Extended smoke alarm system

• US 7,714,734 B1
• Filed: 07/23/2007
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hs Labs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Inventors: Billman, Bradly Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R
• Application Number:
  US11/781,713
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 340/627, 340/628, 340/629, 340/630, 340/632
• US Class Current: 340/628
• 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 5/38 using flashing light
• 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

An extended smoke alarm system and related methods are disclosed. In particular, embodiments of an extended smoke alarm system having wireless-signal-send-and-receive functionalities wherein the system includes one or more flashlights having at least wireless-signal-receiving functionality are detailed. Related methods for system use are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a smoke detector, in the home or other building, comprising a computing system supporting at least wireless-signal-sending functionality; and

a hand-held flashlight having at least wireless-signal-receiving functionality,

wherein, on detecting smoke or fire, the smoke detector transmits a wireless activation signal that is transmitted to and received by the hand-held flashlight and thereby activates a light beam projection from the hand-held flashlight based on receipt of the wireless activation signal by the hand-held flashlight.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the hand-held flashlight wirelessly receives a specific kind of a programming signal and programs the hand-held flashlight to respond to wireless activation signal of the specific kind based on wirelessly receipt of the specific kind of the programming signal.

3. The extended smoke alarm system of claim 2, wherein the wireless activation signal of the specific kind is a radio frequency activation signal at a particular frequency.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the hand-held flashlight wirelessly transmits a smoke detection system test radio frequency signal to the smoke detector.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless remote control to wirelessly transmit a smoke detection system test radio frequency signal to the hand-held flashlight.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the hand-held flashlight activates an audible alarm based on the receipt of the wireless activation signal.

7. A method comprising:

detecting smoke or fire near a smoke detector located in a home or other building;

transmitting a wireless activation signal from the smoke detector to a hand-held flashlight based on the detecting;

receiving the wireless activation signal at the hand-held flashlight; and

activating a light beam projection from the hand-held flashlight based on the receiving of the wireless activation signal.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

wirelessly receiving a specific kind of a programming signal on the hand-held flashlight; and

programming the hand-held flashlight to respond to the wireless activation signal of the specific kind based on the wirelessly receiving of the specific kind of the programming signal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the wireless activation signal of the specific kind is a radio frequency activation signal at a particular frequency.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting a smoke detection system test radio frequency signal from the hand-held flashlight to the smoke detector.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting a smoke detection system test radio frequency signal from a wireless remote control to the hand-held flashlight.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

activating an audible alarm on the hand-held flashlight based on the receiving of the wireless activation signal.

13. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

detect smoke or fire near a smoke detector located in a home or other building;

transmit a wireless activation signal from the smoke detector to a hand-held flashlight based on detection;

receive the wireless activation signal at the hand-held flashlight; and

activate a light beam projection from the hand-held flashlight based on receipt of the wireless activation signal.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, further comprising instructions that cause the processor to:

wirelessly receive a specific kind of a programming signal on the hand-held flashlight; and

program the hand-held flashlight to respond to the wireless activation signal of the specific kind based on wirelessly receipt of the specific kind of the programming signal.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the wireless activation signal of the specific kind is a radio frequency activation signal at a particular frequency.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, further comprising instructions that cause the processor to:

wirelessly transmit a smoke detection system test radio frequency signal from the hand-held flashlight to the smoke detector.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, further comprising instructions that cause the processor to:

wirelessly transmit a smoke detection system test radio frequency signal from a wireless remote control to the hand-held flashlight.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, further comprising instructions that cause the processor to:

activate an audible alarm on the hand-held flashlight based on receipt of the wireless activation signal.