Detector apparatus

• US 6,229,449 B1
• Filed: 04/29/1999
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Consumer Products Research and Design Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Darren S. Kirchner, Judith E. Kirchner, Richard A. Kirchner
• Inventors: Kirchner, Richard A., Kirchner, Judith E., Kirchner, Darren S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Application Number:
  US09/301,916
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 340/628, 340/517, 340/523, 340/531, 340/532, 340/539
• US Class Current: 340/628
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

A detector apparatus is disclosed for emitting a warning alarm signal in response to the presence of a hazardous condition within at least one room of a building having a plurality of rooms. The apparatus includes a plurality of hazardous condition detectors arranged such that at least one detector is disposed within each of the rooms. Each of the detectors includes a detecting device for detecting the presence of the hazardous condition and a micro controller electrically connected to the detecting device and powered by an electrical power source. An alarm is electrically connected to the controller such that when the detecting device detects the presence of the hazardous condition, the controller emits an electrical signal. An analog to digital converter device is electrically connected to the controller for converting the electrical signal into a digital signal so that when the hazardous condition is detected, the converter transmits the digital signal. A receiver is provided for receiving the digital signal. The receiver includes an antenna for receiving the digital signal and a crystal for detecting the digital signal and for using the detected digital signal to activate the alarm. The arrangement is such that the alarm emits the warning alarm signal. Each of the detectors of the plurality of detectors is disposed remote relative to each other within each of the rooms of the building such that when a hazardous condition is detected by one of the detectors, all of the detectors emit warning alarm signals for warning occupants within any of the rooms of a potential hazard within at least one of the rooms.

Claims

1. A detector apparatus for emitting a warning alarm signal in response to the presence of a hazardous condition within at least one room of a building having a plurality of rooms, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of detectors arranged such that at least one detector is disposed within a respective room for detecting the hazardous condition;

each of said detectors including;

a detecting device for detecting the presence of the hazardous condition;

a micro controller electrically connected to said detecting device and powered by an electrical power source;

an alarm electrically connected to said controller such that when said detecting device detects the presence of the hazardous condition, said controller emits an electrical signal;

an analog to digital converter device electrically connected to said controller for converting said electrical signal into a digital signal so that when the hazardous condition is detected, said converter transmits said digital signal;

a receiver for receiving said digital signal;

said receiver including;

an antenna for receiving said digital signal; and

a crystal for detecting said digital signal and for using said detected digital signal to activate said alarm so that said alarm emits the warning alarm signal, the arrangement being such that each of said detectors of said plurality of detectors is disposed remote relative to each other within a respective room of the building so that when the hazardous condition is detected by one of said detectors, all of said detectors emit warning alarm signals for warning occupants within any of the rooms of a potential hazard within at least one of the rooms.

2. A detector apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said detecting device includes:

a radiation source having an optical axis;

a photodetector having a further axis;

said further axis intersecting said optical axis of said radiation source for detecting radiation scattered by smoke particles.

3. A detector apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said controller further includes:

an activating circuit for activating said controller only when said detecting device detects a hazardous condition so that in the absence of a hazardous condition, energy consumption and power drain from the source of power is minimized.

4. A detector apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

the electrical power source is a direct current source.

5. A detector apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein

said direct current source is a 9 volt battery.

6. A detector apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said alarm includes:

an audible warning device for emitting an audible warning signal.

7. A detector apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said alarm includes:

a visual warning device for emitting a visual warning signal.

8. A detector apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said digital signal is easily transmitted over a considerable distance within the building while minimizing a power drain from the source of electrical power.

9. A detector apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including:

an amplifier for amplifying said digital signal.

10. A detector apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including:

a transmitter connected to said analog to digital converter and to said controller for transmitting said digital signal.

11. A detector apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said receiver further includes:

an amplifying circuit for amplifying said detected digital signal and for applying said amplified signal to said warning alarm.

12. A detector apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

each of said detectors includes:

a discriminator circuit for determining which detector of said plurality of detectors is detecting the presence of a hazardous condition so that location of the source of the potential hazard is facilitated.

13. A detector apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

each of said detectors is free of any need for electrical hard wire connections to another detector of said plurality of detectors.

14. A detector apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

each of said detectors is free of any requirement of connection to an electrical outlet of a source of mains power within the building thereby avoiding the need for locating each detector close to an electrical outlet.

15. A fire detector apparatus for emitting a warning alarm signal in response to the presence of smoke within at least one room of a building having a plurality of rooms, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of smoke detectors arranged such that at least one detector is disposed within a respective room;

each of said detectors including;

a detecting device for detecting the presence of smoke;

a micro controller electrically connected to said detecting device and powered by an electrical power source;

an alarm electrically connected to said controller such that when said detecting device detects the presence of smoke, said controller emits an electrical signal;

an analog to digital converter device electrically connected to said controller for converting said electrical signal into a digital signal so that when smoke is detected, said converter transmits said digital signal;

a receiver for receiving said digital signal;

said receiver including;

an antenna for receiving said digital signal; and

a crystal for detecting said digital signal and for using said detected digital signal to activate said alarm so that said alarm emits the warning alarm signal, the arrangement being such that each of said detectors of said plurality of detectors is disposed remote relative to each other within a respective room of the building so that when smoke is detected by one of said detectors, all of said detectors emit warning alarm signals for warning occupants within any of the rooms of a potential fire hazard within at least one of the rooms.

16. A fire detector apparatus for emitting a warning alarm signal in response to the presence of smoke within at least one room of a building having a plurality of rooms, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of smoke detectors arranged such that at least one detector is disposed within a respective room;

each of said detectors including;

a detecting device for detecting the presence of smoke;

a micro controller electrically connected to said detecting device and powered by an electrical power source;

an alarm electrically connected to said controller such that when said detecting device detects the presence of smoke, said controller emits an electrical signal;

an analog to digital converter device electrically connected to said controller for converting said electrical signal into a digital signal so that when smoke is detected, said converter transmits said digital signal;

a receiver for receiving said digital signal;

said receiver including;

an antenna for receiving said digital signal;

a crystal for detecting said digital signal and for using said detected digital signal to activate said alarm so that said alarm emits the warning alarm signal, the arrangement being such that each of said detectors of said plurality of detectors is disposed remote relative to each other within a respective room of the building so that when smoke is detected by one of said detectors, all of said detectors emit warning alarm signals for warning occupants within any of the rooms of a potential fire hazard within at least one of the rooms; and

each of said detectors is free of any need for electrical hard wire connections to another detector of said plurality of detectors.