Abstract:
The present invention is a battery powered, portable microprocessor based early warning alarming ashtray. It provides the smoker two different time limited unattended cigarette alarms, as well an alarm for a tipped ashtray; an alarm for a bumped ashtray; an alarm based on nearby or lower elevation smoke by either of the two smoke detection devices; and a low power alarm. It offers “full protection” for most of the likely scenarios encountered by smokers that could result in a fire. Emptying of the ashtray by tipping overrides and disables the tipping alarm momentarily. Since the apparatus is microprocessor controlled, the timing intervals and magnitude of the different alarm notifications can be preprogramed as well as the sensitivity of the smoke detector devices.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
   The present invention relates to a smoker&#39;s ashtray capable of both preventing and detecting cigarette related fires and more particularly, to a microprocessor based battery powered early fire detection and prevention apparatus. 
   Cigarette related fires are commonplace. They rank as the number one cause of residential fires and residential fire related deaths. It is well documented that many of the cigarette related fires stem from a lit cigarette that is knocked from an ashtray, a lit cigarette that burns unattended and shortens until it tips from the ashtray, or a person who falls asleep while smoking. Although early warning smoke detectors are commonplace in most residences, their proximity to the source of the smoke is directly related to the amount of time available to rectify the situation before it gets out of hand. Furthermore, many smokers prefer to disable their ceiling mounted smoke detectors if they smoke indoors as the hot rising smoke particles continually set off the alarms. 
   Prior art alarming ashtrays attempting to offer early warning focus on the status of the cigarette and its positioning by pressure micro switches, heat sensors and the like. Their detection/sensing capabilities end when the cigarette is extinguished, or when the cigarette leaves the ashtray. This does not account for tipped ashtrays, cigarettes that have fallen out of the ashtray and cigarettes that never return to the ashtray after use. Furthermore, these require certain ongoing interactions between the smoker and the ashtray, such as the resetting of their alarming mechanisms. 
   The present invention offers true “full protection” for most of the likely scenarios caused by smokers that can potentially result in a fire. The ashtray notifies the smoker when their cigarette has been lefty unattended in the ashtray for a predetermined period of time. Continuing to fail to attend to the cigarette after a lengthier period of time prompts a stronger notification. Bumping or tilting the ashtray beyond a preset angle initiates a continual notification until the situation is remedied. Emptying of the ashtray by tipping overrides and disables the tipping alarm momentarily. If a lit cigarette falls in the vicinity of the ashtray, the cigarette smoke and/or smoke from ignited combustible materials will instigate another alarm. The apparatus also warns the user of a low battery condition. Since the apparatus is microprocessor controlled, the timing intervals and magnitude of the different alarm notifications can be preprogramed as well as the sensitivity of the smoke detectors. 
   Henceforth, a “full protection” alarming ashtray would fulfill a long felt need in the industry. This new invention utilizes and combines known and new technologies in a unique and novel configuration to overcome the aforementioned problems and accomplish this. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
   The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved early warning smoker&#39;s ashtray that will alert the user of potential fire causing scenarios as well as to actual smoke generating situations. 
   It has many of the advantages mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new early warning ashtray which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   In accordance with the invention, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved ashtray that automatically notifies a smoker when they have exceeded a preset time limit for leaving a cigarette unattended in the ashtray. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide an improved ashtray that automatically gives a second, stronger notification when the unattended cigarette is not attended to for a second lengthier time interval. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved ashtray that automatically gives the user a notification if the ashtray has been tipped over or bumped. 
   It is still a further object of this invention to provide for an improved ashtray that automatically alarms the user if there is a smoke emitting source near or below the ashtray. 
   It is yet a further object of this invention to provide an improved ashtray that automatically provides the user with a notification of the battery status. 
   The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a top view of the ashtray showing the general arrangement of some of the components; 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the ashtray showing it&#39;s general configuration; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the ashtray showing it&#39;s general configuration; 
       FIG. 4  is a side cross sectional view of the ashtray showing the general arrangement of the ashtray&#39;s major components; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view showing the location of the major components of the ashtray; 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the circuit board without a battery installed; 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the circuit board; and 
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the angle alarm device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
   Looking at  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  it can be seen that the ashtray body  2  is comprised of two matingly engagable polymer parts. There is an upper ashpan housing  16  and a vented lower component housing  18 . The upper ashpan housing  16  has flange  4  and an ashpan  10  separated by a raised ring  6  with generally hemispherical cigarette grooves  8  formed there through. The location of cigarette optical sensors  12  and override optical sensor  14  in relation to grooves  8  and ashpan flange  4  are indicated and are visible through the ashpan housing  16  from a top view. Lower component housing  18  has multiple vents  20  disposed about the circumference to allow the movement of local air and smoke into the vicinity of the smoke detector sensors. The preferred embodiment ashtray  1  has feet  22  formed on the base of the lower component housing  18 . These may be made of the same material as the rest of the astray body  2  or of a gripable polymer or rubber. 
   The material of construction for the preferred embodiment is an infra red translucent, heat resistant polycarbonate, although other infra red translucent compounds will suffice, or other heat resistant substrates having regions of infra red translucent material adjacent to the sensors. The entire body  2  need not be made from the same infra red translucent material, as the infra red translucent property is only critical in the areas directly above and adjacent to where the cigarette optical sensor  12  and override optical sensor  14  are located. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of the physical location of the major components of the ashtray. It also illustrated the engagement slots on the vented lower component housing  18  that allows it to matingly connect to upper ashpan housing  16 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the circuit board  36  is a circular, double sided, standard phenolic circuit board capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of those generated by a cigarette alone before distorting or experiencing melting of the conductive circuit pathways  44 . The circuit board  36  rests on flange  5  of the lower component housing  18  and is held in place by the close tolerance between the upper ashpan flange  4  and the vented lower component housing flange  5  and adhesive. The preferred embodiment uses a 25 mm separation between the bottom of the ashpan  10  and the top face of the circuit board  40 . 
   Looking at  FIG. 6 , a view of the bottom face of the circuit board  38 , the general arrangement of the components can be seen. Smoke detector ionization chamber  24  is mounted above smoke detector integrated circuit microchip  48  and adjacent piezoelectric horn  26 , and angle alarm optical sensor  32  which is centered above hemispherical cup  34 . Microprocessor chip  46  is located approximately centrally on the circuit board  36  and adjacent smoke detector photo sensor  25 . 
   Looking at  FIG. 7 , a view of the top face of the circuit board  40  the general arrangement of the remaining components can be seen. Three cigarette optical sensors  12  can be seen spaced at an equal distance in from the outer periphery of the circuit board  36  at approximate 120 degree spacings. Alarm override optical sensor  14  is located approximately equidistant from two of the cigarette optical sensors  12  and adjacent to LED  52 . Conductive circuit pathways  44  can be seen traced about the circuit board  36  connecting the various electrical components. 
     FIG. 8  shows the ball  30 , hemispherical body  34 , and angle alarm optical sensor  32  of the angle alarm device, as mounted onto circuit board  36 . 
   To increase the margin of protection afforded to the components and circuit board  36 , the main body  2  is constructed from a heat resistant polycarbonate. As additional protection, there is an air filled void  50  between the ashpan  10  and the circuit board  36  and all the components except for the LED light  52 , the cigarette optical sensor  12  and the override optical sensor  14  reside on the bottom face  38  of the circuit board  36 . A thin heat dissipating circular metal foil disk may be optionally placed in the void  50  between the circuit board  36  and the ashpan  10 , although it is not utilized in the preferred embodiment. Testing has not shown the need for an insulator when the ashtray  1  is used with cigarettes but consistent use with cigars in a commercial environment may require installation of such a thermal insulating device. 
   There are three cigarette optical sensors  12  which are infra red transmitter receivers that work on a reflective sensing capability. They have an infra red light emitting diode (LED) and a matched photo receiver, although it is know that other types of optical sensors can be utilized, these are economical, readily available and reliable. The cigarette optical sensor  12  emits an infra red light and senses any back reflection of the same light which would be encountered if an object was in close proximity to the LED source. Since the ashtray body  2  is translucent to light in the infra red spectrum, the cigarette optical sensor  12 , when positioned below and in close proximity to the cigarette groove  8 , detects the presence of a cigarette on the groove  8 . Once the cigarette optical sensor  12  has detected the presence of a cigarette it sends a signal to the microprocessor  46  which initiates an internally programed algorithmic countdown timer. When this timer completes a first interval of time, the microprocessor  46  activates the LED alarm light  52  and sends a first level arm signal to a driver circuit on the smoke detector microchip  48  that sounds the piezoelectric horn  26 . When the cigarette is removed the cigarette optical sensor  12  no longer detects the cigarette, and it both stops it&#39;s signal to the microprocessor  26  which in turn stops generation of the first level alarm signal, resets the internally programed algorithmic countdown timer, and switches off the LED alarm light  52 . If the cigarette is not attended to by the end of a second consecutive timed interval, the microprocessor  46  sends a second level arm signal to the driver circuit of the smoke detector microchip  48  to sound the alarm horn  26 . 
   While the preferred embodiment ashtray has three cigarette optical sensors  12  positioned about the three cigarette grooves  8 , the number of these can vary depending upon the size of the ashtray  1 . 
   Note, that the cigarette optical sensor  12 , the override optical sensor  14  and the angle alarm optical sensor  32  are all identical optical sensors. (These are also commonly referred to as photo sensors.) The ashtray&#39;s responses to single or multiple sensor signals are defined by the logic programed into the microprocessor  26 . In testing, the timing intervals have seen adjusted to be within the range of time for the normal attendance to lit cigarette or cigar. These range from one to three minutes each. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4  again, it can be seen that the angle alarm device is made of a angle alarm optical sensor  32 , and a hollow hemispherical body  34  with a ball  30  that is free to move within the body  34 . This sensor is also a standard discrete infra red matched LED and infra red receiver unit. 
   The angle alarm optical sensor  32  is mounted directly above the hemispherical body  34  and at the proximate centerline of the body  34  and ball  30  when the ashtray  1  and angle alarm device is horizontally orientated position. In this manner the ball  30  reflects emitted light back to the angle alarm optical sensor  32  when the ashtray  1  remains within a specific range of angles. Outside of this range of angles it has been experimentally determined that cigarettes will fall from the cigarette grooves  8 . Thereafter, the ball  30  will not be in the path of the emitted infra red light and there will be no back reflection to the sensor  32 . Following this logic, severe bumping or rapid movement of the astray  1  will also cause the ball  30  to move away from the path of the emitted infra red light, momentarily eliminating any back reflection to the sensor  32 . 
   The override optical sensor  14  is located below an area on the ashpan&#39;s flange  4  that is marked to indicate that the user should grip the ashtray  1  with their thumb over the override optical sensor  14  when emptying the astray  1 . When this override optical sensor  14  is covered, similar to the cigarette optical sensor&#39;s operation, it senses any back reflection of infra red light and sends a signal to the microprocessor  46  which stops generating all audible and visual alarm signals, (including all alarms soon to be initiated by the angle alarm optical sensor  32  if the ashtray is being tipped), and resets the alarm timers. The override optical sensor  14  thus overrides all audible and visual alarm signals sent by the microprocessor  46 . 
   Note, that the angle alarm optical sensor  32  and the cigarette optical sensors  12  elicit responses upon an absence of reflected light within the sensor, while the override optical sensor  14  and the smoke detector photosensor  25  elicit responses based on the detection of infra red light within the sensor. All of these optical/photo sensors are standard discrete infra red matched LED and infra red receiver combination units as is well known in the industry. 
   A visual alarm light  52  is located adjacent the override optical sensor  14 . It is a colored light emitting diode (LED) that is clearly visible through the upper ashtray housing  16 . It is activated simultaneously by the microprocessor  46  with either the first or second level audible alarm signal. 
   There are two types of smoke detecting means utilized in the ashtray  1 , a photo sensor smoke detector  25  and an ionization chamber smoke detector  24 . Both means sense smoke particles that pass into the vented lower component housing  18  through the vents  20 . Since the lowest level the cigarettes are generally located at is the ashpan  10 , and since hot smoke rises, the only smoke to enter the lower component housing  18  would be from a cigarette that fell from the ashtray  1  or combusting materials in the vicinity of the ashtray  1 , presumably ignited from cigarette residue. 
   The ionization chamber smoke detector  24  generates a signal which it sends to the smoke detector microchip  48 . (The industry standard is used in the preferred embodiment which is a low voltage CMOS integrated circuit Motorola model MC 14467 microchip, although there are other microchips which perform adequately.) This signal increases with the increasing level of smoke detected by the ionization chamber. Once the signal strength increases beyond a certain threshold level as set in the microchip  48 , the microchip  48  sends a signal to the microprocessor  46 . The microprocessor  46  will then send an alarm signal back to the driver circuit of the microchip  48  to sound the second level (loudest sounding) alarm via the horn  26  and activate the LED  52 . (Provided that the override optical sensor  14  is not activated.) The driver circuit of the microchip  48  is used to drive the horn  26  since the microchip  48  has a higher voltage capability than does the microprocessor  46 . Thus, the driver circuit on the smoke detector microchip  48  powers the horn  26  but based on a signal input from the microprocessor  46 . The microprocessor  46  can send two different signals to be generated by the microchip  48  depending on the desired horn frequency which then determines the corresponding horn sound and volume. 
   The smoke detector photo sensor  25  is a standard discrete infra red matched LED and infra red receiver positioned in a spaced configuration (approximately ⅜″ apart) at right angles to each other on the bottom side of the circuit board  36 . Smoke particles moving in the beam path of emitted infra red light from the LED, reflect infra red light onto the receiver. A signal is generated by and sent from the photo sensor  25  directly to the microprocessor  46  (bypassing the smoke detector microchip  48 ). The signal strength increases with an increasing amount of smoke particles as seen and detected by the phot sensor  25 . The microprocessor  46  compares the magnitude of the signal strength through an algorithm to a preset preprogrammed threshold value (that corresponds to a predetermined positive indication of smoke detection). Once this threshold value is exceeded, the microprocessor  46  sends a second level alarm signal to the smoke detector microchip&#39;s driver circuit to drive the horn  26  as discussed above, and activates the LED  52 . (Provided that the override optical sensor  14  is not activated.) On the detection of smoke from either of the smoke detecting means, the loudest audible alarm or second level alarm, is sounded. 
   Referring now to the operation of the ashtray  1 , the microprocessor  46  receives information from the following four sources: the battery  42 , the cigarette optical sensor  12 ; the override optical sensor  14 , the angle alarm optical sensor  32 , the smoke detector photo sensor  25 , and the smoke detector integrated circuit microchip  48 . Based on algorithms programed onto the microprocessor  46 , in response to signals from the abovementioned sources, the microprocessor  46  sends one of two different frequency signals to the piezoelectric horn  26  via the smoke detector microchip&#39;s driver circuit, resets the internally programed algorithmic countdown timer on the microprocessor, activates a LED light  52 , or initiates a rhythmic “chipping” alarm from the horn  26 . 
   The microprocessor  46  used in the preferred embodiment is a Silicon Labs Model 8051 microprocessor, flash programable device, although a plethora of others could be substituted. It has been programed to initiate a first level, second level or battery low alarm signal; to control the tone of the horn  26 ; to filter and analyze the various sensor inputs; to run the countdown timer; to activate a LED alarm light  52  and it can also vary the threshold smoke detection limit from the smoke detector photo sensor  25  or the threshold smoke detection limit of the smoke detector microchip  48 . A power converter is utilized to switch the 9 volt dc power down to approximately 3.3 volts and 25μ amperes to operate the microprocessor  46 . 
   The smoke detector integrated circuit microchip  48  is a low voltage, CMOS, integrated circuit, analogue microchip. The preferred embodiment uses the industry standard Motorola MC 14467 microchip, although substitution of other microchips would render the equivalent performance. The microchip  48  receives a variable signal from the smoke detector ionizing chamber  24  that increases with increasing smoke particle density within the chamber  24 . The microchip  48  has a driver circuit on it that powers and sounds the horn  26  in response to the first level alarm signal, the second level alarm signal or the low battery “chirping” signal sent by the microprocessor  46 . 
   The microprocessor  46  generates different audible alarm signals depending upon the algorithmic determination of which level of alarm is to be sounded. There is only one audible alarming device  26  but three distinct audible alarms are emitted. The first level alarm is initiated in response to a cigarette residing in the ashpan  10  beyond a first preprogramed timed interval. The second level alarm is initiated in response to a cigarette residing in the ashpan  10  beyond a second preprogramed timed interval, a tipped ashtray  1 , or a positive indication of smoke from either of the smoke detector means. Third, a low voltage level battery  42  will initiate an intermittent “chipping” alarm until such time as the battery  42  dies or is replaced. 
   The horn  26  is modulated to control the volume level and the tone. This will affect the resonance of the horn. For the first level alarm a quiet, low frequency signal (one that is not a harmonic of the resonant frequency) is generated. For the second level alarm a high decibel, high frequency signal is emitted. The second level alarm is designed to attract more attention than the first level. 
   All alarms can be over ridden by the alarm override sensor  14 , logically since it indicates the presence of an awake person. (Note, that the location of the alarm override sensor is not such that a cigarette fallen from a groove  8  could come to rest above the override sensor, thereby inhibiting the alarm function.) 
   The actions of the user and/or ashtray and the responses triggered by the microprocessor are best illustrated by the following chart: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
                 
               Microprocessor Activated 
             
             
                 
               Action 
               Response 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               put cig in rest 
               start timer circuit 
             
             
                 
               leave cig in rest for longer 
               sound 1 st  level alarm 
             
             
                 
               than 1 st  preset time (90 sec) 
               activate light 
             
             
                 
               leave cig in rest for longer 
               sound 2 nd  level alarm activate 
             
             
                 
               than 2 nd  preset time (180 sec) 
               light 
             
             
                 
               remove cig from rest 
               reset cig timers 
             
             
                 
                 
               mute alarm 
             
             
                 
                 
               turn off light 
             
             
                 
               cover emptying grip 
               reset cig timers 
             
             
                 
               (system alarm override) 
               mute alarm 
             
             
                 
                 
               turn off light 
             
             
                 
               tip ashtray 
               sound 2 nd  level alarm activate 
             
             
                 
                 
               light 
             
             
                 
               bump ashtray 
               sound 2 nd  level alarm 
             
             
                 
                 
               activate light 
             
             
                 
               stabilize or put ashtray 
               mute alarm 
             
             
                 
               horizontal 
               turn off light 
             
             
                 
               smoke enters through vents &amp; 
               sound 2 nd  level alarm activate 
             
             
                 
               triggers ionization chamber 
               light 
             
             
                 
               smoke clears in ionization 
               mute alarm 
             
             
                 
               chamber 
               turn off light 
             
             
                 
               smoke enters through vents &amp; 
               sound 2 nd  level alarm activate 
             
             
                 
               triggers photo cell 
               light 
             
             
                 
               smoke clears in photo cell 
               mute alarm 
             
             
                 
                 
               turn off light 
             
             
                 
               smoke enters through vents &amp; 
               sound 2 nd  level alarm activate 
             
             
                 
               triggers ionization chamber and 
               light 
             
             
                 
               photo cell 
             
             
                 
               smoke clears in ionization 
               1 st  level alarm remains on 
             
             
                 
               chamber or photo cell while 
               light remains on 
             
             
                 
               other smoke detector still 
             
             
                 
               activated 
             
             
                 
               smoke clears in ionization 
               mute alarm 
             
             
                 
               chamber and photo cell 
               turn off light 
             
             
                 
               battery voltage level drops 
               intermittent “chipping” alarm 
             
             
                 
               below preset level 
               sounds 
             
             
                 
                 
               and light is activated 
             
             
                 
               battery replaced with new one 
               mute alarm 
             
             
                 
                 
               turn off light 
             
             
                 
               battery voltage drops below 
               alarm cannot sound 
             
             
                 
               level to operate unit 
               light cannot come on 
             
             
                 
                 
               microprocessors cannot function 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The above description will enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention. It also sets forth the best modes for carrying out this invention. There are numerous variations and modifications thereof that will also remain readily apparent to others skilled in the art, now that the general principles of the present invention have been disclosed.