System and Method of Determining Gas Detector Information and Status via RFID Tags

• US 20120007736A1
• Filed: 07/07/2010
• Published: 01/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Worthington, Stephen D., Stinson, Sean Everett
• Granted Patent: US 9,035,766 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/117 by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire G08B17/103, G08B17/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/14 checking the detection circuits

Abstract

In large systems of ambient condition detectors the respective detectors can each include an RFID-type tag or integrated circuit. The tag can transmit detector identification information and status information wirelessly to a displaced receiver. Receivers can be installed in docking/test stations as well as in portable units which can be carried by an individual entering, or, moving through a region being monitored by the detectors

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of ambient condition detectors where at least some of the detectors include an RFID-type tag where the tag carries at least status information relative to the respective detector.

2. A system as in claim 1 where at least some of the detectors each includes a tag interface coupled to the tag.

3. A system as in claim 2 where the detector includes control circuits coupled to the tag interface.

4. A system as in claim 1 which includes a docking apparatus to test the respective detector and to update the respective tag.

5. A system as in claim 1 where the detector includes a gas sensor.

6. A system as in claim 5 which includes a docking apparatus to test the respective detector and to update the respective tag.

7. A system as in claim 5 where the detector includes a tag interface coupled to the tag.

8. A system as in claim 7 where the tag includes at least status information for the detector.

9. A system as in claim 1 which includes a wireless, portable RFID-type tag reader to obtain detector information from a location displaced from the detector.

10. A system as in claim 1 where at least some of the detectors include an intrinsically safe barrier between the respective tag and selected other circuits of the respective detector.

11. A system as in claim 10 where the ambient condition detector is coupled to an RFID subsystem which includes at least the respective tag and an associated antenna with the intrinsically safe barrier between the tag and antenna and the selected other circuits.

12. A system as in claim 1 where the detectors comprise detectors of a selected gas and where the detectors carry an article attaching clip.

13. A system as in claim 1 which includes a detector management system to collect and manage data from the detectors.

14. A detector comprising:

a housing;

an article attaching clip attached to the housing;

gas detecting circuitry carried by the housing; and

RFID chip circuits, coupled to the circuitry and carried by the housing.

15. A detector as in claim 14 where the RFID chip circuits include an RFID-type element and an associated antenna.

16. A detector as in claim 15 where an intrinsically safe barrier is positioned between at least the element and other circuitry carried by the housing.

17. A detector as in claim 16 where the RFID chip circuits include an RFID transmitting element with an input port.

18. A detector as in claim 17 where the detecting circuitry includes a programmable processor which provides status information to the input port.

19. A detector as in claim 18 where the gas detecting circuitry emits an alarm indicia in the event that the concentration of detected gas exhibits a predetermined criterion.