Abstract: A sensor system includes a camera having a first sensor configured to trigger the camera to take a photograph, a trigger device configured to couple to the camera, and a remote sensor node. The trigger device includes a heat generating member (HGM) disposed adjacent to the first sensor, a receiving node communicatively coupled to the HGM, and a housing configured to house at least one of the heat generating member and the receiving node. The remote sensor node is communicatively coupled to the receiving node, and includes a second sensor configured to detect an object in the field of view of the camera.

Abstract: An automatic stovetop fire suppressor is activated by a shuttle actuator. The self-contained and closed container device provides a gradual release of a fire suppressing agent in a desired distribution pattern. A method of reliable and spatial agent release are provided herein. A plastic cone shaped lid seals on the bottom of a can and forms a closed container. The closed container is filled with a fire suppressing agent. An initiator charge is housed external to the container of fire suppressing agent and is fuse activated. The activated charge displaces the shuttle. As the shuttle displaces, vertical support for the bottom cone lid is removed and a compression spring breaks a circumferential seal between the bottom lid and container cylindrical sidewall and lowers the bottom lid exposing a radial opening. Fire suppressing agent flows out of the radial opening, suppressing a stovetop fire.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a presence of a target such as a vehicle, an animal, a person, or another object in a monitored area without the use of sensors, are provided. Multiple RF field anomaly detection nodes may be spaced through the monitored area and connected, such as in a mesh network. The RF field anomaly detection nodes may include radio transceivers that communicate with one another and which monitor a signal strength of received signals. The nodes may compare the signal strengths to expected strength values. As a target enters a portion of the monitored area, the dielectric properties of the target cause at least one signal strength of at least one received signal to change. The RF field anomaly detection nodes may detect this change and trigger a further action or human readable alert corresponding to the presence of the target.

Abstract: An automatic stovetop fire suppressor with suppressor activation triggering an audible alert of a fire condition and method are provided herein. A plastic bottom lid is secured to a bottom of a can, forming a closed container. A fire suppressing agent and a sound board are housed within the closed container. As the fire suppressor actuator is triggered, the bottom lid lowers releasing the fire suppressing agent and tripping a sound board alert switch. A microcontroller generates a desired fire condition signal which is played across a low voltage magnetic transducer. The suppressor is user friendly, provides an automated release of fire suppressing agent in the presence of a stovetop fire, and emits a continuing audible alert signal until a user disables the same. The fire suppressing agent and battery powered sound board are stored in the closed from manufactured end to activation of the suppressor in a fire condition.

Abstract: A spotlight system is provided that includes a camera assembly having an infrared camera and an infrared flash. The system includes a spotlight assembly having an infrared spotlight and an infrared sensor. The spotlight assembly is located remotely from the camera assembly, the infrared sensor is communicatively coupled to the infrared spotlight and the infrared sensor and is configured to detect the infrared flash.

Abstract: A covert smart solar power system for use with a covert data collection device, the covert smart solar power system having a power storage device, a power source coupled to the power storage device, and a power transmission interface configured to couple the covert data collection device to at least one of the power storage device and the power source. The power source includes a natural object enclosure, a power generation apparatus embedded in the natural object enclosure, and a failure mitigation aspect coupled to the power generation apparatus.

Abstract: A covert smart solar power system for use with a covert data collection device, the covert smart solar power system having a power storage device, a power source coupled to the power storage device, and a power transmission interface configured to couple the covert data collection device to at least one of the power storage device and the power source. The power source includes a natural object enclosure, a power generation apparatus embedded in the natural object enclosure, and a failure mitigation aspect coupled to the power generation apparatus.

Abstract: A stovetop fire suppression system for selectively releasing a fire suppressant powder onto a stovetop first or second burner. The stovetop fire suppression system includes a base member and a chute member secured to the base member at opposed first and second ends of the base member. The chute member is movable between a storage position and a dispensing position. The suppression system further includes a first actuating member disposed at the base section first end and a second actuating member disposed at the base section second end. In response to actuation of the first actuating member, the chute member is movable the dispensing position to release the fire suppressant powder onto the first burner, and in response to actuation of the second actuating member, the chute member moves to the dispensing position to release the fire suppressant powder onto the second burner.

Abstract: An initiator with fuse device for an automatic self-contained fire suppressor and method are provided herein. Stovetop fires are a well-known residential and commercial hazard. An initiator with fuse device provides a reliable activation of an automatic stovetop fire suppressor. A device and method which provides a secure and robust attachment of an initiator to a fire suppressor, while reducing required component parts, manufacturing time, and labor, is provided herein. An initiator cup with integral cylindrical extension affords a thermoform attachment of the cup to the fire suppressor container while providing a secure mechanical attachment of the fuse to the initiator cup.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a camera having a first sensor configured to trigger the camera to take a photograph, a trigger device configured to couple to the camera, and a remote sensor node. The trigger device includes a heat generating member (HGM) disposed adjacent to the first sensor, a receiving node communicatively coupled to the HGM, and a housing configured to house at least one of the heat generating member and the receiving node. The remote sensor node is communicatively coupled to the receiving node, and includes a second sensor configured to detect an object in the field of view of the camera.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a presence of a target such as a vehicle, an animal, a person, or another object in a monitored area without the use of sensors, are provided. Multiple RF field anomaly detection nodes may be spaced through the monitored area and connected, such as in a mesh network. The RF field anomaly detection nodes may include radio transceivers that communicate with one another and which monitor a signal strength of received signals. The nodes may compare the signal strengths to expected strength values. As a target enters a portion of the monitored area, the dielectric properties of the target cause at least one signal strength of at least one received signal to change. The RF field anomaly detection nodes may detect this change and trigger a further action or human readable alert corresponding to the presence of the target.

Abstract: A covert smart solar power system for use with a covert data collection device, the covert smart solar power system having a power storage device, a power source coupled to the power storage device, and a power transmission interface configured to couple the covert data collection device to at least one of the power storage device and the power source. The power source includes a natural object enclosure, a power generation apparatus embedded in the natural object enclosure, and a failure mitigation aspect coupled to the power generation apparatus.

Abstract: An automatic stovetop fire suppressor providing a gradual release of a fire suppressing agent in a desired distribution pattern and method of gradual and spatial agent release are provided herein. A plastic cone shaped lid seals on the bottom of a can and forms a closed container. The closed container is filled with a fire suppressing agent. An initiator charge breaks a designed breaking point of a reduced horizontal cross sectional area when fuse activated. The bottom lid drops down exposing a radial opening. Fire suppressing agent flows out of the radial opening, suppressing a stovetop fire with minimal or no splashing of cooking oil. An initiator housing is affixed to a top wall of the can and serves as the welding point for securing the plastic lid. A travel limiting member attached to the bottom lid catches on a shoulder of the initiator housing to limit the radial opening height.

Abstract: An automatic stovetop fire suppressor is activated by a shuttle actuator. The self-contained and closed container device provides a gradual release of a fire suppressing agent in a desired distribution pattern. A method of reliable and spatial agent release are provided herein. A plastic cone shaped lid seals on the bottom of a can and forms a closed container. The closed container is filled with a fire suppressing agent. An initiator charge is housed external to the container of fire suppressing agent and is fuse activated. The activated charge displaces the shuttle. As the shuttle displaces, vertical support for the bottom cone lid is removed and a compression spring breaks a circumferential seal between the bottom lid and container cylindrical sidewall and lowers the bottom lid exposing a radial opening. Fire suppressing agent flows out of the radial opening, suppressing a stovetop fire.

Abstract: An automatic stovetop fire suppressor with suppressor activation triggering an audible alert of a fire condition and method are provided herein. A plastic bottom lid is secured to a bottom of a can, forming a closed container. A fire suppressing agent and a sound board are housed within the closed container. As the fire suppressor actuator is triggered, the bottom lid lowers releasing the fire suppressing agent and tripping a sound board alert switch. A microcontroller generates a desired fire condition signal which is played across a low voltage magnetic transducer. The suppressor is user friendly, provides an automated release of fire suppressing agent in the presence of a stovetop fire, and emits a continuing audible alert signal until a user disables the same. The fire suppressing agent and battery powered sound board are stored in the closed from manufactured end to activation of the suppressor in a fire condition.

Abstract: An automatic stovetop fire suppressor with suppressor activation triggering an audible alert of a fire condition and method are provided herein. A plastic bottom lid is secured to a bottom of a can, forming a closed container. A fire suppressing agent and a sound board are housed within the closed container. As the fire suppressor actuator is triggered, the bottom lid lowers releasing the fire suppressing agent and tripping a sound board alert switch. A microcontroller generates a desired fire condition signal which is played across a low voltage magnetic transducer. The suppressor is user friendly, provides an automated release of fire suppressing agent in the presence of a stovetop fire, and emits a continuing audible alert signal until a user disables the same. The fire suppressing agent and battery powered sound board are stored in the closed from manufactured end to activation of the suppressor in a fire condition.

Abstract: An automatic stovetop fire suppressor with sensor triggered activation and method are provided herein. A combination of sensor types is housed within a self-contained fire suppressor, collecting data from the stovetop environment. Sensor types include temperature, light, and infrared. The fire detection method affords expedient fire state determination with discrimination from changes in ambient light, camera flashes, and non-fire heat sources. A bottom lid is secured to a bottom of a can, forming a closed container. A fire suppressing agent is housed within the closed container. From sensed data, the presence of a stovetop fire is assessed. When a fire condition is determined, an electronic match triggers a mechanical shuttle. The fire suppressing agent and battery power are stored in the closed container from manufactured end to activation of the suppressor in a fire condition.

Abstract: A terrain sensor node system and method are provided herein. The terrain sensor node can be employed without hands on placement. Solar power is facilitated and contributes to service life and reliability. A robust housing is capable of aerial drop installation. A domed top and a rounded weighted bottom combine to form a housed sensor that is capable of righting itself after landing. A transparency in the upper housing enables the harnessing of solar power in a righted sensor. An antenna withstands aerial sensor deployment and rotates to a workable orientation without user intervention.

Abstract: A mounting device and method of mounting an automatic stovetop fire suppressor are provided herein. Stovetop fires are a well-known residential and commercial hazard. Common parts are utilized across the stovetop fire suppressors employed in different stovetop configurations, reducing inventory count. The mount design can be automated for greater efficiency of time and labor and may provide increased production or throughput. A magnet is attached at the factory for the vent hood product, eliminating the need for such assembly by an end user. This attachment also alleviates loss or misplacement of the magnet during unpacking or installation. A threaded insert is staked to the fire suppressor can and affords reliable retention of the magnet to the fires suppressor can. The present designs enables formation of a consistent vent area in the fire suppressor can.

Abstract: An automatic stovetop fire suppressor using a compressed spring to lower a bottom lid upon thermal glass bulb fracture is provided herein. A plastic lid seals on the bottom of a can and forms a closed container. The closed container is filled with a fire suppressing agent. A compressed spring extends when a thermal glass bulb fractures. The extending spring lowers the bottom lid to open the closed container. Fire suppressing agent flows out of the radial opening, suppressing a stovetop fire with minimal or no splashing of cooking oil. A center post is secured to a top wall of the container. A ledge, or bottom support, secured to the container catches the bottom lid to limit the radial opening height. A gradual release of a fire suppressing agent in a desired distribution pattern and method of gradual and spatial agent release can be provided with a cone-shaped bottom lid.