Atmospheric hazard detector network

• US 5,831,526 A
• Filed: 03/03/1997
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph Michael Allison, Mark H. Thomsen, Richard L. Hansler
• Original Assignee: Joseph Michael Allison, Mark H. Thomsen, Richard L. Hansler
• Inventors: Hansler, Richard L., Thomsen, Mark H., Allison, Joseph Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/811,132
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/531, 340/506
• US Class Current: 340/539.14
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/00 Alarm systems in which the alarm condition is signalled from a central station to a plurality of substations
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip

Abstract

A network of identical atmospheric hazard detectors communicates a locally sensed hazard condition directly to multiple neighboring detectors using RF command communication, without the use of wires and without a central control location. Each detector includes a sensor of an atmospheric hazard, a detection circuit for measuring the sensor output and creating a local hazard signal, an alarm indicator, an RF transmitter for sending a neighboring hazard signal to the network, and an RF receiver for receiving a neighboring hazard signal from the network. The local alarm and neighboring alarm control signals produce discernibly different alarm indications from the detector'"'"'s alarm device, facilitating an attempt to locate the origin of a hazard. In the preferred embodiment, every detector functions as a receive/transmit relay station, enabling the network to be extended in spatial expanse without limit and without increasing the power output of the RF transmitter. Auxiliary devices are included, for example, a radio controlled light for emergency illumination.

Claims

1. A network of atmospheric hazard detectors, each detector comprising:

(a) alarm-indication means for producing at least one human-perceptible alarm indication;

(b) a sensor for sensing the presence of an atmospheric hazard and creating a sensor output;

(c) detection means for measuring said sensor output and creating a local hazard signal when said atmospheric hazard exceeds a predetermined danger level;

(d) an RF receiver for receiving a neighboring hazard signal from a neighboring atmospheric hazard detector when a dangerous-level output is detected by the neighboring detector;

(e) an RF transmitter for sending a neighboring hazard signal to at least one neighboring atmospheric hazard detector upon said local hazard signal being created, without needing to wait for a synchronizing interval; and

(f) alarm-selection means for producing a local alarm control signal whenever said local hazard signal is present, and for producing a neighboring alarm control signal when said neighboring hazard signal is present but said local hazard signal is absent.

2. The network of claim 1, wherein said local alarm and neighboring alarm control signals respectively cause said alarm-indication means to produce discernibly different alarm indications.

3. The network of claim 1, wherein said local and neighboring alarm-control signals result in discernibly different audible alarm indications.

4. The network of claim 1, further comprising control means to cause said neighboring alarm-control signal to result in a pulsed audible alarm, and to cause said local alarm-control signal to result in a relatively more continuous audible alarm.

5. The network of claim 4, comprising a pulsing means connected between said detection means and said RF transmitter for providing an RF signal with a master pulse rate that sets the pulse rates for any neighborhood alarm control signal of any neighboring atmospheric hazard detectors, so as to facilitate identification of a detector subject to a local hazard.

6. The network of claim 4, comprising a pulsing means connected between said RF receiver and said alarm-selection means, for creating said pulsed neighboring alarm control signal in the presence of a neighboring hazard signal received from said RF receiver.

7. The network of claim 6, further including a latch means responsive to a neighboring hazard signal received by said RF receiver, for maintaining the production of a pulsed audible alarm for a predetermined time after initially receiving said neighboring hazard signal.

8. The network of claim 1, comprising control means for causing said neighboring alarm-control signal to result in envelopes of high-frequency pulses of light, and said local alarm-control signal to result in a continuous series of high-frequency pulses of light.

9. The network of claim 1, wherein said RF receiver and RF transmitter include means for modulation coding the neighboring hazard signal so that, when such signal is broadcast by RF transmission, it is received only by neighboring atmospheric hazard detectors employing the same coding.

10. The network of claim 9, further including control means, responsive to the condition of said detection means and said RF receiver for:

(a) disabling said RF transmitter from sending a neighboring hazard signal when said RF receiver receives a neighboring hazard signal before said detection means creates said local hazard signal; and

(b) enabling said RF transmitter to send a neighboring hazard signal when said detection means creates a local hazard signal before said RF receiver receives a neighboring hazard signal.

11. The network of claim 10, wherein said control means is further responsive to the condition of said detection means not creating a local hazard signal and said RF receiver receiving a neighboring hazard signal, for disabling said RF transmitter from sending a neighboring hazard signal, so as to prevent a further hazard detector from being confused by a plurality of conflicting RF signals.

12. The network of claim 1, in combination with an auxiliary device comprising:

(a) an RF receiver for receiving a neighboring hazard signal from a neighboring atmospheric hazard detector when a dangerous-level output is detected by the neighboring detector;

(b) a latching means for providing an auxiliary alarm signal only after said RF receiver has received said neighboring hazard signal for a predetermined period of time; and

(c) a door latch, responsive to said auxiliary alarm signal, for unlatching a door so as to allow it to be opened.

13. The network of claim 1, in combination with an auxiliary device comprising:

(a) an RF receiver for receiving a neighboring hazard signal from a neighboring atmospheric hazard detector when a dangerous-level output is detected by the neighboring detector;

(b) a latching switch for providing an auxiliary alarm signal only after said RF receiver has received said neighboring hazard signal for a predetermined period of time; and

(c) a light, responsive to said auxiliary alarm signal, for illuminating an escape path.

14. The combination of claim 13, wherein said auxiliary device is battery powered.

15. The network of claim 1, in combination with an auxiliary device comprising:

(a) an RF receiver for receiving a neighboring hazard signal from a neighboring atmospheric hazard detector when a dangerous-level output is detected by the neighboring detector;

(b) a latching means for providing an auxiliary alarm signal only after said RF receiver has received said neighboring hazard signal for a predetermined period of time;

(c) a voice-playing device, responsive to said auxiliary alarm signal, for generating a dialing signal and voice signal of an emergency in progress; and

(d) a telephone device, responsive to said auxiliary alarm signal, for receiving said dialing and voice signal, and dialing a phone number and playing said voice signal.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein said auxiliary device is battery powered.

17. The network of claim 1, in combination with an auxiliary device comprising:

(a) an RF receiver for receiving a neighboring hazard signal from a neighboring atmospheric hazard detector when a dangerous-level output is detected by the neighboring detector;

(b) a latching switch for providing an auxiliary alarm signal only after said RF receiver has received said neighboring hazard signal for a predetermined period of time; and

(c) an auxiliary audible alarm indicating means, responsive to said auxiliary alarm signal, for alerting persons outside the immediate vicinity of said atmospheric hazard detector network of the presence of an alarm condition.

18. The combination of claim 17, wherein said auxiliary device is battery powered.

19. The combination of claim 12, wherein said auxiliary device is battery powered.

20. A network of atmospheric hazard detectors, each detector comprising:

(a) alarm-indication means for producing at least an audible alarm;

(b) a sensor for sensing the presence of an atmospheric hazard and creating a sensor output;

(c) detection means for measuring said sensor output and creating a local hazard signal when said atmospheric hazard exceeds a predetermined danger level;

(d) an RF receiver for receiving a neighboring hazard signal from a neighboring atmospheric hazard detector when a dangerous-level output is detected by the neighboring detector;

(e) an RF transmitter for asynchronously sending a neighboring hazard signal to at least one neighboring atmospheric hazard detector upon said local hazard signal being created; and

(f) alarm-selection means for producing a local alarm control signal whenever said local hazard signal is present, and for producing a neighboring alarm control signal when said neighboring hazard signal is present but said local hazard signal is absent;

(g) said local alarm and neighboring alarm control signals respectively causing said alarm-indication means to produce a continuous audible alarm and a pulsed audible alarm.

21. The network of claim 20, comprising a pulsing means connected between said detection means and said RF transmitter for providing an RF signal with a master pulse rate that sets the pulse rates for any neighborhood alarm control signal of any neighboring atmospheric hazard detectors, so as to facilitate identification of a detector subject to a local hazard.

22. The network of claim 20, comprising a pulsing means connected between said RF receiver and said alarm-selection means, for creating said pulsed neighboring alarm control signal in the presence of a neighboring hazard signal received from said RF receiver.

23. The network of claim 22, further including a latch means responsive to a neighboring hazard signal received by said RF receiver, for maintaining the production of a pulsed audible alarm for a predetermined time after initially receiving said neighboring hazard signal.

24. The network of claim 20, wherein said RF receiver and RF transmitter include means for modulation coding the neighboring hazard signal so that, when such signal is broadcast by RF transmission, it is received only by neighboring atmospheric hazard detectors employing the same coding.

25. The network of claim 24, further including control means, responsive to the condition of said detection means and said RF receiver for:

(a) disabling said RF transmitter from sending a neighboring hazard signal when said RF receiver receives a neighboring hazard signal before said detection means creates said local hazard signal; and

(b) enabling said RF transmitter to send a neighboring hazard signal when said detection means creates a local hazard signal before said RF receiver receives a neighboring hazard signal.

26. The network of claim 25, wherein said control means is further responsive to the condition of said detection means not creating a local hazard signal and said RF receiver receiving a neighboring hazard signal, for disabling said RF transmitter from sending a neighboring hazard signal, so as to prevent a further hazard detector from being confused by a plurality of conflicting RF signals.

27. The network of claim 20, wherein said alarm indication means comprises a single audible alarm circuit responsive to both said local hazard signal and said neighboring hazard signal.

28. An atmospheric hazard detector network, including a plurality of hazard detectors each comprising:

(a) alarm-indication means for producing at least one human-perceptible alarm indication;

(b) a sensor for sensing the presence of an atmospheric hazard and creating a sensor output;

(c) detection means for measuring said sensor output and creating a local hazard signal when said atmospheric hazard exceeds a predetermined danger level;

(d) an RF receiver for receiving a neighboring hazard signal from a neighboring atmospheric hazard detector when a dangerous-level output is detected by the neighboring detector;

(e) an RF transmitter for sending a neighboring hazard signal to at least one neighboring atmospheric hazard detector when said local hazard signal is present;

(f) alarm-selection means for producing a local alarm control signal whenever said local hazard signal is present, and for producing a neighboring alarm control signal when said neighboring hazard signal is present but said local hazard signal is absent; and

(g) control means for implementing delayed, synchronous, RF re-transmission of said neighboring hazard signal received by said RF receiver in one detector from a neighboring detector; and

for implementing automatic return of said one detector to a quiet state after all local hazards are clear;

(h) said control means comprising;

(i) means to generate a transmit command signal having active and inactive states, which respectively cause and inhibit RF transmission of said neighboring hazard signal;

(ii) the minimum duration of the inactive state being longer than the active state of said transmit command signal such that sufficient time is allowed for re-transmissions from neighboring detectors to be completed before enabling RF transmission again;

(iii) immediately following said minimum duration, if any of said local hazard signal and said neighboring hazard signal is in the active state, then the active state of said transmit command signal is triggered to begin RF transmission; and

(iv) following said minimum duration, if both of said local hazard signal and said neighboring hazard signals are in the inactive state, then the active state of said transmit command signal is not triggered to begin RF transmission until subsequent to either said local hazard signal or said neighboring hazard signal entering into its active state.

29. The network of claim 28, in combination with an auxiliary device comprising:

(a) an RF receiver for receiving a neighboring hazard signal from a neighboring atmospheric hazard detector when a dangerous-level output is detected by the neighboring detector;

(b) a latching means for providing an auxiliary alarm signal only after said RF receiver has received said neighboring hazard signal for a predetermined period of time; and

(c) a door latch, responsive to said auxiliary alarm signal, for unlatching a door so as to allow it to be opened.

30. The combination of claim 29, wherein said door latch is spring-loaded such that said door is forced opened by spring power in response to said auxiliary alarm signal.

31. The combination of claim 29, wherein said auxiliary device is battery powered.

32. The network of claim 28, wherein said control means includes means to predetermine the duration of the active state and the minimum duration of the inactive state of said transmit command signal independently of all mentioned signals.

33. The network of claim 28, wherein said alarm indication means comprises a single audible alarm circuit responsive to both said local hazard signal and said neighboring hazard signal.

34. The network of claim 28, in combination with an auxiliary device comprising:

(a) an RF receiver for receiving a neighboring hazard signal from a neighboring atmospheric hazard detector when a dangerous-level output is detected by the neighboring detector;

(b) a latching switch for providing an auxiliary alarm signal only after said RF receiver has received said neighboring hazard signal for a predetermined period of time; and

(c) a light, responsive to said auxiliary alarm signal, for illuminating an escape path.

35. The combination of claim 34, wherein said auxiliary device is battery powered.

36. The network of claim 28, in combination with an auxiliary device comprising:

(a) an RF receiver for receiving a neighboring hazard signal from a neighboring atmospheric hazard detector when a dangerous-level output is detected by the neighboring detector;

(b) a latching means for providing an auxiliary alarm signal only after said RF receiver has received said neighboring hazard signal for a predetermined period of time;

(c) a voice-playing device, responsive to said auxiliary alarm signal, for generating a dialing signal and voice signal of an emergency in progress; and

(d) a telephone device, responsive to said auxiliary alarm signal, for receiving said dialing and voice signal, and dialing a phone number and playing said voice signal.

37. The combination of claim 36, wherein said auxiliary device is battery powered.

38. The network of claim 28, in combination with an auxiliary device comprising:

(a) an RF receiver for receiving a neighboring hazard signal from a neighboring atmospheric hazard detector when a dangerous-level output is detected by the neighboring detector;

(b) a latching switch for providing an auxiliary alarm signal only after said RF receiver has received said neighboring hazard signal for a predetermined period of time; and

(c) an auxiliary audible alarm indicating means, responsive to said auxiliary alarm signal, for alerting persons outside the immediate vicinity of said atmospheric hazard detector network of the presence of an alarm condition.

39. The combination of claim 38, wherein said auxiliary device is battery powered.