Wireless device networks with smoke detection capabilities

• US 9,332,099 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2015
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Puskarich, Paul G.
• Primary Examiner(s): McNally, Kerri
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dorsey, Renee
• Application Number:
  US14/944,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20160072935A1
• Time in Patent Office: 168 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/107 for detecting light-scattering due to smoke
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/11 using an ionisation chamber for detecting smoke or gas
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/113 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/003 Signalling to neighbouring houses
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72421 with automatic activation of emergency service functions, e.g. upon sensing an alarm

Abstract

An electronic device may include a smoke detector. The electronic device may use the smoke detector to monitor for the presence of smoke. In response to detecting smoke with the smoke detector, the electronic device may issue an alert or take other suitable action. The electronic device may transmit alerts to nearby electronic devices and to remote electronic devices such as electronic devices at emergency services facilities. Alerts may contain maps and graphical representations of buildings in which smoke has been detected. Motion detectors and other sensors and circuitry may be used in determining whether electronic devices are being used by users and may be used in determining where the electronic devices are located. Alerts may contain information on the location of detected smoke and building occupants.

Claims

1. A cellular telephone, comprising:

a housing;

a display within the housing;

a port; and

a detector, wherein the detector is configured to monitor for particles through the port.

2. The cellular telephone defined in claim 1, further comprising:

control circuitry, wherein the detector is coupled to the control circuitry.

3. The cellular telephone defined in claim 1, wherein the detector is mounted in the port.

4. The cellular telephone defined in claim 1, wherein the display comprises a touch screen display.

5. The cellular telephone defined in claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a light source and a light detector.

6. The cellular telephone defined in claim 1, wherein the detector comprises an ionizing detector.

7. The cellular telephone defined in claim 1, further comprising:

communications circuitry configured to transmit data to external equipment in response to detecting particles with the detector.

8. The cellular telephone defined in claim 7, wherein the communications circuitry comprises wireless communications circuitry.

9. The cellular telephone defined in claim 7, further comprising satellite navigation system receiver circuitry configured to receive signals to determine the location of the cellular telephone.

10. The cellular telephone defined in claim 1, further comprising a motion sensor and a proximity sensor.

11. A cellular telephone, comprising:

a housing;

a display within the housing;

an opening; and

a detector, wherein the detector is configured to monitor for particles through the opening.

12. The cellular telephone defined in claim 11, further comprising mesh, wherein the opening is covered with the mesh.

13. The cellular telephone defined in claim 12, wherein the detector is configured to monitor for particles through the mesh.

14. The cellular telephone defined in claim 12, wherein the detector is located under the mesh.

15. A tablet computer, comprising:

a housing;

a display within the housing;

a port; and

a detector, wherein the detector is configured to monitor for particles through the port.

16. The tablet computer defined in claim 15, further comprising:

control circuitry, wherein the detector is coupled to the control circuitry.

17. The tablet computer defined in claim 15, wherein the detector is mounted in the port.

18. The tablet computer defined in claim 15, wherein the display comprises a touch screen display.

19. The tablet computer defined in claim 15, wherein the detector comprises a light source and a light detector.

20. The tablet computer defined in claim 15, wherein the detector comprises an ionizing detector.