Flame Patents (Class 340/577)
  • Patent number: 11835233
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and circuitries are provided for detecting flame in a fuel oil burner. In one example, a method includes receiving a series of one or more light samples, each indicative of a level of light. When the fuel oil burner is operating in the flame expected mode, the method includes determining whether the values of the one or more of the light samples exceed a flame threshold; determining whether the values of the one or more of the light samples meet secondary criteria; determining that a flame is present when the values of the one or more light samples exceed the flame threshold and meet the secondary criteria; and determining that a flame is not present when the values of the one or more light samples are below the flame threshold or do not meet the secondary criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: R.W. Beckett Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Allen Fildes, Benjamin Scott Anderson
  • Patent number: 11670150
    Abstract: A heat sensor includes a base and a heat sensor body. The base is to be mounted onto a mounting surface of a building. The heat sensor body has a bottomed cylindrical shape and is to be attached to the base. The heat sensor body includes an opening, a board, a heat detection unit, and at least one wall member. The at least one wall member controls flow of a gas to cause the gas that passed through the opening to flow toward the heat detection unit. The at least one wall member separates the flow of the gas that has entered the heat sensor body from an external space through the opening into a plurality of gas flows and directs one of the plurality of gas flows, which has been separated to flow beside an inner surface of the heat sensor body, toward the heat detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki Muro
  • Patent number: 11488463
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a CO alarm for a super capacitance type generator, comprising a MCU control unit U1, a communication unit U2, a voltage reference unit U3, a system power supply unit U4, an alarm indication unit U5, an engine operation detection unit U6, a CO sensor detection unit U7, a super-capacitor charging unit U8, a temperature detection unit U9, and a flameout control unit U10. The MCU control unit U1 is configured to analyze and process the signal of the entire alarm and control the corresponding actions, and includes a single-chip microcomputer IC1 and a capacitor C1. The capacitor C1 is a filter capacitor, which filters the power supply voltage of the single-chip microcomputer IC1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Shaoxing Dushang Yicheng Electric Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wangfu Zhang
  • Patent number: 11361643
    Abstract: A system for locating a detection system within a predetermined area includes a fiber optic harness defining at least one node in communication with the predetermined area. Light is received at the at least one node. At least one emitter is arranged in communication with the at least one node. A control system is operably coupled to the at least one emitter and the at least one node to determine a physical location of the at least one node relative to the predetermined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, Alan Matthew Finn, Jennifer M. Alexander, David L. Lincoln
  • Patent number: 11321586
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining an operating state of a burner. The method includes receiving baseline characteristic data for a plurality of burner operating states. The baseline characteristic data for each burner operating state of the plurality of burner operating states comprises baseline data of a plurality of data types indicative of a corresponding burner operating state. The method also includes receiving monitoring data captured for a burner by a plurality of burner sensors. The method further includes using to machine learning to compare at least a portion of the monitoring data captured for the burner with the baseline characteristic data. The method still further includes determining an operating state of the burner based at least in part on results of comparing the at least a portion of the monitoring data with the baseline characteristic data. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mohammad Hadi Fahandezh Saadi, Raghava Balusu, Vijayendra Grampurohit
  • Patent number: 11288949
    Abstract: A system to convey user alert messages is disclosed. The system may have a alert service coupled between alert providers and a number of households. After receiving in the alert service an alert message from an alert provider, the alert service may alter the alert message to identify the household designated to receive the alert message. The alert service sends a notification to a home media system within the household designated to receive the alert message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Putterman, Gregory Peters, Richard Bullwinkle, Kim R. Dykeman, Brad Dietrich
  • Patent number: 10867499
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light source assembly applied to an alarm device, which comprises a base; a light source arranged on the base and configured to emit visible light; and a lens arranged on an emission path of the light source and configured to modulate the visible light emitted by the light source into a light distribution curve conforming to the presetting. According to the light source assembly and the alarm device including the same in the embodiment of the present invention, the light emitted by the light source is modulated through the lens, so that the angle of emission of the light source assembly and the alarm device can be fully expanded. Especially when the light source assembly and the alarm device are applied to fire-fighting devices, the alarm reception blind area can be effectively reduced, and the safety level is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignees: Baiyi Lighting (Shanghai) Holdings Limited, Jade Bird Fire Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen Chen, Wenxue Xie, Qirong Xing, Lijie Zheng, Gaihong Du, Hua Hang, Huosheng Wang
  • Patent number: 10708361
    Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes an on-board vehicle communication module and a remote communication module. The on-board vehicle communication module includes a light source that is configured to be modulated in order to transmit data, an on-board controller that controls the light source and an on-board memory that is operably coupled to the on-board controller such that the on-board controller can obtain data from the on-board memory for transmission by the light source. The remote communication module includes a light receiver that is sensitive to the modulated light provided by the light source forming part of the on-board vehicle communication module. In some cases, the vehicle communication system enables bidirectional communication between the vehicle communication module and the remote communication module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Rinas Puthuveetil Abdul Latheef, Aravindan Cheruvally, Jareesh Myladan, Ranjit Mathew Kumaracheril
  • Patent number: 10633115
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can automatically guide itself to the vicinity of a charging station of an automated landing, charging and takeoff system, which then assists with the close-range laser guidance of the UAV in order for it to dock, without the need for landing gear. The dock has locating valleys that help the booms of the UAV to self-align under the force of gravity. Electrical connections are automatically made for data download and charging. A cover may be closed over the UAV during charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Orest Jacob Pilskalns
  • Patent number: 10567464
    Abstract: A video stream of a scene for a virtual reality or augmented reality experience may be captured by one or more image capture devices. Data from the video stream may be retrieved, including base vantage data with base vantage color data depicting the scene from a base vantage location, and target vantage data with target vantage color data depicting the scene from a target vantage location. The base vantage data may be reprojected to the target vantage location to obtain reprojected target vantage data. The reprojected target vantage data may be compared with the target vantage data to obtain residual data. The residual data may be compressed by removing a subset of the residual data that is likely to be less viewer-discernable than a remainder of the residual data. A compressed video stream may be stored, including the base vantage data and the compressed residual data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Derek Pang, Colvin Pitts, Kurt Akeley
  • Patent number: 10072843
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for combustion resonance suppression are described herein. One device includes a memory, and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive a number of operating conditions of a burner, determine whether resonance characteristics are present in a combustion chamber housing the burner based on the number of operating conditions of the burner, and modify at least one of an air supply and a fuel supply to the burner upon determining resonance characteristics are present in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lubomir Baramov, Curtis L. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10031490
    Abstract: In a process plant, a mobile device detects a physical phenomenon and converts the detected physical phenomenon to digital data representative of the physical phenomenon. The data are transmitted to an expert system and analyzed by the expert system to determine a state of one or more process elements. Abnormal conditions associated with the process elements may be detected, and a cause of the abnormal condition may be determined from the digital data. Process control parameters may be automatically changed to correct the abnormal condition, work items may be created to cause personnel to take action to correct the abnormal condition, and/or an operator may be prompted to take a corrective action to resolve the abnormal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark J. Nixon, Ken J. Beoughter, Daniel D. Christensen
  • Patent number: 9818277
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for smoke and fire detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mashhour Solh, Michael Serge Devyver
  • Patent number: 9792500
    Abstract: A fire detector is disclosed that successively images a particular area from geosynchronous Earth orbit satellite to attain very good signal-to-noise ratios against Poisson fluctuations within one second. Differences between such images allow for the automatic detection of small fires greater than 12 square meters. Imaging typically takes place in transparent bands of the infrared spectrum, thereby rendering smoke from the fire and light clouds somewhat transparent. Several algorithms are disclosed that can help reduce false fire alarms, and their efficiencies are shown. Early fire detection and response would be of great value in the United States and other nations, as wild land fires destroy property and lives and contribute around five percent of the US global carbon dioxide contribution. Such apparatus would incorporate modern imaging detectors, software, and algorithms able to detect heat from early and small fires, and yield detection times on a scale of minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Carlton R. Pennypacker, Robert D. Tripp, Scott L. Stephens, Nina M. Kelly, Marek K. Jakubowski, Mike Lampton
  • Patent number: 9792795
    Abstract: Various apparatus and methods for smoke detection are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of training a classifier for a smoke detector comprises inputting sensor data from a plurality of tests into a processor. The sensor data is processed to generate derived signal data corresponding to the test data for respective tests. The derived signal data is assigned into categories comprising at least one fire group and at least one non-fire group. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) training is performed by the processor. The derived signal data and the assigned categories for the derived signal data are inputs to the LDA training. The output of the LDA training is stored in a computer readable medium, such as in a smoke detector that uses LDA to determine, based on the training, whether present conditions indicate the existence of a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Bruce Warmack, Dennis A. Wolf, Steven Shane Frank
  • Patent number: 9747501
    Abstract: A fire detection method and apparatus accurately detects a fire. The fire detection method includes obtaining RGB data from an image; calculating at least one index related to the attributes of fire using the obtained RGB data; and determining the occurrence of a fire using the index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: IIST CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Burm Suk Seo
  • Patent number: 9730030
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive from the terminal apparatus, terminal apparatus identification information of the terminal apparatus and output apparatus identification information of an output apparatus that has been acquired by the terminal apparatus; and a notifying unit configured to notify the terminal apparatus of relocation information based on the terminal apparatus identification information and the output apparatus identification information received by the receiving unit. The relocation information includes at least one of information on moving from the position of the terminal apparatus to a predetermined destination and information on moving from the position of the terminal apparatus to a next location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajimu Ikeda, Yasuyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9709466
    Abstract: Systems and methods for ignition source testing with a flammable foam are disclosed. Flammable foam systems and methods for testing use a flammable foam that includes fuel and oxidant. Flammable foam is applied to a test article and an energy discharge is applied to the test article. Methods include determining whether the flammable foam ignited in response to the energy discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eddie Kwon, Jason S. Damazo
  • Patent number: 9702115
    Abstract: An autonomous method for detecting when an earthmoving machine has moved a pile of dirt into contact with another pile of dirt may include receiving at a controller a plurality of signals indicative of one or more parameters including a ground speed of the machine, a target ground speed of the machine, a load on a work implement of the machine, an output speed of a torque converter of the machine, a machine pitch, a machine steering command, a machine heading, and a heading of a slot the machine is in. The controller may standardize and normalize each signal from the plurality of signals in order to create values for each of the one or more parameters that all fall within a common range, wherein the common range is representative of a range from minimum to maximum values for each of the one or more parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Carl P. Darukhanavala
  • Patent number: 9691247
    Abstract: A fire detection apparatus 1 including a wind ascertainment device 6 and an evaluation device 3, and connectable to at least one monitoring camera 2 for recording image data of a monitoring region. The evaluation device 3 includes a control unit 7, configured for evaluation of wind parameters provided by the wind ascertainment device 6. The evaluation device 3 includes an image processing unit 4 configured to evaluate at least one fire detection feature from the image data transmitted from the monitoring camera 2, wherein the control unit 7 switches the image processing unit 4 to different fire detection operation modes in dependence on the wind parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Anton Stadler
  • Patent number: 9368012
    Abstract: An integrated system platform includes a sensor containing an embedded microcontroller and associated circuitry for providing safety critical functionality. Signal conditioning circuitry is coupled to the sensor along with gas concentration determining circuitry, alarm status circuitry and fault status evaluation circuitry. Wherein the sensor is operational with a main control module and at least one alarm output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Tak G. Saruwatari, Mahdi Javer, Kelly A. F. Englot, Richard Ian King
  • Patent number: 9263863
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for locating a pre-wired electrically isolated power source. The invention includes a plurality of embodiments of encased receptacles combined with recessed electrical enclosures for mounting the receptacles. The recessed electrical enclosures allow for the input and output receptacles to be mounted externally to the enclosure, to create space internal to the enclosure, and for visual isolation of receptacle outlets and associated plugs/connectors that may also be present in the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Patent number: 9231359
    Abstract: A manual disconnect for an electric circuit includes a base with primary terminals and an interlock connector. A plug assembly includes fuse terminals and an interlock resistor assembly. The plug assembly is movable relative to the base between a disconnected position, wherein the fuse terminals are not engaged with respective primary terminals, and a primary circuit engaged position, wherein the fuse terminals are engaged with respective primary terminals. The plug assembly is also movable to an interlock position, wherein the interlock connector is engaged with the interlock resistor assembly. The plug assembly is moved in an insertion to move the plug assembly from the disconnected position to the primary circuit engaged position, and is rotated about an axis to move from the primary circuit engaged position to the interlock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Butcher, David Menzies, Reinhard Pusch
  • Patent number: 9054893
    Abstract: Alarm customers on VoIP may use an adapter for conversion to Internet Protocol (IP) signals or may have an alarm system that uses IP signals to transmit alarm signals over the Internet. IP signals from alarm customers may go to any monitoring center for alarm system monitoring. IP signals from alarm systems using IP conversion equipment can go only to monitoring centers with specialized receiving equipment specific to the type of transmitting equipment in use at the customer's premises. There is a pool of customers, whose dealers would convert to IP and stay with the current monitoring center if the center invested in receiving equipment. For the many small centers who will not or cannot invest in receiving equipment, the present invention will take IP signals from any or all brands of IP transmitting equipment, to a central server then retransmit to any center over POTS to the alarm monitoring center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Numerex Corp.
    Inventors: Harvey Alexander Elliot, Bryan Field-Elliot, Daniel Elliot
  • Patent number: 9019110
    Abstract: A sensor unit that includes at least one sensor configured to measure an ambient condition is described. The controller can be configured to receive instructions, to report a notice level when the controller determines that data measured by the at least one sensor fails a report threshold test corresponding to a report threshold value. The controller can also be configured to obtain a plurality of calibration measurements from the at least one sensor during a calibration period and to adjust the threshold based on the calibration measurements. The controller can be configured to compute a first threshold level corresponding to background noise and a second threshold level corresponding to sensor noise, and to compute the report threshold value from the second threshold. In one embodiment, the sensor unit adjusts one or more of the thresholds based on ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 9007224
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a hazard detector is presented. The hazard detector may include a hazard detection sensor that detects a presence of a type of hazard. The hazard detector may include a light and a light sensor that senses a brightness level in an ambient environment of the hazard detector. The hazard detector may include a processing system configured to receive an indication of the brightness level in the ambient environment of the hazard detector from the light sensor. The processing system may determine the brightness level in the ambient environment of the hazard detector has reached a threshold value. A status check of one or more components of the hazard detector may be performed. The processing system may cause the light to illuminate using a selected illumination state in response to the determining the brightness level in the ambient environment of the hazard detector has reached the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Maxime Veron, Sophie Le Guen, Yoky Matsuoka, Jeffrey A. Boyd
  • Patent number: 9007225
    Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods may be presented. A wireless device may include a smoke sensor configured to obtain measurement data regarding a level of smoke. The wireless device may operate in a sleep mode while the smoke sensor obtains the measurement data. The wireless device may determine, from the measurement data, whether the level of smoke has exceeded a warning threshold. In response to determining that the level of smoke has exceeded the warning threshold, the wireless device may communicate a warning indication. The wireless device may determine, from the measurement data, whether the level of smoke has exceeded an alarm threshold. In response to determining that the level of smoke has exceeded the alarm threshold, the wireless device may communicate an alarm indication, the alarm indication indicating that the alarm threshold has been exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 8994942
    Abstract: An interference object is identified in a scatter volume of an optical fire detector, which operates according to the scattered light principle. To achieve a higher level of interference protection using a simple structure in a compact fire detector, a common scatter volume is used instead of separate scatter volumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Walter Vollenweider
  • Publication number: 20150077260
    Abstract: A programmable interface module includes a linear power regulator to control and provide power to interfaced components on an as needed basis. The interface module is implemented in, for example, a sensor pack and multiplexed to a plurality of sensor modules. In a first mode, the linear voltage regulator provides a relatively small amount of power which allows a sensor module to output a signal responsive to detecting an environmental condition (e.g., gamma or x-ray radiation, extreme temperatures, etc.). The interface module can switch the linear voltage regulator to a second mode in which the linear voltage regulator ramps up the amount of power provided to a detecting sensor module. The sensor module can then provide a level indicative of a concentration or intensity of the environmental condition. If the level surpasses a predetermined threshold, the senor pack can output an alert signal to security server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Francis S. Zajac, James Peverill, Tony Bachta
  • Patent number: 8981950
    Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods may be presented. A sensor unit may be presented that includes a housing and a chamber arranged within the housing. The sensor unit may include a controller arranged within the housing. The controller may receive information from an HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning) system, wherein the information is indicative of operation of the HVAC system. The controller may determine an effect of the HVAC system on measurements made by the sensor using the information from the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 8970354
    Abstract: Incident response methods include receiving notification that an incident has occurred, determining a source of the notification, the source being near the incident, and establishing at least one guided path configured to direct a first person, a first animal, or a first movable device positioned near the source away from the incident and/or to direct a second person, a second animal, or a second movable device toward the incident. Electronic guides include an indicator, and processing circuitry configured to receive a request to configure the indicator from an inactive state to an active state in which the indicator encourages a first person positioned near a first side of the electronic guide to move toward the electronic guide and encourages a second person positioned near a second side of the electronic guide to move away from the electronic guide and configure the indicator according to the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Timothy John Lewis
  • Patent number: 8970371
    Abstract: The detection device comprises a sensor, a power supply, an alarm and an acousto-electric transducer. The activated acousto-electric transducer receives an acoustic signal and emits an electrical signal representative of the acoustic signal. The detection device further comprises a means of recognizing a predefined acoustic signal according to the electrical signal emitted by the transducer and triggering an emission of a message by the alarm when the predefined acoustic signal is recognized. The acoustic-electric transducer is only activated at regular intervals. Preferably, the transducer also serves an alarm to emit the message when the predefined acoustic signal is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Finsecur
    Inventors: Stéphane Di Marco, Laurent Pichard
  • Patent number: 8963726
    Abstract: A sensor unit that includes at least one sensor configured to measure an ambient condition is described. The controller can be configured to receive instructions, to report a notice level when the controller determines that data measured by the at least one sensor fails a report threshold test corresponding to a report threshold value. The controller can also be configured to obtain a plurality of calibration measurements from the at least one sensor during a calibration period and to adjust the threshold based on the calibration measurements. The controller can be configured to compute a first threshold level corresponding to background noise and a second threshold level corresponding to sensor noise, and to compute the report threshold value from the second threshold. In one embodiment, the sensor unit adjusts one or more of the thresholds based on ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 8963727
    Abstract: A sensor unit that includes at least one sensor configured to measure an ambient condition is described. The controller can be configured to receive instructions, to report a notice level when the controller determines that data measured by the at least one sensor fails a report threshold test corresponding to a report threshold value. The controller can also be configured to obtain a plurality of calibration measurements from the at least one sensor during a calibration period and to adjust the threshold based on the calibration measurements. The controller can be configured to compute a first threshold level corresponding to background noise and a second threshold level corresponding to sensor noise, and to compute the report threshold value from the second threshold. In one embodiment, the sensor unit adjusts one or more of the thresholds based on ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 8963728
    Abstract: A sensor unit that includes at least one sensor configured to measure an ambient condition is described. The controller can be configured to receive instructions, to report a notice level when the controller determines that data measured by the at least one sensor fails a report threshold test corresponding to a report threshold value. The controller can also be configured to obtain a plurality of calibration measurements from the at least one sensor during a calibration period and to adjust the threshold based on the calibration measurements. The controller can be configured to compute a first threshold level corresponding to background noise and a second threshold level corresponding to sensor noise, and to compute the report threshold value from the second threshold. In one embodiment, the sensor unit adjusts one or more of the thresholds based on ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 8957782
    Abstract: A fire and flammable gas system comprises a signal detector installed in a detection area for detecting flue gas, temperature or flammable gas signal; an alarm controller for real time collecting flue gas, temperature or flammable gas signal detected by the signal detector; a data manager for recording and storing an initial background value of the detector and detection data of the detector during running process, and analyzing the historical data of the detector during running process in real time so as to carry out early-warning in advance or detector self-diagnosis or alarm threshold adjusting; and an early-warning monitor for displaying early-warning analysis result output by the data manager on the monitor. A fire and flammable gas method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Tianjin Puhai New Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lezhong Yu, Jun Niu, Hongyun Sun
  • Patent number: 8947230
    Abstract: An environmental monitoring device that includes an acoustic sensor is described. During operation of the environmental monitoring device, the acoustic sensor provides acoustic data based on measurements of sound in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device. Based on the acoustic data, a control mechanism determines if an alarm device, which is separate from the environmental monitoring device, is activated. For example, the environmental monitoring device may determine if a smoke detector is activated based on measurements of sound, such as a temporal 3 acoustic pattern. In addition, a sensor mechanism in the environmental monitoring device may provide sensor data based on measurements of an environmental condition in the external environment. The control mechanism may use the sensor data to assess a degree of threat in the external environment, and the environmental monitoring device may output different audible sounds as the degree of threat changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Leeo, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam M. Gettings, Andrew G. Stevens, Bjorn H. Hovland
  • Publication number: 20150015401
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a user device, information regarding a sensed condition in a structure, wherein the sensed condition is sensed by a sensory node. The method also includes generating, by the user device, a notification to a user of the user device, where the notification identifies the sensed condition. The method also includes determining, by the user device, whether the sensed condition exceeds a threshold. The method further includes identifying one or more actions that can be performed by the user in response to the sensed condition, where the one or more actions are based at least in part on the determining of whether the sensed condition exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Kurt J. Wedig, Daniel Ralph Parent, Chris Snyder, Nathan Gabriel, Robert D. LePage
  • Patent number: 8912894
    Abstract: Apparatus located in a common box for providing a combination of fire and burglar alarm protection including a fire alarm control panel for providing fire alarm protection, a burglar alarm control panel which provides burglar alarm functionality mounted on the fire alarm control panel, a power supply coupled to the burglar bus to power only the burglary alarm control panel and burglar devices, a first switch located between the burglar alarm control panel and the fire alarm control to initiate operation of the burglar alarm system when closed; and a second switch located to provide power to all burglar alarm devices connected to the burglar module when closed. The first switch, when open, suspends only the operation of the burglar alarm control panel, and the second switch, when open, removes power from all burglar devices connected to the burglar module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Carrieri
  • Patent number: 8884772
    Abstract: An emergency notification and response system is linked to a fire alarm system, a security system and to a communication network over which it sends and receives emergency messages to and from building occupants and to emergency response personnel. The emergency notification and response system comprises a notification module which operates to receive signals from a fire detection system and send one or more messages to building occupants to investigate the validity of a possible fire event, and to respond to the message with an indication that a fire event is in progress or not. Depending upon information received in the response, the notification module sends an evacuation message to a selected sub-set of the building occupants that includes instructions for evacuating the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Globestar, Inc.
    Inventor: Yihan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8878665
    Abstract: A fire alarm system 4 for a structure, has a two-wire interconnected transceiver 4J that uses power line carrier technology to inject a radio signal onto two power conductors, 6B & 6W. The transceiver 4J includes a transmitter circuit 7 and a receiver circuit 9. The transmitter circuit 7 includes a trigger circuit 10, attachable to an output line of a local fire alarm 5. The trigger circuit 10, can monitor the output line (6 Yellow) for an alarm condition output signal, for the purpose of sensing an alarm condition. The transmitter circuit 7 responds to the alarm condition output signal by injecting the radio signal onto the two power conductors. The radio signal would activate a second fire alarm system 4B attached to power lines in the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher George Kalivas, Steven Perry Apelman
  • Publication number: 20140266740
    Abstract: A flare monitoring system that receives real-time data associated with the release of a processing facility's combustible fluids to a flare stack and analyzes the data in conjunction with parameters of the processing facility's flare-through elements such as manual valves, control valves, restriction orifices, flow meters, and the like. The results of the analysis are provided to operators in the form of reports that indicate: whether flaring events are of a routine or non-routine nature; the flared volume; the contribution of the flare-through elements to the flared volume; and so forth. The results can aid operators in reducing combustible fluid losses due to flaring and in mitigating emissions of sulfur, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Antonio Francisco Conrado Fernandes, Rama Kameshwara Prasad Pantula
  • Patent number: 8836522
    Abstract: A safety shut-off system and method for eliminating power to a load in the event of smoke detection. The system may comprise a device located at the appliance for detecting a signal from a smoke detector, and cutting power to the appliance only when the appliance is in use. The device may be synchronized with any standard smoke alarm signal to reduce the number of false positive shut-offs. The system may also comprise a smoke alarm hard-wired to a circuit breaker, for shutting off power to all appliances on a particular breaker upon receipt of a signal from the smoke alarm, and only when the appliances on the breaker are in use. The system may also have the ability to shut off one breaker, multiple breakers, or all breakers at different time increments to actively prevent and reduce the damages caused by fires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Fire Avert, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Thorpe, Michael Sanders, Chase Roberts, Kevin Sanders, Zack Bomsta
  • Publication number: 20140240133
    Abstract: An LED strobe notification device and method for operating an LED strobe notification device is provided. The LED strobe notification device is configured to generate an output at two or more candela settings and is configured to generate the output at the two or more candela settings having a human-perceived pulse duration with a fixed width. The LED strobe device includes: an LED strobe element; and an LED controller in communication with the LED strobe element with the LED controller configured to: receive a candela selection for the LED strobe element, the candela selection selected from the two or more candela settings; receive a command to activate the LED strobe element of the LED strobe notification device; and in response to receiving the command, control the LED strobe element in order to generate the output from the LED strobe element having the human-perceived pulse duration with the fixed width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Savage Jr.
  • Patent number: 8797724
    Abstract: A notification appliance enclosure that facilitates convenient attachment and removal of a housing. The enclosure may include a mounting plate having a catch lip and a retaining wedge projecting from a surface thereof. The catch lip and the retaining wedge may be spaced apart to define a retaining pocket therebetween, and the catch lip may have a latch release aperture formed therethrough. A housing may fit over the mounting plate and may have a latch tongue extending from a surface thereof fits within the retaining pocket. A release latch may extend from a surface of latch tongue and may fit within the latch release aperture. The engagement between the release latch and the latch release aperture prevents the housing from being pulled away from the mounting plate. The retaining wedge resists movement of the latch tongue and thereby resists disengagement of the release latch from the latch release aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander S. Andrews, Erick Russell, James T. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8793726
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical integration system for disaster emergency broadcasting communication, including: sensor units; a broadcasting communication integration unit; and a management server, wherein the management server transmits a signal to each guiding indication lamp connected to the separately arranged reception units on the basis of a location information database. The system of the present invention can induce reconstruction of destroyed power and information communication networks as emergency networks, and active evasion from a disaster area using independent emergency power in the disaster state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Fon System Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun Beom Choi
  • Patent number: 8773137
    Abstract: A method for flame sensing in a solid, liquid or gaseous fuel burner, the flame generated at an ionization electrode, the flame presence resulting in an ionizing effect on the electrode. The electrode is powered by an alternating voltage signal. The ionization phenomenon generates in the electrode a direct current. The current being sensed by a suitable sensing circuit including a control unit. This signal generator being of relatively low internal impedance to enable the measured generated current to have a high value compared with that normally used and of waveform to tend to limit the value of the direct current flowing through the electrode. The sensing and control circuit being such as to enable the presence of a parasitic current on the flame sensing electrode to be measured. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Bertelli & Partners, S.R.L.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Bertelli
  • Patent number: 8760280
    Abstract: A non-addressable fire alarm system, with a fire alarm control panel and one or more non-addressable devices, is provided. The fire alarm control panel sends a broadcast command to the one or more non-addressable devices in the fire alarm system. In response thereto, the one or more non-addressable device modify at least one aspect of one or more communication lines in the fire alarm system. For example, the non-addressable device may generate an open circuit, a closed circuit, or put a current on the one or more communication lines. As another example, the non-addressable device may send a communication back to the fire alarm control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventor: Joseph Piccolo, III
  • Patent number: 8760301
    Abstract: An LED strobe notification device and method for operating an LED strobe notification device is provided. The LED strobe notification device is configured to generate an output at two or more candela settings and is configured to generate the output at the two or more candela settings having a human-perceived pulse duration with a fixed width. The LED strobe device includes: an LED strobe element; and an LED controller in communication with the LED strobe element with the LED controller configured to: receive a candela selection for the LED strobe element, the candela selection selected from the two or more candela settings; receive a command to activate the LED strobe element of the LED strobe notification device; and in response to receiving the command, control the LED strobe element in order to generate the output from the LED strobe element having the human-perceived pulse duration with the fixed width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Savage, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8749392
    Abstract: A method includes receiving occupancy information from a node located in an area of a structure, where the occupancy information includes a number of individuals located in the area. An indication of an evacuation condition is received from the node. One or more evacuation routes are determined based at least in part on the occupancy information. An instruction is provided to the node to convey at least one of the one or more evacuation routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: OneEvent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Joseph Wedig, Daniel Ralph Parent, Tammy Michelle Wedig, Kristin Ann Sutter-Parent