Bifurcated processor hazard detection systems

• US 9,612,602 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2014
• Issued: 04/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Ian C., Warren, Daniel Adam, Mullins, Scott, Conner, Brian Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US14/333,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20150022349A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 340514, 340506, 340511, 340517, 340 31
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/46 wherein the variable actually regulated by the final control device is dc G05F1/625 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• 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 17/117 by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire G08B17/103, G08B17/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/06 Two-wire systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/008 Plural converter units for generating at two or more independent and non-parallel outputs, e.g. systems with plural point of load switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/0036 Means reducing energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier

Abstract

Hazard detection systems according to embodiments described herein are operative to provide failsafe safety detection features and user interface features using circuit topology and power budgeting methods that minimize power consumption. The safety detection features can monitor environmental conditions (e.g., smoke, heat, humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, radon, and other noxious gasses) in the vicinity of the hazard detection system associated and alarm occupants when an environmental condition exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A hazard detection system, comprising:

a plurality of safety sensors comprising a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, and a heat sensor;

a safety processor operative to;

communicate with the safety sensors; and

activate an alarm if any of the safety sensors detect a hazard event; and

a system processor operative to execute a plurality of user interface features,

wherein the safety processor is characterized by relatively low power consumption and relatively limited processing power in comparison to that of the system processor, and wherein the safety processor is operative to independently activate the alarm regardless of whether the system processor is functioning.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one non-safety sensor, wherein the system processor is operative to communicate with the least one non-safety sensor.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

first wireless communications circuitry characterized by relatively low power consumption and configured to wirelessly communicate according to a first protocol characterized by relatively low data rates;

second wireless communications circuitry characterized by relatively high power consumption and configured to wirelessly communicate according to a second protocol characterized by relatively high data rates, wherein the system processor is operative to communicate with the first wireless communications circuitry and the second wireless communications circuitry.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of user interface features comprises:

access to a remote server using the second wireless communications circuitry.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a DC power source, which is the only source of power for the system.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the DC power source powers the system for at least seven years.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the safety processor is further operative to monitor the DC power source.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety processor is further operative to manage power consumption of at least one of the plurality of safety sensors.

9. A battery powered hazard detection system, comprising:

a battery power source;

a plurality of safety sensors comprising a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, and a heat sensor;

first wireless communications circuitry operative to communicate with at least one other system that includes its own first wireless communications circuitry and is within a communications vicinity of the hazard detection system;

second wireless communications circuitry operative to communicate with a wireless router;

a safety processor operative to monitor the safety sensors and activate an alarm if any of the safety sensors detect a hazard event; and

a system processor operative to communicate with the first wireless communications circuitry, the second wireless communications circuitry, and the safety processor.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the safety processor is characterized by relatively low power consumption and relatively limited processing power in comparison to that of the system processor.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising non-volatile memory, wherein the second wireless communications circuitry is operative to retrieve a software update during a software update event and store the software update on the non-volatile memory.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the safety processor is operative to maintain a log of sensor data obtained from its communication with the safety sensor.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the system processor is operative to:

receive the log from the safety processor;

cause the second wireless communications circuitry to transmit the log to the wireless router.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein when the safety processor is in a sensor check power state and the system processor is a sleep power state, the safety processor consumes more power than system processor.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein when the safety processor is in a sensor check power state and the system processor is in a log update power state, the safety processor consumes less power than the system processor.

16. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a power bus coupled to the battery power source;

first power converting circuitry coupled to the power bus, wherein the safety processor and the system processor are both coupled to the first power converting circuitry.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein the first wireless communications circuitry includes 802.15.4 circuitry and the second wireless communications circuitry includes 802.11 circuitry.

18. The system of claim 9, wherein the battery power source is a non-rechargeable battery source and is the only source of power for the system.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the battery power source powers the system for at least seven years.

20. A hazard detection system, comprising:

a plurality of safety sensors comprising a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, and a heat sensor;

a first processor operative to;

communicate with the safety sensors; and

activate an alarm if any of the safety sensors detect a hazard event; and

a second processor operative to execute a plurality of user interface features,

wherein the first processor is characterized by relatively low power consumption and relatively limited processing power in comparison to that of the second processor, and wherein the first processor is operative to independently activate the alarm regardless of whether the second processor is functioning.