Method for dynamically adjusting criteria for detecting fire through smoke concentration
First Claim
1. In a fire detector having a smoke detector for producing a smoke detector output signal and electrical circuitry for receiving the smoke detector output signal and for generating an alarm signal in response to the satisfaction of a smoke detector output signal fire detection criteria, a method for dynamically adjusting the smoke detector output signal fire detection criteria, comprising:
- providing a carbon dioxide (CO2) detector for forming a sequence of measurements of CO2 concentration;
providing a communicative connection between the CO2 detector and the electrical circuitry;
sending the measurements of CO2 concentration from the CO2 detector to the electrical circuitry by way of the communicative connection;
determining an estimate of the a priori probability of the existence of a fire from the CO2 measurements; and
altering a smoke detector output signal fire detection criterion in response to the estimate of the a priori probability of the existence of a fire.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fire detector is equipped with a smoke detector and electrical circuitry for declaring a fire alarm if a smoke concentration based fire detection criteria is satisfied. A CO2 detector is included in the fire detector for forming an a priori estimate of the probability of the existence of a fire. If the a priori probability rises above a predetermined level, the smoke concentration base fire detection criteria of the smoke detector are altered to allow the more rapid detection of a fire.
94 Citations
26 Claims
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1. In a fire detector having a smoke detector for producing a smoke detector output signal and electrical circuitry for receiving the smoke detector output signal and for generating an alarm signal in response to the satisfaction of a smoke detector output signal fire detection criteria, a method for dynamically adjusting the smoke detector output signal fire detection criteria, comprising:
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providing a carbon dioxide (CO2) detector for forming a sequence of measurements of CO2 concentration; providing a communicative connection between the CO2 detector and the electrical circuitry; sending the measurements of CO2 concentration from the CO2 detector to the electrical circuitry by way of the communicative connection; determining an estimate of the a priori probability of the existence of a fire from the CO2 measurements; and altering a smoke detector output signal fire detection criterion in response to the estimate of the a priori probability of the existence of a fire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A fire detector comprising:
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a smoke detector for producing a smoke detector output signal; electrical circuitry for receiving the smoke detector output signal and for generating an alarm signal in response to the satisfaction of a smoke detector output signal fire detection criterion; a carbon dioxide (CO2) detector, communicatively connected to the electrical circuitry, for forming a sequence of measurements of CO2 concentration, the electrical circuitry determining an estimate of the a priori probability of the existence of a fire from the measurements of CO2 concentration and altering the smoke detector output signal fire detection criterion in response to the estimate of the a priori probability of the existence of a fire.
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Specification