Apparatus, methods, and systems for monitoring fire extinguisher operational readiness
First Claim
1. An apparatus for monitoring operational readiness of a fire extinguisher comprising:
- an optical sensor assembly attachable to a pressure gauge of the fire extinguisher, said pressure gauge exhibiting at least two different colored regions;
said sensor assembly configured to;
optically sense, at time t1, first color intensities of the at least two different regions which is represented as
C(1t1)/C(2t1)=k1,where the C(1t1), C(2t1) are the first color intensities of those two regions sensed at the time t1;
and optically sense, at a later time t2, second color intensities of the at least two different regions which is represented as
C(1t2)/C(2t2)=k2,where the C(1t2) and C(2t2) are the second color intensities of those two regions sensed at the later time t2; and
reporting a color profile data of the pressure gauge, when the k1 and k2 differ by at least a pre-determined amount;
wherein a server system configured to receive the reported color profile data from the sensor assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the present disclosure describe apparatus, methods and systems for monitoring the operational status of fire extinguishers through the utilization of optically sensed, color profile determinations of a pressure gauge positioned on the fire extinguisher as well as the utilization of vibrational, and location sensing devices. Advantageously, monitoring apparatus according to the present disclosure are networkable, and a number of their operational characteristics may be configured via the network and associated servers. Furthermore, monitoring apparatus according to the present disclosure may employ vibrational, acceleration, GPS, RFID, and ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, location, and obstructions. In sharp contrast to the prior art, apparatus, methods and systems according to the present disclosure operate with existing fire extinguishers and provide a convenient, cost effective, and highly functional upgrade path for deployed fire extinguishers.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for monitoring operational readiness of a fire extinguisher comprising:
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an optical sensor assembly attachable to a pressure gauge of the fire extinguisher, said pressure gauge exhibiting at least two different colored regions;
said sensor assembly configured to;optically sense, at time t1, first color intensities of the at least two different regions which is represented as
C(1t1)/C(2t1)=k1,where the C(1t1), C(2t1) are the first color intensities of those two regions sensed at the time t1; and optically sense, at a later time t2, second color intensities of the at least two different regions which is represented as
C(1t2)/C(2t2)=k2,where the C(1t2) and C(2t2) are the second color intensities of those two regions sensed at the later time t2; and reporting a color profile data of the pressure gauge, when the k1 and k2 differ by at least a pre-determined amount; wherein a server system configured to receive the reported color profile data from the sensor assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of retrofitting a fire extinguisher to determine operational readiness comprising:
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attaching a monitoring apparatus to a pressure gauge of the fire extinguisher, said pressure gauge exhibiting at least two different colored regions;
said apparatus including an optical sensor assembly configured to;optically sensing, at time t1, first color intensities of the at least two different regions which is represented as
C(1t1)/C(2t1)=k1,where the C(1t1), C(2t1) are the first color intensities of those two regions sensed at the time t1; and optically sensing, at a later time t2, second color intensities of the at least two different regions which is represented as
C(1t2)/C(2t2)=k2,where the C(1t2) and C(2t2) are the second color intensities of those two regions sensed at the later time t2; and reporting a color profile data of the pressure gauge, when the k1 and k2 differ by at least a pre-determined amount; wherein a server system configured to receive the reported color profile data from the optical sensor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for monitoring an operational readiness of a fire extinguisher, said method comprising:
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having a pressure gauge exhibiting at least two different colored regions; by a computer controlled monitoring apparatus including an optical sensor assembly attached to the pressure gauge; optically sensing by the optical sensor, at time t1, first color intensities of the at least two different regions which is represented as
C(1t1)/C(2t1)=k1,where the C(1t1), C(2t1) are the first color intensities of those two regions sensed at the time t1; and optically sensing by the optical sensor, at a later time t2, second color intensities of the at least two different regions which is represented as
C(1t2)/C(2t2)=k2,where the C(1t2) and C(2t2) are the second color intensities of those two regions sensed at the later time t2; and reporting a color profile data of the pressure gauge, when the k1 and k2 differ by at least a pre-determined amount; wherein a server system configured to receive the reported color profile data from the optical sensor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification