Patents by Inventor Thomas Wysong Connell, II

Thomas Wysong Connell, II has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240321070
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system includes gunshot sensor units and a control panel. The gunshot sensor units generate audio data and encrypt the audio data using an encryption key before storing the audio data and/or sending it to the control panel. The control panel decrypts received encrypted audio data using a decryption key. The encryption keys might be programmed at the control panel and distributed to the gunshot sensor units. The control panel would also store decryption keys for decrypting the audio data from each of the different gunshot sensor units. An additional layer of end-to-end encryption is provided for messages exchanged between the devices. The gunshot sensor units can also be equipped with wireless interfaces for communicating with the control panel over a communication network. To address potential bandwidth issues, the gunshot sensor units determine current network conditions and compress the audio data based on the current network conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III, Timothy L. Ficarra
  • Patent number: 12027024
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system includes gunshot sensor units and a control panel. The gunshot sensor units generate audio data and encrypt the audio data using an encryption key before storing the audio data and/or sending it to the control panel. The control panel decrypts received encrypted audio data using a decryption key. The encryption keys might be programmed at the control panel and distributed to the gunshot sensor units. The control panel would also store decryption keys for decrypting the audio data from each of the different gunshot sensor units. An additional layer of end-to-end encryption is provided for messages exchanged between the devices. The gunshot sensor units can also be equipped with wireless interfaces for communicating with the control panel over a communication network. To address potential bandwidth issues, the gunshot sensor units determine current network conditions and compress the audio data based on the current network conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III, Timothy L. Ficarra
  • Patent number: 11710391
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system includes gunshot sensor units with microphones for detecting gunshots and capturing audio data depicting the detected gunshots and other ambient sounds, an environmental board with various environmental sensors for generating environmental data indicating environmental conditions. The audio data, environmental data, and position information can be stored locally on local nonvolatile storage of the gunshot sensor unit for later retrieval by law enforcement entities. In one embodiment, the gunshot sensor units include a wired and/or wireless data transfer interface for transferring the audio data, environmental data and/or position information to handheld units of law enforcement entities. The gunshot sensor unit can also stream live captured audio data for live monitoring by a control panel, and might also include speakers for providing audio playback of audio data from the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Patent number: 11620887
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system synchronizes timing information across gunshot sensor units and/or a control panel. The gunshot sensor units exchange timing information with each other and/or with the control panel, which is then used by the gunshot sensor units to generate the event data for detected gunshot events. In one embodiment, the gunshot sensor units are configured as master and slave nodes. The master node periodically distributes a master time reference to the slave nodes, and the slave nodes calibrate local times based on the master time reference. The slave nodes can detect whether the current master node has become non-functional (e.g. based on a time elapsed since the most recently sent master time reference) and configure a new master node based on exchanging predetermined priority information for the slave nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Patent number: 11545012
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system detects shooting events within a premises and interacts with building management systems installed within the same premises to guide occupants to safety and/or obstruct or trap an active shooter. Gunshot sensor units detect the gunshots and generate event information based on the detected gunshots. A shooting event response module generates and sends building management instructions to the building management systems. In response, distributed devices of the building management systems perform effect changes within the premises according to the functionality of the distributed devices (e.g. locking/unlocking doors, turning off lights, flashing strobe lights). A control panel of the gunshot detection system presents a graphical user interface for presenting response options and receiving selections of response actions to be performed by the building management systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS FIRE PROTECTION LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Patent number: 11468751
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system takes advantage of existing fire alarm system infrastructure by tapping a fire alarm communication network for a fire alarm system. Gunshot sensor units and/or a gunshot detection control panel receive power from the fire alarm communication network via tap units and/or tap wires, which provide electrical connectivity between the fire alarm communication network and the devices of the gunshot detection system. At the same time, the gunshot detection devices communicate via wireless links to an ancillary high-speed network. The gunshot sensor units can communicate with the fire alarm control panel via the fire alarm communication network. Even more comprehensive integration with the fire alarm system involves a hybrid gunshot detection and fire alarm control panel for controlling devices of both the gunshot detection system and the fire alarm system. Hybrid gunshot sensor units include fire detection elements such as smoke sensors and/or fire notification elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III, Michael A. Furtado
  • Patent number: 11361638
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system provides integration with building management systems installed in a common building. Distributed devices of the building management systems (e.g. light fixtures, smoke detectors, thermostats, exit signs) are positioned throughout the building, and gunshot sensor units of the gunshot detection system are incorporated with, attached to and/or combined with the building management distributed devices. The gunshot sensor units share a common housing with the distributed building management devices, attach to the devices via attachment mechanisms, and/or are incorporated into hybrid devices that include gunshot sensor and building management elements. The gunshot sensor units might comprise reflectors for collecting and focusing sound waves onto microphones of the gunshot sensor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Patent number: 11361637
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system continually monitors ambient noise throughout a building, learns the building's auditory patterns, and alerts users when sounds are found to be unusual or generally indicative of a dangerous situation. For example, gunshot sensor units positioned throughout the building include microphones. During a learning period (e.g. during normal conditions), these microphones capture ambient noise. The gunshot detection system generates ambient noise models representing the ambient noise during the normal conditions. The gunshot detection system then continually processes currently captured audio data depicting ambient noise (and potential acoustic anomalies) against the ambient noise models to detect and/or identify the acoustic anomalies and to determine whether to generate an alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Patent number: 11361639
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system includes a control panel that receives event data from gunshot sensor units detecting gunshots and generates location information pertaining to a shooting event based on the event data. The control panel includes a display on which a graphical user interface (GUI) is rendered. The GUI displays maps of a building with icons overlaid on the maps based on the generated location information. In one example, the GUI displays a map with an icon representing the active shooter, the position of the icon with respect to the floorplan image corresponding to an area of the building. In another example, the GUI displays a map with icons representing different gunshot sensor units, the icons having different visual characteristics to indicate that the gunshot sensor units detected the gunshots and/or which of the gunshot sensor units was determined to be closest to the detected gunshots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III, Timothy L. Ficarra
  • Patent number: 11361636
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system provides anti-tampering protection for gunshot sensor units and a control panel. The control panel monitors for tampering events, including monitoring for changes to configuration settings. When the settings are changed, even by an authorized user, the control panel generates a tampering alert and sends the alert to an operator of the control panel and/or administrators for the gunshot detection system. A similar notification might also occur when a sensor is taken offline or when an anti-tamper sensor on a housing of the gunshot sensor unit detects manipulation or opening of the housing. The control panel also monitors for tampering using machine certificates associated with the gunshot sensor units. In one example, the gunshot sensor units sign event data using the machine certificates and an arbitrary reference number known to the control panel. The control panel then verifies the signed event data to detect tampering events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III, Timothy L. Ficarra
  • Publication number: 20220044532
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system includes gunshot sensor units with microphones for detecting gunshots and capturing audio data depicting the detected gunshots and other ambient sounds, an environmental board with various environmental sensors for generating environmental data indicating environmental conditions. The audio data, environmental data, and position information can be stored locally on local nonvolatile storage of the gunshot sensor unit for later retrieval by law enforcement entities. In one embodiment, the gunshot sensor units include a wired and/or wireless data transfer interface for transferring the audio data, environmental data and/or position information to handheld units of law enforcement entities. The gunshot sensor unit can also stream live captured audio data for live monitoring by a control panel, and might also include speakers for providing audio playback of audio data from the control panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Publication number: 20210366267
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system detects shooting events within a premises and interacts with building management systems installed within the same premises to guide occupants to safety and/or obstruct or trap an active shooter. Gunshot sensor units detect the gunshots and generate event information based on the detected gunshots. A shooting event response module generates and sends building management instructions to the building management systems. In response, distributed devices of the building management systems perform effect changes within the premises according to the functionality of the distributed devices (e.g. locking/unlocking doors, turning off lights, flashing strobe lights). A control panel of the gunshot detection system presents a graphical user interface for presenting response options and receiving selections of response actions to be performed by the building management systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Patent number: 11170619
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system includes gunshot sensor units with microphones for detecting gunshots and capturing audio data depicting the detected gunshots and other ambient sounds, an environmental board with various environmental sensors for generating environmental data indicating environmental conditions. The audio data, environmental data, and position information can be stored locally on local nonvolatile storage of the gunshot sensor unit for later retrieval by law enforcement entities. In one embodiment, the gunshot sensor units include a wired and/or wireless data transfer interface for transferring the audio data, environmental data and/or position information to handheld units of law enforcement entities. The gunshot sensor unit can also stream live captured audio data for live monitoring by a control pane, and might also include speakers for providing audio playback of audio data from the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Patent number: 10937285
    Abstract: A signaling device control system includes a user interface and an association mapper. The user interface presents a user interface tool including one or more features of a building and receives inputs indicating a boundary of the building, a predetermined equation parameter, (iii) an initiating device assigned to a space defined by the boundary, and a signaling device assigned to the space defined by boundary. The association mapper generates a response function defining a response of the signaling device to a detection signal outputted by the initiating device based on the inputs, and outputs instructions to at least one of the signaling device and a fire control panel that controls operation of the signaling device to cause the signaling device to execute the response defined by the response function in response to the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP
    Inventors: Maxime Fortin, Thomas Wysong Connell, II
  • Publication number: 20210056821
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system provides integration with building management systems installed in a common building. Distributed devices of the building management systems (e.g. light fixtures, smoke detectors, thermostats, exit signs) are positioned throughout the building, and gunshot sensor units of the gunshot detection system are incorporated with, attached to and/or combined with the building management distributed devices. The gunshot sensor units share a common housing with the distributed building management devices, attach to the devices via attachment mechanisms, and/or are incorporated into hybrid devices that include gunshot sensor and building management elements. The gunshot sensor units might comprise reflectors for collecting and focusing sound waves onto microphones of the gunshot sensor units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Publication number: 20210049882
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system takes advantage of existing fire alarm system infrastructure by tapping a fire alarm communication network for a fire alarm system. Gunshot sensor units and/or a gunshot detection control panel receive power from the fire alarm communication network via tap units and/or tap wires, which provide electrical connectivity between the fire alarm communication network and the devices of the gunshot detection system. At the same time, the gunshot detection devices communicate via wireless links to an ancillary high-speed network. The gunshot sensor units can communicate with the fire alarm control panel via the fire alarm communication network. Even more comprehensive integration with the fire alarm system involves a hybrid gunshot detection and fire alarm control panel for controlling devices of both the gunshot detection system and the fire alarm system. Hybrid gunshot sensor units include fire detection elements such as smoke sensors and/or fire notification elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III, Michael A. Furtado
  • Publication number: 20210049880
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system synchronizes timing information across gunshot sensor units and/or a control panel. The gunshot sensor units exchange timing information with each other and/or with the control panel, which is then used by the gunshot sensor units to generate the event data for detected gunshot events. In one embodiment, the gunshot sensor units are configured as master and slave nodes. The master node periodically distributes a master time reference to the slave nodes, and the slave nodes calibrate local times based on the master time reference. The slave nodes can detect whether the current master node has become non-functional (e.g. based on a time elapsed since the most recently sent master time reference) and configure a new master node based on exchanging predetermined priority information for the slave nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Publication number: 20210051055
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system provides anti-tampering protection for gunshot sensor units and a control panel. The control panel monitors for tampering events, including monitoring for changes to configuration settings. When the settings are changed, even by an authorized user, the control panel generates a tampering alert and sends the alert to an operator of the control panel and/or administrators for the gunshot detection system. A similar notification might also occur when a sensor is taken offline or when an anti-tamper sensor on a housing of the gunshot sensor unit detects manipulation or opening of the housing. The control panel also monitors for tampering using machine certificates associated with the gunshot sensor units. In one example, the gunshot sensor units sign event data using the machine certificates and an arbitrary reference number known to the control panel. The control panel then verifies the signed event data to detect tampering events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III, Timothy L. Ficarra
  • Publication number: 20210049879
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system includes gunshot sensor units with microphones for detecting gunshots and capturing audio data depicting the detected gunshots and other ambient sounds, an environmental board with various environmental sensors for generating environmental data indicating environmental conditions. The audio data, environmental data, and position information can be stored locally on local nonvolatile storage of the gunshot sensor unit for later retrieval by law enforcement entities. In one embodiment, the gunshot sensor units include a wired and/or wireless data transfer interface for transferring the audio data, environmental data and/or position information to handheld units of law enforcement entities. The gunshot sensor unit can also stream live captured audio data for live monitoring by a control pane, and might also include speakers for providing audio playback of audio data from the control panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Publication number: 20210049881
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system continually monitors ambient noise throughout a building, learns the building's auditory patterns, and alerts users when sounds are found to be unusual or generally indicative of a dangerous situation. For example, gunshot sensor units positioned throughout the building include microphones. During a learning period (e.g. during normal conditions), these microphones capture ambient noise. The gunshot detection system generates ambient noise models representing the ambient noise during the normal conditions. The gunshot detection system then continually processes currently captured audio data depicting ambient noise (and potential acoustic anomalies) against the ambient noise models to detect and/or identify the acoustic anomalies and to determine whether to generate an alert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III