Patent Publication Number: US-7592923-B2

Title: Smoke detection and laser escape indication system utilizing a control master with base and satellite stations

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a smoke detection and laser escape indication system utilizing a control master with a plurality of base and satellite stations. More particularly, the invention relates to a smoke detection and laser escape indication system having a plurality of base and satellite stations that intercommunicate with one another via radio frequency. 
   Smoke alarms and detectors in general are well known in the prior art. Two examples of modern smoke alarms are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,244 to Bellavia et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,960 to Meili. Typically, smoke detectors simply activate an audible alarm to alert people nearby that there is a fire. 
   Improved smoke detectors not only sound an alarm when smoke is detected, but also activate powerful lights or flashing strobes to help direct people to an exit. U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,376 to Frank, for example, discloses the use of powerful flashing Xenon lamps to pierce smoke and direct people to the exit. Other examples of this technology are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,023 to Elkin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,155 to Skarman et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,115 to Cota. While these devices can be useful in some circumstances, the flashing incandescent lights can tend to daze or confuse people rather than provide direction. This is especially so in a smoky room where it may not be apparent where the flashes of light are originating. Furthermore, intense flashing lights destroy night vision, often causing more harm than good to confused people trying to escape from a dark building. Additionally, Cota further discloses the use of a redundant circuit activated by a central audio alarm that triggers the smoke alarm and flashing circuits. U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,183 to Sweeney also discloses a device that sweeps a laser beam across a plurality of mirrors. Each mirror directs the laser beam into the floor at a different location, thereby “walking” that apparent laser beam toward an exit. U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,301 to Watanabe further discloses a centrally controlled network that generates a laser which is guided and oscillated by a controlling mirror. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,251 to Kelly discloses a combination smoke detection device and laser escape indicator. The combination indicator includes a means for detecting smoke and a laser for directing to or identifying an exit within a room or building. Multiple detection devices may be networked within a building without installing a centrally managed fire alarm system. The second (or multiple) smoke detection device includes a second laser that generates a second laser beam to trigger a laser sensor mounted on any one of a plurality of smoke detection devices. This system requires a line-of-sight between the second laser beam and the laser sensor. When properly mounted to the ceiling, the network of smoke detection devices in Kelly is unable to communicate with other devices outside a room unless the laser beam was able to penetrate walls, bend around corners or penetrate floors or ceilings. In this regard, any obstruction in the way of the laser beam (e.g. resulting from a fire hazard) would prevent the laser sensor from activating a second smoke detection device. This is particularly disadvantageous as the identification of a hazard in one part of a building could not be communicated to a person in another part of the building (e.g. a separate floor). 
   There exists, therefore, a significant need for a smoke detection and laser escape indication system utilizing a plurality of base and satellite stations capable of intercommunicating with one another via radio frequency. Such an improved smoke detection and laser escape indication system should include at least a base unit and a satellite unit each having a means for detecting a fire hazard and a means for communicating the fire hazard to other detector units within the monitored area, a control master unit remote to the base and satellite units yet capable of communicating with all base and satellite units within the monitored area, should be capable of remotely notifying people of a fire hazard and should be capable of activating all base and satellite units within the monitored area in the event that one or more of the base or satellite units are destroyed. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The smoke detection and escape indication system of the present invention includes a master controller in communication with a base unit and a satellite unit. The base unit and the satellite unit are in wireless communication with one another via a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter. Preferably, the wireless receiver and the wireless transmitter communicate by radio frequency, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The base unit and the satellite unit may also communicate with one another by multiple path communication through the master controller. The base unit and the satellite unit also include a sensor for detecting a hazard and an escape indication mechanism for identifying an exit. Accordingly, the base unit and the satellite unit cooperate to indicate an escape route in the event that either unit detects a hazard. This is done by coordinating respective escape indication mechanisms. Moreover, the master controller may communicate directly with the base unit or the satellite unit in the event that a hazard is detected in another portion of the building. 
   The master controller further includes a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter capable of communicating with the base unit or the satellite unit by radio frequency, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. In a preferred embodiment, the master controller is also hard wired to the base unit and the satellite unit. This ensures that the master controller is able to, at all times, communicate with both the base unit and the satellite unit. Accordingly, the master controller may activate the base unit or the satellite unit in response to a hazard detected by the opposite unit. The master controller may also regulate the maintenance of the base unit or the satellite unit. In a similar sense, a graphical user interface is coupled to the master controller for displaying the base unit and the satellite unit within a structure. The graphical user interface may also display a hazard detected by either the base unit or the satellite unit. In this event, the graphical user interface may also provide a path to the detected hazard. 
   Moreover, the escape indication mechanism of the present invention preferably comprises a laser canon, a speaker, a strobe light or a wireless camera. Accordingly, the laser canon provides a lighted path, the speaker issues an audible alarm preferably comprising a prerecorded message, the strobe light illuminates an exit, and the wireless camera records pictures or video in response to the base unit or the satellite unit activating after detecting a hazard. The base unit and the satellite unit have sensors that preferably comprise a photoelectric detector, an ionization detector or a carbon monoxide detector. The base unit and the satellite unit may include the same sensors and escape indication mechanisms or may comprise different sensors and different escape indication mechanisms. The smoke detection and escape indication system of the present invention may also include multiple base units and multiple satellite units distributed throughout a structure. Each of the base units and the satellite units are capable of communicating with each other and the master controller. 
   Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a base unit in communication with multiple satellite units in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a base unit of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a satellite unit of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternate satellite unit of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the alternate satellite unit of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another alternate satellite unit of the present invention, including a laser cannon; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another alternate satellite unit of the present invention, including a strobe light; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another alternate satellite unit of the present invention, including a video camera; 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram illustrating intercommunication of a base unit and a plurality of satellite units; 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating intercommunication of multiple base and satellite units within multiple rooms of a structure; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the base and satellite units disposed within the structure; and 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective schematic view illustrating communication of the base and satellite units with a control master. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention for a smoke detection and laser escape indication system is referred to generally by the reference number  10 . In one embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 1  illustrates the smoke detection and laser escape indication system  10  comprising a base unit  12  in communication with one or more satellite units  14 . The base unit  12  preferably communicates with the satellite units  14  by “Bluetooth” wireless communication, radio frequency (RF) transmission or other compatible types of wireless communications between modern electronic devices, such as infrared or WiFi. The smoke detection and laser escape indication system  10  provides audible and visual notification and exit-path guidance in and around a fire-related hazard. One or more base units  12  are utilized with one or more satellite units  14  in a grid or array of multiple intelligent smoke detectors in accordance with the present invention. As described below, the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  are capable of interacting with one another and provide the ability to by-pass one or several of the base units  12  or satellite units  14  that may have failed due to a catastrophic event during a fire hazard.  FIG. 1  is a sample embodiment of the base unit  12  and a plurality of satellite units  14  disposed intermittently within a floor  16 . As shown, the smoke detection and laser escape indication system  10  is installed in several floors  16  such that one or more of the base units  12  are distributed throughout the floors  16  to provide adequate hazard detection coverage to ensure safety of those inside the structure. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates the base unit  12  having an ionization smoke detector circuit  18 , a photoelectric smoke detector circuit  20  and a carbon monoxide detector circuit  22 . Each of the circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22  are located internal to an outer casing  24  of the base unit  12 . Accordingly, the base unit  12  includes an ionization smoke detector LED  26 , a photoelectric smoke detector LED  28  and a carbon monoxide detector LED  30  coupled to the respective circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22  to externally display the current operating conditions of those circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the LEDs  26 ,  28 ,  30  remain unlit when the respective circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22  are functioning properly. Alternatively, one or more of the LEDs  26 ,  28 ,  30  may blink or fully light in the event of a malfunction or when detecting a corresponding hazard. The purpose of the LEDs  26 ,  28 ,  30  is to provide external visual notification of the operating condition of the corresponding circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22 . Additionally, the base unit  12  may include a power indicator LED  32  also protruding from the outer casing  24 . The power indicator LED  32  provides external notification of a properly powered and operating base unit  12 . Preferably, the power indicator LED  32  blinks at intervals of thirty seconds to provide notification that the base unit  12  is powered and functioning correctly. 
   The base unit  12  in  FIG. 2  also includes a communication transmitter  34  and a communication receiver  36  configured to facilitate wireless communication via any one of a number of modern electronic wireless standards. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the communication transmitter  34  and the communication receiver  36  utilize either “Bluetooth” wireless communication or radio frequency communication. Bluetooth is an industry standard for limited range wireless (radio) communication between modern electronic devices interfaced to electronic computers and Personal Data Assistants (PDAs). In this embodiment, the communication transmitter  34  could communicate with a remote device having the communication receiver  36 . The communication transmitter  34  and the communication receiver  36  are also integrated with the satellite units  14  for communication therebetween, as described in more detail below. The base unit  12  may also include a test button  38  for testing the base unit  12  or the smoke detection and laser escape indication system  10 . A vent  40  may provide access to the internal detector circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22  or provide an opening for conveying an audible alarm. 
     FIGS. 3-8  illustrate several variations of the satellite units  14  in accordance with the present invention. For example,  FIG. 3  illustrates the satellite unit  14  including a translucent dome  42 . As shown in phantom, the satellite unit  14  includes the ionization smoke detector circuit  18 , the photoelectric smoke detector circuit  20  and the carbon monoxide detector circuit  22 . Additionally, the satellite unit  14  includes the communication transmitter  34  and the communication receiver  36 , also shown in phantom. Incorporation of the detector circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22  with the communication transmitter  34  and the communication receiver  36  enables the satellite units  14  to detect a fire hazard and communicate the detection to other base units  12  and satellite units  14  within the smoke detection and laser escape indication system  10 . Of course, the satellite unit  14  of  FIGS. 3-8  could include any combination of the detector circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22 , the communication transmitter  34  and the communication receiver  36 . 
     FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative satellite unit  14  having a translucent dome  42  that encompasses a laser canon  44 . The laser canon  44  is shown in  FIG. 5  mounted to a flexible arm  46  coupled to a rotatable base  48 . The flexible arm  46  and the rotatable base  48  enable a user to strategically position the laser canon  44  to project a laser beam  50  out from the translucent dome  42 . In this embodiment, the user may strategically position the laser canon  44  to illuminate an exit  52  ( FIG. 1 ) or a path to the exit  52 .  FIG. 5  further illustrates the satellite unit  14  having a speaker  54  capable of providing audible notification of a hazard detected by any one of the detector circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22 . 
     FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative version of the satellite unit  14  including the laser canon  44  coupled to an adjustable hinge  56 . The hinge  56  rotates the laser canon  44  within a chamber  58 . The hinge  56  is less versatile than the laser canon  44  mounted to the flexible arm  46  and the rotatable base  48  of  FIG. 5 , but is more robust in its positioning. The satellite unit  14  illustrated in  FIG. 6  further includes the test button  38 , the vent  40  and the power indicator LED  32 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the satellite unit  14  in accordance with the present invention. Here, the satellite unit  14  includes a fixture  60  capable of screwing into a standard light bulb adapter. Accordingly, the satellite unit  14  further includes an adapter  62  capable of receiving a light bulb  64 . In fact, the satellite unit  14  illustrated in  FIG. 7  is substantially similar to and incorporates the embodiments disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2007/0285262, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. Accordingly, the satellite unit  14  preferably includes each of the detector circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22 , the communication transmitter  34  and the communication receiver  36 . The light bulb  64  may be configured to strobe, flash or illuminate a room or path to an exit. 
   Similarly, in  FIG. 8  the satellite unit  14  includes a wireless camera  66  in addition to the power indicator LED  32 , the test button  38  and the vent  40 . The wireless camera  66  may be capable of transmitting a signal to a computer or another internet ready device. The wireless camera  66  would be equipped to scan and take pictures of the area immediate to the satellite unit  14  in the event that the satellite unit  14  detects a hazard. Alternatively, the wireless camera  66  may capture an image or record video in response to another one of the base units  12  or satellite units  14  activating due to detection of a hazard. 
   The multiple base units  12  and multiple satellite units  14  may be distributed throughout the floors  16  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In particular, the satellite units  14  that include the laser canon  44  are distributed throughout the floor  16  such that the laser canon  44  illuminates at least one available exit  52 . Similarly, the satellite units  14  that include the light bulb  64  may also be distributed throughout the floor  16  such that the light bulb  64  illuminates a pathway out of the room or structure. In another embodiment of the present invention, the satellite units  14  having the wireless camera  66  may be distributed throughout the floor  16  such that the wireless camera  66  records and transmits an image of one or more pathways out of the room or structure. In particular, the image may be viewed remotely for the safety of persons within the structure. Moreover, the satellite units  14  may also include the speaker  54  for use with any of the aforementioned detector circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22 , the communication transmitter  34 , the communication receiver  36 , the laser canon  44 , the light bulb  64  or the wireless camera  66 . The speaker  54  may also be used alone to provide audible notification of a hazard. The satellite units  14  including only the speaker  54  should be distributed throughout the floor  16  to ensure the audible warning issued from the speaker  54  can be heard throughout the floor  16  or multiple floors  16 . This ensures adequate warning of a fire hazard to those located in remote locations on another level of the structure. 
   The base units  12  and the satellite units  14  may each be equipped with any one or a combination of the detector circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22 , the communication transmitter  34 , the communication receiver  36 , the laser canon  44 , the speaker  54 , the light bulb  64  or the wireless camera  66 . In a particularly preferred embodiment, each base unit  12  and each satellite unit  14  for use with the smoke detection and laser escape indication system  10  of the present invention includes at least one of the detector circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22  and both the communication transmitter  34  and the communication receiver  36 . This ensures that each base unit  12  and each satellite unit  14  is capable of detecting one form of hazard via the detector circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22  and is capable of transmitting and receiving hazard information in and among each base unit  12  and each satellite unit  14  via the communication transmitter  34  and the communication receiver  36 . 
   A preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally shown in  FIG. 9  wherein the base unit  12  and the satellite units  14  are capable of communicating among one another via the previously described communication transmitter  34  and the communication receiver  36 . Accordingly, the communication receiver  36  is configured to receive and process the signal broadcast by the communication transmitter  34 . When the communication receiver  36  receives the broadcast signal from the communication transmitter  34 , the corresponding base unit  12  or satellite unit  14  receiving the communication effectively activates an alarm or other notification described herein. Moreover, the receiving base unit  12  or satellite unit  14  is capable of retransmitting the broadcast via the communication transmitter  34  to another base unit  12  or satellite unit  14  having a similar communication receiver  36 . In practice, the intercommunication among the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  result in a greater level of safety for persons within a structure. The use of the communication transmitter  34  and the communication receiver  36  in each base unit  12  and each satellite unit  14  permits the simultaneous activation of every base unit  12  and satellite unit  14  within an overlapping monitored range. Hence, this ensures that all persons within a structure are alerted to a hazard at the same time. Accordingly, persons on the opposite side of the structure from a detected hazard may receive warning before the hazard actually reaches the area where the person is located. 
     FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the intercommunication among the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  in accordance with the present invention. When one of the base units  12  or the satellite units  14  detect the presence of a hazard by one of the detector circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22 , e.g. smoke or carbon monoxide, the radio frequency transmitter  34  broadcasts a signal to activate all base units  12  and satellite units  14  within the monitored range of the activated unit. The activated units in turn further activate other units outside the range of the original unit detecting the hazard. This process occurs henceforth until adequate notification is provided within the entire structure  68 . In this way, the smoke detection and laser escape indication system  10  may detect a hazard and provide an escape route with a minimum quantity of base units  12  and satellite units  14  installed in the structure  68 . Alternatively, each base unit  12  and each satellite unit  14  may be equipped with a specific detector circuit  18 ,  20 ,  22  depending on the particular hazard that may be specific to the installation location. Likewise, each base unit  12  and each satellite unit  14  may be equipped with the laser canon  44 , the speaker  54 , the light bulb  64  and the wireless camera  66  as needed for the specific installation location. Again, each of the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  preferably include at least one of the detector circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22  and a mechanism for intercommunicating wirelessly. Hence, each of the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  are capable of detecting a hazard and broadcasting the detected hazard to any one of a plurality of the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  within range. 
   The components of the smoke detection and laser escape indication system  10  have increased moisture and corrosion resistance with the application of a spray-on silicon. Spray-on silicon protects the circuits and other electronic components of the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  from corrosion or degradation due to moisture in the air. This improved corrosion resistance increases the effective lifespan of the base units  12  and the satellite units  14 . 
     FIG. 12  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the smoke detection and laser escape indication system  10  of the present invention.  FIG. 12  illustrates a grid or array of the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  disposed within the structure  68 . This embodiment provides two basic levels of protection in accordance with the present invention. First, the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  disposed within the structure  68  are capable of intercommunicating with one another via individual communication transmitters  34  and individual communication receivers  36 , as described above. Second, each of the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  are interconnected, either hard wired or wirelessly, with a control master  70  that governs the operation of all the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  that comprise the smoke detection and laser escape indication system  10 . 
   The control master  70  is preferably a dedicated computer or other remote regulatory device that governs the operation of the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  and is therefore considered part of the “Master Level”. The control master  70  communicates with each base unit  12  and each satellite unit  14  within the structure  68 . The control master  70  is capable of establishing the status of each of the units  12 ,  14 . The path of communication between the control master  70  and the units  12 ,  14  is by multiple path communication, which provides alternative path selection if one or more of the units  12 ,  14  become inoperative. In this case, the control master  70  is capable of monitoring the status of each base unit  12  and each satellite unit  14  through the communication of the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  via the communication transmitters  34  and the communication receivers  36 , as described above. Hence, the control master  70  does not need a direct connection to ascertain the status of the base unit  12  or the satellite unit  14 . Henceforth, all communication among the base units  12 , the satellite units  14  and the control master  70  are relayed from one device to another to allow virtually unlimited monitoring. The base units  12  and the satellite units  14  are accordingly considered part of the “Subordinate Level”. As the name indicates, the units  12 ,  14  are subordinate to the Master Level comprising the control master  70 . The base units  12  and the satellite units  14  can initiate communication with the control master  70  to announce the detection of a hazard, as described above. 
   In a particularly preferred embodiment, the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  are also capable of notifying the control master  70  of needed maintenance. In this case, the smoke detection and laser escape indication system  10  of the present invention can be monitored remotely and each of the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  do not need to be inspected individually to provide proper maintenance. The base units  12  and the satellite units  14  may be equipped with software to automatically notify the control master  70  in the event that one of the detector circuits  18 ,  20 ,  22 , the laser canon  44 , the speaker  54 , the light bulb  64  or the wireless camera  66  malfunction. Operation of the control master  70  is preferably used with a popular computer operating system such as Microsoft Windows NT, XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98 SE, Windows Vista or Windows Mobile. A graphical user interface (GUI) may display a map of the structure  68  showing where each of the base units  12  and the satellite units  14  are located therein. Furthermore, the GUI shows real-time status of each of the units  12 ,  14 . In this regard, the smoke detection and laser escape indication system  10  can provide the necessary information to an emergency response team to immediately and quickly identify the location of a hazard. Enhanced response time translates to less damage and a higher likelihood that the hazard will be subdued before the structure  68  incurs more damage or causes harm to people within the structure  68 . In this embodiment, the GUI could also provide a direct route within the structure  68  to an emergency response team endeavoring to subdue the detected hazard. 
   Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.