Patent ID: 8842016

Claim:
A notification device for a fire extinguisher, comprising: a pressure sensor for coupling to the fire extinguisher for sensing pressure in the fire extinguisher; a wireless communication transmitter for transmitting via a public cellular wireless mobile communication network; a receiver for receiving signals to determine a location of the fire extinguisher; and a programmed microprocessor for controlling operations of the transceiver and the receiver, wherein programming of the microprocessor configures the notification device for responding to the pressure sensor by: upon determining when the sensed pressure meets a first report criteria related to a sudden drop of the pressure in the fire extinguisher, initiating processing of signals through the receiver to obtain information identifying a current location of the fire extinguisher; generating a first notification message containing an identification of the fire extinguisher and the information identifying the current location of the fire extinguisher; and operating the wireless communication transmitter to send the first notification message through the public cellular wireless communication network addressed for delivery to signal a first party of a discharge of the fire extinguisher; and upon determining when the sensed pressure meets a second report criteria related a slow drop or to certain amount of the pressure in the fire extinguisher; initiating processing of signals through the receiver to obtain information identifying a current location of the fire extinguisher; generating a second notification message containing an identification of the fire extinguisher and the information identifying the current location of the fire extinguisher; and operating the wireless communication transmitter to send the second notification message through the public cellular wireless communication network to signal a second party to recharge the fire extinguisher; wherein the notification device is configured to be mounted on the fire extinguisher.