MONITORING SYSTEM

Abstract: A carbon monoxide monitoring system comprises a carbon monoxide detector (10) to provide a signal upon detection of a predetermined level of carbon monoxide, means (12) for detecting the signal, means (16) for transmitting the signal via a telecommunications system and remote means (20).

Description: TITLE Monitoring System DESCRIPTION This invention concerns a carbon monoxide monitoring system A problem with gas appliances, such as gas fires, is that blocked or partially blocked exhausts or flues can lead to emissions of carbon monoxide into a room Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless, so that it can be humanly detected, and can cause fatalities, if breathed in too great quantities Carbon monoxide detectors do exist that emit an alarm signal, when carbon monoxide levels exceed a predetermined level However, such detectors are battery operated, which means that they can fail, if the batteries run down or the alarm may not be heard, if the occupant(s) of the room is or are asleep An object of this invention is to provide a carbon monoxide monitoring system that can overcome the problem of carbon monoxide poisoning According to this invention there is provided a carbon monoxide monitoring system comprising a carbon monoxide detector to provide a signal upon detection of a predetermined level of carbon monoxide, means for detecting the signal, means for transmitting the signal via a telecommunications system and remote means The invention preferably uses the global specification for mobile telephones network for transmission of the signal The signal may be transmitted in any desired format, such as data, as an image in digital form, or as a voice message The alarm occurrence can be logged, preferably on a computer, for controlling actions and responses relative to the situation The received signal can be used to generate a telephone call to the source of the signal to raise the alarm to the occupants It can also be used to generate a call-out of emergency services for checking and repairing the appliance responsible for the carbon monoxide emission Preferably the invention further comprises a means for remotely operating a shut-off valve in the gas supply to prevent further formation of carbon monoxide in response to receipt of a signal from the detector The shut-off valve may, of course, be operated directly from a signal from the carbon monoxide detector The shut-off valve may conveniently be a solenoid valve activated by a signal from the detector or from a remote source in response to an alarm state, i e carbon monoxide levels in excess of predetermined levels Signal transmission to and from the remote monitoring system of the invention is preferably via a short message server of the GSM network The monitoring system of the invention can send its signals to a telephone via the GSM but it is preferred that the system further comprise at a remote location a modem for receiving the transmitted signal and a computer program to store the signal received and optionally instigate a response thereto The computer may be programmed to interrogate the signal emitter remotely at random or predetermined intervals The computer is preferably programmed for remote operation via a GSM telephone using voice or digital signals, whereby a monitor of the system, such as a security guard, householder, warden or the like, may control functions connected to the monitoring system or interrogate the system The signal transmitting means preferably has battery power back-up Operation of the battery power back-up preferably activates a signal transmission to the transmitted signal receiving means Preferably the monitoring system of the invention has means for sending a signal to a designated receiver upon receipt of said battery power back-up signal The designated receiver may be a telephone and the message may be a pre-recorded voice message The carbon monoxide detector used in the system of the invention preferably also emits an audible and/or visible signal upon detection of carbon monoxide at excess levels Where mention is made of use of the GSM network, it is, of course, possible to substitute use of land ne telecommunications networks The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows schematically a carbon monoxide detection system of the invention Referring to the accompanying drawing, a carbon monoxide detector 10 is located in a room containing a gas appliance, such as a gas fire The detector 10 is arranged to produce a signal when carbon monoxide levels in the room exceed a predetermined level. Tne detector is battery powered and has a built-in radio transmitter sending a radio signal on detection of an excess level of carbon monoxide to a radio receiver 12, itself battery powered, and located in a control box 14 The radio receiver sends a signal to a pre-programmed dialler 16, which on receipt of a signal dials up a predetermined telephone number. The telephone that dials up may be a cellular phone 18. Alternatively the telephone number dialled up may be that of a computer modem 20 of a control centre computer 18'. The computer is programmed to send a signal via the GSM network to a receiver 20 arranged to provide an activating signal for a solenoid valve 27 in the gas supply line 24 to shut off the gas supply when excess levels of carbon monoxide are detected. The computer may be programmed to send a pre-recorded alarm message to a designated telephone in order to arrange attendance at the premises where the carbon monoxide excess has been detected.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A carbon monoxide monitoπng system comprising a carbon monoxide detector to provide a signal upon detection of a predetermined level of carbon monoxide, means for detecting the signal, means for transmitting the signal via a telecommunications system and remote means. 2 A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed m claim 1. w herein the transmission of the signal is via the global specification for mobile telephones network. 3. A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2. wherein the signal is transmitted as an image in digital form. 4 A carbon monoxide monitoπng system as claimed any one of claims 1 or 2. wherein the signal is transmitted as data 5 A carbon monoxide monitoπng system as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2. wherein the signal is transmitted as a \ oice message 6 A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5. wherein the alarm occurrence is logged, for controlling actions and responses relative to the situation A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed in claim 6. wherein the alarm occurrence is logged on a computer 8. A carbon monoxide monitoπng system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to ~ . wherein the received signal is used to generate a telephone call to the source of the signal to raise the alarm to the occupants 9 \ carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed m any one of claims 1 to 8. wherein the received signal is used to generate a call-out of emergency sen ices for checking and repairing the appliance responsible for carbon monoxide emission. 10 \ carbon monoxide monitoring sy stem as claimed m any one of claims 1 to 9. comprising a means for remoteh ODeratmg a shut-off \ ah e m the gas supph to prevent further formation of carbon monoxide m response to receipt oi a signal from the detector. 11 A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed m claim 10. w herein the shut- off valve is operated directly from a signal from the carbon monoxide detector 12 \ carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed in any one of claims 10 or 1 1. wherein the shut-off a signal from tne detector m response to an alarm state, for example, carbon monoxide levels in excess of predetermined levels. 13. A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed m any one of claims 10 or 1 1. wherein the shut-off vah e is a solenoid valve activated by a signal from a remote source m response to an alarm state, i.e. carbon monoxide levels in excess of predetermined values. 14. A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13. wherein signal transmission to and from the remote monitoring system of the invention is preferably \ la a shoπ message sen er of the global specification for mobile telephones network. 15. A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed m claim 14, wherein the signals are sent to a telephone via the global specification for mobile telephones network. 16. A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14. comprising a modem at a remote location for receπ ing the transmitted signal and a computer program to store the signal received and optionally instigate a response thereto. 7. A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the computer is programmed to interrogate the signal emitter remotely at random intervals. 18 A carbon monoxide monitoπng system as claimed in claim 16. wherein the computer is programmed to interrogate the signal emitter remotely at predetermined intervals. 19. A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed in any one of claims 16. I 7 or 18, wherein the computer is programmed for remote operation via a global specification for mobile telephones using voice signals. 20. A carbon monoxide monitoπng system as claimed in any one of claims 16. 17 or 18, wherein the computer is programmed for remote operation via a global specification for mobile phones telephone using digital signals 1 A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed m any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein a monitor of the system, such as a secuπty guard, householder, v. arden or the like, controls functions connected to the monitoπng system or interrogate the system 22 A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21. wherein the signal transmitting means has a battery power back-up 23. A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed m claim 22, wherein operation of the battery power back-up activates a signal transmission to the transmitted signal receiving means. 24. A carbon monoxide monitoπng system as claimed in claim 22 or 23. comprising means for sending a signal to a designated receiver upon receipt of the battery power back up signal 25. A carbon monoxide monitonng system as claimed m claim 24. wherein the designated receiver is a telephone and the message is a pre-recorded voice message. 26. A carbon monoxide monitoring system as claimed m any one of claims 1 to 25. wherein the detector emits an audible and or \ ιsιble signal upon detection of carbon monoxide at excess levels 27. A carbon monoxide monitoring system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying draw mg

Inventors: GORDON DAVID HYMAN, GORDON, DAVID, HYMAN
Applicants: ASCOT MAN SOLUTIONS LTD, GORDON DAVID HYMAN, ASCOT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LIMITED, GORDON, DAVID, HYMAN
Application year: 2001
Main classification: G08B21
IPC codes: G08B17, G08B21, G08B25