Patent Publication Number: US-2023134071-A1

Title: Laser device and system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/274,088, filed Nov. 1, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a laser device and system, and in particular to a laser device and system for identifying a target location. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In an emergency situation, occupants or people in a residence or building may be required to leave the building for their safety. The building or residence that they are in may be dark or filled with smoke depending on the emergency situation. An alarm system such as a smoke detector or fire alarm may go off to notify the occupant(s) that they should leave the building. 
     However, such an alarm system does not provide the occupant(s) with a way to exit the building. In dark or smoky situations, the occupant(s) may be unaware or may be unable to determine where the exit is to bring them to safety. This can cause additional stress for the occupant(s) in an already stressful situation. 
     Accordingly, an additional, alternative, and/or improved system for identifying a target location to an occupant is desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus comprising a body, a laser rotatably coupled to the body, and at least one sensor connected to the body. The at least one sensor is configured to detect an alarm, and when the at least one sensor detects the alarm, the laser is configured emit a light to identify a target location. 
     In the apparatus, the laser is rotatably coupled to the body via a housing, the housing being rotatable with respect to the body, and configured to direct the laser to the target location. 
     In the apparatus, the body may be formed of fire resistant materials. 
     The apparatus may further comprise a power source and indicator for indicating when the power source is low. 
     In the apparatus, the laser may be configured to emit the light in accordance with sounds of the alarm. 
     In the apparatus, the laser may be configured to emit the light during predetermined time intervals. 
     The apparatus may further comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) to which the laser and the at least one sensor are connected to. 
     In the apparatus, the at least one sensor is a microphone configured to detect sounds of the alarm. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of identifying a target location is disclosed, the method comprising detecting, by at least one sensor of an apparatus, an alarm, in response to detecting the alarm, outputting, by the at least one sensor, a signal, and in response the signal, activating a laser rotatably coupled to a body of the apparatus to identify the target location. 
     In the method, the signal may indicate that the alarm has been detected by the at least one sensor. 
     The method may further comprise activating the laser for predetermined time intervals. 
     In the method, the sensor detects a sound of the alarm. 
     The method may further comprise activating the laser during each sound of the alarm. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for identifying a target location is disclosed, the system comprising at least one sensor of an apparatus for detecting an alarm, and a laser rotatably coupled to the apparatus and configured to activate in response to the at least one sensor detecting the alarm. The laser is directed to a target location, and when the laser is activated, the laser identifies the target location. 
     In the system, the at least one sensor is a microphone. 
     In the system, the at least one sensor detects a sound of the alarm. 
     In the system, the laser may be configured to emit the light in accordance with sounds of the alarm. 
     In the system, the laser may be configured to emit the light during predetermined time intervals. 
     The system may further comprise a power source for providing power to the apparatus, and an indicator located on the apparatus for indicating when the power source is low. 
     The system may further comprise a switch located on the apparatus for activating the laser. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    depicts an embodiment of a system of the laser device; 
         FIGS.  2 A,  2 B,  2 C, and  2 D  depict front, side, top and bottom views of an embodiment of the laser device; 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  depict the laser device with the cover removed; 
         FIG.  4    depicts a cross sectional view of the laser device; 
         FIG.  5    depicts an exploded view of the device of  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D ; 
         FIG.  6    an embodiment of the laser device; and 
         FIG.  7    depicts an embodiment of the laser device in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Apparatuses, methods, and systems for identifying a target location to an occupant are disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a laser rotatably or pivotably coupled to a body of the apparatus, and at least one sensor connected to the body. The at least one sensor is configured to sense an alarm, and when the at least one sensor senses the alarm, the laser is configured to emit a laser beam to indicate a target location to an occupant. The method for identifying or indicating a target location comprises sensing, by a sensor of an apparatus, an alarm, outputting, by the sensor, a signal, in response to receiving the signal, activating a laser rotatably coupled to a body of the apparatus to identify or indicate the target location. It will be appreciated that the technology described in this application may be applicable to laser apparatuses or devices, such as the Laser Exit®. 
       FIG.  1    depicts a system of a laser device. The system of the device may be housed within or mounted to a body of the device. The system comprises a laser  102 , a power source  104 , at least one sensor  106 , and a second sensor or switch  108 . The power source  104  provides power to the device. The power source  104  may be a type of battery or another type of power source to allow the device to work in emergency situations where there may be no power or electricity. If the power source  104  is a battery, the battery may be a 9 volt battery that is housed in a plastic case with an on/off switch for safety if the device is mailed to a user. The system of the laser device may further comprise a small light indicator  110 , such as an LED light, that will turn on to notify the user when the power source  104  is low. The device  100  may also emit an audible alarm to indicate that the power source  104  is low. 
     It will be appreciated that the device may additionally or instead comprise a fold out plug on a rear of the body as a power source. It will be appreciated that the laser  102  may be a class one line laser or a class two line laser that is configured to be directed to a target location. In some embodiments, the laser  102  is a laser from Qingdao Lasence Co., Ltd. 
       FIGS.  2 A,  2 B,  2 C, and  2 D  depict front, side, top and bottom views of an embodiment of the laser device  200 , respectively. The laser device  200  comprises a round, oblong, or rectangular body or housing  202 . The laser device  200  comprises a laser housing  204  for the laser  102 , which is rotatably coupled to a body of the device  200 . The laser housing  204  may be rotatable about a vertical axis of the body of  FIG.  2 A . The laser housing  204  may further comprise one or more holes or openings to allow the laser  102  to point through towards the target location and/or to allow the heat of the laser  102  to dissipate from the housing  204 . The target location may be any location that is to be identified for occupants or people in an area. For example, the target location may be an exit or door in a building, or may be a window or other door inside or outside of a building. 
     The at least one sensor  106  may be a microphone or similar type of sensor positioned adjacent to the laser housing  204 . The at least one sensor  106  is configured to detect or sense an alarm signal, such as an alarm or noise from a smoke detector. The device  200  may further comprise a light indicator  110  for notifying the user when the power source is low, which may be positioned adjacent the laser housing  204 , as depicted. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the sensor  106  and the light indicator  110  may be positioned at a different locations on the device  200  so that the sensor can reliably sense the alarm, and the user can easily identify when the power source is low. The device  200  may further comprise a switch  108  for testing the power source’s strength. The switch  108  is present at a location on the device  200  such that a user can easily test the strength of the power source. The power source  104  may be covered by a cover  206  that is removably fastened to a body of the device  200 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D , the laser device may have a slim design such that it does not require a lot of space on a wall or ceiling. Although, a round triangular type shape is depicted, the device  200  may instead have a dome type shape, or have a square type shape. In embodiments of the square shape, the device may comprise a square electrical cover with a slot at the bottom for the laser. The device  200  may be secured to a wall or ceiling to allow for the laser  102  to be directed to the target location. The device may secured to the wall or ceiling of a building or residence via connection means at a back of the device  200 . It will be appreciated that the outer elements of the device may be fire resistant elements, so that the device will operate and indicate an exit during an emergency situation, for example, during a fire. 
       FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  depict the laser device  200  with the cover  206  removed. As depicted, the cover  206  may cover the power source  104 , such as a battery. The cover  206  is configured to open or lift to allow the battery to be changed when needed. The cover  206  may also cover the means for securing the device to the wall, and a switch  302  for testing the laser during set up. The switch  302  is configured to activate the laser  102  such that a user can use the switch  302  while setting up the device  200  to ensure that the laser  102  accurately points to the target location. Before testing the laser  102 , or during or after testing the laser  102 , the laser housing  204  may be moved or rotated to allow for a user to move the direction of the laser  102  such that it is directed to the target location. The laser  102  may be configured to point to a door handle of a target location, a bottom of a door or exit, or other location on the target location. 
       FIG.  4    depicts a cross sectional view of the laser device  200 , in particular, of the laser housing  204 . As depicted, the laser housing  204  may be a wheel that has ridges at an outside of the wheel. The wheel may be rotated to point the laser  102  towards the target location. Once the laser  102  is directed at the target location, the ridges of the wheel allow the wheel to be held in place. A stabilizing member  402  engages between the ridges of the wheel to prevent the wheel from moving unless the movement is forced by a user. The user may rotate the wheel in either direction to allow the laser  102  to point at the target location. The ridges and stabilizing member  402  allow for a ratchet type mechanism for the wheel. Although a ratchet type mechanism is described and depicted, another moveable or rotatable mechanism may instead be used to allow the laser  102  to point to the target location. 
     One or more sensors, including sensor  106 , are located on a printed circuit board (PCB)  404  which is located within the device  200 . The laser, switches and indicator are also present on or connected to the PCB  404  via soldering or other connection means. A body and cover of the device  200  further comprises holes or openings to allow for the elements on the PCB  404  to be accessed or visible to a user. For example, the switches and openings are positioned to be accessed by the user, the indicator and openings to be visible by the user, and the sensors and openings to sense the alarm. A Micro Processor may also be installed on the PCB to reduce the sensitivity of the microphone (not depicted). 
       FIG.  5    depicts an exploded view of the device of  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D . The elements of the device  200  may be fastened together with screws or other fastening means by a user, or the device may be preassembled before being received by the user. The device  200  comprises a body  502  to which the PCB  404 , having at least sensor  106 , indicator  110 , and switches  108 ,  302  connected thereto, is fastened or connected to. The power source  104  also connects to the PCB  404  to provide power to the device  200 . The laser housing  204  comprises the wheel  504 , the laser  102 , and a laser cover  506 , which are assembled together and rotatably coupled to the body  502 . It will be appreciated that although a wheel is described and depicted for the laser housing  204 , another moveable housing or assembly may instead be used to allow the laser  102  to be adjusted to point to many different directions. A body cover  508  is fastened or secured to the body  502  to protect the PCB  404  and other components. The cover  206  may then be removably fastened to the body  502 , such that it may be easily removed by a user to replace the power source  104 , or to test the laser  102  using switch  302 . 
       FIG.  6    depicts another embodiment of a laser device  600 . The laser device  600  comprises a round, oblong, or rectangular box with one or more compartments or sections. The one or more sections comprise a section  604  for the power source  104 , a section  606  for the at least one sensor  106 , and a section  608  for the laser  102 . The section  604  for the power source  104  may be at a top of the laser device  600 . In an embodiment where the power source  104  is a battery, the section  604  for the power source  104  is configured to open or lift to allow the batteries to be changed when needed. The top of the laser device  600  may further comprise one or more buttons, such as switch  108 , for testing the power source’s  104  strength and/or for positioning the laser  102 . The switch  108  may be present at a location on the device  600  such that a user can easily test the strength of the power source. It will be appreciated that the laser device  600  may further comprise a small light indicator similar to the light indicator  110  of the laser device  200 , that will turn on to notify the user when the power source104 is low. 
     One or more sensors, including sensor  106 , are located on a printed circuit board (PCB) which is located within the section  606 . The sensor  106  may be soldered or connected to the PCB. The laser, switches and/or indicator are also present on or connected to the PCB via soldering or other connection means. The section  606  for the sensor  106  may be positioned below the section  604 . The section  606  may further comprise holes or openings at a front of the section  606  to allow for the sensor  106  to sense the noise of an alarm. 
     The section  608  for the laser  102  may be positioned below the section  606 , and comprises the laser  102 . The section  608  may act as a laser housing that is set on an angle so as to direct the laser  102  towards the target location. It will be appreciated that the section for the laser  102  may be moveable to set the appropriate angle for the laser  102 , for example, the section  608  may be rotatable and/ or may be pivotable to ensure the laser  102  is directed at the target location. The section for the laser  102  may further comprise one or more holes or openings at a front or side to allow the laser  102  to point through towards the target location and/or to allow the heat of the laser  102  to dissipate from the section  608 . The section  608 , or other section of device  600  may further comprise a switch, similar to switch  302  for testing the laser during set up. The switch is configured to activate the laser  102  such that a user can use the switch while setting up the device  600  to ensure that the laser  102  accurately points to the target location. 
     Although, the sections are depicted in a particular order, the sections or compartments  604 ,  606 , and  608  may instead be placed in a different order or in another orientation. The cover of the laser device  600  may have a square type shape as depicted, or may have an oblong or rectangular shape. In embodiments, where the device  600  has a square shape, the device  600  comprises a square electrical cover with a slot at the bottom, in section  608 , for the laser. The device  600  may be secured to a wall or ceiling to allow for the laser  102  to be directed to the target location. The device may secured to the wall or ceiling of a building or residence via connection means at a top of section  604 , or at another surface of the device  600  such that the laser  102  can be directed to the target location. It will be appreciated that the outer elements of the device may be fire resistant elements, so that the device will operate and indicate an exit during an emergency situation, for example, during a fire. 
     It will be appreciated that the device  200 ,  600  may further comprise a direct hook up, a voltage regulator, and/or an internal smoke detector (not depicted). 
     The laser  102  of the device  200 ,  600  may be configured to emit a laser beam in conjunction with a fire alarm, smoke detector, or other alarm system. This allows an exit or another target location to be identified for occupants of a residence or building during an emergency situation. The laser device  200 ,  600  may be configured to emit the laser beam when the alarm sounds its alarm in response to detecting smoke. Depending on the emergency situation, it may be dark or smoky in the building, and/or the occupant(s) may be stressed or confused in response to hearing the alarm. The laser beam emitted from the laser device  200 ,  600  is visible in many different conditions and can make it clear for an occupant where the exit or target location is. For example, the laser  102  may emit a green or red coloured laser beam that is visible in the dark and through smoke. It will be appreciated that the laser  102  may emit a laser beam of another colour that is still visible in the dark and through smoke, and that can identify a target location for the occupant(s). The laser beam will indicate the location of an exit or target location for the occupant or people in the residence or building to go towards. This allows for a safe exit from the residence or building in an emergency. In some embodiments, the laser beam is configured to point to the floor near a target location or exit. It will be appreciated that near the floor, there may be the thinnest covering of smoke, making the laser beam more visible. It will be further appreciated that the laser beam may reach up to approximately 24 feet. 
     To emit the laser beam in conjunction with the smoke detector system or other alarm system, the laser device  200 ,  600  comprises the at least one sensor  106 . The sensor  106  may be a microphone or other sound sensor that is configured to sense the sound of the smoke detector. The sensor  106  is configured to output a positive voltage, in response to sensing the sound of the smoke detector or other alarm, which can activate the laser  102 . The laser  102  may be activated with each beep or sound of the smoke detector such that the laser beam is emitted only while the alarm is making the sound or beep. The intermittent blinking of the laser beam allows for a safer environment for the occupant(s) should they inadvertently look towards the laser  102  during an emergency situation. It will be appreciated that other lengths of intermittent blinking or longer or shorter lengths of emitting the laser beam may instead be configured for the laser device  200 ,  600 . In some embodiments, the laser  102  is a class two safety laser that will not damage the occupant(s) eyes should they inadvertently look at the laser beam. 
     As described above, the laser device  200 ,  600  may be mounted to a wall or ceiling, or other element in a building or residence. The device may be mounted at least 2 feet above the floor on a ceiling, wall, or other element. Once the laser device  200 ,  600  is placed and secured to the ceiling, wall or other element, the direction of the laser  102  is adjustable via the laser housing, section  608 , or other rotatable elements, manually or using an automated system. In some embodiments, the device  200 ,  600  may be secured to a wall or ceiling using an easy mounting bracket which may allow the device  200 ,  600  to turn up to 180 degrees once mounted to the wall or ceiling. To verify that the laser will point to the target location, the laser device  200 ,  600  further comprises the sensor or switch  302  which may be a button or switch allowing for directional setup. The user can activate the laser  102  using the sensor  302  to emit a laser beam so that they can ensure the laser beam is pointed towards the target location. 
       FIG.  7    depicts a laser device  200 ,  600  in use. The laser device may be mounted or attached to a wall, as depicted, or may be attached to a ceiling or other element near a target location  702 . The laser beam from the laser device is directed to point at the target location  702  using the moveable means in the laser device  200 ,  600 . The laser device  200 ,  600  may be configured to point the laser beam to a particular place on the target location  702 , or to the floor in front of the target location  702 . For example, if the target location  702  is a door, the laser beam may point to a place near the door handle or at the floor in front of the door. In a case where the target location  702  is a patio door or door with windows, a small target or marker may be placed on the door to prevent the laser beam from passing through the glass of the target location  702 . The small target or marker may be white in colour and can be fitted to the glass of the door as target for the laser beam. In embodiments where the laser beam is directed towards the floor, the laser beam may also illuminate the target location  702  depending on the distance of laser device from the target location  702 . For example, the laser beam may be directed to the floor and may illuminate the door handle and lock of the target location  702 , or may run along the floor and up a door or window to show the target location. 
     As depicted in  FIG.  7   , the laser device  200 ,  600  may be placed in close proximity to the target location  702  to direct the laser beam to the target location  702 . It will be appreciated that the laser device may be placed further from the target location or closer to the target location so long as the laser beam can accurately point towards the target location or floor without obstructions. In some embodiments, the body of the device  200 ,  600  may be configured as a type of echo chamber. This allows the device to be positioned at a more distant position from the smoke detector or fire alarm, as smoke detectors may emit  110  to 125 decibels. The closer the device is to the smoke detector or fire alarm, the louder the beep or sound of the smoke detector will be for the sensor. In some embodiments, the device  200 ,  600  may comprise holes or openings to allow the device to be positioned at a more distant position from the smoke detector or fire alarm, as the sound will travel through the holes or openings to the sensor  106 . It will be appreciated that the laser device may be placed in close proximity to the smoke detector or other alarm system depending on the layout of the building or residence. 
     As described above, the described laser devices and system may be useful in buildings during emergency situations, where there may be smoke or other poor visibility conditions. The device and systems can be used when there may not be any power or electricity and can allow for an exit or other location to be clearly identified for an occupant in the building, to help them get to safety during a fire or other emergency situation. 
     It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Although specific embodiments are described herein, it will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the current teachings. For simplicity and clarity of the illustration, elements in the figures are not necessarily to scale, are only schematic and are non-limiting of the elements structures. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.