Apparatus and method for wireless location sensing

• US 20090051551A1
• Filed: 08/23/2007
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Berezowski, Andrew G., Pham, Hai D., Huseth, Steve D., Kurtz, Edward J., Watson, Kalvin, Wunderlin, David J., Dauskurdas, Edward J., Schubring, Thomas J., Hawkinson, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 7,973,669 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/577
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/113 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/003 Address allocation methods and details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to detect at least one material or condition, such as a smoke detector, fire detector, or carbon monoxide detector. The sensor assembly also includes a base configured to be mounted on a structure, such as a wall or ceiling, and to receive the sensor. The sensor assembly further includes a wireless module located between the sensor and the base. The wireless module is configured to transmit position information. The wireless module may include one or more electrical contacts used to form at least one electrical connection between the base of the sensor assembly and the sensor. The wireless module may also include a printed circuit board having the contacts, wireless radio circuitry, an antenna, and other components. The printed circuit board could be substantially hidden from view when the sensor is attached to the base and the base is mounted on the structure.

Claims

1. A sensor assembly comprising:

a sensor configured to detect at least one material or condition;

a base configured to be mounted on a structure and to receive the sensor; and

a wireless module between the sensor and the base, the wireless module configured to transmit position information.

2. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the base comprises one or more first electrical contacts;

the wireless module comprises one or more second electrical contacts; and

the one or more second electrical contacts are configured to contact the one or more first electrical contacts to form one or more electrical connections between the one or more first electrical contacts and the sensor.

3. The sensor assembly of claim 2, wherein the wireless module is configured to receive operating power through at least one of the one or more second electrical contacts.

4. The sensor assembly of claim 2, wherein the wireless module comprises a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board comprising wireless radio circuitry and the one or more second electrical contacts.

5. The sensor assembly of claim 4, further comprising:

a protective cover placed over the wireless module between the wireless module and the base.

6. The sensor assembly of claim 5, wherein:

the protective cover includes one or more holes; and

the one or more second electrical contacts fit through the one or more holes so as to make contact with the one or more first electrical contacts of the base.

7. The sensor assembly of claim 4, wherein the printed circuit board further comprises a capacitor configured to store a charge used to power the wireless module.

8. The sensor assembly of claim 4, wherein the printed circuit board further comprises an antenna configured to transmit the position information.

9. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the wireless module is sized to fit within the sensor and is substantially hidden from view when the sensor is attached to the base and the base is mounted on the structure.

10. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the sensor comprises at least one of;

a smoke detector, a fire detector, and a carbon monoxide detector; and

the structure comprises a wall or a ceiling.

11. A wireless module comprising a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board comprising:

a wireless radio configured to provide position information;

an antenna configured to transmit the position information; and

a power supply configured to provide power to the wireless radio;

wherein the printed circuit board is sized and configured to be inserted between a sensor and a base, the sensor configured to detect at least one material or condition, the base configured to be mounted on a structure and to receive the sensor.

12. The wireless module of claim 11, wherein:

the base comprises one or more first electrical contacts;

the wireless module comprises one or more second electrical contacts; and

the one or more second electrical contacts are configured to contact the one or more first electrical contacts to form one or more electrical connections between the one or more first electrical contacts and the sensor.

13. The wireless module of claim 12, wherein the power supply is configured to receive the power for the wireless module through at least one of the one or more second electrical contacts.

14. The wireless module of claim 12, further comprising:

a protective cover placed over at least one surface of the printed circuit board.

15. The wireless module of claim 14, wherein:

the protective cover includes one or more holes; and

the one or more second electrical contacts fit through the one or more holes so as to make contact with the one or more first electrical contacts of the base.

16. The wireless module of claim 11, wherein the wireless module is sized to fit within the sensor and is substantially hidden from view when the sensor is attached to the base and the base is mounted on the structure.

17. The wireless module of claim 11, wherein:

the sensor comprises at least one of;

a smoke detector, a fire detector, and a carbon monoxide detector; and

the structure comprises a wall or ceiling.

18. A method comprising:

attaching a wireless module to a sensor, the sensor configured to detect at least one material or condition;

attaching the sensor to a base, the base mounted on a structure;

providing power to the wireless module through the base and providing power to the sensor through the wireless module; and

wirelessly transmitting position information using the wireless module.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the base comprises one or more first electrical contacts;

the wireless module comprises one or more second electrical contacts; and

attaching the sensor to the base comprises forming one or more electrical connections between the one or more first electrical contacts of the base and the sensor using the one or more second electrical contacts.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the sensor comprises at least one of;

a smoke detector, a fire detector, and a carbon monoxide detector; and

the structure comprises a wall or ceiling.