Patent Publication Number: US-8542115-B2

Title: Environmental sensor with webserver and email notification

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention relates to environmental sensors and more particular to alarm sensors for buildings. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Environmental sensors, such as fire alarms, are generally known. Such devices are typically constructed to detect heat or products of combustion and are often used to provide an early warning of fire in buildings or homes. 
     While such sensors can be used as stand-alone devices, fire alarms sensors are often connected to a local control panel that monitors the status of the individual sensors. Upon detecting a fire through one of the sensors, the control panel may activate a local audible alarm to alert human occupants of the detected fire. 
     In addition to activating a local audible alarm, the control panel may send an alarm signal to a central monitoring station. Upon receiving the alarm signal from the local control panel, the central monitoring station may alert the police or local fire department. 
     Because of the risks associated with fire, central monitoring stations often seek to mitigate the effects of fire alarm reports. When an indicator of fire is received, the central monitoring station will often attempt to contact an occupant within the protected facility in order to confirm the presence of a fire. If a local occupant cannot be contacted, the central station may dispatch security personnel to investigate the status of a facility. However, even this strategy may not work for small fires or for fires deep within a structure. Accordingly, a need exists for more flexible means for detecting and reporting the status of fire detectors. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a fire alarm detection system in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a sign-in and menu screen that may be used by the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a network summary control screen that may be used by the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a message addressing control screen that may be used by the system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a threshold summary screen that may be used by the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a threshold change control screen that may be used by the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  depicts an event screen that may be used by the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a live event screen that may be used by the system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 9  depicts an Internet message delivered by the system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts a fire alarm system  10  shown generally in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the invention. The alarm system  10  may include a number of environmental condition detectors (e.g., fire, heat, smoke, carbon monoxide, ionization, particulate etc.)  14 ,  16  located within and otherwise used to protect an area  12  against fires. While only two detectors  14 ,  16  are shown in  FIG. 1 , any number of detectors  14 ,  16  and/or sensors may be used and distributed throughout the area  12  depending upon the size of the area  12 . 
     Also located within the protected area  12  may be a local alarm panel  18 . The local alarm panel  18  and sensors  14 ,  16  may be interconnected via a wired or wireless network  22 . The local alarm panel  18  in turn may be connected to a central monitoring panel  20  via a wired or wireless network  24 . 
     The local alarm panel  18  and central monitoring station  20  may operate conventionally. During normal operation, the local alarm panel  18  may monitor the sensors  14 ,  16  for indication of fire. Upon detecting a signal indicating a fire from one of the sensors  14 ,  16 , the local alarm panel  18  may activate a local audible alarm to alert any person located within the area  12  to the fire. The local alarm panel  18  may also send an alarm message to the central monitoring station  20 . 
     Each of the alarm detectors  14 ,  16  includes a sensor element  26  and alarm reporting processor  28 . The sensor element  26  and reporting processor  28  are conventional. The processor  28  monitors an output of the sensor element  26  and reports an alarm to the local alarm panel  18  upon detection of a fire. 
     At least some or all of the alarm sensors  14 ,  16  may also include an auxiliary reporting system  27  that reports the status of the alarm detectors  14 ,  16  independent of any process associated with the alarm panel  18  and central monitoring station  20 . Included within the reporting system  27  of each of the sensors  14 ,  16  is a plurality of report message files  30 ,  32 . Each of the report message files  30 ,  32  include a text message  34 , an address (e.g., an Internet address)  36  and a threshold value  38 . The threshold value  38  controls the sending of the text message to the Internet address  36  associated with each of the files  30 ,  32 . 
     Each of the report message files  30 ,  32  is associated with a predetermined human user through a terminal (e.g., a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet PC, a personal computer, etc.)  44 ,  46 . A reporting processor  48  within the detector  14 ,  16  continuously compares each threshold  38  with a sensed parameter (value) from the sensor element  26 . When the sensor element value exceeds a threshold  38 , the reporting processor  48  sends the reporting message to the corresponding user  44 ,  46 . 
     The sensors  14 ,  16  may be coupled to the Internet  42  using any of a number of different mechanisms. For example, the sensors  14 ,  16  may be connected to the Internet  42  through a local area network (LAN) that may include a server  40 . The sensors  14 ,  16  may be connected to the server  40  via one or more Ethernet connections  50 ,  52 . In this case, the sensors  14 ,  16  may each be provided with a RJ45 receptacle for connection to the Ethernet via cables serving as connections  50 ,  52 . Alternatively, the connections  50 ,  52  may be wireless. 
     During operation, the reporting processor  48  may continuously monitor the sensor element  26 . In each case, the reporting processor  48  may retrieve values of the sensing element  26  in real time and compare the retrieved values with each of the threshold values  38 . Upon determining or otherwise detecting that the retrieved value exceeds a threshold  38 , the reporting processor  48  may retrieve the associated Internet address  36  and text message  34  in preparation for forwarding the message to a user  44 ,  46 . The reporting processor  48  operating in conjunction with an Ethernet controller  54  may incorporate the Internet address  36  and text message  34  into an e-mail message  56  and send the message  56  to a user  44 ,  46  through the Internet  42 . Under other embodiments, the message  56  may be sent and displayed as an Internet blog posting or other status update. 
     Alternatively, the sensors  14 ,  16  may each be provided with a cellular transceiver  58 . In this case, the reporting processor  28  may incorporate the text message  34  into a chat or e-mail message and forward the message  56  to the cellular transceiver  58 . In response, the cellular transceiver  58  may transmit the message to a local base station  60  of the cellular system. The base station  60  may receive the message  56  through a granted channel  62  and forward the message to the user  44 ,  46  through the Internet  42  and gateway  64 . 
     Moreover, the base station  60  may deliver the message  56  to a local user through a cellphone  45 . In this case, the base station  60  may forward the message to the cellphone  45  through a control channel using an appropriate signaling format (e.g., SS7, SMS, etc.). 
     Set up of the sensors  14 ,  16  may be accomplished under any of a number of different scenarios. Under one scenario, a user interface (e.g., an Internet Protocol network interface) between terminals  44 ,  46  and sensors  14 ,  16  may be provided for set up and control of the sensors  14 ,  16 . In this regard, a first portion  66  of the user interface is provided within the user terminals  44 ,  46  and a corresponding, second portion  68  may be provided within the sensor  14 ,  16 . A user of the user terminal  44 ,  46  may activate the first portion  66  of the user interface to monitor a status of each of the sensors  14 ,  16 . Once activated, the first portion  66  functions to automatically set up a secure sockets layer (SSL) connection with the second portion  68 . 
       FIG. 2  is a sign-in and menu screen  100  that may be displayed through the user interface  66  on a display of a terminal  44 ,  46  upon completion of the connection. Shown at a top of the screen  100  may be an IP address  102  of the sensor  14 ,  16 . 
     Also shown on the screen  100  is a menu  108  of operation and control tools available through the screen  100 . Included within the menu  108  may be a “GENERAL” configuration tool  110 , a “RELAYS AND THRESHOLDS” tool  112 , a “NETWORK” tool  114 , a “LIVE VIEW” tool  116  and an “EVENTS” tool  118 . 
     If the user should activate the NETWORK tool  114 , then the user is presented with the network summary screen  200  of  FIG. 3 . Shown within the network screen  200  may be an IP address  202  of the sensor  14 ,  16  as well as the device serial number  204 . Also shown on the screen  200  is a summary list of report messages (six shown in the list  206  of  FIG. 3 ). The Internet addresses  36  of the six messages are shown adjacent the respective Email IDs 1-6. 
     Similarly, the text messages  34  of the report message files  30 ,  32  are depicted, in part, by the respective column headers in the list  206 . As shown, the text messages  34  are divided into five types. The five types are: 1) Alert, 2) Action 1, 3) Action 2, 4) Fire 1 and 5) Fire 2. An urgent notification or indication of a minor event can also be added to the text message  34  by checking the appropriate box. The threshold level  38  that triggers the sending of each reporting message is indicated by a check mark under the eight column headers. The Isolate column may be assumed to have a threshold indicative of a trouble condition or that the sensor  14 ,  16  has been deactivated. 
     If the user should wish to alter the destination of one or more of the messages  30 ,  32 , then the user may activate the NETWORK tool softkey  114  of  FIG. 3 . In response, the user is presented with the network modification window  300  of  FIG. 4 . Within the network modification window  300 , the user can modify the IP address of the sensor  14 ,  16  and/or the destination IP address  36  of the reporting messages. The user is also able to select among a number of different thresholds  38  that trigger sending of the messages  30 ,  32 . 
     For example, if the user should wish to add a new message, then the user may simply enter an IP address  36  into one of the windows  302 ,  304 . The user may select a threshold level  38  for sending a message by adding a check mark to one or more of the interactive boxes. 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the user has defined five different messages that will be sent to the e-mail address entered into box  302 . In each case, a message will be sent to the address in box  302  when the measured value of the element  26  exceeds the threshold associated with each of the boxes  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 . 
     Similarly, the user can alter an IP address of the sensor  14 ,  16  via the addressing box  316 . For example, the user can select automatic addressing of the sensor  14 ,  16  via dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) by checking a first box  318 . Alternatively, the user can enter a static IP address for the sensor  14 ,  16  by activating a second box  320  and entering an IP address via the box  322 . 
     The user can accept the changes entered through the window  300  by activating the APPLY softkey  324  or the user may cancel by activating the CANCEL softkey  326 . If the user activates the APPLY softkey  324 , the changes are sent through the SSL channel and entered into the appropriate memory locations of the sensor  14 ,  16 . 
     Once finished making network changes, the user may activate the OK softkey  328  one or more times and be taken back to the menu  108 . From the menu  108 , the user may activate the RELAYS &amp; THRESHOLDS tool  112  and be taken to the threshold summary screen  400  of  FIG. 5 . 
     The threshold summary screen  400  contains a first window  402  that shows threshold values  38  associated with each text message  34 . The examples of  FIG. 5  may be used for a particulate detection system  10  that detects products of combustion and where the threshold values are depicted in units of percent obscuration per foot (% obs/ft). The summary screen  400  shows that the threshold values may be designated according to time of day (e.g., day, night weekend, etc.). 
     The threshold summary screen  400  may also contain a window  404  that indicates which conditions are also used to send an alarm signal to the alarm panel  18 . 
     If the user should desire to change one or more of the threshold values, then the user may activate the RELAYS &amp; THRESHOLDS softkey and be taken to the screen  500  of  FIG. 6 . Once obtaining access to the screen  500 , the user can enter new threshold values  38  or alter existing thresholds by entering the appropriate value into the appropriate interactive text box. The user can also enter a time delay for which the reading must remain above the entered threshold before action would be taken. The user can also add or alter minimum or maximum values associated with each text message to define trouble conditions that would trigger an Isolate notification. 
     Similarly, the screen  500  allows the user to define the thresholds that are to be sent to the alarm panel  18 . In this case, each level of Alert, Action 1, Action 2, Fire 1, Fire 2 and Minor have been checked. 
     Once the user has made whatever changes are necessary to the threshold values  38 , the user may activate the APPLY softkey  502  or CANCEL softkey  504 . In response, the interface  66  sends the changes to the corresponding interface  68  where the changes are implemented within the sensor  14 ,  16 . To exit the RELAYS &amp; THRESHOLDS tool, the user may again activate the OK softkey  506  and return to the operations menu  108 . 
     Within the operations menu  108 , the user may select the EVENTS tool  118  and be presented with the screen  800  of  FIG. 7 . Screen  800  shows a list of events reported a sensor  14 ,  16  over some time period. The user may scroll through the events using a set of scrolling control keys at the bottom of the screen  800 . 
     The user may also select the LIVE VIEW tool  116 . The LIVE VIEW tool  116  operates in conjunction with a website  70  within the sensor  14 ,  16  to provide the screen  900  of  FIG. 8 . In this case, the website  70  continuously monitors the measuring element  26  and provides real time indications of the measured value provided by the element  26  and as indicated by activated portions of the bar graph  902  labeled 1-10 in  FIG. 8 . In this case, if the element  26  is providing a value of zero then none of the boxes 1-10 would be activated, except for an OFF segment. If the element  26  is reading 100% then all ten boxes would be activated. 
     Similarly, the screen  900  provides an indication of the operation of the sensor  14 ,  16  relative to the threshold values. For example, if the read value from the sensing element  26  were above the ALERT threshold, then the ALERT segment of screen  900  would be activated. Similarly, if the sensing element  26  were above the respective threshold values for Action 1, Action 2, Fire 1, Fire 2, then those segments would be activated. 
     The live view of the screen  900  also allows the user to enter control commands such as RESET, DISABLE and TEST. RESET in this case allows the user to reset any alarm conditions detected by the sensor  14 ,  16 . TEST allows the user to test features of the sensor  14 ,  16  by simulating conditions such as exceeding identified thresholds and verifying the sending of reporting messages  30 ,  32 . DISABLE allows the user to take the sensor  14 ,  16  off line from some remote location in the event of failure. 
     A CONFIG softkey is also shown in the screen  900  that allows a user to calculate a set of parameters for use with each of the sensors  14 ,  16  having an associated aspiration fan  72  and piping configuration. The user may also set threshold values to activate the High Flow and Low Flow indicators of the screen  900 . Similarly, the user may define conditions for a Fault indicator and for Sensor, Filter and Aspirator indicators. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a reporting message  1006  delivered in accordance with illustrated embodiments of the invention. Shown in the message is the text message  34  (labeled  1002  in  FIG. 9 ) and also the destination Internet address  36  (labeled  1004  in  FIG. 9 ). 
     In another illustrated embodiment, the detector  14 ,  16  may also include a statistical and fault (SP) processor  29  that collects statistical and fault information from the detector  14 ,  16 . As above, the SP processor  29  may compare fault and statistical parameters with a set of threshold values and forward a report when such values exceed the corresponding threshold values. For example, the statistical processor  29  may collect an average deviation associated with an output of the sensor  26  from a norm. Similarly, the SP processor  29  may compare an output of the sensor  26  with a set of allowable outputs and generate a fault message when that value exceeds a corresponding threshold. 
     The system  10  allows for a much greater degree of flexibility than has otherwise been available in tracking operation of sensors  14 ,  16 . For example, a user may define an Alert threshold level at a very low level to alert maintenance workers to low levels of contaminants in an atmosphere of the protected area  12 . Similarly, the Action 1 and Action 2 levels may be defined to take other appropriate actions such as routing a notifying e-mail to an automatic controller that closes doors or evacuates areas based upon a set of thresholds selected by a user. Different Fire 1 and Fire 2 levels may be used to direct first responders to hot spots and to provide data for developing a strategy for addressing developing emergencies. 
     The system  10  may include one of a fire sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, an ionization sensor, a particulate sensor, a gas leak detector and an aspirating sensor. 
     The system  10  may include an electronic data server wherein the electronic data server controls data access according to client-provided credentials. The electronic data server may further include a webpage that displays operating parameters and that updates the displayed values dynamically in real-time. The electronic data server may further include a webpage that provides a method of modifying detector parameters. 
     The system  10  may include a notification interface that transmits real-time status information on demand or periodically to a user terminal via the Internet protocol network interface. 
     A specific embodiment of method and apparatus for alerting in the event of developing environmental conditions has been described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention is made and used. It should be understood that the implementation of other variations and modifications of the invention and its various aspects will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention and any and all modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.