Patent Publication Number: US-8977514-B2

Title: Thermal activity detection and response

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Currently available technologies for detecting fires include a variety of different devices, such as smoke detectors and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) detectors. However, such technologies are inadequate in many situations. For instance, such technologies are often passive in nature because they implement an alarm that is frequently only responsive to problems (e.g., fire, smoke, excessive CO 2  levels, etc.) that have already grown beyond control. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of an example environment in which systems and/or methods, described herein, may be implemented; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of an example of a device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of example functional components of a thermal detection system according to one or more implementations described herein; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart of an example process for establishing detection thresholds according to one or more implementations described herein; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of an example process for detecting thermal activity according to one or more implementations described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same labels and/or reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. 
     Systems and/or methods, described herein, may be used to detect and respond to thermal activity (e.g., fires, sparks, etc.). For example, a thermal detection system may receive thermal imaging data corresponding to thermal activity occurring within particular detection zone (e.g., a kitchen), may analyze the thermal imaging data to identify an appropriate detection threshold based on the type of thermal activity, and may determine whether the thermal activity exceeds the detection threshold. When the thermal activity does not exceed the detection threshold, the thermal detection system may disregard the thermal imaging data. However, when the thermal activity exceeds the detection threshold, the thermal detection system may respond to the thermal activity in a variety of ways, such as sounding an alarm, activating a fire prevention system (e.g., a sprinkling system, a flame retardant distribution system etc.), contacting an emergency support system (e.g., a privately run call center that provides emergency response and/or support), and/or contacting a public service entity, such as a fire department. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of an example environment  100  in which systems and/or methods, described herein, may be implemented. As depicted, environment  100  may include sensor devices  110 - 1 , . . . ,  110 -N (where N≧1) (hereinafter referred to collectively as “sensor devices  110 ,” and individually as “sensor device  110 ”), a detection zone  115 , a thermal detection system  120 , a network  130 , a private support system  140 , and a public support system  150 . The number of devices, systems, and/or networks, illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is provided for explanatory purposes only. In practice, there may be additional devices, systems, and/or networks, fewer devices, systems, and/or networks, different devices, systems, and/or networks, or differently arranged devices, systems, and/or networks than illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Also, in some implementations, one or more of the devices/systems of environment  100  may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another one or more of the devices/systems of environment  100 . Devices/systems of environment  100  may interconnect via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. 
     Sensor device  110  may include a variety of thermal sensing devices. For example, sensor device  110  may include a device that is capable of detecting thermal radiation within detection zone  115 . Sensor device  110  may also, or alternatively, be capable of capturing or producing information that provides an indication of the thermal radiation. Sensor device  110  may be capable of communicating with other sensor devices  110  and/or thermal detection system  120 . For instance, sensor device  110  may be capable of detecting a fire (or another type of thermal activity) within detection zone  115 , producing thermal images (or another type of thermal event data) corresponding to the fire, and communicating the thermal images to thermal detection system  120 . Additionally, or alternatively, sensor device  110  may be capable of detecting and/or producing information corresponding to other types of events (e.g., motion, vibrations, microwaves, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, etc.) occurring in detection zone  115 . 
     Detection zone  115  may include any type of geographical location. For example, detection zone  115  may include a space within a home, an apartment, or another type of residence, such as a kitchen, a bedroom, a dining area, etc. Detection zone  115  may also, or alternatively, include a space within a store, an office building, a warehouse, or another type of commercial building. Additionally, or alternatively, detection zone  115  may include an outdoor area, such as a yard, a driveway, a patio, a parking lot, etc. 
     Thermal detection system  120  may include one or more computing devices, that gather, process, search, store, and/or provide information in a manner similar to that described herein. For instance, thermal detection system  120  may communicate with sensor devices  110  and/or network  130 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 . In one example implementation, thermal detection system  120  may receive thermal event data, such as thermal images, from one or more sensor devices  110 , may analyze the thermal activity data to identify an appropriate detection threshold based on the type of thermal activity detected, and may determine whether the thermal event data exceeds the detection threshold. In some implementations, thermal detection system  120  may disregard the thermal event data if the detection threshold is not exceeded. Additionally, or alternatively, thermal detection system  120  may respond to the thermal activity when the thermal event data exceeds the detection threshold. 
     Network  130  may include any type of network and/or combination of networks. For example, network  130  may include a local area network (LAN) (e.g., an Ethernet network), a wireless LAN (WLAN) (e.g., an 802.11 network); a wide area network (WAN) (e.g., the Internet); a wireless WAN (WWAN) (e.g., a 3GPP System Architecture Evolution (SAE) Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network, a Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000) network, a High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network, a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network, etc.); etc. Additionally, or alternatively, network  130  may include a fiber optic network; a metropolitan area network (MAN); an ad hoc network; a virtual network (e.g., a virtual private network (VPN)); a telephone network (e.g., a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)); a cellular network; a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network; or another type of network. In one example, network  130  may include a network backbone corresponding to the Internet or another type of WAN. 
     Private support system  140  may include one or more types of computing devices. For example, private support system  140  may include a telephone system, a server, a cluster of servers, or one or more other types of computing devices. In one example, private support system  140  may enable a company or other type of organization to provide support or assistance to thermal detection system  120 . For instance, when thermal detection system  120  detects thermal activity that exceeds a detection threshold, thermal detection system  120  may notify private support system  140  regarding the thermal activity. Such a notification may, for example, enable an operator of private support system  140  to call or otherwise contact the owners or operators of thermal detection system  120  to find out more about the thermal activity, determine whether assistance is required for the thermal activity, or provide other types of services. 
     Public support system  150  may include one or more types of computing devices. For example, public support system  140  may include a telephone system, a server, a cluster of servers, or one or more other types of computing devices. In one example, public support system  150  may enable a public entity, such as a local fire department, a local police department, or another type of public entity, to receive notifications of thermal activity from thermal detection system  120  and/or private support system  140 . For instance, when thermal detection system  120  detects a fire or another type of thermal activity, thermal detection system  120  may provide public support system  150  with information corresponding to the thermal activity. Doing so may, for example, enable a prompt response to fires or other thermal activity detected by thermal detection system  120 . 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of example components of a device  200  that may be used within environment  100  of  FIG. 1 . Device  200  may correspond to sensor device  110 , thermal detection system  120 , private support system  140 , and/or public support system  150 . Each of sensor device  110 , thermal detection system  120 , private support system  140 , and/or public support system  150  may include one or more of devices  200  and/or one or more of the components of device  200 . 
     As depicted, device  200  may include a bus  210 , a processor  220 , memory  230 , an input device  240 , an output device  250 , and a communication interface  260 . Although  FIG. 2  shows example components of device  200 , in other implementations, device  200  may include fewer components, additional components, different components, or differently arranged components than those illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, or additionally, one or more components of device  200  may perform one or more tasks described as being performed by one or more other components of device  200 . 
     Bus  210  may permit communication among the components of device  200 . Processor  220  may include one or more processors, microprocessors, data processors, co-processors, network processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), controllers, programmable logic devices (PLDs), chipsets, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other components that may interpret or execute instructions or data. Processor  220  may control the overall operation, or a portion thereof, of device  200 , based on, for example, an operating system (not illustrated), and/or various applications. Processor  220  may access instructions from memory  230 , from other components of device  200 , or from a source external to device  200  (e.g., a network or another device). 
     Memory  230  may include memory and/or secondary storage. For example, memory  230  may include random access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), flash memory, or some other type of memory. Memory  230  may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optic disk, a solid state disk, etc.) or some other type of computer-readable medium, along with a corresponding drive. A computer-readable medium may be defined as a non-transitory memory device. A memory device may include space within a single physical memory device or spread across multiple physical memory devices. 
     Input device  240  may include one or more components that permit a user to input information into device  200 . For example, input device  240  may include a keypad, a keyboard, a button, a switch, a knob, fingerprint recognition logic, retinal scan logic, a web cam, voice recognition logic, a touchpad, an input port, a microphone, a display, or some other type of input component. Output device  250  may include one or more components that permit device  200  to output information to a user. For example, output device  250  may include a display, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), an output port, a speaker, or some other type of output component. 
     Communication interface  260  may include one or more components that permit device  200  to communicate with other devices or networks. For example, communication interface  260  may include some type of wireless or wired interface. Communication interface  260  may also include an antenna (or a set of antennas) that permit wireless communication, such as the transmission and reception of radio frequency (RF) signals. 
     As described herein, device  200  may perform certain operations in response to processor  220  executing software instructions contained in a computer-readable medium, such as memory  230 . The software instructions may be read into memory  230  from another computer-readable medium or from another device via communication interface  260 . The software instructions contained in memory  230  may cause processor  220  to perform one or more processes described herein. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions to implement processes described herein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of example functional components of thermal detection system  120  according to one or more implementations described herein. As illustrated, thermal detection system  120  may include a threshold module  310  and a thermal event module  320 . Depending on the implementation, one or more of modules  310  and  320  may be implemented as a combination of hardware and software based on the components illustrated and described with respect to  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, modules  310  and  320  may each be implemented as hardware based on the components illustrated and described with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
     Threshold module  410  may provide functionality with respect to detection thresholds. For example, threshold module  410  may enable thermal detection system  120  to cause sensor device  110  to capture thermal event data corresponding to detection zone  115 . The thermal event data may reflect typical thermal conditions of detection zone  115 . Threshold module  410  may also, or alternatively, enable thermal detection system  120  to associate the thermal event data with one or more types of context data, such as a time of day, a type of detection zone (e.g., a kitchen, a bedroom, etc.), a location within the detection zone, a type of thermal event data (e.g., thermal images), etc. Additionally, or alternatively, threshold module  410  may enable thermal detection system  120  to produce one or more detection thresholds based on the thermal event data. 
     Thermal event module  420  may provide functionality with respect to thermal activity. For example, thermal event module  420  may enable thermal detection system  120  to receive thermal event data, from sensor devices  110 , corresponding to thermal activity occurring within detection zone  115 . Thermal event module  420  may also, or alternatively, enable thermal detection system  120  to analyze the thermal event data to identify an appropriate detection threshold, and/or to determine whether the thermal event data exceeds the detection threshold. Additionally, or alternatively, thermal event module  420  may enable thermal detection system  120  to respond to thermal activity by, for example, notifying private support system  140  and/or public support system  150  when the thermal event data exceeds the detection threshold. 
     In addition to the functionality described above, functional components of thermal detection system  120  may also, or alternatively, provide functionality as described elsewhere herein. Additionally, or alternatively, as described below, one or more of the functions or operations of thermal detection system  120  may be performed by another device. Further, while  FIG. 3  shows a particular number and arrangement of modules, in alternative implementations, thermal detection system  120  may include additional modules, fewer modules, different modules, or differently arranged modules than those depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart of an example process  400  for establishing detection thresholds according to one or more implementations described herein. In one or more implementations, process  400  may be performed by thermal detection system  120 . In other implementations, some or all of process  400  may be performed by one or more other devices, or a group of devices, including or excluding thermal detection system  120 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , process  400  may include obtaining thermal event data (block  410 ). For example, thermal detection system  120  may communicate with sensor device  110  to obtain thermal event data corresponding to detection zone  115 . Thermal event data, as described herein, may include any type of thermal information, such as a thermal image and/or another type of thermal radiation information. As mentioned above, the detection zone  115  may include a kitchen space, a bedroom space, an office space, or another type of space or area, and the thermal event data may include information corresponding to thermal conditions within detection zone  115 . For instance, the thermal event data may correspond to thermal conditions that are common, standard, or otherwise acceptable for detection zone  115 . As such, thermal detection system  120  may proactively obtain thermal event data in order to survey standard thermal conditions for a particular detection zone  115 . 
     Process  400  may also include obtaining context data corresponding to the thermal event data (block  420 ). For example, thermal detection system  120  may, at some point, obtain context data that corresponds to thermal event data. Context data may include any type of information that relates to thermal event data. For example, context data may include information corresponding to a time that thermal event data was received or otherwise obtained, a type of thermal event data (e.g., thermal images), a location, an area, or another type of space (e.g., a location within detection zone  115 ) where thermal event data was captured, and/or another type of information corresponding to thermal event data. The context data may be obtained from sensor devices  110 , from one or more of the systems described herein, and/or from another source, such as from a user interacting with thermal detection system  120 . 
     For example, if the thermal event data was obtained from a kitchen area at or around the time that food is being cooked, the context data may include information describing such a scenario. Similarly, if the thermal event data was obtained from a bedroom late at night (e.g., while an individual is sleeping in the bedroom), the context data may include information describing such a scenario. As such, thermal detection system  120  may not only be capable of obtaining thermal event data, but thermal detection system  120  may also be capable of associating the thermal event data with context data, which may later be used to, for example, more accurately evaluate thermal activity corresponding to detection zone  115 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , process  400  may include establishing detection thresholds based on the thermal event data and the context data (block  430 ). For example, thermal detection system  120  may create, calculate, or otherwise determine one or more detection thresholds based on the thermal event data and/or the context data. A detection threshold may include, for example, information that describes or otherwise corresponds to a level of thermal activity, a degree of thermal activity, a size of thermal activity, a location of thermal activity, a type of thermal activity, and/or another type of characteristic corresponding to thermal activity. For instance, a detection threshold may include a number (e.g., 5, 6, 7, etc.), within a range of numbers (e.g., 1-10, 1-20, etc.), that represents an abnormal level of thermal activity. A detection threshold may also, or alternatively, correspond to a size, a shape, a quantity, a frequency, and/or another type of characteristic corresponding to a flame, a spark, body heat, steam, smoke, or another type of thermal activity. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the detection threshold may be context-specific. For example, a detection threshold for a kitchen during a time of day when cooking is common may correspond to a greater degree of thermal activity then another detection threshold for the kitchen during a time of day when cooking is not common. Similarly, a detection threshold for the kitchen during a time of day when cooking is common may correspond to a greater degree of thermal activity then a detection threshold for a bedroom at the same time of day or at a different time of day. As such, thermal detection system  120  may create a variety of different detection thresholds that may vary according to type, kind, form, scale, context, etc. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 4 , process  400  may include storing the detection thresholds (block  440 ). For instance, thermal detection system  120  may store one or more detection thresholds corresponding to detection zone  115 . In some implementations, one or more of the detection thresholds may be stored locally. In certain implementations, one or more of the detection thresholds may also, or alternatively, be stored remotely (e.g., by sensor device  110 , by private support system  140 , by public support system  150 , etc.). As described below, the stored detection thresholds may later be used to determine whether thermal activity occurring within detection zone  115  is to be reported. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart of an example process  500  for detecting thermal activity according to one or more implementations described herein. In one or more implementations, process  500  may be performed by thermal detection system  120 . In other implementations, some or all of process  500  may be performed by one or more other devices, or a group of devices, including or excluding thermal detection system  120 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , process  500  may include receiving thermal event data (block  510 ). For example, thermal detection system  120  may receive thermal event data corresponding to thermal activity occurring within detection zone  115 . The thermal event data may correspond to thermal activity detected by one or more sensor devices  110 . As mentioned above, the thermal event data may include a variety of one or more types of information corresponding to thermal activity, and detection zone  115  may include a variety of one or more types of areas or spaces. For instance, the thermal event data may correspond to a grease fire that has started in a kitchen area that is being monitored by one or more sensor devices  110 . In some implementations, thermal detection system  120  may also, or alternatively, receive or otherwise obtain context data corresponding to the thermal event data. 
     Process  500  may also include identifying a detection threshold based on the thermal event data (block  520 ). For example, thermal detection system  120  may determine which detection threshold is appropriate for the thermal activity based on the thermal event data. In some implementations, thermal detection system  120  may also, or alternatively, determine which detection threshold is appropriate based on context data corresponding to the thermal event data. For instance, thermal detection system  120  may analyze the thermal event data to determine a type of thermal activity (e.g., a spark, a fire, smoke, body heat, etc.) corresponding to the thermal event data and identify a detection threshold that corresponds to the type of thermal activity (e.g., a spark threshold, a fire threshold, a smoke threshold, a body heat threshold, etc.). 
     Additionally, or alternatively, thermal detection system  120  may analyze the context data corresponding to the thermal event data to determine an appropriate threshold. For instance, thermal detection system  120  may analyze the context data to determine a time of day, a particular detection zone  115 , a location within the particular detection zone  115 , etc., corresponding to the thermal event data, and thermal detection system  120  may identify or select a detection threshold based on the context data. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 5 , process  500  may include determining whether the thermal event data exceeds the detection threshold (block  530 ). For instance, thermal detection system  120  may determine whether the thermal activity corresponding to the thermal event data exceeds the detection threshold that was identified based on the thermal event data and/or context data corresponding to the thermal activity. As mentioned above, the type of thermal detection threshold used to make this determination may vary depending on, for example, the type of thermal activity occurring within detection zone  115 . 
     When the thermal event data does not exceed the detection threshold (block  540 —NO), process  500  may include disregarding the thermal event data (block  550 ). For example, when the thermal activity corresponding to the thermal event data does not exceed the detection threshold and does not amount to a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation, thermal detection system  120  may disregard the thermal event data so as to avoid a false alarm scenario. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 5 , when the thermal event data exceeds the detection threshold (block  540 —YES), process  500  may include creating a thermal event response (block  560 ). In contrast to the scenario mentioned above, when the thermal activity corresponding to the thermal event data does, in fact, exceeds the detection threshold and amounts to a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation, thermal detection system  120  may create, generate, or otherwise produce a response that is commensurate with the detected situation. The response created by thermal detection system  120  may include an audio signal (e.g., an alarm), a visual signal (e.g., a light, a visual message, etc.), and/or a combination of an audio signal and a visual signal. 
     Thermal detection system  120  may also, or alternatively, communicate with private support system  140  to, for example, notify private support system  140  of the thermal activity and/or thermal event data. Similarly, thermal detection system  120  may also, or alternatively, communicate with public support system  150  to notify public support system  150  of the thermal activity and/or thermal event data. In some implementations, thermal detection system  120  may communicate a wide variety of information to private support system  140 , public support system  150 , or another type of system or device, such as the thermal event data, a portion of the thermal event data, the context data, a portion of the context data, or one or more other types of information relating to reporting the thermal activity. Accordingly, thermal detection system  120  may detect or otherwise receive thermal event data corresponding to thermal activity within detection zone  115 , may determine whether the thermal activity exceeds a threshold corresponding to typical or acceptable thermal activity, and may respond to the thermal activity in an appropriate manner. 
     Systems and/or methods, described herein, may be used to detect and respond to thermal activity. For instance, thermal detection system  120  may obtain thermal event data corresponding to thermal activity occurring within detection zone  115 . Thermal detection system  120  may also, or alternatively, obtain context data corresponding to the thermal activity. The thermal event data may be analyzed by thermal detection system  120  to identify an appropriate detection threshold, and thermal detection system  120  may use the detection threshold to determine whether thermal activity warrants a response from thermal detection system  120 . For instance, when the thermal activity does not exceed the detection threshold, thermal detection system  120  may disregard the thermal event data. However, when the thermal activity exceeds the detection threshold, thermal detection system  120  may respond to the thermal activity in a variety of ways, such as sounding an alarm, contacting private support system  140 , and/or contacting public support system  150 . Thus, the systems and/or methods may provide a dynamic solution to safe guarding an area (e.g., detection zone  115 ) against dangerous or potentially dangerous thermal activity such as fires. 
     The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations. 
     For example, while series of blocks have been described with regard to  FIGS. 4-6 , the order of the blocks may be modified in other implementations. Further, non-dependent blocks may be performed in parallel. 
     It will be apparent that example aspects, as described herein, may be implemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardware in the implementations illustrated in the figures. The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement these aspects should not be construed as limiting. Thus, the operation and behavior of the aspects were described without reference to the specific software code—it being understood that software and control hardware could be designed to implement the aspects based on the description herein. 
     Further, certain implementations may involve components that perform one or more functions. These components may include hardware, such as an ASIC or a FPGA, or a combination of hardware and software. 
     Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit disclosure of the possible implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one other claim, the disclosure of the implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. 
     No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the implementations unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.