Self-configuring emergency event alarm network
First Claim
1. A self-configuring emergency event alarm network comprising:
- a plurality of alarm network devices;
a set of communication links interconnecting said plurality of alarm network devices; and
wherein each of said alarm network devices comprises;
at least one sensor means for detecting the presence of a hazard condition;
a network means for establishing a communication session with one or more of said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices via selected ones of said communication links;
processor means for communicating with said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices to dynamically establish a network of said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices;
alarm means for generating one or more alarm indications;
wherein said processor means is also responsive to a hazard detected by said at least one sensor means for activating said alarm means to generate an alarm indication and for communicating with said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices to relay said hazard detection to said plurality-of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices.
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Abstract
The present self-configuring emergency event alarm network uses a decentralized (ad hoc or mesh) architecture that does not have a centralized “master” node. In this ad hoc network, any node is capable of behaving as if it were the “master node” by autonomously reporting the alarm event directly to all other nodes in the ad hoc network independent of where the alarm event occurred. The network of alarm devices, therefore, can spread the alarm indication to the entirety of the area covered by the network of alarm devices and can also differentiate between a general alarm indication and the locus of the alarm event.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A self-configuring emergency event alarm network comprising:
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a plurality of alarm network devices;
a set of communication links interconnecting said plurality of alarm network devices; and
wherein each of said alarm network devices comprises;
at least one sensor means for detecting the presence of a hazard condition;
a network means for establishing a communication session with one or more of said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices via selected ones of said communication links;
processor means for communicating with said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices to dynamically establish a network of said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices;
alarm means for generating one or more alarm indications;
wherein said processor means is also responsive to a hazard detected by said at least one sensor means for activating said alarm means to generate an alarm indication and for communicating with said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices to relay said hazard detection to said plurality-of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of self-configuring an emergency event alarm network comprising:
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installing a plurality of alarm network devices;
initiating a set of communication links interconnecting said plurality of alarm network devices; and
operating each of said alarm network devices to execute the steps of;
detecting, using at least one sensor element, the presence of a hazard condition;
establishing a communication session with one or more of said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices via selected ones of said communication links;
communicating with said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices to dynamically establish a network of said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices;
generating one or more alarm indications in response to said detected hazard condition; and
communicating with said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices to relay said hazard detection to said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A self-configuring emergency event alarm network comprising a plurality of cooperatively operative alarm network devices, wherein each of said alarm network devices comprises:
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at least one sensor means for detecting the presence of a hazard;
network means for exchanging messages with one or more of said plurality of alarm network devices;
processor means for communicating with at least one of said plurality of alarm network devices via said network means to establish a network of said plurality of alarm network devices;
alarm means for generating one or more human sensible alarm indications; and
wherein said processor means is also responsive to a hazard detected by said at least one sensor means for activating said alarm means to generate an alarm indication and for communicating with at least one of said plurality of alarm network devices to relay said hazard detection to said plurality of alarm network devices. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of self-configuring an emergency event alarm network comprising a plurality of cooperatively operative alarm network devices comprising the steps of:
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detecting the presence of a hazard using at least one sensor;
exchanging messages with one or more of said plurality of alarm network devices via a communication medium;
communicating with at least one of said plurality of alarm network devices via said communication medium to establish a network of said plurality of alarm network devices;
generating one or more human sensible alarm indications;
generating, in response to a hazard detected by said at least one sensor, an alarm indication; and
communicating with at least one of said plurality of alarm network devices to relay said hazard detection to said plurality of alarm network devices. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification