SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING ANOMALIES IN A HAZARD DETECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

Systems and methods for detecting anomalies in a hazard detection system are described herein. When an anomaly is detected, the system can earmark the presence of the detected anomaly with a flag or other notification, and announce the existence of the anomaly to a user.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent specification relates to systems and methods for detecting anomalies in a hazard detection system.

BACKGROUND

Hazard detection systems, such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as systems for detecting other conditions have been used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings for safety and security considerations.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods for detecting anomalies in a hazard detection system are described herein. When an anomaly is detected, the system can earmark the presence of the detected anomaly with a flag or other notification, and announce the existence of the anomaly to a user.

In one embodiment, a method for alerting a detected presence of an anomaly in a hazard detection device is provided. The method includes initiating a boot of circuitry that enables a first set of features that are not essential to hazard detecting functionality of the hazard detection device, wherein the boot is based on content stored in a non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of portions, including a failure variable portion, performing a status check operation on at least a first one of the plurality of portions, and determining whether the status check passed. If the status check passed, assessing whether the failure variable portion comprises a detected anomaly, notifying existence of the detected anomaly if the assessment is true, and continuing with the boot if the assessment is false. If the status check did not pass, programming the detected anomaly to the failure variable portion, and notifying existence of the detected anomaly.

In another embodiment, a hazard detection device is provided. The hazard detection device includes a plurality of sensors, non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of portions, including a failure variable portion, a first processor coupled to the plurality of sensors and operative to monitor the sensors for a hazard condition, and a second processor coupled to the first processor and operative to power cycle ON and OFF. When the second processor powers ON, the second processor is operative to boot from the non-volatile memory, determine whether a detected anomaly is stored in the failure variable portion, enable operation of a first set of features if there is no detected anomaly stored in the failure variable portion, and emit an audible message if the detected anomaly is stored in the failure variable portion.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the embodiments discussed herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an enclosure with a hazard detection system, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative block diagram of a hazard detection system being used in an illustrative enclosure, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative block diagram showing various components of a hazard detection system working together to provide multi-criteria alarming and pre-alarming functionality, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 shows an illustrative schematic of a hazard detection system, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows an illustrative process for handling a detected anomaly according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6A shows an illustrative schematic of contents contained in non-volatile memory according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6B shows an a more detailed illustrative schematic of a portion of the non-volatile memory of FIG. 6A, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative process that may be implemented by a hazard detection system when storing existence of a detected anomaly in non-volatile memory according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 8 shows an illustrative process of handling a detected anomaly, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that these various embodiments are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure.

In addition, for clarity purposes, not all of the routine features of the embodiments described herein are shown or described. One of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous embodiment-specific decisions may be required to achieve specific design objectives. These design objectives will vary from one embodiment to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine engineering undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

It is to be appreciated that while one or more hazard detection embodiments are described further herein in the context of being used in a residential home, such as a single-family residential home, the scope of the present teachings is not so limited. More generally, hazard detection systems are applicable to a wide variety of enclosures such as, for example, duplexes, townhomes, multi-unit apartment buildings, hotels, retail stores, office buildings, and industrial buildings. Further, it is understood that while the terms user, customer, installer, homeowner, occupant, guest, tenant, landlord, repair person, and the like may be used to refer to the person or persons who are interacting with the hazard detector in the context of one or more scenarios described herein, these references are by no means to be considered as limiting the scope of the present teachings with respect to the person or persons who are performing such actions. It should be further understood that some embodiments discussed herein may be executed within devices other than hazard detection systems. For example, the embodiments discussed herein may be implemented in any suitable smart home device such as, for example, a thermostat or a security system.

After a product ships, it may experience anomalies that were unknown at the time of shipment. These anomalies may exist in hardware or software or both hardware and software. These anomalies may be rare and hard for a user to detect, but have the potential to affect certain operations of the system. Embodiments discussed herein maintain persistent knowledge of the anomaly and alert the user using one or more of visual clues and an audible message.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary enclosure 100 using hazard detection system 105, remote hazard detection system 107, thermostat 110, remote thermostat 112, heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) system 120, router 122, computer 124, and central panel 130 in accordance with some embodiments. Enclosure 100 can be, for example, a single-family dwelling, a duplex, an apartment within an apartment building, a warehouse, or a commercial structure such as an office or retail store. Hazard detection system 105 can be battery powered, line powered, or line powered with a battery backup. Hazard detection system 105 can include one or more processors, multiple sensors, non-volatile storage, and other circuitry to provide desired safety monitoring and user interface features. Some user interface features may only be available in line powered embodiments due to physical limitations and power constraints. In addition, some features common to both line and battery powered embodiments may be implemented differently. Hazard detection system 105 can include the following components: low power wireless personal area network (6LoWPAN) circuitry, a system processor, a safety processor, non-volatile memory (e.g., Flash), WiFi circuitry, an ambient light sensor (ALS), a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a noise sensor, one or more ultrasonic sensors, a passive infra-red (PIR) sensor, a speaker, one or more light emitting diodes (LED's), and an alarm buzzer.

Hazard detection system 105 can monitor environmental conditions associated with enclosure 100 and alarm occupants when an environmental condition exceeds a predetermined threshold. The monitored conditions can include, for example, smoke, heat, humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, radon, and other gasses. In addition to monitoring the safety of the environment, hazard detection system 105 can provide several user interface features not found in conventional alarm systems. These user interface features can include, for example, vocal alarms, voice setup instructions, cloud communications (e.g. push monitored data to the cloud, or push notifications to a mobile telephone, or receive software updates from the cloud), device-to-device communications (e.g., communicate with other hazard detection systems in the enclosure, including the communication of software updates between hazard detection systems), visual safety indicators (e.g., display of a green light indicates it is safe and display of a red light indicates danger), tactile and non-tactile input command processing, and software updates.

Hazard detection system 105 can implement multi-criteria state machines according to various embodiments described herein to provide advanced hazard detection and advanced user interface features such as pre-alarms. In addition, the multi-criteria state machines can manage alarming states and pre-alarming states and can include one or more sensor state machines that can control the alarming states and one or more system state machines that control the pre-alarming states. Each state machine can transition among any one of its states based on sensor data values, hush events, and transition conditions. The transition conditions can define how a state machine transitions from one state to another, and ultimately, how hazard detection system 105 operates. Hazard detection system 105 can use a dual processor arrangement to execute the multi-criteria state machines according to various embodiments. The dual processor arrangement may enable hazard detection system 105 to manage the alarming and pre-alarming states in a manner that uses minimal power while simultaneously providing relatively failsafe hazard detection and alarming functionalities. Additional details of the various embodiments of hazard detection system 105 are discussed below.

Enclosure 100 can include any number of hazard detection systems. For example, as shown, hazard detection system 107 is another hazard detection system, which may be similar to system 105. In one embodiment, both systems 105 and 107 can be battery powered systems. In another embodiment, system 105 may be line powered, and system 107 may be battery powered. Moreover, a hazard detection system can be installed outside of enclosure 100.

Thermostat 110 can be one of several thermostats that may control HVAC system 120. Thermostat 110 can be referred to as the “primary” thermostat because it may be electrically connected to actuate all or part of an HVAC system, by virtue of an electrical connection to HVAC control wires (e.g. W, G, Y, etc.) leading to HVAC system 120. Thermostat 110 can include one or more sensors to gather data from the environment associated with enclosure 100. For example, a sensor may be used to detect occupancy, temperature, light and other environmental conditions within enclosure 100. Remote thermostat 112 can be referred to as an “auxiliary” thermostat because it may not be electrically connected to actuate HVAC system 120, but it too may include one or more sensors to gather data from the environment associated with enclosure 100 and can transmit data to thermostat 110 via a wired or wireless link. For example, thermostat 112 can wirelessly communicate with and cooperates with thermostat 110 for improved control of HVAC system 120. Thermostat 112 can provide additional temperature data indicative of its location within enclosure 100, provide additional occupancy information, or provide another user interface for the user (e.g., to adjust a temperature setpoint).

Hazard detection systems 105 and 107 can communicate with thermostat 110 or thermostat 112 via a wired or wireless link. For example, hazard detection system 105 can wirelessly transmit its monitored data (e.g., temperature and occupancy detection data) to thermostat 110 so that it is provided with additional data to make better informed decisions in controlling HVAC system 120. Moreover, in some embodiments, data may be transmitted from one or more of thermostats 110 and 112 to one or more of hazard detections systems 105 and 107 via a wired or wireless link.

Central panel 130 can be part of a security system or other master control system of enclosure 100. For example, central panel 130 may be a security system that may monitor windows and doors for break-ins, and monitor data provided by motion sensors. In some embodiments, central panel 130 can also communicate with one or more of thermostats 110 and 112 and hazard detection systems 105 and 107. Central panel 130 may perform these communications via wired link, wireless link, or a combination thereof. For example, if smoke is detected by hazard detection system 105, central panel 130 can be alerted to the presence of smoke and make the appropriate notification, such as displaying an indicator that a particular zone within enclosure 100 is experiencing a hazard condition.

Enclosure 100 may further include a private network accessible both wirelessly and through wired connections and may also be referred to as a Local Area Network or LAN. Network devices on the private network can include hazard detection systems 105 and 107, thermostats 110 and 112, computer 124, and central panel 130. In one embodiment, the private network is implemented using router 122, which can provide routing, wireless access point functionality, firewall and multiple wired connection ports for connecting to various wired network devices, such as computer 124. Wireless communications between router 122 and networked devices can be performed using an 802.11 protocol. Router 122 can further provide network devices access to a public network, such as the Internet or the Cloud, through a cable-modem, DSL modem and an Internet service provider or provider of other public network services. Public networks like the Internet are sometimes referred to as a Wide-Area Network or WAN.

Access to the Internet, for example, may enable networked devices such as system 105 or thermostat 110 to communicate with a device or server remote to enclosure 100. The remote server or remote device can host an account management program that manages various networked devices contained within enclosure 100. For example, in the context of hazard detection systems according to embodiments discussed herein, system 105 can periodically upload data to the remote server via router 122. In addition, if a hazard event is detected, the remote server or remote device can be notified of the event after system 105 communicates the notice via router 122. Similarly, system 105 can receive data (e.g., commands or software updates) from the account management program via router 122.

Hazard detection system 105 can operate in one of several different power consumption modes. Each mode can be characterized by the features performed by system 105 and the configuration of system 105 to consume different amounts of power. Each power consumption mode corresponds to a quantity of power consumed by hazard detection system 105, and the quantity of power consumed can range from a lowest quantity to a highest quantity. One of the power consumption modes corresponds to the lowest quantity of power consumption, and another power consumption mode corresponds to the highest quantity of power consumption, and all other power consumption modes fall somewhere between the lowest and the highest quantities of power consumption. Examples of power consumption modes can include an Idle mode, a Log Update mode, a Software Update mode, an Alarm mode, a Pre-Alarm mode, a Hush mode, and a Night Light mode. These power consumption modes are merely illustrative and are not meant to be limiting. Additional or fewer power consumption modes may exist. Moreover, any definitional characterization of the different modes described herein is not meant to be all inclusive, but rather, is meant to provide a general context of each mode.

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative block diagram of hazard detection system 205 being used in an illustrative enclosure 200 in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 2 also shows optional hazard detection system 207 and router 222. Hazard detection systems 205 and 207 can be similar to hazard detection systems 105 and 107 in FIG. 1, enclosure 200 can be similar to enclosure 100 in FIG. 1, and router 222 can be similar to router 122 in FIG. 1. Hazard detection system 205 can include several components, including system processor 210, high-power wireless communications circuitry 212 and antenna, low-power wireless communications circuitry 214 and antenna, non-volatile memory 216, speaker 218, sensors 220, which can include one or more safety sensors 221 and one or more non-safety sensors 222, safety processor 230, alarm 234, power source 240, power conversion circuitry 242, high quality power circuitry 243, and power gating circuitry 244. Hazard detection system 205 may be operative to provide failsafe safety detection features and user interface features using circuit topology and power budgeting methods that may minimize power consumption.

Hazard detection system 205 can use a bifurcated processor circuit topology for handling the features of system 205. Both system processor 210 and safety processor 230 can exist on the same circuit board within system 205, but perform different tasks. System processor 210 is a larger more capable processor that can consume more power than safety processor 230. That is, when both processors 210 and 230 are active, processor 210 consumes more power than processor 230. Similarly, when both processors are inactive, processor 210 may consume more power than processor 230. System processor 210 can be operative to process user interface features. For example, processor 210 can direct wireless data traffic on both high and low power wireless communications circuitries 212 and 214, access non-volatile memory 216, communicate with processor 230, and cause audio to be emitted from speaker 218. As another example, processor 210 can monitor data acquired by one or more sensors 220 to determine whether any actions need to be taken (e.g., shut off a blaring alarm in response to a user detected action to hush the alarm).

Safety processor 230 can be operative to handle safety related tasks of system 205, or other types of tasks that involve monitoring environmental conditions (such as temperature, humidity, smoke, carbon monoxide, movement, light intensity, etc.) exterior to the hazard detection system 205. Safety processor 230 can poll one or more of sensors 220 and activate alarm 234 when one or more of sensors 220 indicate a hazard event is detected. Processor 230 can operate independently of processor 210 and can activate alarm 234 regardless of what state processor 210 is in. For example, if processor 210 is performing an active function (e.g., performing a WiFi update) or is shut down due to power constraints, processor 230 can activate alarm 234 when a hazard event is detected. In some embodiments, the software running on processor 230 may be permanently fixed and may never be updated via a software or firmware update after system 205 leaves the factory. In other embodiments, processor 230 may be updated when system 205 is in the field.

Compared to processor 210, processor 230 is a less power consuming processor. Thus by using processor 230 in lieu of processor 210 to monitor a subset of sensors 220 yields a power savings. If processor 210 were to constantly monitor sensors 220, the power savings may not be realized. In addition to the power savings realized by using processor 230 for monitoring the subset of sensors 220, bifurcating the processors also ensures that the safety monitoring and core monitoring and alarming features of system 205 will operate regardless of whether processor 210 is functioning. By way of example and not by way of limitation, system processor 210 may comprise a relatively high-powered processor such as Freescale Semiconductor K60 Microcontroller, while safety processor 230 may comprise a relatively low-powered processor such as a Freescale Semiconductor KL15 Microcontroller. Overall operation of hazard detection system 205 entails a judiciously architected functional overlay of system processor 210 and safety processor 230, with system processor 210 performing selected higher-level, advanced functions that may not have been conventionally associated with hazard detection units (for example: more advanced user interface and communications functions; various computationally-intensive algorithms to sense patterns in user behavior or patterns in ambient conditions; algorithms for governing, for example, the brightness of an LED night light as a function of ambient brightness levels; algorithms for governing, for example, the sound level of an onboard speaker for home intercom functionality; algorithms for governing, for example, the issuance of voice commands to users; algorithms for uploading logged data to a central server; algorithms for establishing network membership; algorithms for facilitating updates to the programmed functionality of one or more elements of the hazard detection system 205 such as the safety processor 230, the high power wireless communications circuitry 212, the low power wireless communications circuitry 214, the system processor 210 itself, etc., and so forth), and with safety processor 230 performing the more basic functions that may have been more conventionally associated with hazard detection units (e.g., smoke and CO monitoring, actuation of shrieking/buzzer alarms upon alarm detection). By way of example and not by way of limitation, system processor 210 may consume on the order of 18 mW when it is in a relatively high-power active state and performing one or more of its assigned advanced functionalities, whereas safety processor 230 may only consume on the order of 0.05 mW when it is performing its basic monitoring functionalities. However, again by way of example and not by way of limitation, system processor 210 may consume only on the order of 0.005 mW when in a relatively low-power inactive state, and the advanced functions that it performs are judiciously selected and timed such that the system processor is in the relatively high power active state only about 0.05% of the time, and spends the rest of the time in the relatively low-power inactive state. Safety processor 230, while only requiring an average power draw of 0.05 mW when it is performing its basic monitoring functionalities, should of course be performing its basic monitoring functionalities 100% of the time. According to one or more embodiments, the judiciously architected functional overlay of system processor 210 and safety processor 230 is designed such that hazard detection system 205 can perform basic monitoring and shriek/buzzer alarming for hazard conditions even in the event that system processor 210 is inactivated or incapacitated, by virtue of the ongoing operation of safety processor 230. Therefore, while system processor 210 is configured and programmed to provide many different capabilities for making hazard detection unit 205 an appealing, desirable, updatable, easy-to-use, intelligent, network-connected sensing and communications node for enhancing the smart-home environment, its functionalities are advantageously provided in the sense of an overlay or adjunct to the core safety operations governed by safety processor 230, such that even in the event there are operational issues or problems with system processor 210 and its advanced functionalities, the underlying safety-related purpose and functionality of hazard detector 205 by virtue of the operation of safety processor 230 will continue on, with or without system processor 210 and its advanced functionalities.

High power wireless communications circuitry 212 can be, for example, a Wi-Fi module capable of communicating according to any of the 802.11 protocols. For example, circuitry 212 may be implemented using WiFi part number BCM43362, available from Murata. Depending on an operating mode of system 205, circuitry 212 can operate in a low power “sleep” state or a high power “active” state. For example, when system 205 is in an Idle mode, circuitry 212 can be in the “sleep” state. When system 205 is in a non-Idle mode such as a Wi-Fi update mode, software update mode, or alarm mode, circuitry 212 can be in an “active” state. For example, when system 205 is in an active alarm mode, high power circuitry 212 may communicate with router 222 so that a message can be sent to a remote server or device.

Low power wireless communications circuitry 214 can be a low power Wireless Personal Area Network (6LoWPAN) module or a ZigBee module capable of communicating according to an 802.15.4 protocol. For example, in one embodiment, circuitry 214 can be part number EM357 SoC available from Silicon Laboratories. Depending on the operating mode of system 205, circuitry 214 can operate in a relatively low power “listen” state or a relatively high power “transmit” state. When system 205 is in the Idle mode, WiFi update mode (which may require use of the high power communication circuitry 212), or software update mode, circuitry 214 can be in the “listen” state. When system 205 is in the Alarm mode, circuitry 214 can transmit data so that the low power wireless communications circuitry in system 207 can receive data indicating that system 205 is alarming. Thus, even though it is possible for high power wireless communications circuitry 212 to be used for listening for alarm events, it can be more power efficient to use low power circuitry 214 for this purpose. Power savings may be further realized when several hazard detection systems or other systems having low power circuitry 214 form an interconnected wireless network.

Power savings may also be realized because in order for low power circuitry 214 to continually listen for data transmitted from other low power circuitry, circuitry 214 may constantly be operating in its “listening” state. This state consumes power, and although it may consume more power than high power circuitry 212 operating in its sleep state, the power saved versus having to periodically activate high power circuitry 214 can be substantial. When high power circuitry 212 is in its active state and low power circuitry 214 is in its transmit state, high power circuitry 212 can consume substantially more power than low power circuitry 214.

In some embodiments, low power wireless communications circuitry 214 can be characterized by its relatively low power consumption and its ability to wirelessly communicate according to a first protocol characterized by relatively low data rates, and high power wireless communications circuitry 212 can be characterized by its relatively high power consumption and its ability to wirelessly communicate according to a second protocol characterized by relatively high data rates. The second protocol can have a much more complicated modulation than the first protocol.

In some embodiments, low power wireless communications circuitry 214 may be a mesh network compatible module that does not require an access point or a router in order to communicate to devices in a network. Mesh network compatibility can include provisions that enable mesh network compatible modules to keep track of other nearby mesh network compatible modules so that data can be passed through neighboring modules. Mesh network compatibility is essentially the hallmark of the 802.15.4 protocol. In contrast, high power wireless communications circuitry 212 is not a mesh network compatible module and requires an access point or router in order to communicate to devices in a network. Thus, if a first device having circuitry 212 wants to communicate data to another device having circuitry 212, the first device has to communicate with the router, which then transmits the data to the second device. In some embodiments, circuitry 212 can be used to communicate directly with another device that has circuitry 212.

Non-volatile memory 216 can be any suitable permanent memory storage such as, for example, NAND Flash, a hard disk drive, NOR, ROM, or phase change memory. In one embodiment, non-volatile memory 216 can store audio clips that can be played back by speaker 218. The audio clips can include installation instructions or warnings in one or more languages. Speaker 218 can be any suitable speaker operable to playback sounds or audio files. Speaker 218 can include an amplifier (not shown).

Sensors 220 can be monitored by safety processor 230 (and, in some embodiments, system processor 210), and can include safety sensors 221 and non-safety sensors 222. One or more of sensors 220 may be exclusively monitored by one of system processor 210 and safety processor 230. As defined herein, monitoring a sensor refers to a processor's ability to acquire data from that monitored sensor. That is, one particular processor may be responsible for acquiring sensor data, and possibly storing it in a sensor log, but once the data is acquired, it can be made available to another processor either in the form of logged data or real-time data. For example, in one embodiment, system processor 210 may monitor one of non-safety sensors 222, but safety processor 230 cannot monitor that same non-safety sensor. In another embodiment, safety processor 230 may monitor each of the safety sensors 221, but may provide the acquired sensor data (or some information indicative of the acquired sensor data) to system processor 210.

Safety sensors 221 can include sensors necessary for ensuring that hazard detection system 205 can monitor its environment for hazardous conditions and alert users when hazardous conditions are detected, and all other sensors not necessary for detecting a hazardous condition are non-safety sensors 222. In some embodiments, safety sensors 221 include only those sensors necessary for detecting a hazardous condition. For example, if the hazardous condition includes smoke and fire, then the safety sensors might only include a smoke sensor and at least one heat sensor. Other sensors, such as non-safety sensors, could be included as part of system 205, but might not be needed to detect smoke or fire. As another example, if the hazardous condition includes carbon monoxide, then the safety sensor might be a carbon monoxide sensor, and no other sensor might be needed to perform this task.

Thus, sensors deemed necessary can vary based on the functionality and features of hazard detection system 205. In one embodiment, hazard detection system 205 can be a combination smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide alarm system. In such an embodiment, detection system 205 can include the following safety sensors 221: a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor, and one or more heat sensors. Smoke detectors can detect smoke and typically use optical detection, ionization, or air sampling techniques. A CO sensor can detect the presence of carbon monoxide gas, which, in the home, is typically generated by open flames, space heaters, water heaters, blocked chimneys, and automobiles. The material used in electrochemical CO sensors typically has a 5-7 year lifespan. Thus, after a 5-7 year period has expired, the CO sensor should be replaced. A heat sensor can be a thermistor, which is a type of resistor whose resistance varies based on temperature. Thermistors can include negative temperature coefficient (NTC) type thermistors or positive temperature coefficient (PTC) type thermistors. Furthermore, in this embodiment, detection system 205 can include the following non-safety sensors 222: a humidity sensor, an ambient light sensor, a push-button sensor, a passive infra-red (PIR) sensor, and one or more ultrasonic sensors. A temperature and humidity sensor can provide relatively accurate readings of temperature and relative humidity. An ambient light sensor (ALS) can detect ambient light and the push-button sensor can be a switch, for example, that detects a user's press of the switch. A PIR sensor can be used for various motion detection features. A PIR sensor can measure infrared light radiating from objects in its field of view. Ultrasonic sensors can be used to detect the presence of an object. Such sensors can generate high frequency sound waves and determine which wave(s) are received back by the sensor. Sensors 220 can be mounted to a printed circuit board (e.g., the same board that processors 210 and 230 may be mounted to), a flexible printed circuit board, a housing of system 205, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, data acquired from one or more non-safety sensors 222 can be acquired by the same processor used to acquire data from one or more safety sensors 221. For example, safety processor 230 may be operative to monitor both safety and non-safety sensors 221 and 222 for power savings reasons, as discussed above. Although safety processor 230 may not need any of the data acquired from non-safety sensor 222 to perform its hazard monitoring and alerting functions, the non-safety sensor data can be utilized to provide enhanced hazard system 205 functionality. The enhanced functionality can be realized in alarming algorithms according to various embodiments discussed herein. For example, the non-sensor data can be utilized by system processor 210 to implement system state machines that may interface with one or more sensor state machines, all of which are discussed in more detail below in connection with the description accompanying FIG. 3 and in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0022367.

Alarm 234 can be any suitable alarm that alerts users in the vicinity of system 205 of the presence of a hazard condition. Alarm 234 can also be activated during testing scenarios. Alarm 234 can be a piezo-electric buzzer, for example.

Power source 240 can supply power to enable operation of system 205 and can include any suitable source of energy. Embodiments discussed herein can include AC line powered, battery powered, a combination of AC line powered with a battery backup, and externally supplied DC power (e.g., USB supplied power). Embodiments that use AC line power, AC line power with battery backup, or externally supplied DC power may be subject to different power conservation constraints than battery only embodiments. Battery powered embodiments are designed to manage power consumption of its finite energy supply such that hazard detection system 205 operates for a minimum period of time. In some embodiments, the minimum period of time can be one (1) year, three (3) years, or seven (7) years. In other embodiments, the minimum period of time can be at least seven (7) years, eight (8) years, nine (9) years, or ten (10) years. Line powered embodiments are not as constrained because their energy supply is virtually unlimited. Line powered with battery backup embodiments may employ power conservation methods to prolong the life of the backup battery.

In battery only embodiments, power source 240 can include one or more batteries or a battery pack. The batteries can be constructed from different compositions (e.g., alkaline or lithium iron disulfide) and different end-user configurations (e.g., permanent, user replaceable, or non-user replaceable) can be used. In one embodiment, six cells of Li—FeS₂ can be arranged in two stacks of three. Such an arrangement can yield about 27000 mWh of total available power for system 205.

Power conversion circuitry 242 includes circuitry that converts power from one level to another. Multiple instances of power conversion circuitry 242 may be used to provide the different power levels needed for the components within system 205. One or more instances of power conversion circuitry 242 can be operative to convert a signal supplied by power source 240 to a different signal. Such instances of power conversion circuitry 242 can exist in the form of buck converters or boost converters. For example, alarm 234 may require a higher operating voltage than high power wireless communications circuitry 212, which may require a higher operating voltage than processor 210, such that all required voltages are different than the voltage supplied by power source 240. Thus, as can be appreciated in this example, at least three different instances of power conversion circuitry 242 are required.

High quality power circuitry 243 is operative to condition a signal supplied from a particular instance of power conversion circuitry 242 (e.g., a buck converter) to another signal. High quality power circuitry 243 may exist in the form of a low-dropout regulator. The low-dropout regulator may be able to provide a higher quality signal than that provided by power conversion circuitry 242. Thus, certain components may be provided with “higher” quality power than other components. For example, certain safety sensors 221 such as smoke detectors and CO sensors may require a relatively stable voltage in order to operate properly.

Power gating circuitry 244 can be used to selectively couple and de-couple components from a power bus. De-coupling a component from a power bus insures that the component does not incur any quiescent current loss, and therefore can extend battery life beyond that which it would be if the component were not so de-coupled from the power bus. Power gating circuitry 244 can be a switch such as, for example, a MOSFET transistor. Even though a component is de-coupled from a power bus and does not incur any current loss, power gating circuitry 244 itself may consume a finite amount of power. This finite power consumption, however, is less than the quiescent power loss of the component.

It is understood that although hazard detection system 205 is described as having two separate processors, system processor 210 and safety processor 230, which may provide certain advantages as described hereinabove and hereinbelow, including advantages with regard to power consumption as well as with regard to survivability of core safety monitoring and alarming in the event of advanced feature provision issues, it is not outside the scope of the present teachings for one or more of the various embodiments discussed herein to be executed by one processor or by more than two processors.

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative block diagram showing various components of hazard detection system 300 working together to provide multi-criteria alarming and pre-alarming functionalities according to various embodiments. As shown, system 300 can include sensor data 302, hush detection events 304, transition conditions 306, threshold adjustment parameter 307, multi-criteria state machines 310, clock 312, other states 320, alarming states 330, pre-alarming states 340, alarm 350, display 352, and speaker 354. Also shown are several communication links 370, each of which may have unidirectional or bidirectional data and/or signal communications capabilities. Multi-criteria state machines 310 can control alarming states 330, pre-alarming states 340, and all other state machine states 320 based on sensor data 302, hush detection events 304, transition conditions 306, clock 312, and other criteria, and alarming and pre-alarming states 330 and 340 can control the output of alarm 350, display 352, and speaker 354. Alarming states 330 can include multiple alarming states (e.g., one for each hazard, such as smoke alarming state 331, CO alarming state 332, and heat alarming state 333) and pre-alarming states 340 can include multiple pre-alarming states (e.g., one or more for each hazard, such as smoke pre-alarming state 341 and CO pre-alarming state 342. Other states can include, for example, idling states, monitoring states, alarm hushing states, pre-alarm hushing states, post-alarm states, holding states, and alarm monitoring states.

Alarming states 330 can control activation and deactivation of alarm 350 and display 352 in response to determinations made by multi-criteria state machines 310. Alarm 350 can provide audible cues (e.g., in the form of buzzer beeps) that a dangerous condition is present. Display 352 can provide a visual cue (e.g., such as flashing light or change in color) that a dangerous condition is present. If desired, alarming states 330 can control playback of messages over speaker 354 in conjunction with the audible and/or visual cues. For example, combined usage of alarm 350 and speaker 354 can repeat the following sequence: “BEEP, BEEP, BEEP—Smoke Detected In Bedroom—BEEP BEEP BEEP,” where the “BEEPS” emanate from alarm 350 and “smoke detected in bedroom” emanates from speaker 354. As another example, usage of alarm 350 and speaker 354 can repeat the following sequence: “BEEP, BEEP, BEEP—Wave to Hush Alarm—BEEP BEEP BEEP,” in which speaker 354 is used to provide alarming hush instructions. Any one of the alarming states 330 (e.g., smoke alarm state 331, CO alarm state 332, and heat alarm state 333) can independently control alarm 350 and/or display 352 and/or speaker 354. In some embodiments, alarming states 330 can cause alarm 350 or display 352 or speaker 354 to emit different cues based on which specific alarm state is active. For example, if a smoke alarm state is active, alarm 350 may emit a sound having a first characteristic, but if a CO alarm state is active, alarm 350 may emit a sound having a second characteristic. In other embodiments, alarming states 330 can cause alarm 350 and display 352 and speaker 354 to emit the same cue regardless of which specific alarm state is active.

Pre-alarming states 340 can control activation and deactivation of speaker 354 and display 352 in response to determinations made by multi-criteria state machines 310. Pre-alarming can serve as a warning that a dangerous condition may be imminent. Speaker 354 may be utilized to playback voice warnings that a dangerous condition may be imminent. Different pre-alarm messages may be played back over speaker 354 for each type of detected pre-alarm event. For example, if a smoke pre-alarm state is active, a smoke related message may be played back over speaker 354. If a CO pre-alarm state is active, a CO related message may be played back. Furthermore, different messages may be played back for each one of the multiple pre-alarms associated with each hazard (e.g., smoke and CO). For example, the smoke hazard may have two associated pre-alarms, one associated with a first smoke pre-alarming state (e.g., suggesting that an alarming state may be moderately imminent) and another one associated with a second smoke pre-alarming state (e.g., suggesting that an alarming state may be highly imminent). Pre-alarm messages may also include voice instructions on how to hush pre-alarm messages. Display 352 may also be utilized in a similar fashion to provide visual cues of an imminent alarming state. In some embodiments, the pre-alarm messages can specify the location of the pre-alarming conditions. For example, if hazard system 300 knows it is located in the bedroom, it can incorporate the location in the pre-alarm message: “Smoke Detected In Bedroom.”

Hazard detection system 300 can enforce alarm and pre-alarm priorities depending on which conditions are present. For example, if elevated smoke and CO conditions exist at the same time, the smoke alarm state and/or pre-alarm smoke state may take precedence over the CO alarm state and/or CO pre-alarm state. If a user silences the smoke alarm or smoke pre-alarm, and the CO alarm state or CO pre-alarm state is still active, system 300 may provide an indication (e.g., a voice notification) that a CO alarm or pre-alarm has also been silenced. If a smoke condition ends and the CO alarm or pre-alarm is event is still active, the CO alarm or pre-alarm may be presented to the user.

Multi-criteria state machines 310 can transition to an idling state when it determines that relatively little or no dangerous conditions exist. The idling state can enforce a relatively low level of hazard detection system activity. For example, in the idle state, the data sampling rates of one or more sensors may be set at relatively slow intervals. Multi-criteria state machines 310 can transition to a monitoring state when it determines that sensor data values have risen to a level that warrants closer scrutiny, but not to a level that transitions to a pre-alarming or alarming state. The monitoring state can enforce a relatively high level of hazard detection system activity. For example, the data sampling rates of one or more sensors may be set at relatively fast intervals. In addition, the data sampling rates of one or more sensors may be set at relatively fast intervals for alarming states 330, pre-alarming states 340, or both.

Alarm hushing and pre-alarm hushing states may refer to a user-instructed deactivation of an alarm or a pre-alarm. For example, in one embodiment, a user can press a button (not shown) to silence an alarm or pre-alarm. In another embodiment, a user can perform a hush gesture in the presence of the hazard detection system. A hush gesture can be a user initiated action in which he or she performs a gesture (e.g., a wave motion) in the vicinity of system 300 with the intent to turn off or silence a blaring alarm. One or more ultrasonic sensors, a PIR sensor, or a combination thereof can be used to detect this gesture.

Post-alarming states may refer to states that multi-criteria state machines 310 can transition to after having been in one of alarming states 330 or one of pre-alarming states 340. In one post-alarming state, hazard detection system 300 can provide an “all clear” message to indicate that the alarm or pre-alarm condition is no longer present. This can be especially useful, for example, for CO because humans cannot detect CO. Another post-alarming state can be a holding state, which can serve as a system debounce state. This state can prevent hazard detection system 300 from immediately transitioning back to a pre-alarming state 340 after having just transitioned from an alarming state 330.

Multi-criteria state machines 310 can include several different state machines: sensor state machines and system state machines. Each state machine can be associated with a particular hazard such as, for example, a smoke hazard, a carbon monoxide hazard, or a heat hazard, and the multi-criteria state machines may leverage data acquired by one or more sensors in managing detection of a hazard. In some embodiments, a sensor state machine can be implemented for each hazard. In other embodiments, a system state machine may be implemented for each hazard or a subset of hazards. The sensor state machines can be responsible for controlling relatively basic hazard detection system functions and the system state machines can be responsible for controlling relatively advanced hazard detection system functions. In managing detection of a hazard, each sensor state machine and each system state machine can transition among any one of its states based on sensor data 302, hush events 304, and transition conditions 306. A hush event can be a user initiated command to hush, for example, a sounding alarm or pre-alarm voice instruction.

Transition conditions 306 can include a myriad of different conditions that may define how a state machine transitions from one state to another. Each state machine can have its own set of transition conditions, and examples of state machine specific transition conditions can be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0022367. The conditions can define thresholds that may be compared against any one or more of the following inputs: sensor data values, time clocks, and user interaction events (e.g., hush events). State change transitions can be governed by relatively simple conditions (e.g., single-criteria conditions), or relatively complex conditions (e.g., multi-criteria conditions). Single-criteria conditions may compare one input to one threshold. For example, a simple condition can be a comparison between a sensor data value and a threshold. If the sensor data value equals or exceeds the threshold, the state change transition may be executed. In contrast, a multi-criteria condition can be a comparison of one or more inputs to one or more thresholds. For example, a multi-criteria condition can be a comparison between a first sensor value and a first threshold and a comparison between a second sensor value and a second threshold. In some embodiments, both comparisons would need to be satisfied in order to effect a state change transition. In other embodiments, only one of the comparisons would need to be satisfied in order to effect a state change transition. As another example, a multi-criteria condition can be a comparison between a time clock and a time threshold and a comparison between a sensor value and a threshold.

In some embodiments, the threshold for a particular transition condition can be adjusted. Such thresholds are referred to herein as adjustable thresholds (e.g., shown as part of transition conditions 306). The adjustable threshold can be changed in response to threshold adjustment parameter 307, which may be provided, for example, by an alarm threshold setting module according to an embodiment. Adjustable thresholds can be selected from one of at least two different selectable thresholds, and any suitable selection criteria can be used to select the appropriate threshold for the adjustable threshold. In one embodiment, the selection criteria can include several single-criteria conditions or a multi-criteria condition. In another embodiment, if the adjustable threshold is compared to sensor values of a first sensor, the selection criteria can include an analysis of at least one sensor other than the first sensor. In another embodiment, the adjustable threshold can be the threshold used in a smoke alarm transition condition, and the adjustable threshold can be selected from one of three different thresholds.

In some embodiments, the threshold for a particular transition condition can be a learned condition threshold (not shown). The learned condition threshold can be the result of a difference function, which may subtract a constant from an initial threshold. The constant can be changed, if desired, based on any suitable number of criteria, including, for example, heuristics, field report data, software updates, user preferences, device settings, etc. Changing the constant can provide a mechanism for changing the transition condition for one or more states (e.g., a pre-alarming state). This constant can be provided to transition conditions 306 to make adjustments to the learned condition threshold. In one embodiment, the constant can be selected based on installation and setup of hazard detection system 300. For example, the home owner can indicate that hazard detection system 300 has been installed in a particular room of an enclosure. Depending on which room it is, system 300 can select an appropriate constant. For example, a first constant can be selected if the room is a bedroom and a second constant can be selected if the room is a kitchen. The first constant may be a value that makes hazard detection system 300 more sensitive to potential hazards than the second constant because the bedroom is in a location that is generally further away from an exit and/or is not generally susceptible to factors that may otherwise cause a false alarm. In contrast, the kitchen, for example, is generally closer to an exit than a bedroom and can generate conditions (e.g., steam or smoke from cooking) that may cause a false alarm. Other installation factors can also be taken into account in selecting the appropriate constant. For example, the home owner can specify that the room is adjacent to a bathroom. Since humidity stemming from a bathroom can cause false alarms, hazard system 300 can select a constant that takes this into account. As another example, the home owner can specify that the room includes a fireplace. Similarly, hazard system 300 can select a constant that takes this factor into account.

In another embodiment, hazard detection system 300 can apply heuristics to self-adjust the constant. For example, conditions may persist that keep triggering pre-alarms, but the conditions do not rise to alarming levels. In response to such persistent pre-alarm triggering, hazard detection system 300 can modify the constant so that the pre-alarms are not so easily triggered. In yet another embodiment, the constant can be changed in response to a software update. For example, a remote server may analyze data acquired from several other hazard detection systems and adjust the constant accordingly, and push the new constant to hazard detection system 300 via a software update. In addition, the remote server can also push down constants based on user settings or user preferences to hazard detection system 300. For example, the home owner may be able to define a limited number of settings by directly interacting with hazard detection system 300. However, the home owner may be able to define an unlimited number of settings by interacting with, for example, a web-based program hosted by the remote server. Based on the settings, the remote server can push down one or more appropriate constants.

The sensor state machines can control alarming states 330 and one or more of other states 320. In particular, smoke sensor state machine 314 can control smoke alarm state 331, CO sensor state machine 316 can control CO alarming state 332, and heat sensor state machine 318 can control heat alarming state 333. For example, smoke sensor state machine 314 may be operative to sound alarm 350 in response to a detected smoke event. As another example, CO sensor state machine 316 can sound alarm 350 in response to a detected CO event. As yet another example, heat sensor state machine 318 can sound alarm 350 in response to a detected heat event. In some embodiments, a sensor state machine can exercise exclusive control over one or more alarming states 330.

The system state machines can control pre-alarming states 340 and one or more of other states 320. In particular, smoke system state machine 315 may control smoke pre-alarm state 341, and CO system state machine 317 may control CO pre-alarm state 342. In some embodiments, each system state machine can manage multiple pre-alarm states. For example, a first pre-alarm state may warn a user that an abnormal condition exists, and a second pre-alarm state may warn the user that the abnormal condition continues to exist. Moreover, each system state machine can manage other states that cannot be managed by the sensor state machines. For example, these other states can include a monitoring state, a pre-alarm hushing state, and post-alarm states such as holding and alarm monitoring states.

The system state machines can co-manage one or more states with sensor state machines. These co-managed states (“shared states”) can exist as states in both system and sensor state machines for a particular hazard. For example, smoke system state machine 315 may share one or more states with smoke sensor state machine 314, and CO system state machine 317 may share one or more states with CO sensor state machine 316. The joint collaboration between system and sensor state machines for a particular hazard is shown by communications link 370, which connects the two state machines. In some embodiments, any state change transition to a shared state may be controlled by the sensor state machine. For example, the alarming state may be a shared state, and anytime a sensor state machine transitions to the alarming state, the system state machine that co-manages states with that sensor state machine may also transition to the alarming state. In some embodiments, shared states can include idling states, alarming states, and alarm hushing states.

FIG. 4 shows an illustrative schematic of hazard detection system 400 according to an embodiment and shows, among other things, signal paths among various components, state machines, and illustrative modules being executed by different processors. System 400 can include system processor 402, safety processor 430, ultrasonic sensors 421, ALS sensor 422, humidity sensor 423, smoke sensor 424, CO sensor 425, temperatures sensors 426, and PIR sensor 427, button 440, LED(s) 442, alarm 444, and speaker 446. System processor 402 can be similar to system processor 210 of FIG. 2. System processor 402 can operate system state machines 404, system state machine module 405, alarm/speaker coordination module 406, hush module 407, trigger adjustment module 410, and sleep/wake module 414. System state machines 404 can access system state machine module 405, alarm/speaker coordination module 406, and hush module 407 in making state change determinations. System processor 402 can receive data values acquired by ultrasonic sensors 421 and other inputs from safety processor 430. System processor 402 may receive data from sensors 422-427, data from sensor log 438, trigger events from trigger module 436, state change events and alarm information from sensor state machines 432, and button press events from button 440.

Safety processor 430 can be similar to safety processor 230 of FIG. 2. Safety processor 430 can operate sensor state machines 432, alarm thresholds 433, trigger module 436, and sensor log 438. Safety processor 430 can control operation of LEDs 442 and alarm 444. Safety processor 430 can receive data values acquired by sensors 422-427 and button 440. All or a portion of acquired sensor data can be provided to sensor state machines 432. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, smoke, CO, and heat sensor data is shown being directly provided to sensor state machines 432. Sensor log 438 can store chunks of acquired data that can be provided to system processor 402 on a periodic basis or in response to an event such as a state change in one of sensor state machines 432 or a trigger event detected by trigger module 436. In addition, in some embodiments, even though the sensor data may be stored in sensor log 438, it can also be provided directly to system processor 402, as shown in FIG. 4.

Alarm thresholds 433 can store the alarming thresholds in a memory (e.g., Flash memory) that is accessible by sensor state machines 432. As discussed above, sensor state machines 432 can compare monitored sensor data values against alarm thresholds 433 that may be stored within safety processor 430 to determine whether a hazard event exists, and upon determining that the hazard event exists, may cause the alarm to sound. Each sensor (e.g., smoke sensor, CO sensor, and heat sensor) may have one or more alarm thresholds. When multiple alarm thresholds are available for a sensor, safety processor 430 may initially select a default alarm threshold, but responsive to an instruction received from system processor 402 (e.g., from Alarm/Pre-Alarm Threshold Setting Module 412), it can select one of the multiple alarm thresholds as the alarm threshold for that sensor. Safety processor 430 may automatically revert back to the default alarm threshold if certain conditions are not met (e.g., a predetermined period of time elapses in which an alarm setting threshold instruction is not received from system processor 402).

Safety processor 430 and/or system processor 402 can monitor button 440 for button press events. Button 440 can be an externally accessible button that can be depressed by a user. For example, a user may press button 440 to test the alarming function or to hush an alarm. Safety processor 430 can control the operation of alarm 444 and LEDs 442. Processor 430 can provide alarm information to alarm/speaker coordination module 406 so that module 406 can coordinate speaker voice notification with alarm sounds. In some embodiments, safety processor 430 is the only processor that controls alarm 444. Safety processor 430 can also receive inputs from system processor 402 such as hush events from hush module 407, trigger band boundary adjustment instructions from trigger adjustment module 410, and change threshold instructions from alarm/pre-alarm threshold setting module 412.

As shown, hazard detection system 400 may use a bifurcated processor arrangement to execute the multi-criteria state machines to control the alarming and pre-alarming states, according to various embodiments. The system state machines can be executed by system processor 402 and the sensor state machines can be executed by safety processor 430. As shown, sensor state machines 432 may reside within safety processor 430. This shows that safety processor 430 can operate sensor state machines such as a smoke sensor state machine, CO sensor state machine, and heat sensor state machine. Thus, the functionality of the sensor state machines (as discussed above) are embodied and executed by safety processor 430. As also shown, system state machines 404 may reside within system processor 402. This shows that system processor 402 can operate system state machines such as a smoke system state machine and a CO system state machine. Thus, the functionality of the system state machines (as discussed above) are embodied and executed by system processor 402.

In the bifurcated approach, safety processor 430 can serve as the “brain stem” of hazard detection system 400 and system processor 402 can serve as the “frontal cortex.” In human terms, even when a person goes to sleep (i.e., the frontal cortex is sleeping) the brain stem maintains basic life functions such as breathing and heart beating. Comparatively speaking, safety processor 430 is always awake and operating; it is constantly monitoring one or more of sensors 422-427, even if system processor 402 is asleep or non-functioning, and managing the sensor state machines of hazard detection system 400. When the person is awake, the frontal cortex is used to processes higher order functions such as thinking and speaking Comparatively speaking, system processor 402 performs higher order functions implemented by system state machines 404, alarm/speaker coordination module 406, hush module 407, trigger adjustment module 410, and alarm/pre-alarm threshold setting module 412. In some embodiments, safety processor 430 can operate autonomously and independently of system processor 402. Thus, in the event system processor 402 is not functioning (e.g., due to low power or other cause), safety processor 430 can still perform its hazard detection and alarming functionality.

The bifurcated processor arrangement may further enable hazard detection system 400 to minimize power consumption by enabling the relatively high power consuming system processor 402 to transition between sleep and non-sleep states while the relatively low power consuming safety processor 430 is maintained in a non-sleep state. To save power, system processor 402 can be kept in the sleep state until one of any number of suitable events occurs that wakes up system processor 402. Sleep/wake module 414 can control the sleep and non-sleep states of system processor 402. Safety processor 430 can instruct sleep/wake module 414 to wake system processor 402 in response to a trigger event (e.g., as detected by trigger module 436) or a state change in sensor state machines 432. Trigger events can occur when a data value associated with a sensor moves out of a trigger band associated with that sensor. A trigger band can define upper and lower boundaries of data values for each sensor and are stored with safety processor 430 in trigger module 436. Trigger module 436 can monitor sensor data values and compare them against the boundaries set for that particular sensor's trigger band. Thus, when a sensor data value moves out of band, trigger module 436 registers this as a trigger event and notifies system processor 402 of the trigger event (e.g., by sending a signal to sleep/wake module 414).

The boundaries of the trigger band can be adjusted by system processor 402, when it is awake, based on an operational state of hazard detection system 400. The operational state can include the states of each of the system and sensor state machines, sensor data values, and other factors. System processor 402 may adjust the boundaries of one or more trigger bands to align with one or more system state machine states before transitioning back to sleep. Thus, by adjusting the boundaries of one or more trigger bands, system processor 402 effectively communicates “wake me” instructions to safety processor 430. The “wake me” instructions can be generated by trigger adjustment module 410 and transmitted to trigger module 436, as shown in FIG. 4. The “wake me” instructions can cause module 436 to adjust a boundary of one or more trigger bands.

FIG. 5 shows an illustrative process 500 for handling a detected anomaly according to an embodiment. Process 500 may begin at step 510 by booting a device such that it is capable of providing enhanced features. The device (e.g., system 200) may be capable of handling different operations at varying times. For example, some “essential” features such as hazard detection (i.e., features provided by safety processor 230) may always be active, but “enhanced” features, such as user interaction features (e.g., playback of audio message or other features provided by system processor 210)) may be used on a more limited basis—primarily to conserve power. Thus, any circuitry that is capable of providing the enhanced features may be kept in a relatively low power state until needed. When the enhanced features are needed, then that circuitry is activated. As part of the activation, a processor and/or other circuitry may need to boot up so that it is provided with the appropriate instructions and data to provide the enhanced features. During boot up, the circuitry may access a non-volatile memory (e.g., non-volatile memory 216). Exemplary contents of the non-volatile memory are discussed below in connection with FIGS. 6A and 6B. The processor and/or other circuitry may continue to access the non-volatile memory after boot up, and thus can continuously check the non-volatile memory to determine whether an anomaly has been previously detected and stored in the non-volatile memory.

At step 520, a determination is made as to whether an anomaly has been detected. The anomaly may be a hardware failure, a software failure, or combination thereof that prevents the device from adequately providing one or more of the enhanced features. If the anomaly has been previously detected, its existence may be permanently stored in the non-volatile memory. In some embodiments, detected presence of the anomaly may be accessible in the non-volatile memory during boot of the non-volatile memory. In other embodiments, the anomaly detection performed at step 520 may be performed each time the non-volatile memory is accessed. If the determination of step 520 is NO, process 500 may proceed with normal operation of the device, as indicated by step 530. However, if the determination of step 520 is YES, the device may operate in a reduced capacity (e.g., a capacity that is similar to the normal operation, but fewer features are enabled), and alert the user with an audible message, a visual indicator, or both, as indicated by step 540. The alert may be presented immediately, or it may be presented along with other messages as part of a normally scheduled announcement or in response to a user request for the messages.

It is understood that the steps shown in FIG. 5 are merely illustrative and that additional steps may be added, that some steps may be omitted, and that the order of steps may be rearranged.

FIG. 6A shows an illustrative schematic of contents contained in non-volatile memory (NVM) 600 according to an embodiment. NVM 600 may represent NVM 216 of FIG. 2, for example. NVM 600 may contain several partitions or portions, each operative to store software and other information that may be used by a hazard detection system. As shown, NVM can include ENV 0 portion 602, ENV 1 portion 604, debug portion 606, Image 0 portion 608, Image 1 portion 610, audio portion 612, HF ENV 614, failure variable portion 616. The number of portions shown is merely illustrative and it will be appreciated that additional portions may be included and that one or more portions may be omitted. In addition, the size allocated to each portion may vary. ENV portions 602 and 604 can store environment variables of the device and can each have a failure variable (shown as FV 603 and FV 605) for storing detected failures, including detected anomalies. The contents of ENV portions 602 and 604 can persist over reboot and contain information that is either descriptive of the unique device or descriptive of the device's current state. For example, one or more of ENV portions 602 and 604 may include state machine status of system state machines, user preferences, networking information, and pairing information. During operation, the system may alternate between writing data to portions 602 and 604. If one of the parameters of ENV portions 602 or 604 is corrupt or the data is lost, a detected anomaly indication may be stored in that ENV portion's failure variable.

HF Env portion 614 can optionally store high frequency environment variables. For example, portion 614 can store variables that need to be changed relatively frequently, such as for security purposes. Debug portion 606 may include code for implementing debugging operations. Image 0 and 1 portions 608 and 610 may each include a different version of code for enabling operation of the hazard detection system. Audio portion 612 may store one or more audio files, for example, that may be played back through the speaker (e.g., speaker 218). Failure variable portion 616 may store detected failures, including detected anomalies. Failure variable portion 616 may be separate from the failure variable contained in ENV portions 602 and 604. In some embodiments, failure variable portion 616 may be a redundant version of the failure variable contained in ENV portions 602 and 604.

Image portions 608 and 610 can be either an active or inactive portion, depending on which portion is currently being used for the software executing on the hazard system. For example, if the hazard system is booted using code stored in image portion 608, image portion 608 would be the active portion, and image portion 610 would be the inactive portion. As defined herein, an active portion of code may be code that has been installed in (and being run from) the ‘local’ memory associated with a processor. As defined herein, an inactive portion of code may be code that exists in a memory (e.g., NVM) but is not currently installed in (and being run from) the ‘local’ memory associated with a processor. During a software update process (e.g., an over the air download embodiment), a newly downloaded software update package can be stored in the inactive portion. In other embodiments, the downloaded software update package can be stored in any available portion, including the active portion. The software stored in NVM 600 may serve as storage for all of the software running on each of the processors and/or devices contained within the hazard system, but not all the code is executed from the NVM 600. Respective code portions for each processor and/or device can be installed therein and the locally installed code may be executed.

FIG. 6B shows an illustrative schematic of sub-portions of one of the image portions of NVM 600 according to an embodiment. FIG. 6B shows, for example, the sub-portions of image 0 portion 608. It is understood that the arrangement of image 1 portion 610 may be the same as image 0 portion 608, but one or more of the sub-portions may be different. For example, the audio kit portion for image 0 (e.g., audio for English) may be different than the audio kit portion for image 1 (e.g., audio for Spanish). As shown, image 608 can include header portion 620 (e.g., an ELF header), signature portion 622, manifest portion 624, installer portion 626, audio kit portion 628, first μP portion 630, second μP portion 632, second μP portion 634, third μP portion 636, and fourth μP portion 638.

Each portion can include code and/or data necessary to identify information or perform operations associated with its name. For example, header portion 620 can include header information for identifying the location of image 0 in NVM 600. Signature portion 622 may include proprietary information used for authentication. Manifest portion 624 may specify the contents of image 0. For example, manifest portion 624 may specify the software version and its audio kit language. Audio kit portion 628 may contain code and/or files for enabling playback of speech in a specific language. For example, in one embodiment, audio kit portion 628 for image 608 may include speech files in the English language, whereas an audio kit portion for image 610 may include speech files in the French language.

Microprocessor (μP) portions 630, 632, 634, 636, and 638 may each store code or firmware for enabling operation of its (or their) respective microprocessor. The code stored in portions 630, 632, 634, 636, and 638 may be installed in and executed by their respective microprocessors. For example, first (μP) portion 630 may include firmware for enabling a first μP to operate. In some embodiments, the first μP may be similar to system processor 210 of FIG. 2 or processor 402 of FIG. 4. Second μP portions 632 and 634 may include firmware for enabling a second μP to operate. In some embodiments, the second μP may be similar to safety processor 230 of FIG. 2 or processor 430 of FIG. 4. Third μP portion 636 may be provided for use with a third processor (e.g., a WiFi processor or high power wireless communications circuitry 212 of FIG. 2). Fourth μP portion 638 may be provided for use with a fourth processor (e.g., a 802.15.4. or low power wireless communications circuitry 214 of FIG. 2).

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative process 700 that may be implemented by a hazard detection system when storing existence of a detected anomaly in non-volatile memory according to an embodiment. Starting at step 710, the device may read data from or program data to a memory portion of a non-volatile memory. The memory portion may be a portion of memory that is accessed by various device circuitry (e.g., a processor or wireless circuitry) during boot up. At step 720, a determination is made whether the memory portion is corrupted. Corruption may be detected, for example, if the memory portion fails a cyclic redundancy check (CRC check). If the determination is NO, the device may continue implementation of the read and/or program operation, as indicated by step 730. If the determination is YES, the device may program corruption detected data (e.g., anomaly detected data) to the memory portion.

It is understood that the steps shown in FIG. 7 are merely illustrative and that additional steps may be added, that some steps may be omitted, and that the order of steps may be rearranged.

FIG. 8 shows an illustrative process 800 of handling a detected anomaly, according to an embodiment. Beginning with step 810, circuitry is booted up that can enable enhanced features. For example, a system process may be booted up to provide enhanced features that cannot be provided by safety processor. At step 820, a failure variable may be read. This failure variable may be contained in one of the ENV portions 602 or 604 of NVM 600, it may be contained in stand-alone failure variable portion 616, as discussed above in connection with FIG. 6A. Any information stored in the failure variable may be later used by the system when reporting one or more failures or warnings (e.g., to the user via audible message, visual messages, or by way of the cloud). At step 830, a CRC is performed on at least one portion of the non-volatile memory. For example, the CRC may be first performed on the newest ENV portion. If the CRC passes on that portion, then the device may verify that the detected anomaly does not exist in the failure variable (at step 835) before allowing the device to continue its boot, as indicated by step 840. If the detected anomaly does exist at step 835, process may proceed to step 860, where an audible message is immediately played back.

If the CRC fails on that portion, anomaly detected data may be programmed into the failure variable, as indicated by step 850. Programming the anomaly detected data into the failure variable ensures that the device is made aware of the existence of the anomaly even if it is not persistent. At step 860, an audible message may be emitted to alert the user of the anomaly. The audible message may be a generic message such as “replace your device” and it may be message that trumps all other potential audible messages that could be reported based on what is stored in the failure variable.

It is understood that the steps shown in FIG. 8 are merely illustrative and that additional steps may be added, that some steps may be omitted, and that the order of steps may be rearranged. For example, if the newest version of the ENV portion fails the CRC check, process 800 can determine whether any one or more backup copies of the ENV portion pass the CRC check. If each of the backup copies fails the CRC check, process 800 may proceed to step 850, as described above. If one of the backup copies passes the CRC check, process 800 may proceed to step 835, as described above.

It is understood that although the software update techniques are described herein with respect to a hazard detection system, these techniques may also be used in any system or device where it is desired to maintain sensing and monitoring of other events while updating the operational capabilities of one of more components of that system or device. For example, the other events can include events that are not necessarily tied to hazards such as smoke, CO, and heat, but can include motion detection, sound detection, and the like. Events reported by remote devices may also be taken into account. For example, security device such as window and door sensor, and motion detection sensors that provide feedback to a system may quality as other events.

Any processes described with respect to FIGS. 1-8, as well as any other aspects of the invention, may each be implemented by software, but may also be implemented in hardware, firmware, or any combination of software, hardware, and firmware. They each may also be embodied as machine- or computer-readable code recorded on a machine- or computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may be any data storage device that can store data or instructions which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable medium may include, but are not limited to, read-only memory, random-access memory, flash memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer-readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. For example, the computer-readable medium may be communicated from one electronic subsystem or device to another electronic subsystem or device using any suitable communications protocol. The computer-readable medium may embody computer-readable code, instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and may include any information delivery media. A modulated data signal may be a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal.

It is to be understood that any or each module or state machine discussed herein may be provided as a software construct, firmware construct, one or more hardware components, or a combination thereof. For example, any one or more of the state machines or modules may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, that may be executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, a program module may include one or more routines, programs, objects, components, and/or data structures that may perform one or more particular tasks or that may implement one or more particular abstract data types. It is also to be understood that the number, configuration, functionality, and interconnection of the modules or state machines are merely illustrative, and that the number, configuration, functionality, and interconnection of existing modules may be modified or omitted, additional modules may be added, and the interconnection of certain modules may be altered.

Whereas many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description, it is to be understood that the particular embodiments shown and described by way of illustration are in no way intended to be considered limiting. Therefore, reference to the details of the preferred embodiments is not intended to limit their scope.

Claims

1.-17. (canceled)

18. A method for alerting a detected presence of an anomaly in a device, the method comprising: determining whether an anomaly has been detected that prevents use of a first set of features;in response to determining that the anomaly has been detected: alerting via at least one of an audio output or visual output an existence of the anomaly; anddisabling the first set of features; andin response to determining that the anomaly has not been detected: enabling use of the first set of features.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the device comprises non-volatile memory, the non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of portions, including a failure variable portion, and wherein in response to determining that the anomaly has been detected, the method further comprises programming the detected anomaly to the failure variable portion.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the device comprises non-volatile memory, the non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of portions, including a failure variable portion, and the determining comprises assessing whether the failure variable portion comprises a detected anomaly.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising enabling use of a second set of features regardless of whether the first set of features are enabled or disabled.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the alerting via the audio output comprises playing back a spoken message.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the alerting via the visual output comprises changing a color of a display.

24. The method of claim 18, in response to determining that the anomaly has been detected, the method further comprises transmitting a message to a user device via the Internet.

25. The method of claim 18 wherein the anomaly represents one of a hardware and a software issue that was unknown at a time of shipment of the device and has potential to affect certain operations of the device.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the determining commences as part of a boot process for a processor that is operative to implement the first set of features, wherein the boot process is based on content stored in a non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of portions, including a failure variable portion.

27. A device, comprising: non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of portions, including a failure variable portion; anda processor operative to power cycle ON and OFF, wherein when the processor powers ON, the processor is operative to: determine whether an anomaly has been detected that prevents use of a first set of features;in response to determining that the anomaly has been detected, the processor is operative to: alert via at least one of an audio output or visual output an existence of the anomaly; anddisable the first set of features; andin response to determining that the anomaly has not been detected, the processor is operative to enable use of the first set of features.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein in response to determining that the anomaly has been detected, the processor is operative to program the anomaly to the failure variable portion.

29. The device of claim 27, wherein the processor is operative to assess whether the failure variable portion comprises a detected anomaly.

30. The device of claim 27, further comprising another processor is operative to enable a second set of features regardless of whether the first set of features are enabled or disabled.

31. The device of claim 27, wherein the audio output comprises a played back spoken message.

32. The device of claim 27, wherein the visual output comprises changing a color of a display.

33. The device of claim 27, further comprising wireless circuitry, wherein in response to determining that the anomaly has been detected, the processor is operative to transmit a message to a user device via the Internet.

34. The device of claim 27 wherein the anomaly represents one of a hardware and a software issue that was unknown at a time of shipment of the device and has potential to affect certain operations of the device.

35. The device of claim 27, wherein the determination of whether an anomaly has been detected that prevents use of a first set of features commences as part of a boot process for the processor, wherein the boot process is based on content stored in the non-volatile memory.