Abstract: A method of operating an alarm device including a processor and a light detector, the method including for operating the light detector to sample a light intensity within an interior space a plurality of times to produce a plurality of light intensity measurements, operating the processor to determine a light intensity value, wherein the light intensity value is based upon the plurality of light intensity measurements, and operating the processor to decide whether a night cycle can be determined based on the light intensity values.

Abstract: A learning alarm includes a sensor operatively connected to a processor to detect environmental properties and an alarm operatively connected to the processor to provide an alert if the environmental properties are outside an acceptable range. A user interface is operatively connected to the processor to accept user input indicating an alert corresponds to a nuisance condition. A memory is also operatively connected to the processor for storing detected environmental properties corresponding to the nuisance condition. The processor is configured to suppress alerts from the alarm based on detected environmental properties corresponding to the environmental properties of the nuisance condition stored in the memory.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for managing energy harvested from one or more environmental sources and using the harvested energy to power an electronic device. An apparatus includes a primary power source and an energy harvester onboard the apparatus for converting energy from the environmental sources into harvested energy. The apparatus further includes an energy controller connected to the primary power source and the energy harvester, where the energy controller uses the harvested energy to power an electronic device onboard the apparatus. The electronic device can include a hazard detector or an access control device. The apparatus can also provide backup power using the harvested energy to power the electronic device when the primary power source fails.

Abstract: A method of operating an alarm device including a processor and a light detector, the method including for operating the light detector to sample a light intensity within an interior space a plurality of times to produce a plurality of light intensity measurements, operating the processor to determine a light intensity value, wherein the light intensity value is based upon the plurality of light intensity measurements, and operating the processor to decide whether a night cycle can be determined based on the light intensity values.

Abstract: A smoke detector is disclosed that comprises a smoke detection chamber comprising: a light source operable to provide radiation to an interior space of the smoke detection chamber, and a light detector operable to receive radiation scattered by one or more radiation scatting particles in the interior of the smoke detection chamber; an alarm control module, in communication with the smoke detection chamber and a processor, operable to produce an alarm indicating a presence of a predetermined threshold of the one or more radiation scattering particles; a computer readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the detector to perform an alarm compensation threshold method comprising: comparing a calibrated clear air voltage measurement with an average clear air voltage measurement; adjusting an alarm threshold sensitivity, based at least in part, on the comparison of the calibrated clear air voltage measurement and the average clear air voltage measurement.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems for, and methods of, providing low nuisance, fast response hazard notification. Advantageously, the disclosed techniques avoid sounding an alarm in response to typical nuisance events, such as burnt food.

Abstract: A learning alarm includes a sensor operatively connected to a processor to detect environmental properties and an alarm operatively connected to the processor to provide an alert if the environmental properties are outside an acceptable range. A user interface is operatively connected to the processor to accept user input indicating an alert corresponds to a nuisance condition. A memory is also operatively connected to the processor for storing detected environmental properties corresponding to the nuisance condition. The processor is configured to suppress alerts from the alarm based on detected environmental properties corresponding to the environmental properties of the nuisance condition stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a timing component to optimize low battery indication in alarm devices. The method and apparatus may set a timing component based on a condition detected by a alarm device. Upon detection of a low battery condition within the alarm device, the alarm device can delay low battery indication, using the timing component, until a time of day with a higher probably of user suitability.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for managing energy harvested from one or more environmental sources and using the harvested energy to power an electronic device. An apparatus includes a primary power source and an energy harvester onboard the apparatus for converting energy from the environmental sources into harvested energy. The apparatus further includes an energy controller connected to the primary power source and the energy harvester, where the energy controller uses the harvested energy to power an electronic device onboard the apparatus. The electronic device can include a hazard detector or an access control device. The apparatus can also provide backup power using the harvested energy to power the electronic device when the primary power source fails.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a timing component to optimize low battery indication in alarm devices. The method and apparatus may set a timing component based on a condition detected by a alarm device. Upon detection of a low battery condition within the alarm device, the alarm device can delay low battery indication, using the timing component, until a time of day with a higher probably of user suitability.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems for, and methods of, providing low nuisance, fast response hazard notification. Advantageously, the disclosed techniques avoid sounding an alarm in response to typical nuisance events, such as burnt food.

Abstract: A smoke detector is disclosed that comprises a smoke detection chamber comprising: a light source operable to provide radiation to an interior space of the smoke detection chamber, and a light detector operable to receive radiation scattered by one or more radiation scatting particles in the interior of the smoke detection chamber; an alarm control module, in communication with the smoke detection chamber and a processor, operable to produce an alarm indicating a presence of a predetermined threshold of the one or more radiation scattering particles; a computer readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the detector to perform an alarm compensation threshold method comprising: comparing a calibrated clear air voltage measurement with an average clear air voltage measurement; adjusting an alarm threshold sensitivity, based at least in part, on the comparison of the calibrated clear air voltage measurement and the average clear air voltage measurement.