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WO2001071308A2 - Detecteur a infra-rouges - Google Patents

Detecteur a infra-rouges Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001071308A2
WO2001071308A2 PCT/GB2001/001276 GB0101276W WO0171308A2 WO 2001071308 A2 WO2001071308 A2 WO 2001071308A2 GB 0101276 W GB0101276 W GB 0101276W WO 0171308 A2 WO0171308 A2 WO 0171308A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
infra
sensor
alarm
red
actuator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2001/001276
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001071308A3 (fr
Inventor
Jamie Oag
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Optima Solutions UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Optima Solutions UK Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Optima Solutions UK Ltd filed Critical Optima Solutions UK Ltd
Priority to EP01917219A priority Critical patent/EP1269139A2/fr
Priority to AU2001244305A priority patent/AU2001244305A1/en
Priority to CA002403944A priority patent/CA2403944A1/fr
Publication of WO2001071308A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001071308A2/fr
Publication of WO2001071308A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001071308A3/fr
Priority to NO20024564A priority patent/NO20024564L/no
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B17/00—Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
    • G08B17/10—Actuation by presence of smoke or gases, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means

Definitions

  • the present application relates to the field of infra-red detectors and their use as controllers of electronic devices, sensors and actuators.
  • the present application relates to the use of an infra-red detector for controlling hard to reach devices such as ceiling mounted smoke alarms.
  • Smoke alarms are in common use in domestic and industrial environments where they provide a loud alarm whenever they sense smoke.
  • smoke alarms are fixed to ceilings as this is the optimal place for them to detect smoke which naturally rises upwards.
  • smoke alarms are hard to reach.
  • smoke detectors When smoke detectors are accidentally triggered by eg a non-serious incident in a kitchen such as burning toast, the occupant then finds it difficult to switch the smoke alarm off. Often the occupant will have to find something to stand on to enable them to reach the ceiling-mounted alarm and may then have to open the smoke alarm casing and remove the battery in order to stop it ringing.
  • US Patent 4,600,314 to George Theriault discloses a smoke alarm and mountable remote cut-off timer with an LED for indicating improper connection to the battery and a hook and loop fastening means for attaching the timer to a wall remote from the alarm itself.
  • the present invention aims to solve the problem by providing a smoke alarm which is cheap, easy to use and install, does not require external wiring and which can be readily switched off for a short period of time by a user when there is a false alarm.
  • the present invention also aims to provide a sensor module which can be retrofitted to existing smoke alarms. Furthermore, the invention finds broad applicability to all manner of sensors and actuators which are hard to reach.
  • a sensor or actuator having an infra- red detector for detecting infra-red light, characterised in that the function of the sensor or actuator is changed in response to the detection of any pulsed infra-red light.
  • the senor or actuator is an alarm that responds to an event.
  • the senor or actuator is a smoke detector having an alarm which responds to the detection of smoke.
  • the change is a reduction in the volume and/or pattern of sound emitted by the alarm.
  • the infra-red detector may be adapted to screen out electrical and/or optical interference.
  • the infra-red detector has an omnidirectional lens.
  • the function of the sensor or actuator is changed only in response to the detection of repeated pulsed sequences of infra-red light.
  • the function of the sensor or actuator is changed in response to detection that a sequence of infra-red light pulses was repeated after a pause.
  • the sensor or actuator may consider pulses which differ only in terms of a signal indicating they are repeat pulses to be the same as those without the repeat pulses.
  • the infra-red detector is only operational when the alarm is activated.
  • infra-red detector is only operational when the alarm is activated and which is further configured so that the alarm cannot be suppressed before the event.
  • the alarm may have a cover and be adapted only to function when the cover is closed, wherein the cover is provided only with a screw closure.
  • an infra-red detector for retrofitting to a sensor or actuator, the infra-red detector being adapted to change the function of the sensor or actuator in response to the detection by the infra-red detector of any pulsed infra-red light.
  • the senor or actuator is a smoke alarm.
  • the infra-red detector is adapted to screen out electrical and/or optical interference.
  • the infra-red detector has an omnidirectional lens.
  • the infra-red detector may adapted to change the function of a sensor or actuator only in response to the detection of repeated pulsed sequences of infra-red light.
  • the sensor or actuator may consider pulses which differ only in terms of a signal indicating they are repeat pulses to be the same as those without the repeat pulses.
  • the function of the sensor or actuator may be changed in response to detection that a sequence of infra-red light pulses was repeated after a pause.
  • the infra-red sensor may be operational only when the alarm is activated.
  • a smoke alarm comprising a smoke sensor, an alarm responsive to the smoke sensor and an infra-red detector for detecting infra-red light, wherein triggering of the alarm is inhibited by the detection of any pulsed infra-red light by the infra-red detector.
  • Figure 1 is a cross-section of a smoke alarm according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a face view of a smoke alarm according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the shape of an infra-red remote control pulse
  • Figure 4 is a block diagram of electronic circuitry for use in the sensor of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a flow chart of smoke alarm operation
  • Figure 6 is a flow chart of the operation of an alternative smoke alarm embodiment.
  • Figure 1 show a cross-section of a smoke alarm 1 for mounting to a ceiling 2.
  • Smoke alarms are generally mounted onto ceilings as smoke rises and so this is the best location for smoke alarms to be fitted.
  • Smoke alarms use a smoke detector 5 such as an ionisation sensor, optical sensor, or other relevant technology to detect smoke and/or fire.
  • Figure 2 shows a face view of a preferred embodiment, showing ventilation gaps 9 allowing ingress of smoke and emission of sound from an internal siren 6.
  • the smoke alarm 1 also has an infra-red detector 3 with an omnidirectional lens 4 thereon.
  • the key to this invention is that the infra-red detector is adapted to be readily triggered by any household infra-red remote control and thereby suppress the alarm.
  • Infra-red remote controls are well known in the field of hi-fi, television and other household appliances. These remote controls determine which of several buttons for different functions have been pressed and, in turn, emit coded signals which can be used to operate these electrical items. Most households have several such devices and so occupants of building fitted with smoke alarms will usually be able to find an infra-red remote control somewhere close to hand. Appropriate infra-red signals will also be provided by infra-red communication enabled devices such as laptop, palmtop and desktop computers and infra-red enabled telephones.
  • Standard remote controls use an infra-red diode to provide a coded pulse pattern in the format shown in Figure 3.
  • the preferred patterns comply with the RC5/RC6 coding protocols developed by Phillips®.
  • a different command code pattern is produced. These correspond to functions such as increasing volume, reducing volume, playing a video tape, stop etc.
  • the pulse pattern also contains a system code for the type of device, such as a television, video or stereo. These are preceded with a start bit as illustrated. If a button is held down, the same code is emitted repetitively, although one bit is changed after the first consecutive emission to indicate that a repeat signal is being emitted.
  • the smoke alarm described herein merely detects that a pulsed infra-red pattern is received. It does not discriminate depending on the particular address and data code, although it may check the pattern is meaningful in a particular format such as RC5 or RC6. Once triggered by smoke, the alarm is suppressed by detection of any such infra-red pattern.
  • the omnidirectional lens 4 is provided, meaning that infra-red light can be shone on the sensor from a wide range of directions. Furthermore, it is important that the infra-red detector should not be triggered by background noise and the infra-red light emitted ambiently from household lighting.
  • a band pass filter circuit centered on 38kHz reduces low and high frequency interference.
  • additional known filter means may be used to reduce other electromagentic and optical interference.
  • the infra-red detector may be triggered by any infra-red signal of sufficient intensity or, for additional reliability, but preferably it is triggered only when pulses of infra-red are detected.
  • the alarm might only be suppressed by a repeating pattern of pulsed infra-red light such as is emitted by standard infra-red remote controls.
  • the sensor circuitry will store received pulsed signals and compare them with those receive during the next 0.5 - 2.0 seconds to establish whether there is a repeated signal.
  • the sensor circuitry may readily be adapted using to establish whether the same signal is being repeated with a small modification to show that it is a repeat signal.
  • the sensor circuitry is triggered by receiving a pulse pattern which stops and then starts again after a set period of time, such as half a second.
  • a user switches the alarm off by pressing a button on a remote control, taking their finger off and then pressing it again.
  • a first pulse pattern can be stored and the detector can compare that the same pattern is received again, but only after a pause.
  • the circuitry may ignore pulses indicating whether or not a pulse pattern is being repeated in deciding whether or not the same pattern is being received.
  • the detector may also be adapted to be triggered only by pulse patterns which match particular protocols, such as the RC5 or RC6 protocols mentioned above and developed by Phillips®.
  • the alarm may be suppressed by merely reducing the volume for a period of time. Alternatively, or as well, it may produce a different and less unpleasant signal than an activated alarm, for example two short beeps every ten seconds.
  • Conventional smoke alarms give out a periodic audible signal to indicate low battery power and a different audible signal is emitted in response to an infra-red signal to that emitted to indicate low battery power.
  • a light emitting diode 20 pulses to show that the alarm is in its suppressed state.
  • a further inventive element of the infra-red detector controlled suppression function is that it . is only powered up and operated when the alarm has been triggered. When the alarm has been triggered the control circuitry allows the alarm to be silenced or alternative signals produced for a period of time. However, because the circuitry is not operative whilst the alarm is not triggered, there will not be a problem with the alarm being accidentally and perhaps without the knowledge of the occupier, being in the silent mode when smoke is present. This approach also has the benefit of conserving battery power.
  • the control circuitry comprises a standard smoke sensor 5 which would typically trigger a siren 6 whenever smoke is present; however, control circuitry 7 overrides the triggering of the siren under certain circumstances.
  • the infra-red detector 3 has circuitry 8 which determines when the infra-red light is incident upon the sensor and if so overrides the siren for a period of time.
  • this override function is only available when the smoke sensor 5 has actually been triggered. This prevents it from being already in override mode when the siren is first triggered. Furthermore, the infra-red detector and associated circuitry may actually be kept switched off when the smoke sensor is not triggered, conserving battery power.
  • Figure 5 shows an example flow chart for operation of a smoke alarm according to the present invention.
  • the infra-red detection circuitry is powered up and the timer is tested at 13 to check that it is active. If it is not active and no infra-red signal is detected at 14 then the siren is activated. If the timer is not active and an infra-red signal is detected then the timer is activated and the siren is overridden.
  • the timer Once the timer has been started, it will be found at 13 that the timer is active and it will then be tested at 15 whether the timer has run for 30 seconds (for example) . If it has been active for less than 30 seconds the siren will remain deactivated; otherwise, the timer will be deactivated and reset meaning that the siren will be activated again if smoke is still detected and no infra- red signal is detected.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a preferred embodiment.
  • the alarm detects whether smoke is present 21 and, if not, keeps the siren and LED off. If the battery is found to be low 22 a 0.25second beep is emitted every minute.
  • the alarm detects smoke the infra red sensor and sensor circuitry are powered up and this circuitry then checks whether a valid infra-red signal has been received 23. If not, the LED is switched on and the siren is activated. Otherwise, the alarm enters suppressed mode and emits two short beeps every ten seconds, while flashing the LED 20 on and off at around 3 Hz.
  • timing values are a matter of designer preference and may readily be varied.
  • the particular electronic circuit configuration shown is only one example and an electronic engineer will recognise how other circuits, or microprocessor/microcontroller controlled implementations may be developed to provide the same or equivalent functionality.
  • the alarm only functions when a cover is closed. In contrast with most contemporary smoke alarms it can only be closed with a screw instead of a clip locating mechanism. This dissuades the user from removing the battery from the device meaning that the user is unlikely to remove the battery and forget to replace it thereby finding that the alarm is off when an emergency occurs.
  • a smoke alarm has been provided which can be conveniently suppressed using any household infra-red remote control by a user even though they cannot themselves reach the smoke sensor.
  • the occupant of the dwelling protected by a smoke alarm is less likely to switch the alarm off for a long period of time due to a non-serious smoke producing event.
  • any infra-red remote control can be used to suppress the sensor, and because the cost of the components in this sensor is merely pennies, an economically viable device can be produced.
  • this infra-red detector can be retrofitted to other devices.
  • an infra-red detector according to the present invention might be fitted to the smoke alarm and wired into its siren. Alternatively, it might be wired into the power supply to the fire alarm.
  • Some fire alarms have a nuisance button on them already in which case the infra-red detector can be retrofitted to trigger the nuisance button and thereby override the siren when the alarm is triggered and when an infra-red signal is sent to the sensor.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fire-Detection Mechanisms (AREA)
  • Fire Alarms (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)
  • Inspection Of Paper Currency And Valuable Securities (AREA)
  • Eye Examination Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un détecteur à infra-rouges, destiné particulièrement à être utilisé dans un détecteur de fumée, conçu pour être déclenché par une télécommande à infra-rouges à impulsions classique. Ce détecteur permet d'éteindre rapidement un détecteur de fumée fixé au plafond pendant un certain laps de temps lorsque ce dernier est déclenché par un incident sans gravité. Au lieu d'être éteint, le détecteur peut fournir un signal sonore ou visuel différent. Ce détecteur peut être installé dans de nouvelles alarmes ou installé après coup dans des dispositifs existants. Ce détecteur à infra-rouges fonctionne et est déclenchable uniquement lorsque l'alarme du détecteur de fumée est active, ce qui permet de réduire la consommation d'énergie de la batterie et d'assurer que l'alarme ne soit éteinte par inadvertance lorsqu'il y a réellement un feu.
PCT/GB2001/001276 2000-03-23 2001-03-23 Detecteur a infra-rouges Ceased WO2001071308A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01917219A EP1269139A2 (fr) 2000-03-23 2001-03-23 Detecteur a infra-rouges
AU2001244305A AU2001244305A1 (en) 2000-03-23 2001-03-23 Infra-red detector
CA002403944A CA2403944A1 (fr) 2000-03-23 2001-03-23 Detecteur a infra-rouges
NO20024564A NO20024564L (no) 2000-03-23 2002-09-23 Infraröd detektor

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0006946A GB2360118B (en) 2000-03-23 2000-03-23 Infra-red detector
GB0006946.8 2000-03-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001071308A2 true WO2001071308A2 (fr) 2001-09-27
WO2001071308A3 WO2001071308A3 (fr) 2002-08-01

Family

ID=9888198

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2001/001276 Ceased WO2001071308A2 (fr) 2000-03-23 2001-03-23 Detecteur a infra-rouges

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1269139A2 (fr)
AU (1) AU2001244305A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2403944A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2360118B (fr)
NO (1) NO20024564L (fr)
WO (1) WO2001071308A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007057672A3 (fr) * 2005-11-16 2007-08-09 Fireco Ltd Appareil pour actionner un dispositif de securite

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2415535A (en) * 2004-06-21 2005-12-28 Kieran Wilkinson Portable infra red smoke alarm detector
CN106558165A (zh) * 2015-09-29 2017-04-05 哈尔滨东方报警设备开发有限公司 一种带有红外线控制功能的地标报警器

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4901056A (en) * 1988-01-04 1990-02-13 Pittway Corporation Test initiation apparatus with continuous or pulse input
GB2218552A (en) * 1988-04-09 1989-11-15 Lawrence Vivian Penheiro Electric light installation
US5422629A (en) * 1992-03-30 1995-06-06 Brk Brands, Inc. Alarm silencing circuitry for photoelectric smoke detectors
DE4229367C1 (en) * 1992-09-03 1993-09-09 Horst Dipl.-Ing. 8000 Muenchen De Greven IR-controlled sensor dimmer for lighting device - has timing element in IR receiver extending received IR pulses from standard remote-control transmitter
US5442336A (en) * 1993-06-01 1995-08-15 Murphy; Daniel L. Switch-timer system and method for use in smoke detector alarm unit
IT239229Y1 (it) * 1995-05-09 2001-02-26 Meta System Spa Dispositivo di comunicazione bidirezionale per antifurto/allarme

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007057672A3 (fr) * 2005-11-16 2007-08-09 Fireco Ltd Appareil pour actionner un dispositif de securite
GB2446345A (en) * 2005-11-16 2008-08-06 Fireco Ltd Apparatus for actuating a safety device
GB2446345B (en) * 2005-11-16 2011-05-25 Fireco Ltd Apparatus for actuating a safety device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2360118B (en) 2002-05-08
EP1269139A2 (fr) 2003-01-02
AU2001244305A1 (en) 2001-10-03
GB2360118A (en) 2001-09-12
NO20024564D0 (no) 2002-09-23
CA2403944A1 (fr) 2001-09-27
GB0006946D0 (en) 2000-05-10
NO20024564L (no) 2002-11-15
WO2001071308A3 (fr) 2002-08-01

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