Patent Description:
Success of firefighting in residential and commercial buildings depends on the availability of correctly filled extinguisher being at the right location when needed. Portable fire extinguisher cylinders ("cylinders") may be installed at specified locations throughout a building for easy access in case of a fire emergency. They should be ready to operate when the need arises. Cylinders may need to be serviced and maintained at regular intervals to enable desired availability and readiness. When utility service providers fail to adhere to service and maintenance schedules, the desired availably and readiness of the cylinders may be lost. In some cases cylinders may not be serviced regularly and may lay idle for months and sometimes years. As a result in case of a fire emergency, the cylinders may not be ready or not be available for use.

<CIT> discloses a position signaling apparatus for fire extinguishers provided with an optical device, and an electronic circuit for powering and controlling the optical device. The apparatus further comprises wireless communication means to other apparatuses in a network of fire extinguishers and to a central monitoring station.

According to the invention there is disclosed a system as claimed in claim <NUM> and a method as claimed in claim <NUM>.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features, the first device determines that the second device is currently registered as being on the network and that a signal strength of the self-identifying broadcasts for the second device is above a first signal strength threshold.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate, the first device: monitors the network for alert conditions based on activities of the second device, and when the first device identifies an alert condition exists, the first device broadcasts into the network an alert message.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate, the first device identifies an alert condition when failing to receive periodic self-identifying broadcasts from the second device for a period of time that is greater than a first time threshold.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate, the first device identifies an alert condition when periodic self-identifying broadcasts from the second device fall below a second signal strength threshold for a period of time that is greater than a second time threshold.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate, the first device monitors the network for a maintenance request from the second device, and when the first device receives the maintenance request from the second device, the first device retransmits into the network the maintenance request into the network.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate, the first device receives from another device on the network a broadcast that indicates one or more of (i) the second device is new to the network, (ii) an alert condition exists in the network, (iii) the second device requires maintenance, and the first device retransmits the broadcast to the network.

Further disclosed is a hazard response system that includes a system panel and a plurality of devices operatively connected over a network, wherein the devices have one or more of the above disclosed features, wherein the system panel directly or through retransmitted broadcasts is configured to: (i) determine that the second device is added to the network and broadcast instructions to network devices to recognize the second device as being part of the network; (ii) determine that an alert condition exists and broadcasting instructions to station panels to visually and/or audibly indicate that an alert condition exists; and (iii) determine that the second device requires maintenance and broadcast instructions directed to one of plural station panels on the network to visually display and/or audibly indicate that the second device requires maintenance.

Repeated reference throughout this disclosure will be made to <FIG> illustrates a hazard response network generally referred to as <NUM> disposed in a building <NUM> according to a disclosed embodiment. The building <NUM> may have a plurality of partitioned areas generally referred to as <NUM>. The partitioned areas <NUM> may have characteristics distinct from other areas, such as physical location. Various ones of the areas <NUM> may have a respective plurality of hazard response stations therein generally referred to as <NUM>.

Various ones of the portioned areas <NUM> may include a respective plurality of devices generally referred to as <NUM>. The plurality of devices <NUM> may include a respective plurality of hazard detectors generally referred to as <NUM>. The plurality of devices <NUM> may also include a respective plurality of extinguishers generally referred to as <NUM> including a first extinguisher <NUM> and a second extinguisher <NUM>, and a respective plurality of station panels generally referred to as <NUM>. The extinguishers <NUM> and the station panels <NUM> may be disposed in the hazard response stations <NUM>. The station panels <NUM> may be used for providing visual and/or audible alerts or messages as indicated below. The plurality of devices <NUM> may further include a system panel <NUM>, disposed in one of the partitioned areas <NUM>, for monitoring activities around the network <NUM>.

The network <NUM> in the building <NUM> may be one of a plurality of discrete hazard response networks distributed among different floors and/or portions of same floor in the building <NUM>. Each discrete network may be considered a hazard response neighborhood, also generally referenced as <NUM>. Devices <NUM> registered to a neighborhood <NUM> may alternatively be referred to as neighborhood devices <NUM>.

The extinguishers <NUM> may comprise a respective plurality of cylinders generally referred to as <NUM>, with suppressant <NUM> therein. In addition, the extinguishers <NUM> may include a respective plurality of pressure sensors generally referred to as <NUM> and a respective plurality of positional sensors generally referred to as <NUM>. Moreover the plurality of devices <NUM> may include a respective plurality of controllers generally referred to as <NUM> that provide for communicating over a telecommunications network <NUM> and performing algorithms or calculations as described below with respect to <FIG>.

Turning to <FIG>, various ones of the devices <NUM> may be capable of performing one or more processes generally including: S10 of issuing self-identifying broadcasts; S20 of monitoring neighborhood communications to detect other self-identifying broadcasts and thereby track an inventory of neighborhood devices <NUM>; S30 of monitoring neighborhood communication to detect when a neighborhood device <NUM> is being utilized to address an alert condition; S40 of issuing a maintenance request; and S50 of monitoring neighborhood communications to identify a maintenance request from another neighborhood device <NUM>. Each of these processes is addressed in greater detail below.

In one embodiment the extinguishers <NUM> may each be configured to perform processes S10-S50. The detectors <NUM> may be each configured to perform processes S10-S30 and S50. The station panels <NUM> may each be configured to perform processes S10, S20 and S50, as well visually displaying and/or audibly sounding alerts. The station panels <NUM> may also be configured to function as routers and/or repeaters for retransmitting information by and between the plurality of neighborhood devices <NUM> and the system panel <NUM>. The system panel <NUM> may be configured to perform processes S20, S30 and S50, and instruct station panels <NUM> on processing alerts by displaying and/or announcing relevant information.

Turning to <FIG>, the figure illustrates steps performed by a neighborhood device <NUM> such as the first extinguisher <NUM> executes the process S10 of issuing self-identifying broadcasts. Such broadcasts may include a unique ID (identifier) and a device type. The device type may be, for example, extinguisher, detector, station panel and other inputs and output modules that are typically used in fire panel installations. Such broadcasts may be issued every second.

Turning to <FIG>, the figure illustrates steps performed by a neighborhood device <NUM> such as the first extinguisher <NUM> executing process S20 of monitoring neighborhood communications to detect the addition of another devices <NUM> such as the second extinguisher <NUM> to the neighborhood <NUM>. From such monitoring, the system panel <NUM> and neighborhood devices <NUM> may track an inventory of all neighborhood devices <NUM>. For example at step S320 the first extinguisher <NUM> may receive the periodic self-identifying broadcast from the second extinguisher <NUM>. At step S330 the first extinguisher <NUM> may perform the step of analyzing the signal strength of the self-identifying broadcast from the second extinguisher <NUM>.

When the signal strength is above a threshold, the first extinguisher <NUM> at step S340 may then perform the step of determining whether the second extinguisher <NUM> is currently registered as a neighborhood device <NUM>. For example, the first extinguisher <NUM> may send an inquiry to the system panel <NUM> and/or may review a list of neighborhood devices stored within memory of the first extinguisher <NUM>. If the second extinguisher <NUM> is not currently registered as a neighborhood device <NUM>, step S20 may include step S350 of the first extinguisher <NUM> rebroadcasting the self-identifying broadcast from the second extinguisher <NUM>. In this instance the first extinguisher <NUM> effectively acts as a broadcast repeater as the broadcast is being transmitted toward the system panel <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in an embodiment, when executing process S20, the first extinguisher <NUM> may perform step S360 receiving the self-identifying broadcast that was transmitted pursuant to step S350 from another neighborhood device <NUM>. The first extinguisher may then execute step S370 of forwarding the broadcast so that it may reach the system panel <NUM>. In this instance the first extinguisher <NUM> effectively acts as a broadcast repeater and/or router as the broadcast is being transmitted toward the system panel <NUM>.

As indicated the station panels <NUM> also perform steps illustrated under <FIG>. Relevant actions of the system panel <NUM> are indicated below.

Turning to <FIG>, the figure illustrates steps performed when a neighborhood device <NUM> such as the first extinguisher <NUM> executes the process S30 of monitoring communications to determine when another neighborhood device <NUM> such as the second extinguisher <NUM> is being utilized to address an alert condition. For example at step S410 the first extinguisher <NUM> determines that the self-identifying broadcast from the second extinguisher <NUM> has not been received for a predetermined period of time. For example, if each neighborhood devices <NUM> issues a self-identifying broadcast every second, the predetermined period of time may be three seconds. From this the first extinguisher <NUM> at step S420 may determine the second extinguisher <NUM> is being utilized to address an alert condition. At step S430 the first extinguisher <NUM> broadcasts that second extinguisher activities have implicated the existence of an alert condition.

With reference to <FIG>, in an embodiment, when executing process S30, a decreased signal strength may be relied upon by the first extinguisher <NUM> to determine that second neighborhood device <NUM> such as the second extinguisher <NUM> is being utilized to respond to an alert condition. At step S460 the first extinguisher <NUM> may perform the step of maintaining a running average of the signal strength from the self-identifying broadcast from the second extinguisher <NUM>. At step S470 the first extinguisher <NUM> may perform the step of identifying when the signal strength diverges from the running average by more than a threshold. Thereafter the process follows step S420 and S430.

With reference to <FIG>, in an embodiment, when executing process S30, the first extinguisher <NUM> may perform step S480 receiving an alert broadcasted pursuant to step S430 from another neighborhood device <NUM> such as the second extinguisher <NUM>. The first extinguisher may then execute step S490 of forwarding the broadcast so that it may reach the system panel <NUM>. In this instance the first extinguisher <NUM> again effectively acts as a broadcast repeater and/or router as the broadcast is being transmitted toward the system panel <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, the figure illustrates steps performed according to a disclosed embodiment wherein a neighborhood device <NUM> issues a maintenance request as in step s40. For example, at step S510 the first extinguisher <NUM> may determine that a scheduled maintenance is due (for example suppressant <NUM> has expired) or that or a triggered maintenance event has occurred (for example pressure within the first extinguisher <NUM> falls below a set point as sensed from the first sensor <NUM>, or that the extinguisher <NUM> has fallen over as sensed from the second sensor <NUM>). At step S520 the first extinguisher <NUM> may perform the step of issuing the maintenance alert to the system panel <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates when the first extinguisher <NUM> executes S50 by at step <NUM> receiving a broadcasted maintenance request from a neighborhood device <NUM> such as the second extinguisher <NUM>. The first extinguisher <NUM> may then execute step S550 of forwarding the broadcast so that it may reach the system panel <NUM>. Again, in this instance, the first extinguisher <NUM> effectively acts as a broadcast repeater and/or router as the broadcast is being transmitted toward the system panel <NUM>.

As indicated the station panels <NUM> also perform steps illustrated under <FIG>. Relevant actions of the system panel <NUM> are discussed below.

Turning to <FIG> the figure illustrates steps performed according to a disclosed embodiment wherein a system panel <NUM> identifies new devices in a network under S30. Based on steps illustrated in <FIG> above the system panel <NUM> may perform step S610 of directly detecting the presence of a newly added neighborhood device <NUM> or receiving a forwarded broadcast that identifies the newly added neighborhood device. From this the system panel <NUM> may perform step s615 of determining that the second extinguisher has joined the neighborhood <NUM>.

Upon determining that a new device <NUM> such as the second extinguisher has joined the neighborhood <NUM>, the system panel <NUM> may perform step S620 of recording the existence of the second extinguisher <NUM>. Then the system panel <NUM> performs step S630 of broadcasting instruction to the system devices <NUM> to update respective lists to account for all neighborhood devices <NUM>. Upon receiving the broadcast under S630, network devices <NUM> will update their lists and retransmit the broadcast so that all devices in the neighborhood are assured to receive the broadcast.

Turning to <FIG> the figure illustrates steps performed according to a disclosed embodiment wherein a system panel <NUM> identifies that actions of a device <NUM>, such as the second extinguisher <NUM>, implicate the existence of an alert condition. Based on steps illustrated in <FIG> above, the system panel <NUM> may perform step S640 of directly detecting the action of a neighborhood device implicates the existence of an alert condition or receiving a forwarded broadcast that identifies an alert condition. The system panel <NUM> may then perform the step S645 of determining that an alert condition exists.

In one embodiment the system panel <NUM> determines that an alert condition exists after directly detecting within a predetermined period of time the action of at least two neighborhood devices that implicates the existence of an alert condition. Alternatively the system panel <NUM> determines that an alert condition exists after receiving forwarded broadcast within a predetermined period of time that implicate an alert condition exists based on the actions of at least two neighborhood devices <NUM>.

Upon determining that actions of the second extinguisher <NUM> implicate an alert condition, the system panel <NUM> may perform step S650 of broadcasting instruction to the station panels <NUM> to visually and/or audibly indicate that an alert condition exists. At step S660 the system panel <NUM> may broadcast instructions to the station panels <NUM> having available extinguishers (for example excluding the panel <NUM> in the same station <NUM> assigned to the second extinguisher <NUM>) to indicate the availability of the respective fire extinguishers <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG> the figure illustrates steps performed according to a disclosed embodiment wherein a system panel <NUM> identifies a maintenance issue exists with a neighborhood device <NUM>. Pursuant to <FIG>, the system panel <NUM> may perform step S670 of directly receiving broadcasts that identify a need for maintenance from a neighborhood device <NUM> or receiving a forwarded broadcast that identifies the need for maintenance from a neighborhood device <NUM>. From this the neighborhood panel <NUM> may perform the step S675 of determining that a neighborhood device needs maintenance.

Upon determining that a neighborhood device <NUM> needs maintenance, the system panel <NUM> performs step S680 of broadcasting instructions directed to the station panel <NUM> associated with the device <NUM> that needs maintenance. Such station panel <NUM> would be in the same station <NUM> as the device needing maintenance. The instructions may be for the station panel <NUM> to visually and/or audibly advertise that the device <NUM> needs maintenance and the type of maintenance needed. The various neighborhood devices <NUM> may serve as broadcast repeaters and/or routers to assure that the targeted station panel <NUM> receives the broadcasted instructions and can act upon the same.

The above disclosure may provide use of wireless methods to integrate portable fire extinguisher cylinders ("cylinders") with a fire panel (the system panel). For the integrated cylinders and fire panel, the disclosed embodiments may provide for (i) monitoring a readiness of a cylinder, (ii) alerting of low pressure conditions in the cylinders, and maintenance needs and service reminders for the cylinders, (iii) alerting (visually/acoustically) of non-availability of the cylinders such as cylinders falling and/or missing from installed locations and/or imminent expiration of cylinder contents, and (iv) alerting a surrounding area of the presence of the cylinder during a fire condition.

The fire panel may be configured according to its topological configuration that includes connected devices, their identification, types of detectors, device specific parameters, and corresponding input and output correlations.

For example, fire detectors and extinguishers may be assigned different categories along with their unique ID. During an initialization step the various devices and the system panel in a predetermined proximity may learn about each other and store relevant information i.e. device ID, device type, signal strength, etc. Normal operational steps may include each device receiving data from other devices in proximity and monitoring carrier signal strength for such data. Additional steps may include each device continuously averaging carrier signal strength for data transfers and applying filters to eliminate noise from the carrier signals.

If a device stops receiving data from one extinguisher in a predetermined proximity, or if carrier signal strength dips, then a device may determine that the extinguisher is being moved. The device may send an alert condition to the fire panel for the particular extinguisher. If one or more devices are reporting alert conditions of a fire extinguisher within predetermined period of time, the fire panel may then activate the station panels, which may be LED (light emitting diode) sign boards among the plurality of fire extinguishers and provide audible and visible alerts.

Benefits of the above disclosed embodiments may include (i) a preparedness for a fire emergency due to notice of low pressure in a cylinder, (ii) a local notice during a fire from integrated fire panels, which may include flashings that direct local occupants to an extinguisher, (iii) a notice on local panels of abnormalities and service reminders, (iv) a relatively easy integration with legacy bases, (v) providing notice for any attention that may be needed of a change of location or unavailability at a location of an extinguisher (vi) providing a notice of a rapid a change or fall of an extinguisher from mounting location.

Turning now to <FIG>, additional features of the controllers <NUM> will be briefly disclosed. As indicated above, the controllers may communicate over the network <NUM>. The controllers may have substantially the same technology features.

The controllers <NUM> may be a computing device that includes processing circuitry that may further include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit with one or more elemental circuit components such as resistors, an electronic processor (shared, dedicated, or group) <NUM> and memory <NUM> that executes one or more software algorithms or firmware algorithms and programs, contains relevant data which may be dynamically collected or disposed in one or more look-up tables, a combinational logic circuit that contains one or more operational amplifiers, and/or other suitable interfaces and components that provide the described functionality. For example, the processor <NUM> processes data stored in the memory <NUM> and employs the data in various control algorithms, diagnostics and the like including those illustrated in <FIG>.

The controller <NUM> may further include, in addition to a processor <NUM> and memory <NUM>, one or more input and/or output (I/O) device interface(s) <NUM> that are communicatively coupled via an onboard (local) interface to communicate among the plurality of controllers. The onboard interface may include, for example but not limited to, an onboard system bus <NUM>, including a control bus <NUM> (for inter-device communications), an address bus <NUM> (for physical addressing) and a data bus <NUM> (for transferring data). That is, the system bus <NUM> enables the electronic communications between the processor <NUM>, memory <NUM> and I/O connections <NUM>. The I/O connections <NUM> may also include wired connections and/or wireless connections. The onboard interface may have additional elements, which are omitted for simplicity, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers to enable electronic communications.

In operation, the processor <NUM> onboard the controller <NUM> may be configured to execute software algorithms stored within the memory <NUM>, including those illustrated in <FIG>, to communicate data to and from the memory <NUM>, and to generally control computing operations pursuant to the software algorithms. The algorithms in the memory <NUM>, in whole or in part, may be read by the processor <NUM>, perhaps buffered within the processor <NUM>, and then executed. The processor <NUM> may include hardware devices for executing the algorithms, particularly algorithms stored in memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be a custom made or a commercially available processor <NUM>, a central processing units (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with computing devices, semiconductor based microprocessors (in the form of microchips or chip sets), or generally any such devices for executing software algorithms.

The memory <NUM> onboard the controller <NUM> may include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, VRAM, etc.)) and/or nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CD-ROM, etc.). The memory <NUM> may also have a distributed architecture, where various components are situated remotely from one another, but may be accessed by the processor <NUM>.

The software algorithms in the memory <NUM> onboard the controller <NUM> may include one or more separate programs, each of which includes an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. A system component embodied as software algorithms may be construed as a source program, executable program (object code), script, or any other entity comprising a set of instructions to be performed. When constructed as a source program, the software algorithms may be translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within the memory. Software algorithms may be capable of handling various protocols for transmissions selectable as needed for an application interface.

Some of the input/output (I/O) devices that may be coupled to the controller <NUM> using the system I/O Interface(s) <NUM>, the wired interfaces and/or the wireless interfaces will now be identified but the illustration of which shall be omitted for brevity. Such I/O devices include, but are not limited to (i) input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, camera, proximity device, etc., (ii) output devices such as a printer, display, etc., and (iii) devices that communicate both as inputs and outputs, such as a modulator/demodulator (modem; for accessing another device, system, or network), a radio frequency (RF) or other transceiver, a telephonic interface, a bridge, a router and other modes of wired and wireless communications, etc..

Further, using the wireless connection, the controller <NUM> may communicate over the network <NUM> by applying electronic short range communication (SRC) protocols.

Such protocols may include local area network (LAN) protocols and/or a private area network (PAN) protocols. LAN protocols include Wi-Fi technology, which is a technology based on the Section <NUM> standards from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, or IEEE. PAN protocols include, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE), which is a wireless technology standard designed and marketed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) for exchanging data over short distances using short-wavelength radio waves. PAN protocols also include ultra-wideband (UWB), Zigbee, a technology based on Section <NUM>. <NUM> protocols from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). More specifically, Zigbee represents a suite of high-level communication protocols used to create personal area networks with small, low-power digital radios for low-power low-bandwidth needs, and is best suited for small scale projects using wireless connections. Such wireless connection may include Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, which is another SRC technology used for communicating with an integrated chip (IC) on an RFID smartcard.

One should note that the above disclosed architecture, functionality, and/or hardware operations of the controller <NUM> may be implemented using software algorithms. In the software algorithms, such functionality may be represented as a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that such modules may not necessarily be executed in any particular order and/or executed at all.

One should also note that any of the functionality of the controller <NUM> described herein can be embodied in any non-transitory computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" contains, stores, communicates, propagates and/or transports the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Further, the computer readable medium in the controller <NUM> may include various forms of computer readable memory <NUM>. For example the computer readable memory <NUM> may be integral to an apparatus or device, which may include one or more semiconductors, and in which the communication and/or storage technology may be one or more of electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic or infrared. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of a computer-readable medium the illustration of which being omitted for brevity include a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM) (electronic), a read-only memory (ROM) (electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) (electronic), and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) (optical).

In addition, the above distributed system of controllers is not intended to be limiting. In one embodiment, each of the controllers on the same side of the network may be the same device such that no network there between is required. In one embodiment a single on-site controller is provided instead of the distributed system of controllers. In one embodiment the controllers on the same side of the network are controlled by servers located over the World Wide Web, using a cloud computing configuration. In one embodiment, the distributed controller network is hard-wired for all telecommunication services so that no wireless network is necessary. In one embodiment redundant wireless and wired networks are utilized which automatically switch between such services to minimize network congestion and eliminate single points of failure.

Claim 1:
A system comprising:
a first device (<NUM>) of a plurality of devices (<NUM>) operatively connected over a network(<NUM>), wherein the first device (<NUM>) is configured to:
monitor the network (<NUM>) for self-identifying broadcasts including a unique identifier and a device type from the plurality of devices (<NUM>),
receive over the network (<NUM>) self-identifying broadcasts from a second device (<NUM>), , wherein the first device (<NUM>) is a hazard extinguisher, a hazard detector, or a panel for selectively relaying formation visually and/or audibly, and the second device (<NUM>) is a hazard extinguisher,
determine that the second device (<NUM>) is new to the network (<NUM>) when the second device (<NUM>) is not currently registered as being on the network (<NUM>) and the signal strength of the self-identifying broadcasts for the second device (<NUM>) is above a first signal strength threshold, wherein the first device (<NUM>) is configured to determine that the second device (<NUM>) is not currently registered as being on the network (<NUM>) by reviewing a list of devices stored within memory of the first device (<NUM>),
rebroadcast the self-identifying broadcast from the second device (<NUM>) to reach a system panel (<NUM>), which is configured to monitor activities around the network (<NUM>) and to record the existence of a newly added device, and
update the list of devices to account for the second device (<NUM>) upon receiving broadcast instructions from the system panel (<NUM>).