System and method for detection of a variety of alarm conditions

• US 8,188,873 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2008
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Detection Group, Inc. (Watts Water Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Detection, Inc.
• Inventors: Barth, R. Thomas, Baker, William D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US12/186,499
• Publication Number:
  US 20090201162A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,393 Days
• Field of Search: 340/605, 340/603, 340/539.1, 340/604, 340/618, 340/612, 137/312, 73/40, 73/46
• US Class Current: 340/605
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/001 Alarm cancelling procedures or alarm forwarding decisions, e.g. based on absence of alarm confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/003 Address allocation methods and details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/006 Alarm destination chosen according to type of event, e.g. in case of fire phone the fire service, in case of medical emergency phone the ambulance
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/007 Details of data content structure of message packets; data protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/012 using recorded signals, e.g. speech G08B25/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/12 Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/14 checking the detection circuits

Abstract

A water leak detection and active surveillance system applied to one or more single or multiple-story buildings that timely alerts and contacts a decision maker(s) of the leak so that that corrective intervention may be implemented. The system includes multiple water detection endpoints and a base station that is connected by wireless transmission or other communication means. The system also includes a central server which augments the alarms with text messaging and emails as well as maintains a customer database of all water incidents and alarming procedures. The system also monitors the functionality (operating health) of all detection components. The system also provides proprietary access to the database by qualified users through an internet portal. The system includes the capability to implement a water shutoff action to the water source of the affected building. The system can also operate in mixed mode detection where it can detect a combination of alarm conditions such as smoke, motion, etc.

Claims

1. A water detection system comprising:

at least one water detector in a building, the water detector configured to send an alarm signal upon detecting a water leak event;

a central server; and

a base station having a phone number database, the base station configured to receive the alarm signal and make outgoing phone calls to telephone numbers stored in the database, the base station further configured to communicate with the central server and optionally implement a water shutoff action without human intervention, wherein the central server receives information from the base station that includes details of the water leak event and stores the information in a customer database.