Extended smoke alarm system

• US 7,889,088 B1
• Filed: 05/11/2010
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hs Labs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Inventors: Billman, Bradly J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R
• Application Number:
  US12/777,851
• Time in Patent Office: 280 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/628
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 3/00 Devices or single parts for facilitating escape from buildings or the like, e.g. protection shields, protection screens; Portable devices for preventing smoke penetrating into distinct parts of buildings A62B1/00 takes precedence
• 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 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

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 located in a home or other building and comprising a computing system supporting at least wireless-signal-sending functionality; and

a portable 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 portable flashlight and thereby activates a light beam projection from the portable flashlight in response to receipt of the wireless activation signal by the portable flashlight.

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

3. The 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 portable 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 portable flashlight.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable flashlight activates an audible alarm in response to receipt of the wireless activation signal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the smoke detector includes a carbon monoxide detector.

8. A system comprising:

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

a portable flashlight having at least wireless-signal-receiving functionality; and

an offsite device comprising a second computing system;

wherein the first computing system detects smoke or fire near or in the home or other building, transmits a wireless activation signal that is transmitted to and received by the portable flashlight and thereby activates a light beam projection from the portable flashlight, and transmit data on smoke or fire status from the smoke detector to the offsite device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the offsite device is associated with an emergency responder.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the off site device is associated with a homeowners insurance company.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the data on smoke or fire status is transmitted from the smoke detector to the offsite device via a dedicated line.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the data on smoke or fire status is transmitted from the smoke detector to the offsite device via a communications network.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the portable flashlight includes a vibration functionality.

14. A system comprising:

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

a portable flashlight having at least wireless-signal-receiving functionality;

a first offsite device comprising a second computing system; and

a second offsite device comprising a third computing system, wherein the first computing system detects smoke or fire within the home or other building and transmits a wireless activation signal that is received by the portable flashlight and thereby activates a light beam projection from the portable flashlight, transmits data on smoke or fire status of the home or other building from the smoke detector to the first offsite device, and transmits the data on the smoke or fire status from the smoke detector to a second offsite device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the wireless activation signal is a wireless radio frequency activation signal.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the first offsite device is associated with an emergency responder.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the second offsite device is associated with an insurance company.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the data received on the smoke or fire status is used by the insurance company for actuarial analysis.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the first offsite device is associated with an emergency responder and the second offsite device is associated with an insurance company.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the portable flashlight is an occupant worn device, the smoke detector transmits the wireless activation signal to the occupant worn device in response to the detection, and the occupant worn device activates in response to the receipt of the wireless activation signal.