Drone-based smoke detector

• US 10,689,107 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2017
• Issued: 06/23/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Baracaldo Angel, Nathalie, Gopisetty, Sandeep, Ludwig, Heiko H., Ungar, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Figueroa, Jaime
• Application Number:
  US15/497,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20180305010A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 700245
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/027 Ceiling supports
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0011 associated with a remote control arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0033 by having the operator tracking the vehicle either by direct line of sight or via one or more cameras located remotely from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0676 specially adapted for landing
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/38 using flashing light

Abstract

One embodiment provides a method comprising receiving a request to release a utility holder detachably mounted to a surface mount. The utility holder maintains a utility payload. A set of rotatable holding brackets is coupled to the surface mount in a pivotable fashion to engage the holding brackets with the utility holder in order to mount the utility holder to the surface mount. The method further comprises, in response to receiving the request, powering on a drone attached to the utility holder, and releasing the utility holder from the surface mount by actuating rotation of the holding brackets to disengage the holding brackets from the utility holder, enabling the drone to transport the utility holder from the surface mount to a desired location.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a request to release a utility holder detachably mounted to a surface mount, wherein the utility holder maintains a utility payload, and a set of rotatable holding brackets is coupled to the surface mount in a pivotable fashion to engage the holding brackets with the utility holder in order to mount the utility holder to the surface mount; and

in response to receiving the request;

powering on a drone attached to the utility holder; and

releasing the utility holder from the surface mount by actuating rotation of the holding brackets to disengage the holding brackets from the utility holder, enabling the drone to transport the utility holder from the surface mount to a desired location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the request is wirelessly received from a remote control device operated by a user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the surface mount comprises;

a base unit that is affixable to a mounting surface; and

a first coupling member; and

the utility holder comprises;

a mounting portion including a second coupling member and a holder member.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the mounting surface is a ceiling.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first coupling member attracts the second coupling member to couple the utility holder to the base unit and mount the utility holder to the surface mount when the coupling members are within proximity of each other.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the coupling members comprise magnets of opposite polarities.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the holding brackets engage with the holder member to lock the utility holder to the base unit and mount the utility holder to the surface mount.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein actuating rotation of the holding brackets to release the utility holder from the surface mount comprises:

simultaneously rotating the holding brackets to disengage the holding brackets from the holder member and release the utility holder from the surface mount.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the drone is manually pilotable to the desired location via a remote control device operated by a user.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the utility payload comprises a detector.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises one of a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide detector.