Patent Description:
Large facilities (e.g., buildings), such as commercial facilities, office buildings, hospitals, and the like, may have an alarm system that can be triggered during an emergency situation (e.g., a fire) to warn occupants to evacuate. For example, an alarm system may include a control panel (e.g., a fire control panel) and a plurality of aspirating smoke detector devices located throughout the facility (e.g., on different floors and/or in different rooms of the facility) that detect a hazard event, such as smoke generation (e.g., as the result of a fire or otherwise). The aspirating smoke detector can transmit a signal to the control panel in order to notify a building manager, occupants of the facility, emergency services, and/or others of the hazard event via alarms or other mechanisms.

<CIT> discloses a plush safety device that includes a plush outer shell stuffed with a filler. A smoke detector is attached to the plush outer shell.

<CIT> discloses a method for agreeing a communication key between communication subscribers of a wirelessly operating communication system. The method for agreeing a communication key includes using a communication key to determine at least one further communication key for security-related services, and exchanging acoustic signals for agreeing the communication key being exchanged between the communication subscribers provided at a subsequent data transmission.

<CIT> discloses an out-of-band (OOB) mechanism that is used to communicate a Bluetooth pairing code from a token to a mobile device. The token may include a light source and the mobile device may include a camera to communicate the Bluetooth pairing code using a light sequence. The token may include a speaker and the mobile device may include a microphone to communicate the Bluetooth pairing code.

Further advantageous embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

Methods, devices, and systems for pairing with an aspirating smoke detector device as claimed in independent claims <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM> are described herein. An aspirating smoke detector device includes a wireless module; a buzzer configured to buzz at a plurality of different frequencies; and a controller;wherein:the wireless module is configured to receive a connection request from a mobile device ; and the controller is configured to:generate a temporary key, TK, having a plurality of digits, wherein each digit of the TK can have a value between <NUM> and <NUM>;cause the buzzer to produce a buzzer signal including a plurality of portions corresponding to the plurality of digits of the TK, wherein each portion has one frequency of the plurality of different frequencies, and wherein each of the plurality of different frequencies corresponds to a different value of the corresponding digit of the TK between <NUM> and <NUM>;receive, via the wireless module, an indication of the TK determined by the mobile device based on the buzzer signal; andcommunicate with the mobile device to complete a pairing with the mobile device using the TK.

An aspirating smoke detector device can be utilized in a facility to detect a hazard event by detecting the presence of smoke. The aspirating smoke detector device can draw gas (e.g., air, via a blower) from the facility into a sensor through a network of pipes throughout the facility. The sensor can sample the gas in order to determine whether the gas includes smoke particles. In response to detection of smoke particles, the aspirating smoke detector device can transmit a signal to a control panel in the facility to signal detection of smoke particles.

An aspirating smoke detector device may monitor various operational parameters associated with the aspirating smoke detector device. For example, the aspirating smoke detector device may monitor a blower speed of a blower of the aspirating smoke detector device, an air flow rate of gas through the aspirating smoke detector device, an air flow temperature of gas through the aspirating smoke detector device, and/or a smoke level of gas through the aspirating smoke detector device, among other operational parameters associated with the aspirating smoke detector device.

Such operational parameters may provide insight to a user regarding the aspirating smoke detector device. For example, it may be beneficial for a user to monitor and/or review the operational parameters of the aspirating smoke detector device in order to determine a state of the aspirating smoke detector device, determine whether the aspirating smoke detector device may have detected smoke (e.g., related to a fire event or other event), predict issues relating to the aspirating smoke detector device and/or the aspirating smoke detection system in the facility, among other information.

However, in many cases, aspirating smoke detector devices (hereinafter sometimes referred to simply as "detectors") may lack the functionality to directly communicate operational parameters to a user. This may be especially true for more inexpensive detectors. For instance, some detectors may lack a display altogether. Some detectors may be equipped with only a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or buttons. As a result, users attempting to visualize operational parameters may be stymied, especially if those users are inexperienced and/or unfamiliar with the detector. In addition, with such limited user functionality, commissioning, maintaining, and/or upgrading such detectors may be difficult.

Though detectors may provide limited direct user interaction, they may include a wireless module that allows them to communicate with a device (e.g., a mobile device) that can provide enhanced functionality. In some cases, for instance, detectors include a Bluetooth® module that enables pairing with a mobile device.

Pairing a detector with a mobile device having an enhanced user interface can allow a user to quickly determine the status of an aspirating smoke detector device in the facility and generate awareness regarding facility safety. Further, the user may modify operational parameters of the aspirating smoke detector device via the user interface. Such presentation and modification functionality can allow for a robust but easy to understand presentation of hazard detection information.

However, pairing with detectors in a facility presents heightened security risks compared to pairing with devices like wireless headphones, for instance. Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important for connected devices. Architectures are becoming more sophisticated while cybersecurity is trying to adapt in fire detection systems. The slow adoption of security controls and defense measures may leave facilities vulnerable. In order to use Bluetooth connectivity safely, a safe and secure pairing method is desirable and may even be mandated in some facilities and/or jurisdictions. Safety and security, however, often carry undesirable price tags.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a secure pairing method between mobile devices and detectors without the need to alter or upgrade existing detectors and incur the costs associated therewith. For instance, embodiments herein can utilize the controllers (e.g., RX113 microcontrollers) of existing detectors. Embodiments herein can avoid adding extra hardware (e.g., displays, keyboards, etc.) to detectors. As a result, the functionality of detectors can be greatly-and securely-expanded, while the costs are kept at a reasonable level.

In accordance with the present disclosure, security is provided by an out-of-band (OOB) pairing method. According to the invention, a noise-generating component (hereinafter referred to as a "buzzer") of a detector is operated at different frequencies to communicate an audio signal that can be received (e.g., "heard") by a microphone of a mobile device. The signal includes a plurality of portions that correspond to a plurality of digits of a Temporary Key (TK). For example, a buzzer can buzz at a first frequency, then a second, then a third, then a fourth, then a fifth, and then a sixth. The mobile device can receive these different frequencies and translate them to the digits (e.g., <NUM> through <NUM>) of the TK. With both devices having the TK, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the Bluetooth pairing process can proceed to completion. Once the devices are paired, the vast functionality provided by an application of the mobile device can enhance the value and the effectiveness of a facility's alarm system.

These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice one or more embodiments of this disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As will be appreciated, elements shown in the various embodiments herein can be added, exchanged, combined, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number of additional embodiments of the present disclosure. The proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

<FIG> illustrates a system <NUM> for pairing with an aspirating smoke detector device <NUM> in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes a mobile device <NUM> and a detector <NUM>.

The mobile device <NUM> can include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a user interface (UI) <NUM>, a microphone <NUM>, and a wireless module <NUM>. The detector <NUM> can include a controller <NUM>, a buzzer <NUM>, and a wireless module <NUM>.

The detector <NUM> is an aspirating smoke detector device. The controller <NUM> can be a microcontroller (e.g., a RX113 microcontroller), though embodiments herein are not so limited. In some embodiments, the controller lacks any security features. For example, the controller may employ no encryption techniques or tamper detection circuitry. The controller <NUM> can include a low speed on-chip oscillator. The controller <NUM> can have logic to perform various functions as described herein. It is noted, however, that the where the controller <NUM> is discussed, the detector <NUM> can be implemented with a processor and a memory having executable instructions (e.g., as described below in connection with the mobile device <NUM>). The buzzer <NUM> is a component configured to alarm occupants of a facility of a hazard event. It is noted that while the term "buzzer" is used herein, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to particular types of components configured to alarm users. The buzzer <NUM> can be an electrical or electromechanical device, similar to a bell, that makes a buzzing noise and is used for signaling. In some embodiments, the buzzer <NUM> is a piezoelectric buzzer. A piezoelectric element may be driven by an oscillating electronic circuit or other audio signal source, driven with a piezoelectric audio amplifier. A piezoelectric buzzer can include acoustic cavity resonance or Helmholtz resonance to produce an audible beep.

The wireless module <NUM> can be a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module, in some embodiments. The wireless module allows wireless communication with other devices capable of wireless communication. In some embodiments, for instance, the wireless module can be a radio transceiver mounted on a chip. In some embodiments, the detector <NUM> does not include a display.

The mobile device <NUM> can be, for example, a device that is (or can be) carried and/or worn by a user. For example, the mobile device <NUM> can be a phone (e.g., a smart phone), a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), smart glasses, and/or a wrist-worn device (e.g., a smart watch), among other types of mobile devices.

The memory <NUM> can be any type of storage medium that can be accessed by the processor <NUM> to perform various examples of the present disclosure. For example, the memory <NUM> can be a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions (e.g., computer program instructions) stored thereon that are executable by the processor <NUM> for pairing with an aspirating smoke detector device in accordance with the present disclosure.

The memory <NUM> can be volatile or nonvolatile memory. The memory <NUM> can also be removable (e.g., portable) memory, or non-removable (e.g., internal) memory. For example, the memory <NUM> can be random access memory (RAM) (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and/or phase change random access memory (PCRAM)), read-only memory (ROM) (e.g., electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and/or compact-disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), flash memory, a laser disc, a digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storage, and/or a magnetic medium such as magnetic cassettes, tapes, or disks, among other types of memory.

Further, although memory <NUM> is illustrated as being located within mobile device <NUM>, embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. For example, memory <NUM> can also be located internal to another computing resource (e.g., enabling computer readable instructions to be downloaded over the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

The mobile device <NUM> can be connected to the detector <NUM> via the wireless module <NUM> and the wireless module <NUM>. As previously discussed, the mobile device <NUM> can be wirelessly connected to the detector device <NUM> via a Bluetooth connection. As shown in <FIG>, the mobile device <NUM> can include a microphone <NUM>. The microphone <NUM> is a component (e.g., a transducer) that converts sound into an electrical signal. The microphone <NUM> can be any suitable microphone that is configured to convert sounds of the different frequencies produced by the buzzer <NUM> into electrical signals.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the mobile device <NUM> includes a UI <NUM>. For example, the UI <NUM> can display operational information associated with the detector <NUM> in a display. A user (e.g., operator) of the mobile device <NUM> can interact with the mobile device <NUM> via the UI <NUM>. For example, the UI <NUM> can provide (e.g., display and/or present) information to the user of mobile device <NUM>, and/or receive information from (e.g., input by) the user of mobile device <NUM>. For instance, in some embodiments, UI <NUM> can be a graphical user interface (GUI) that can provide and/or receive information to and/or from the user of the mobile device <NUM>. The display can be, for instance, a touch-screen (e.g., the GUI can include touch-screen capabilities). Alternatively, a display can include a television, computer monitor, mobile device screen, other type of display device, or any combination thereof, connected to the mobile device <NUM> and configured to receive a video signal output from the mobile device <NUM>. The UI <NUM> can be localized to any language. For example, the UI <NUM> can display information in any language, such as English, Spanish, German, French, Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese, Hindi, etc..

<FIG> is an illustration of a display provided on a user interface associated with pairing with an aspirating smoke detector device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an illustration of another display provided on a user interface associated with pairing with an aspirating smoke detector device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> and <FIG> are collectively referred to herein as "<FIG>. " It is noted that occasional reference back to <FIG> may be made throughout the present disclosure.

While only one detector <NUM> (e.g., "GEL ASK XXXX-XXXX-XXXX") is displayed in <FIG>, the mobile device <NUM> can connect to various different detectors. The mobile device <NUM> may display, on the user interface <NUM>, detectors which are within a threshold distance of the mobile device <NUM>. The mobile device <NUM> may connect to the detector in response to a user selecting the "Pair Device" button <NUM> via the user interface <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a user has selected detector <NUM> to pair with, and a notification <NUM> is displayed indicating that a connection request has been sent from the mobile device <NUM>. As known to those of skill in the art, a Bluetooth pairing process can begin when the initiating device (e.g., the mobile device <NUM>) sends a connection request (e.g., "pairing request" to the other device (e.g., the detector <NUM>). The two devices then exchange I/O capabilities, authentication requirements, maximum link key size and bonding requirements. Data being exchanged during this phase is typically unencrypted.

<FIG> is an illustration of a display provided on a user interface with a notification associated with positioning the mobile device with respect to the aspirating smoke detector in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

As known to those of skill in the art, once the initial phase of pairing is complete, the devices to be paired generate and/or exchange a TK using a pairing method. The two devices can then exchange Confirm and Rand values in order to verify that they both are using the same TK. Once this has been determined, the devices can use the TK along with the Rand values to create a Short Term Key (STK). The STK is then used to encrypt the connection.

As previously discussed, the pairing method described herein is an OOB method. After receiving the connection request, the controller <NUM> can generate a TK. The TK includes a plurality of digits. In some embodiments, the TK includes six digits. Each of the six digits is selected from a group ranging from <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>). In some embodiments, the TK is generated using a suitable random number generator. In some embodiments the TK is generated using the tolerance of the low speed on-chip oscillator of the detector.

Once the TK is generated, the controller <NUM> can translate the TK into a buzzer signal. A buzzer signal, as referred to herein, is a sequence of a plurality of audio signals (e.g., buzzes) that corresponds to the plurality of digits of the TK. As previously discussed, the buzzer <NUM> can buzz at different frequencies. Certain frequencies are associated with certain values of the portions of the buzzer signal. In an example, a frequency of <NUM> corresponds to the number "<NUM>," <NUM> corresponds to the number <NUM>, and <NUM> corresponds to the number <NUM>. Thus, a TK of "<NUM>" can be translated into a buzzer signal that includes a first portion during which the buzzer buzzes at <NUM>, followed by a second portion during which the buzzer buzzes at <NUM>, followed by a third portion during which the buzzer buzzes at <NUM>, followed by a fourth portion during which the buzzer buzzes at <NUM>, followed by a fifth portion during which the buzzer buzzes at <NUM>, followed by a sixth portion during which the buzzer buzzes at <NUM>. The particular frequencies (or frequency ranges) that correspond to the different TK digits may be user-configurable, in some embodiments. The duration of the buzzer signal, and the portions thereof, may be user-configurable.

While the buzzer <NUM> is buzzing, the display illustrated in <FIG> may be presented via the UI <NUM>. The display can include a notification associated with positioning the mobile device <NUM> (e.g., the microphone <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM>) with respect to the detector <NUM> while the buzzer signal is being produced. In some embodiments, the notification may indicate a particular distance within which the user should position the mobile device <NUM>. In one example, the user may be notified to position the mobile device <NUM> within <NUM> centimeters of the detector <NUM>. In another example, the user may be notified to position the mobile device <NUM> within <NUM> meters of the detector <NUM>. In another example, the user may be notified to position the mobile device <NUM> within <NUM> meters of the detector <NUM>. It should be appreciated that as security concerns increase, the volume of the buzzer <NUM> may be reduced and the corresponding distance may be shortened.

As previously discussed, the microphone <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM> can receive the buzzer signal. The mobile device <NUM> can determine the TK based on the received buzzer signal. Determining the TK can include determining a respective frequency of each of the plurality of portions. In some embodiments, the mobile device can compare the determined frequencies of the plurality of portions to a data structure (e.g., a table) that relates a plurality of different frequency ranges to a plurality of TK digits. Such a structure can be stored in the memory <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM>, for instance. The structure can include a first frequency range corresponding to a first TK digit (e.g., <NUM>), a second frequency range corresponding to a second TK digit (e.g., <NUM>), a third frequency range corresponding to a third TK digit (e.g., <NUM>), a fourth frequency range corresponding to a fourth TK digit (e.g., <NUM>), a fifth frequency range corresponding to a fifth TK digit (e.g., <NUM>), a sixth frequency range corresponding to a sixth TK digit (e.g., <NUM>), a seventh frequency range corresponding to a seventh TK digit (e.g., <NUM>), an eighth frequency range corresponding to an eighth TK digit (e.g., <NUM>), a ninth frequency range corresponding to a ninth TK digit (e.g., <NUM>), and a tenth frequency range corresponding to a tenth TK digit (e.g., <NUM>). To illustrate, a received frequency that falls within the ninth frequency range indicates the ninth TK digit.

Accordingly, the mobile device <NUM> can determine the TK based on the buzzer signal and indicate that determined TK back to the detector <NUM>. As previously discussed, pairing can then be completed through a process where the TK along with the Rand values are used to create the STK, which is then used to encrypt the connection. A successful pairing of the mobile device <NUM> and the detector <NUM> can be indicated on the display of the mobile device. In some embodiments, a particular frequency buzzed by the buzzer (or a particular sequence of buzzes by the buzzer) can additionally be used to indicate a successful pairing. In some embodiments, the detector <NUM> may include one or more LEDs, which can be used to indicate a successful pairing.

<FIG> illustrates a method associated with pairing with an aspirating smoke detector device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. At <NUM>, the method includes receiving, by an aspirating smoke detector device, a connection request sent by a mobile device. Bluetooth pairing, as known to those of skill in the art, uses a custom key exchange protocol unique to the BLE standard. The devices to be paired exchange a TK and use it to create a Short Term STK which is used to encrypt the connection. The pairing process can be performed in a series of phases shown below. In the first phase, the mobile device <NUM> sends a connection request to the detector. The two devices then exchange I/O capabilities, authentication requirements, maximum link key size and bonding requirements. Stated differently, the two devices can exchange their capabilities and determine how they are going to go about setting up a secure connection.

At <NUM>, the method includes generating, by the aspirating smoke detector device, a TK having a plurality of digits. As previously discussed, six digits may be generated, though embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit TKs to a particular quantity of digits.

At <NUM>, the method includes producing a buzzer signal using a buzzer of the aspirating smoke detector device, the buzzer signal including a plurality of portions corresponding to the plurality of digits of the TK. In an example where the TK includes six digits, the buzzer produces a signal having six portions. In some embodiments, the portions are separated by intervals of silence. In some embodiments, the portions are separated by an interval of a particular frequency.

At <NUM>, the method includes receiving the buzzer signal via a microphone of the mobile device. At <NUM>, the method includes determining, by the mobile device, the TK based on the received buzzer signal. The sounds received by the microphone can be translated into electrical signals and then the TK can be "reconstructed" by the mobile device. At <NUM>, the method includes pairing the mobile device with the aspirating smoke detector device using the determined TK.

Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims.

Claim 1:
An aspirating smoke detector device (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a wireless module (<NUM>);
a buzzer (<NUM>) configured to buzz at a plurality of different frequencies; and
a controller (<NUM>);
wherein:
the wireless module (<NUM>) is configured to receive a connection request from a mobile device (<NUM>); and
the controller (<NUM>) is configured to:
generate a temporary key, TK, having a plurality of digits, wherein each digit of the TK can have a value between <NUM> and <NUM>;
cause the buzzer (<NUM>) to produce a buzzer signal including a plurality of portions corresponding to the plurality of digits of the TK, wherein each portion has one frequency of the plurality of different frequencies, and wherein each of the plurality of different frequencies corresponds to a different value of the corresponding digit of the TK between <NUM> and <NUM>;
receive, via the wireless module (<NUM>), an indication of the TK determined by the mobile device (<NUM>) based on the buzzer signal; and
communicate with the mobile device (<NUM>) to complete a pairing with the mobile device (<NUM>) using the TK.