 JP
1475417 Jul 2013 JP
1477025 Aug 2013 JP
1477336 Aug 2013 JP
1400674 Oct 2013 JP
1498774 Jun 2014 JP
DM053972 Nov 2000 WO
DM058681 Nov 2001 WO
DM059634 Mar 2002 WO
DM066764 May 2005 WO
DM074389 Sep 2010 WO
DM074708 Nov 2010 WO
DM075611 Dec 2010 WO
DM075517 Feb 2011 WO
2011051022 May 2011 WO
DM076583 May 2011 WO
DM078408 Nov 2011 WO
DM079061 Feb 2012 WO
DM078643 Jun 2012 WO
DM078737 Jul 2012 WO
DM079877 Dec 2012 WO
DM081654 Aug 2013 WO
DM082066 Oct 2013 WO
DM083551 Feb 2014 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (7)
Entry
Int'l Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/IB2014/002752 dated Apr. 10, 2015.
Automated Home, Case Study: UK Z-Wave Home Automation Setup, www.automatedhome.co.uk/installaton/case-study-uk-z-wave-home-automation-setup.html (13 pages), Jun. 17, 2014.
The Online Architecture and Design Exhibition, Interface Module for Home Automation System—EXB-REL8—AMX—Videos, www.archiexpo.com/prod/amx/interface-module-home-automation-systems-51274-1065061.html (18 pages), Jun. 17, 2014.
Graves on SOHO Technology, Vera Home Automation, Michael Graves, Oct. 23, 2008, www.mgraves.org/2008/10/vera-home-automation/ (6 pages), Jun. 17, 2014.
TaHomA—Home Motion by Somfy, Somfy Systems, Creator of TaHomA, the New Home Control System, www.somfytahoma.com/home-automation-products/home-automation-controllers-products/home-automation-somfy--tahoma-controller (3 pages), Jun. 17, 2014.
Introduction to X10 Home Automation Technology, by Tony Northrup, Jan. 10, 2005, www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/network/2005101/10/x10—hmhck.html (5 pages), Jun. 17, 2014.
Wireless Leakage Sensor URL: http://smarthome01.com/2014/03/03/wireless-leakage-sensor/.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20150084765 A1 Mar 2015 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
61881808 Sep 2013 US