Patent Publication Number: US-2012025972-A1

Title: Temperature alarm system outlet module

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Federally Sponsored Research or Development 
     This application makes reference to, claims priority to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/369,957, entitled “Temperature Alarm System Module” and filed on Aug. 2, 2010. 
    
    
     MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE 
     [Not Applicable] 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to protection against fires caused by electrical problems, and more particularly, to a system and individual components designed to provide an alert of a potential or actual fire caused by faulty electrical wiring. 
     Electrical fires can be caused by faulty wiring that causes an electrical short. Electrical current flows in a circuit like water in a stream. When a large boulder is placed in a stream, the water may overflow onto the bank because it has nowhere else to go. A similar phenomena occurs with current flowing through wires. When too much current is flowing at once, the excess current has nowhere to go. If a circuit breaker does not behave properly to cut off the current flow, the wires begin to heat up. Like the water overflowing onto the banks, the excess current can “overflow,” and an electrical fire may result. Thus, a short circuit may start a heating process in a wire, and the increasing heat may eventually lead to a fire. 
     These electrical fires have been a problem since the invention of electricity, and over ninety-four thousand electrical fires occur each year in the United States alone. An electrical fire is serious because the fire can start behind a wall and spread through much of a building before being detected. In fact, electrical shorts have been known to burn for eight hours before they fully ignite. 
     As more and more electrical devices are used, more electricity is demanded from a single outlet. Additionally, controlling current at a circuit breaker becomes harder, and circuit breaker failure becomes more common. Moreover, electrical fire hazards still exist in many homes and buildings. For example, aluminum wiring was banned in many states when it was discovered to be a major cause of electrical fires. However, aluminum wiring is not banned in some states. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The early warning fire detection system of the present invention detects problems at electrical outlets, wall lights and switches, outlet cords, electrical wires and other electrical devices, where the problems may indicate potential fire-causing conditions. Information regarding each of several areas may be centrally received and displayed to an end user. 
     In some embodiments, a portable transmitter box is pluggable into a conventional wall outlet. The transmitter box may contain circuitry which can monitor the outlet in close proximity and detect fire-causing conditions at the outlet. Also, the transmitter box may contain a transmitter circuit for transmitting RF signals containing information developed by the monitoring circuit, and the transmitter box may send signals to a main control unit. The main control unit may have a signal receiver that receives RF signals from the transmitter box, and the main control unit may display information regarding the transmitter box to an end user. 
     In some embodiments, a portable alarm box pluggable into a conventional wall outlet may contain circuitry which can monitor another outlet in close proximity and detect fire-causing conditions at that outlet. Also, the alarm box may contain a transceiver circuit for transmitting RF signals containing information developed by the monitoring circuit, and the alarm box may send signals to a main control unit. The alarm box with a transceiver may also be capable of receiving signals from the main control unit, other wireless devices or other alarm boxes. The main control unit may have a signal receiver that receives RF signals from the transmitter box, and the main control unit may display information regarding the transmitter box to an end user. 
     In another embodiment, a plurality of transmitter boxes is present, and the transmitter boxes are pluggable into several outlets throughout a building, or in moderate proximity to each other. In this case, the main control unit may receive status information from each of the transmitter boxes. 
     In another embodiment, a plurality of alarm boxes with transceivers may be pluggable into several outlets throughout the building. The transceiver equipped alarm boxes may communicate with each other, with the main control unit or other wireless devices to communicate the status of individual transceiver equipped alarm boxes. 
     There are some electrical fire protection or alarm systems that are available, but none of these systems is effective at the early detection heat due to faulty wiring. These prior systems fail to turn off excess current building in the wire. One of the advantages of this system is the effective detection of electrical shorts, thus providing early detection of potential fire-causing conditions. Another advantage of this system is to prevent a conductor from exceeding its normal temperature rating. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view of an embodiment of an early warning fire detection system. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alarm module transmitter box of  FIG. 1  that is pluggable into a conventional wall outlet. 
         FIG. 3  is block diagram of circuitry inside the alarm module transmitter box of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIGS. 4-10  are diagrammatic views of display screens for display at the main control unit of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 11  is schematic diagram of a circuitry embodiment of the alarm module transmitter box of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is schematic diagram of a circuitry embodiment of the main control unit of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram of another embodiment an alarm module circuitry containing a transceiver. 
         FIG. 14  is illustrates another embodiment of a wire tie containing thermistors and a transmitter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an early warning fire detection system  11  includes a transmitter box  13  which transmits information signals  15  to a master main control unit  17 . In one example, transmitter box  13  may be pluggable into a conventional electrical wall outlet  19 , where the wall outlet could provide 120 volts, 240 volts, 380 volts, or other voltage configurations. The wall outlet could be located, for example, in a residential or commercial building. While only one transmitter box  13  is shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of boxes  13  may be connected within system  11 , with each box  13  plugged into a different electrical wall outlet  19  of the building. 
     In other examples, transmitter box  13  can be connected to a building&#39;s power supply through a way other than a conventional electrical wall outlet. For example, transmitter box  13  can be screwed or plugged into a lamp or wall light. Alternatively, transmitter box  13  can be plugged into an outlet strip or surge protector. Alternatively, the transmitter box may be wired into any lam, electric stove, microwave oven power supply electric motor, circuit breaker panel or the like 
     In other examples, transmitter box  13  can be placed semi-permanently, in a non-pluggable fashion, at a location where it can monitor wiring of a building. For example, transmitter box  13  could be embedded inside a wall, positioned in close proximity to wiring in the wall, so it could monitor the wiring in the wall. In these examples, it may be the case that inner monitoring circuitry of transmitter box  13  alone, without the outer casing of the transmitter box, is placed semi-permanently at a location. 
     Master main control unit  17  is typically secured to a wall within the building, for example, a central hallway, in order to provide a visual display to the system user based on information signals  15 . Information signals  15  are transmitted as RF signals which provide temperature information, and other information, to main control unit  17 . 
     Transmitter box  13  includes three conventional outlet prongs  21  which plug into a conventional wall outlet, for example, outlet  19 , in a conventional manner. The wall outlet could provide 120 volts, 240 volts, 380 volts, or other voltage configurations. Transmitter box  13  is formed of a hollow box-shaped structure, made from plastic, for example, and houses an electrical circuit  23  within box  13 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , transmitter box  13  is rectangular in shape having six sides: a front side  25 , a back-side  27  and four lateral sides  29 ,  31 ,  33  and  35 . Back side  27  is planar for meeting against the outer surface  33  of a conventional wall outlet plate  36 . Outlet plate  36  is screwed down tightly against the metal housing  43  of wall outlet  19 . The pair of outlets  37 ,  39  of wall outlet  19  protrudes through apertures  38  formed in plate  36 , in a conventional fashion. A screw  41  is centrally located to hold plate  36  tightly against, or with respect to, metal housing  43  of wall outlet  19 . 
     Back side  27  of transmitter box  13  may include a securement tab  45  which is used to secure transmitter box  13  in its plugged-in position, plugged into the lower outlet  39 . Tab  45  has a flat or planar front and back portion, and provides a circular opening  46  for receiving screw  41  in order to secure transmitter box  13  to wall outlet  19 . Use of securement tab  45  is optional, and other types of securement may be used, if desired 
     Front side  25  of transmitter box  13  is rectangular in shape and may be of a size similar to conventional wall plate  36 . A pair of prong receptacles  51  are located in front side  25  of box  13 , in a center location similar to that of conventional wall plate  36 . Each receptacle  51  has three conventionally shaped, prong-receiving apertures  55 . Thus, the appearance of front side  25  provides box  13  with the appearance of a conventional wall outlet, so as to invite a user to insert an electrical plug. 
     Each receptacle  51  may receive a conventional three prong electrical plug for connection of the plug with wall outlet  19 . As will suggest itself, receptacle  51  may include only one or two prong receiving apertures  55  so as to receive a correspondingly shaped electrical plug. Instead of two prong receptacles  51 , one, or more than two, may be provided, as will suggest itself. 
     Transmitter box  13  may be formed of two halves separable along line  57 , shown in  FIG. 2  as a dashed line. Separation of the two parts of box  13  allows access to circuit  23 , as well as facilitates the original positioning of circuit  23  within transmitter box  13 . The two halves may be secured together by tape, glue, epoxy or the like. Alternatively, the two halves may be secured together by a plurality of screws. For example, four screws may be inserted into the back side  27  of the transmitter box, and the screws may extend, perpendicular to side  27 , through the back half of transmitter box  13 , and contact the front half of transmitter box  13 , such that the two halves of transmitter box  13  are held tightly together. 
     Circuit  23  monitors high temperature conditions in box  13 , and thus effectively monitors temperature conditions of wall outlet  19 , in order to alert control unit  17  of an excessively high temperature. That is, the prongs  21  of box  13  act as a “thermometer” to measure the temperature of the outlet. 
     For example, potential excessive current draw from the outlet  19  may be indicative of a high temperature condition or a potential fire-causing problem. Also, the actual temperature of a piece of metal, or a metal component, within transmitter box  13  may be monitored. Such a metal piece, for example, a copper plate, may be purposely secured within box  13  and from which plate temperature may be judged. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , circuit  23  may be formed of a thermo switch circuit  63  and a transmitter  65  located on a circuit board  61  which is secured within the housing of transmitter box  13 . Circuit board  61  is electrically connected to metal prongs  21  which mate with wall outlet  19 . Circuit board  61  (or else prongs  21 ) is connected to metal receptacles  56  which are positioned in prong receiving apertures  55  of box  13  ( FIG. 2 ). Metal receptacles  56  make electrical connection with the prongs of an electrical plug inserted in box  13  at receptacle  51 . 
     Thermo switch circuit  63  is operable in order to disconnect electrical power passing from prongs  21  into metal receptacles  56 . Thermo switch circuit  63  monitors the amount of electrical current passing through transmitter box  13  relative to a threshold value of current indicative of an electrical short. Upon the threshold being exceeded, thermo switch circuit  63  is opened. In response to the opening of thermo switch circuit  63 , a RF signal  15  ( FIG. 1 ) is generated by transmitter  65 . RF signal  15  carries information that indicates that the thermo switch circuit  63  is open. 
     Thermo switch circuit  63  is used to detect excess heat signals produced by short circuits or overloads within the electrical system. Alternatively, thermo switch circuit  63  may be substituted with a thermistor circuit which creates a voltage reading which is proportional to the resistance of a thermistor, and which resistance varies with temperature at the thermistor. The thermistor circuit may be attached within transmitter box  13  in any convenient manner, so as to afford good thermal and ambient temperature measurement within box  13 . For example, the thermistor circuit may be attached to a copper plate which is disposed in transmitter box  13  and which is insulated electrically. 
     Circuitry  23  may operate such that whenever the voltage output at the thermistor circuit exceeds a threshold voltage, a signal is produced. Whenever the signal is produced, it is inputted to transmitter  65 . Transmitter  65  sends a signal to main control unit  17  indicating that a high temperature exists in the transmitter box  13 . Transmitter  65  may additionally send an actual temperature value and a time stamp indicating the time of occurrence of the high temperature. Transmitter  65  may also send a unique number for identifying the transmitter box  13  from which the high temperature was sensed. Where each transmitter boxes  13  of the system has a different identifying number, main unit  17  may recognize the identity of the room where the particular transmitter box is located. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , alternatively, the transmitter  65  in circuit  23  may be replaced by a transceiver  66 . The aforementioned transmitter box  13  thus becomes transceiver box  13 . The transceiver box may be capable of receiving signals from main control unit  17 , other transceivers or wireless devices.  FIGS. 1 and 2  and numbers therein equally apply to the transceiver box. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , circuit  23  may be formed of a thermo switch circuit  63  and a transceiver  66  located on a circuit board  61  which is secured within the housing of transceiver box  13 . Circuit board  61  is electrically connected to metal prongs  21  which mate with wall outlet  19 . Circuit board  61  (or else prongs  21 ) is connected to metal receptacles  56  which are positioned in prong receiving apertures  55  of box  13  ( FIG. 2 ). Metal receptacles  56  make electrical connection with the prongs of an electrical plug inserted in box  13  at receptacle  51 . 
     Thermo switch circuit  63  in transceiver box  13  operates in a similar fashion to thermo switch circuit  63  in transmitter box  13 . 
     In the transceiver box, two thermistors are positioned in close proximity to metal prongs  21  for measuring the temperature at prongs  21 . One thermistor is placed relative to the hot line and the other thermistor is placed relative to the neutral line. A third thermistor in the circuit is outside of the outlet module to measure the ambient temperature. The three measuring devices form a delta format. The delta format communicates with the transceiver  66  sending a signal to alarm module  17  or to other communicator panels designed to receive RF signals from the transceiver box when there are excessive temperatures detected by the thermistors. The Delta formation is connected to the microcontroller within the outlet module. 
     Transceiver box with transceiver  66  in circuit  23  may be plugged into any AC outlet and the transceivers may communicate with each other using a daisy chain effect. For example transceiver box in outlet # 1  may communicate with transceiver box in outlet # 2  asking the status of transceiver box in outlet # 2 . This communication may continue throughout the fire detection system. When one transceiver box fails to respond, an alarm may be sent to the main control unit indicating that the transceiver box that did not respond and thus may be not functioning properly. 
     It is contemplated that a transceiver box may not be required in every outlet. Because most new construction have outlets spaced every six feet, and the transceiver box thermistors are able to detect overheating of the electrical wire in a conduit over a six foot range, it becomes unnecessary to install transceiver boxes in every electrical outlet. 
     Alternative to plugging into an AC outlet, transceiver boxes may be wired into any lamp, electrical stove, microwave oven, TV power supply, laptop power supply, electric fan motor, circuit breaker panel and the like. 
     In another embodiment, the thermistors and transceivers may be enclosed in a surge suppressor. The thermistors and transceiver may be located outside the transceiver box or surge suppressor and attached directly to the electrical wiring to monitor the temperature of electrical wires in industrial, residential or commercial vehicles such as airplanes or boats. For example, the insulation may deteriorate or be worn away in a specific application such as an airplane&#39;s fuselage. The placing of the thermistors relative to the electrical wiring may detect any overheating in the wires. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 . in an another embodiment, using nano technology, two thermistors and transmitter  102  may be reduced in size using nano-technology and enclosed within a wire tie  100 . Wire tie  100  is used to tie electrical wiring together. One thermistor in wire tie  100  may measure the temperature of the bundle of wires the wire tie  100  is wrapped around. The other thermistor may measure the ambient temperature. A three-volt battery  103 , such as a lithium battery, may be used to supply power to the temperature monitoring wire ties  100  The transmitter in wire tie  100  may communicate the information from the thermistors wirelessly to any standard alarm system. This embodiment may be used to monitor wiring in building, residential homes, aircraft fuselages, boating and other commercial vehicles. 
     In one example, referring to  FIG. 1 , when circuit  23  senses a problem at one of the outlets, it may send a RF signal to the master control unit  17  informing the master control unit that there is was a problem at the outlet and the transmitter box has responded to the problem, for example, by disconnected power at the outlet. In another example, when circuit  23  sense a problem, it may send a RF signal to the master control unit merely informing the master control unit that a problem exists, but the transmitter box has not disconnected the power or otherwise responded to the problem. 
     In addition, whenever the main control unit  17  receives information about a problem at one of the outlets, it may inform an end user. Thus, the end user could remedy the problem, for example, by physically inspecting the outlet, or by choosing from options that may permit the user to address the problem remotely. In one example, an RF signal alert may be sent from the main control unit  17  to the end user&#39;s computer via email or a software program. Thus, the user could be sitting at work or some other location away from home and receive an alert that there is a problem with one of the outlets at home. 
     In another example, an RF signal alert may be sent from the main control unit  17  to an end user&#39;s wireless device (such as an iPhone telephone, Blackberry device, or iPod device) to alert the user to a problem. The alert may be sent to the end user as a SMS text message, email, or other electronic message. Also, main control unit  17  may signal a calling station or some other security facility. Control unit  17  would only report to a calling station if it considers an electrical fire potential, for example, based on the amount of heat at the outlet. 
     In another example, after receiving an alert from the main control unit  17  or from the individual transceiver  66  in  FIG. 13 , the end user may send a signal back to the main controller unit  17  directing main controller  17  to send a signal to transceiver  66  directing circuit  23  to disconnect power at the specific outlet box from which an alarm was received. Further, the end user may direct the circuit  23  to disconnect power by sending a signal from the end user&#39;s wireless device directly to transceiver  66 . 
     In another example, transmitter  65  or transceiver  66  may be designed to communicate with any smoke detector capable of receiving an RF signal to place smoke detector in an alarm mode if transmitter  65  or transceiver  66  send an alert signal to the smoke detector. A smoke detector equipped with a transceiver may communicate directly to transceiver  66  and disconnect outlet from system. 
     Also, when a transmitter box  13  detects a problem at one of the outlets, it may send a signal alert directly to some other communicator panel other than main control unit  17 . This alert may be an alternative or a supplement to transmitter box  13  sending a signal alert to main control unit  17 . The communicator panel could be designed to detect RF signals from the transmitter boxes. The communicator panel can be any device that alerts users to a problem at one of the outlets. For example, the communicator panel may generate noises such as rings, tones, beeps or other alarm sounds. The communicator panel may also be capable of sending RF signals to transceiver  66  or end user&#39;s wireless devices. The communicator panel may also receive signals from end user&#39;s wireless devices. 
     Additionally, when a transmitter or transceiver box  13  is initially plugged into a wall outlet  19 , transmitter or transceiver box  13  may send initiation and identification information to master control unit  17 . Transmitter or transceiver box  13  may determine its location and it may send location information to the master control unit  17 . Transmitter or receiver box  13  may sense location information automatically or a user may enter location information into the transmitter box  13  via switches, buttons or the like. Master control unit  17  can then detect that a new transmitter box  13  has been plugged into a wall outlet. Master control unit  17  may determine the location of a new transmitter box  13  based on location information sent to the main control unit by transmitter box  13  or, alternatively, the user may enter or select location information at the time the main control unit detects the new transmitter box. Once the main control unit  17  receives location information for a new transmitter box, it stores information relating to the transmitter box corresponding to the particular location. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , master main control unit  17  includes an electronic display  71  for providing visual information to a user. Additionally, master control unit  17  includes a plurality of manually operable buttons, such as buttons  91 ,  93 ,  95 ,  97 , that are located adjacent to the electronic display  71 . The display  71  is capable of displaying indicia such as numbers, text and graphics. For example, a portion of the electronic display can display information to the user such as status updates, commands, or questions. In another example, a portion of the electronic display can display choices that the user can choose among, and a visual highlight  99  may indicate at least one choice that is currently selected. Additionally, a portion of the electronic display  71  may display a plurality of soft labels that correspond to the plurality of manually operable buttons. For example, each soft label may correspond to the closest manually operable button. These soft labels can change according to different functionalities that the buttons can perform, in order to provide the user with an accurate description of the current functionality of each button. 
     In another example, the manually operable buttons can function to select between choices displayed to the user on the electronic display  71 . For example, one of the soft labels could display the text, “UP,” and when a user presses the corresponding button the visual highlight  99  moves to the choice above the current choice. Additionally, one soft label could display the text, “SELECT,” and when a user presses the corresponding button, the currently-highlighted choice is chosen. 
       FIG. 5  shows an example application of the electronic display  71 . The electronic display shows a rest screen that displays by default when the master control unit is not informed of any events such as the existence of a new wall outlet device, or a problem at one of the wall outlets. The rest screen displays to the user, for example, three choices. A choice labeled “Setup,” when selected by the user, could lead to a screen that offers various general setup options such as the option to enter room labels. A choice labeled “Status and configuration of outlets” could lead to a screen (for example,  FIG. 4 ) that displays the status of each wall outlet or transmitter box  13 . A choice labeled “Connect a new outlet device” could lead to a screen (not shown) that merely informs the user that the control unit is ready to detect a new outlet device. 
     In one example, when a newly plugged-in transmitter box transmits initiation information to main control unit  17 , electronic display  71  changes automatically to a screen (for example,  FIG. 6 ) that informs the user that the control unit has detected a new outlet device and asks the user if the user would like to setup the device. The user may actuate one of the manually operable buttons to begin setup of the new transmitter device (or a box  13 ). Additionally, the electronic display may change to a setup screen (for example,  FIG. 7 ) that allows the user to configure the new transmitter box. This setup screen may ask the user to select a location identifier or a room label for the new transmitter box. The user may select from among pre-entered room labels, or the user may choose to enter a new room label. For example, after a transmitter box  13  is plugged into an outlet in the kitchen, the user may next enter into main control unit  17  information that the identifier “kitchen” is associated with the unique number of the transmitter box  13 . Other such identifiers could include: bath, living room, den, library, hallway, exercise room, bedroom  1 , bedroom  2 , bedroom  3 , garage, etc. 
     In another example, in addition to identification of the room, the user may further associate more detailed location information with a transmitter box  13 , such as the text, “west wall of kitchen.” 
     Alternatively, the main control unit may automatically receive the room label and other location information from the new transmitter box, in which case, the electronic display may merely confirm to the user the room label and other location information. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , display  71  displays, for example, four separate outlet indicia  73 ,  75 ,  77 ,  79 , each visually representing one of four separate electrical wall outlets of the system. Indicia  73 ,  75  identify a unique number associated with a box  13 , i.e., the number “1090” is associated with one box  13  and the number “1091” is associated with another box  13 . The number associated with a box  13  may be transmitted to main control unit  17  by a box  13 , for example, when box  13  is first plugged into an outlet  19 , or at preset times. Indicia  77 ,  79  display an identification of the room location of a respective box  13 . In order to display an identification of the room location of box  13 , main control unit  17  may determine the room identity from information sent from box  13  or else entered into main control unit  17  by the user. 
     Adjacent each outlet indicia  73 - 79  is an indicator indicia  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87  on display  71 . Each indicator indicia  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87  has a display active state and a display non-active state to show the user that a potential problem exists at the corresponding outlet identified by the respective outlet indicia  73 ,  75 ,  77 ,  79 . The display active state indicates to the viewer that a high temperature has been sensed at the associated box  13 . For example, the active state may be a flashing red rectangle. 
     Also shown on display  71  are two soft labels with words, respectively, UP and DOWN, which appear above corresponding manually operable buttons  91 ,  93  located on unit  17 . A visual highlight  99  surrounds indicia  73 ,  81  and the highlight  99  is scrollable to move and surround a different one of indicias  75 ,  83 , or  77 ,  85 , or  79 ,  87 , as up/down buttons  91 ,  93  are actuated by the user. 
     Also on display  71  is a soft label with the word SELECT, which appears above a manually operable button  95 . Button  95  may be actuated in order to choose the currently-highlighted outlet indicia, thus causing the display to change to a screen (for example,  FIG. 8 ) that presents the user with more options and information about the corresponding outlet. Other button arrangements will suggest itself, including button combinations, e.g., holding SELECT button  95  down while pushing UP and DOWN buttons  91 ,  93 . 
     Also, on display  71  is a soft label with the word EXIT, which appears above a manually operable button  97 . Button  97  may be actuated to exit from the screen being displayed and move to another display screen. Alternatively, button  97  may be used to turn OFF all alarms, if the fire condition has been cleared. Pressing button  97  will put the system into a silent mode. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a screen  111  is displayed on display  71  for allowing the user to select whether an outlet is to be monitored by main control unit  17  or whether it is to be removed from being monitored by main control unit  17 . For example, buttons may be operated to input entry of an activation or deactivation. In addition, buttons may be actuated to select “report,” and unit  17  may then provide a report of a selected outlet or all the outlets, showing for example, only the active outlets. The report may also reveal which outlet is problematic, and provide a diagnosis, e.g., electrical short, faulty wiring, loose wire cap, smoldering wire, etc. The report may be displayed on the electronic display  71  or else sent to a peripheral device. In addition, buttons may be actuated to select “change outlet device label.”Selecting this function could lead to a screen where the user can change the label identifier associated with the corresponding transmitter box. 
     In another example, when a transmitter box  13  is removed from a wall outlet, the transmitter box sends a signal to the main control unit, or alternatively the main control unit detects the lack of a signal from the transmitter box. Additionally, the display  71  changes automatically to a screen (for example,  FIG. 9 ) that informs the user that the control unit has detected that the transmitter box is no longer communicating with the control unit. Additionally, the user may use the manually operable buttons to select the action to take, such as removing the device from being monitored. 
     Also, when a problem exists at one of the transmitter boxes, the electronic display  71  may change to a screen that informs the user that a problem exists at one of the outlets. For example, when transmitter box  13  detects a problem at one of the outlets, it may send a signal to main control unit  17  indicating that a problem exists, such as high temperature, in transmitter box  13 . In response, electronic display  71  at the main control unit may automatically change to a screen (for example,  FIG. 10 ) that informs the user that all devices are not ok. The user may then actuate one of the manually operable buttons to see more information related to the alert, such as the identification of the transmitter box and details of the problem. Alternatively, the user may ignore the alert, in which case alerts related to specific outlets may be retrieved at a later time. 
     Additionally, transmitter box  13  may contain at least one LED on a side of the transmitter box. Each LED may inform the user of information related to the transmitter box. For example, one LED may glow green (or not glow) when transmitter box  13  is operating correctly and has detected no problems at the outlet. Also, this LED may glow red when transmitter box  13  has detected a problem. A separate LED may glow green (or not glow) when there are no active alarms outstanding for transmitter box  13 . Also, this LED may glow red when an active alarm is outstanding for transmitter box  13 . The user could, for example, choose to ignore the alarm at a particular transmitter box without fixing the problem. In this case, the transmitter box may display one LED that is glowing red, representing a problem at the outlet, and one LED that is glowing green (or not glowing), representing that no alarms are outstanding. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , metal prongs  21  may contact a conventional wall outlet and thus may reside at an equivalent voltage to the wall outlet. For example, the wall outlet could provide 120 volts, 240 volts, 380 volts, or other voltage configurations. 
     Metal prongs  21 , located on the back side of box  13 , are connected to receptacles  56  (not shown in  FIG. 11 , but shown in  FIG. 3 ), located on the front side of box  13 . Metal receptacles  56  provide an AC output voltage that is equivalent to the voltage of the wall outlet at prongs  21 . For example, the receptacles could provide 120 volts, 240 volts, 380 volts, or other voltage configurations. Additionally, the connection between prongs  21  and receptacles  56  may run through a switch or thermistor (not shown in  FIG. 11 ) that may limit or cut off current if a problem is detected. 
     Temperature sensors  121 ,  123  (e.g., thermistors) are positioned relative to metal prongs  21  for measuring the temperature at the prongs  21 . The temperature signal from sensors  121 ,  123  is sent to a microcontroller  125  at its input pins  1 ,  2 . Microcontroller  125  compares the temperature signals at input pins  1 ,  2  relative to a threshold value. If either of the temperature signals exceeds the threshold value, an output signal is developed at pin  6  of microcontroller  125 . The output signal at pin  6  is sent to a RF transmitter circuit  127  for the purpose of causing a RF transmission to be made. Transmitter  127  may transmit at 455 KHz frequency, for example, so that the RF signal will not interfere with heart monitors and other wireless devices. Upon receipt of the output signal from microcontroller  125 , transmitter circuit  127  transmits an RF signal from antennae  129 . 
     The RF signal generated by transmitter circuit  27  is sent to main control unit  17 . However, RF signal could be sent to a mobile device carried by a user. The RF signal includes coded data to communicate a danger signal to main control unit  17 . Such coded data may also include the location of box  13  within the building. A room location may be uploaded by the user to memory in microcontroller  125 . Thus, microcontroller  125  may identify the room location to transmitter circuit  127  for its transmission. 
     In addition, microcontroller  125  provides a pair of signals at pins  13 ,  14  to activate or deactivate either one of a red color LED  131  and a green colored LED  135 . The light output of LEDs  131 ,  135  are used to provide a signal display at box  13  as to whether a potential fire condition has been sensed. Thus, LEDs  131 ,  135  may be positioned on the front face  25  of the transmitter box for viewing by the user. 
     In addition, a circuit  141  receives a voltage input from the metal prongs  21  when box  13  has been plugged-in to a wall outlet. Circuit  141  develops a 5 volt output at pin  143 . The 5 volt output at pin  143  is used to power microcontroller  125  at pin  145 , power the LEDs  131 ,  135  at pin  147 , and power transmitter circuit  12  at pin  149 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , main control unit  17  includes an RF signal receiver  151  which receives an RF signal via a banana style antennae  153  mounted, for example, on the left side of unit  17 . The output of receiver  151  is sent to a microcontroller  155 . Microcontroller  155  analyzes the signal developed on its input pin  17 . Information carried by the RF signal is a high temperature indication signal, and may include the identity of the box  13  which sent the RF signal. Microcontroller  155  may remain in a sleep mode so as to conserve power until a danger signal has occurred. 
     Microcontroller  155  receives input signals from one of four switches  157 ,  159   161 ,  163 . Microcontroller  155  responds to input signals from four switches  157 - 163 , which may be formed of a four-button membrane keypad, and accordingly actuates a graphics LCD display  165 . Further, various alarms may be activated by microcontroller  155  sending signals to output ports  167 ,  169 ,  171 . For example, a 85 decibel alarm may be activated when a danger signal occurs. Further, a field effect transistor driver  172  may be used to drive an external alarm. In addition, microcontroller  155  may communicate externally via an RE-485 port  173 . 
     Finally, a power supply circuit  175  may generate 5 volts DC for driving the circuitry of  FIG. 12 . Circuit  175  may be powered by a 24 volt AC Wall adaptor. A full bridge rectifier reduces the 24 volts AC down to 6 volts. A voltage regulator (not shown) may be used to provide a constant 5 volt power supply. Further, a three volt Lithium battery (not shown) may be mounted on a main circuit board (not shown) of main control unit  17  so as to provide back up power if main power is lost. The back up power may be supplied to memory, e.g., RAM, so that data stored in control unity  17  is not lost. 
     As will suggest itself, the transmitter or transceiver of box  13  may be placed directly into the outlet housing, or in a light fixture or light switch or in a power strip. In a light switch application, a thermo-switch is connected in parallel to the circuitry of the light switch. A push-button may be used to reset the light switch. 
     While the detailed description of the invention generally relates to an alarm module containing a transmitter in the monitoring circuit, the description herein equally applies to an alarm module with a transceiver in the monitoring circuit. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, modifications such as those suggested above, but not limited thereto are to be considered within the scope of the invention.