Intelligent bulding alarm

• US 20030234725A1
• Filed: 06/21/2002
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dorothy Lemelson, Jerome H. Lemelson, Robert D. Pedersen, Tracy D. Blake
• Original Assignee: Dorothy Lemelson, Jerome H. Lemelson, Robert D. Pedersen, Tracy D. Blake
• Inventors: Lemelson, Jerome H., Blake, Tracy D., Pedersen, Robert D., Lemelson, Dorothy
• Granted Patent: US 6,873,256 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/521
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/113 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/006 Alarm destination chosen according to type of event, e.g. in case of fire phone the fire service, in case of medical emergency phone the ambulance
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/186 Fuzzy logic; neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip

Abstract

System and method for detecting, monitoring and evaluating hazardous situations in a structure includes the use of an expert system and, to the extent necessary, fuzzy logic in the generation of solution sets. Sensor units having two-way communication capability are strategically located in a structure or in a matrix of structures. These units are high-level multifunctional detectors, RF and other wireless or hardwired communication modules and signal generating systems that may communicate with a base station, with other modules and/or may have onboard logical solution generation capacity.

Claims

1. A system for intelligently monitoring, detecting and evaluating hazardous situations as in a structure comprising:

a. a sensor unit located in the structure, the sensor unit receiving inputs for determining structure status and transmitting outputs;

b. a base station information processor in communication with the sensor unit, the base station information processor capable of processing information received from sensor unit inputs;

c. a radio signal positioning system in communication with the sensor unit;

d. an expert system residing in the base station, the expert system processing information related to identification of hazardous situations and preferred routes of ingress and egress of the structure;

2. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of sensor units are deployed in the structure.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one of each sensor unit includes transducers.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the plurality sensor unit includes a camera for monitoring the vicinity proximate the sensor unit that includes the camera.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the plurality of sensor units includes a microphone for monitoring audio information proximate the sensor unit.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the plurality sensor units includes a speaker to project audio information in the vicinity proximate the sensor unit.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the plurality of sensor units includes an illumination device to provide visual information in the vicinity proximate the sensor unit.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein the sensor units include standardized connections for connection to line power and communications circuits.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein each of the sensor units employ a radio based positioning system.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the positioning system of each of the sensor units receives signals from earth orbiting satellites comprising the Global Positioning System.

11. The system of claim 2 wherein communications with the base station information processing unit are implemented with analog, digital or lightwave communications technologies.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the communication is radio signal communication technology having spread spectrum techniques for multiple transmitter/receiver pairs.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the spread spectrum technique is carrier detect multiple access.

14. The system of claim 11 further comprising a base information processing system communicating with and processing information from a plurality of sensor units.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the base information processing system comprises a processing unit, peripheral hardware and software.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the base information processing system further comprises and implements expert system algorithms.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the expert system algorithms include fuzzy logic calculations.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein communication between sensor units and the base information processor are accomplished via a network of interconnected information processors.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein the base station information processing system is in communication with “

911”

response systems.

20. The system of claim 1 further comprising a three-dimensional display system.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the three-dimensional display system includes a database containing structure floor plans.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the three-dimensional display system selectively displays information from every sensor unit in a particular structure.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein the three-dimensional display system view may be manipulated to show various perspectives.

24. The system of claim 1 wherein the system includes floor lighting.

25. The system of claim 24 further comprising stairwells in the structure wherein the floor lighting is installed in the stairwells of the structure.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the floor lighting is controlled by the base station information processor.

27. The system of claim 24 further comprising a three dimensional display system wherein the floor lighting is selectively actuated by personnel in response to visual input from the three-dimensional display system.

28. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein the sensor units are portable.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein one of the portable sensor units has the capability of constantly updating the base station information processing system.

30. The system of claim 28 wherein one of the portable sensor units allows communication proximate the portable sensor unit.

31. The system of claim 1 including a helmet mounted display unit comprising:

a. a display unit mounted to the helmet;

b. a viewing screen mounted to a forward portion of the helmet;

c. a radio based bi-directional communication link connecting the display unit to the base station information processing unit.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the display unit displays a floor plan of the structure.

33. The system of claim 31 wherein the display unit displays the scheduled areas or conditions in the structure.

34. The system of claim 31 wherein a voice activated input device is carried by the helmet.