Integrated lighting and detector units

• US 7,649,472 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2007
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Joseph August Paterno
• Original Assignee: David Joseph August Paterno
• Inventors: Paterno, David Joseph August
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland; Donnie L
• Application Number:
  US11/724,531
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.45
• US Class Current: 340/815.45
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• 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 multi-module facility safety or security notification system containing (a) a central control unit, (b) at least one sub-module containing a light source and a sensor for detecting the level of ambient light, (c) at least one sub-module containing at least one additional sensor that is not an ambient light sensor, and (d) a at least two user selectable illumination options capable of being selected from at least the central control unit. The minimum illumination options are first an option where the light sources will respond to the ambient light sensor and the other sensor (i.e. a night-light mode) and second, an option where the light sources do not respond to the ambient light sensor but does respond to a different sensor.

Claims

1. A multi-module facility safety or security notification system comprising:

a) a centralized control unit;

b) at least one sub-module containing a light source and an ambient light sensor;

c) at least one sub-module containing at least one other sensor that is not an ambient light sensor; and

d) a means for providing at least two user selectable illumination options wherein said options comprise;

i) an option wherein the light sources will illuminate in response to the ambient light sensor and said at least one other sensor; and

ii) an option wherein the light sources will not illuminate in response to the ambient light sensor but will illuminate in response to said at least one other sensor;

wherein said illumination options can be selected from the central control unit.

2. The multi-module system according to claim 1 wherein the sub-module containing a light source and an ambient light sensor and the sub-module containing at least one other sensor are the same sub-module.

3. The multi-module system according to claim 1 having at least one sub-module that is an input or output device selected from the group consisting of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, motion detectors, broken glass detectors, and cameras.

4. The multi-module system according to claim 1 having at least one sub-module unit with a mode select switch as a means for providing said at least two user selectable illumination options.

5. The multi-module system according to claim 1 wherein the illumination device is an LED.

6. The multi-module system according to claim 1 wherein the central unit contains a battery backup.

7. The multi-module system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one other sensor is selected from the group consisting of smoke, fire, temperature, specific gas, motion, vibration and loss of primary power sensors.

8. The multi-module system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one other sensor is a smoke, carbon monoxide, or motion detector.

9. The multi-module system according to claim 1 containing an additional user selectable illumination option wherein the light source will also activate in the event of a power outage.

10. A multi-module facility safety or security notification system comprising:

a) a centralized control unit;

b) at least one sub-module containing a light source and an ambient light sensor;

c) at least one sub-module containing at least one other sensor that is not an ambient light sensor;

d) at least one sub-module containing at least one lighting unit not having an ambient light sensor; and

e) a means for providing at least two user selectable illumination options wherein said options comprise;

i) an option wherein the light sources will illuminate in response to the ambient light sensor and said at least one other sensor; and

ii) an option wherein the light sources will not illuminate in response to the ambient light sensor but will illuminate in response to said at least one other sensor;

wherein said illumination options can be selected from the central control unit.

11. The multi-module system according to claim 10 wherein the lighting responses in all units containing a light source can be determined by detectors in any of the other units in the system via the central control unit.

12. The multi-module system according to claim 10 wherein the sub-module containing a light source and an ambient light sensor and the sub-module containing at least one other sensor are different sub-modules.