WO2019144007A1 - Apparatus and system for holding one or more components - Google Patents

Abstract

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein for a housing system for holding or storing one or more components (e.g., sensors, circuit boards, batteries, heat sinks, wireless communication, monitoring, measuring, detecting, or other devices) that includes an external housing that may be mountable to or partially or completely positionable within a wall, ceiling, roof, fixture, floor, column, beam, pole, window, closet, piece of furniture (e.g., table, bed, chair, dresser, couch, shelf, ottoman, entertainment system), cupboard, cabinet, door, etc., an internal housing that may be mountable to or positionable adjacent to or partially or completely within the external housing, and a face plate that may be mountable to or positionable adjacent to the internal housing and/or the external housing.

Description

APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR HOLDING ONE OR MORE

COMPONENTS

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/619,574, filed January 19, 2018, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0002] This application relates to International Application No. PCT/US 18/48853, filed

August 30, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/634,608, filed February 23, 2018, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/593,678, filed December 1, 2017, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/552,189, filed August 30, 2017, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. This application also relates to International Application No. PCT/US2017/048382, filed August 24, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/379,079, filed August 24, 2016, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/379,086, filed August 24, 2016, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates generally to housings having one or more pieces for holding sensors, detectors, circuit boards, circuits, devices, heat sinks, wireless communication devices, or other components.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004] Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems, apparatuses and methods pertaining holding one or more components. This description includes drawings, wherein:

[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates perspective rear and front views in accordance with some embodiments.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective front view showing two configurations in accordance with several embodiments. [0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a top and side view in accordance with some embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective sketch and a sectional view in accordance with several embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view and a sectional detailed view in accordance with several embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates perspective views, an exploded view, and a front view and a sectional detailed view in accordance with several embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates a plurality of front views of face plates in accordance with several embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of front views of installed face plates in accordance with several embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 10 illustrates a plurality of housing views with dimensions therewith in accordance with several embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 11 illustrates a partial perspective view and a sectional view in accordance with several embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 12 illustrates sectional views of a housing in accordance with several embodiments.

[0017] Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well- understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

Detailed Description

[0018] Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein for a housing for holding or storing one or more components, sensors, circuit boards, batteries, heat sinks, wireless communication, monitoring, measuring, detecting, or other devices includes an external housing that may be mountable to or partially or completely positionable within a wall, ceiling, roof, fixture, floor, column, beam, pole, window, closet, piece of furniture (e.g., table, bed, chair, dresser, couch, shelf, ottoman, entertainment system), cupboard, cabinet, door, etc., an internal housing that may be mountable to or positionable adjacent to or partially or completely within the external housing, and a face plate that may be mountable to or positionable adj acent to the internal housing and/or the external housing. The housing system may include one or more openings in the face plate, internal housing and/or external housing to allow air, sound waves, light, etc. to enter the internal housing for detection, sensing or other monitoring by one or more components, devices, sensors, etc. positioned within the internal housing. Alternatively, or in addition, the housing system may include one or more openings to allow a power cord, cable, water supply or other tube or other material to be connected to one or more devices or other components within the internal housing. Some components, devices, sensors, etc. may be positioned differently within the internal housing or potentially even partially or completely sealed off from each other when positioned within the internal housing.

[0019] The housings described herein are particularly useful for installation in structures where numerous accurate readings or measurements are needed. As described below, the housings, in some embodiments, are optimized to facilitate airflow, particulate flow, or sound flow therethrough such that the readings or measurements taken at or within the housing are reliable. Further, in some configurations, multiple housings may be employed in a given structure or for a specific space. To provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance or a visually reduced appearance, the housing may be optimized such as, for example, via a low-profile face plate that extends outward from the housing in a minimal manner or in a slightly curved, softly curved, or other aesthetically or visually pleasing manner, or does not extend outward from the wall or surrounding surface such that the face plate may be flush with the surrounding wall or surface or by having the face plate comprised of a material matching or similar to the surrounding wall or surface. Further, given that a significant number of these housings may be installed in a given structure, the housings may provide or enable light, sound or motion detection in the space, in addition to taking readings or measurements of the space. Finally, given that the housings may be incorporated in structures where individuals are living (which may include high traffic areas), the housings may include a tamper proofing feature that prevents or limits the ability of the housing or any devices within the housing to be modified, removed or destroyed without providing a notification to the system or elsewhere about the damage, modification or change, the timing of the damage, modification or change, etc.

[0020] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc.

[0021] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word“comprise” and variations thereof, such as,“comprises” and“comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as“including, but not limited to.”

[0022] Reference throughout this specification to“one embodiment” or“an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0023] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,”“an,” and“the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term“or” is generally employed in its sense including“and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0024] The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments. [0025] In some embodiments, as illustrated in the Figures, a housing system or structure

10 may include an external housing 12 that may be mountable or otherwise removably or permanently connectable to one or more parts of a wall or wall frame 14, floor or ceiling, an optional internal housing 16 that fits inside the external housing 12, and a face plate 18 that connects or is otherwise mounted to the internal housing 16, the external housing 12, and/or the wall 14. The internal housing 16 may take up all or just a portion of the external housing 12.

[0026] One or more of the systems 10 may be included or used within or for a habitable or occupiable space or other built environment, or even exterior to a built environment. In some embodiments, a habitable/occupiable space or other built environment may be or include some or all of one or more of the following: a school, classroom(s), a gymnasium, business office(s), an office building, a single family home, a hotel, hotel room(s), a motel, motel room(s), an inn, lounge area(s), nightclub(s), theatre(s) including movie theater(s), an apartment building, apartment(s), research facility/ies, darkroom(s), drawing room(s), lab(s), a prison or prison cell(s), jail(s), library /ies, courtroom(s), a museum, gallery /ies, art studio(s), hallway(s), kennel(s), boardroom(s), locker room(s), shower(s), laundry room(s), a laundromat, wash room(s), training room(s), mail room(s), a post office, lunch room(s), kitchen(s), home office(s), bed room(s), guest room(s), loft(s), a library, vestibule(s), a nursery, a day care facility, an elder care facility, a utility room, closet, reception area(s), dining area(s), storage facility/ies, storage area(s), a police station, a fire station, conference room(s), control room(s), cabin(s), ballroom(s), assembly room(s), boiler room(s), a chapel, cell(s), a newsroom, mudroom, a wine cellar, studio(s), clean room(s), show room(s), a porch, a patio, sitting room(s), a solarium, a greenhouse, pantry/ies, nursing room(s), a conservatory, a church, dormitory room(s), recovery room(s), hospital room(s), a hospital, a temple, a lodge, a den, a foyer, an engine room, arena, fort, castle, convention center, work room(s), dormitory/ies, a drawing room, emergency room(s), fitting room(s), a cloakroom, chamber(s), a lobby, an attic, a basement, a cellar, a craft room, military facility/ise, a parking garage or stall, a stairway, an underground bunker, a sport venue, manufacturing facility/ies, testing facility/ies, a train station, a bus station, a ferry station, store(s), a mall, an airport, a bam, a shed, a restaurant, a bar, a cafe, a diner, an exercise facility, a barber shop, a beauty salon, a changing or dressing room, a bath room, a spa, a television studio or station, a radio studio or station, a recording studio, a game room, or other occupiable space or facility. [0027] In some embodiments, the internal housing 16 may be partially or completely sealed up, except for where holes, slots, channels, conduits or other openings are created to allow air flow, sound propagation, cord or cable access, water or other tube access, etc. into it, such as opening 19. The opening 19 also may be helpful when the system 10 is used for temperature sensing, light sensing, motion detection, sound detection, etc. Accordingly, by one approach, the internal housing 16 is configured only to permit air or sound into and out of the housing at designated air or sound vent openings. In one illustrative embodiment, the housing only has air or sound vent openings adjacent the face plate 18, such that only air or sound from inside the room is pulled into and measured at the housing. In yet other approaches, the internal housing 16 includes accessing openings in addition to the air vent openings.

[0028] Similarly, in some embodiments, the external housing 12 may be completely sealed up except for where the internal housing 16 is inserted into it, holes, slots, conduits, channels or other openings are created to allow air flow, sound propagation, particulate propagation, cord or cable access, water or other tube access, etc. into the external housing 12 and/or out of the external housing 12.

[0029] Each of the external housing 12, internal housing 16 and face plate 18 may be made out of one or more of the same or different materials, such as plastic, wood, tile, steel or other metal, etc., and may be created in a variety of ways, such as from a mold, via 3D or additive printing, sheet metal cutting, etc. Each of the external housing 12, internal housing 16, and face plate 18 also may be made or configured from multiple pieces or parts which are glued together, held together by friction or tape or other adhesive, held together by screws, rivets, brackets, gaskets, or other fasteners, or held together in other ways.

[0030] In some embodiments, the face plate 18 may be glued, adhesively connected, rivet to, taped or otherwise fastened to the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12 in such a way that the face plate 18 cannot be moved or removed without such corresponding movement or removal of a remainder of the housing or a portion thereof. In some configurations, movement, removal, or attempted removal of the face plate 18 is detectable, causing a silent or non-silent alarm to go off, causing a signal to be sent or data (e.g., time, date) to be captured or sent, etc. Similarly, the internal housing 16 may be glued, taped, or otherwise attached to the external housing 16 in such a way that the internal housing 16 cannot be moved or removed without such corresponding movement or removal of a remainder of the housing or portion thereof. In some configurations, movement, removal, or attempted removal of the internal housing 16 is detectable, causing a silent or non-silent alarm to go off, causing a signal to be sent or data (e.g., time, date) to be captured or sent, etc. Also, similarly, the external housing 12 may be glued, adhesively connected, taped, or otherwise attached to the wall 14 in such a way that the external housing l2cannot be moved or removed without such corresponding movement or removal of a remainder of the housing or a portion thereof. In some configurations, removal, movement, or attempted removal of the external housing 12 is detectable, causing a silent or non-silent alarm to go off, causing a signal to be sent or data (e.g., time, date) to be captured or sent, etc.

[0031] In some embodiments, the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12 may be shaped, sized or otherwise designed or configured to improve air flow and sound flow dynamics within the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12.

[0032] In some embodiments as illustrated in Fig. 9, the exterior front surface or portion

20 of the face plate 18 may be painted, have a texture or pattern on it, made with a specific material, covered with a material (e.g., wall paper, wall fabric, tile), etc. to help it at least partially match a wall or other surface 22 by which it is surrounded. The exterior front surface 20 of the face plate 18 also may be shaped and mountable to the internal housing 16, external housing 12 and/or the wall or surface 22 so that some or all of the front surface 20 is flush with the surface of the wall 22, extends outward from the wall or surface 22, or extends inward from the wall or surface 22. By having a low-profile face plate (i.e., a face plate flush with or minimally extending from the wall), the housing may match or blend in with the wall to draw little visual attention to the installed housing from occupants of a space. In some embodiments, the face plate 18 housing may be shaped and sized to fit within or align with conventional l-gang, 2-gang, 3-gang,.., lO-gang, etc. dimensions. The external housing 12 and the internal housing 16 may then be shaped and sized to fit to or align with the shape and size of the face place 18, or vice versa. Some representative, but not required, dimensions for one embodiment of the internal housing 16 are provided in Fig. 10.

[0033] In some embodiments, the external housing 12 may be shaped and sized to align with or fit within dimensions of widely accepted utility/electrical housings, boxes, etc. for interior spaces or walls. This facilitates the ease of installation, enables use of standard tools for installation, may allow standard electricity sources to be used if needed, may allow the installation of the external housing 12, internal housing 16 and face plate 18 to follow standard building, electrical, or other codes, regulations, best practices, etc.

[0034] In some embodiments, the internal housing 16 and the external housing 12 may be sized and shaped such that that the internal housing 16 fits snugly or very tightly within the external housing 12. The internal housing 16 may be held within the external housing 12 by glue or other adhesive, tape, friction, screws, rivets, brackets or other fasteners, or via other means or methods.

[0035] In some embodiments, the external housing 12, internal housing 16 and face plate

18 may be positioned differently in a room, such as low on a wall, high on a wall, in a comer of the room, etc. depending on the components and other devices positioned within the internal housing 16. For example, the system 10 may be positioned high on a wall near a ceiling if the system 10 is being used to hold sensors or other devices to measure air temperature from air entering the room from a vent in the ceiling or high on the wall, if the system 10 is being used to hold components or other devices used to play music or other sounds in the room, to detect smoke in the room, to detect carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide in a room, to shine an emergency light in the room, to act as an infrared or other motion detector, laser based motion detector, light sensor or modulator, to act as security device or occupancy detector, etc. Alternatively, the system 10 may be positioned low on a wall near a floor if the system 10 is being used to hold sensors or other devices to measure air temperature from air entering the room from a vent in the floor or low on the wall, is intended to be hidden by furniture, is being used to detect movement of pets or children, etc. As another example, if the system 10 is placed near a couch, chair or bed in a room, the system 10 may be used to hold sensors or other devices used to detect or measure motion, light or air temperature. The information gathered may then be used to start, end, support or enhance one or more scenes (or settings of one or more devices, environmental aspects, or systems in a space) created or established within the room either immediately, in sequence, on a delayed basis, or over time if a person using the chair or bed is sleeping, reading, resting, working, sitting down while putting on shoes, stationary or moving, etc., which may change or use or create different environmental features depending on the time of day, day of week, month of year, location, age of person, goal or need of person, prior scene conducted with the room, preference of person, history of use of scenes by the person, etc. As these examples indicate, one or more environmental characteristics or scenes within a habitable environment may be controlled, measured or adjusted to help encourage or facilitate one or more activities of a user in the habitable environment by helping the user increase focus, prepare for sleep, detect movement, mask ambient noise, alter lighting conditions, alter air temperature, and improve air quality, among others. Measureable and/or controllable characteristics via one or more devices positioned in the housing system 10 or otherwise in communication with one or more sensors, components or other devices 62 positioned in the housing system 10 might include, for example, light intensity, light temperature, CO2/O2 levels, VOC presence, humidity level, sound, aroma, air quality and air temperature. One or more controls may be provided as part the housing system 10 for an occupant and/or facility personnel to select activities or scenes, or sensors in the housing 10 may enable the occupant or another device to detect the activity and implement an appropriate scene.

[0036] In some embodiments, multiple internal housings may be positioned within the external housing 12. Such multiple internal housings may have the same or different size or shape, hold the same or different components or other devices, require the same or different air, sound, or other inputs, be held to or be connectable to the external housing 12 in the same of different ways, may be connectable, connected, or unconnected to each other, etc.

[0037] In some embodiments, the external housing 12 may slide within a hole or opening

23 in the wall 14 that is smaller than the external housing 12. Thus, a portion of the external housing 12 may be hidden behind the wall 14. The external housing 12 may have a hole or opening that is bigger than the hole or opening 23, smaller than the hole or opening 23, or that aligns with the hole or opening 23.

[0038] Since the internal housing 16 may take up only portion of the external housing 12, in some embodiments multiple internal housings may be insertable into or positionable within the external housing 12. In such embodiments, one or more of the internal housings may be completely or significantly sealed while one or more of the internal housings may have openings to allow access, air flow, sound transmission or other propagation, into and within these internal housings.

[0039] In some embodiments, one or more components, sensors, circuits, circuit cards or boards, monitoring devices, sound detecting or emitting devices, light detecting or emitting devices, cameras, a camera, a microphone, a speaker, a laser beam creating device, a motion detector, an alarm generator, low voltage detector, signal generator, receiver, a light controlling device, a sound controlling device, an air movement controlling device, an air quality controlling device, a sound suppression device, an air or sound directing wall or other portion, an air mediation controlling device, a light generating device, a wireless or other signal transmitting device, a wireless or other signal receiving or detecting device, other devices, etc. may be positioned or positionable within the internal housing 16, or within the external housing 12 if the system does not include the internal housing 16, either permanently or removably. For example, an electronic circuit card may include one or more sensors to measure or determine such things as air quality, air temperature, temperature change, air quality, humidity, air pressure, noise level, noise components, presence of one or more particulates, presence of one or more gases, vibration or movement in a room or structure where the sensor or internal housing 16 is placed or focused on, etc. In some embodiments, if the system 10, the external housing 12, or the internal housing 16 is used to hold or provide one or more air quality monitors or sensors within the internal housing 16 or the external housing 12 if the internal housing 16 is not used, such monitors or sensors may support or use the MQTT and/or UDP protocols for discovery purposes and the MQTT and Re ST protocols for data ingest purposes. Also, an air quality monitoring or sensing device may meet one or more of the following capabilities:

• Local or National standards or other requirements (e.g., certified NEMA 410 compliance);

• Tested to withstand electrostatic discharge in accordance with local or national standards (e.g., IEC 61000-4-2);

• Tested to withstand surge voltage in accordance with local or national standards (e.g., IEEE C62.41.1991);

• Can withstand unlimited power cycling (on/offs);

• Can withstand vibration;

• Can withstand a fall from up to 3 feet (1 meter), while placed within the internal housing 16 or separately from the system 10; • UL listed, tested and approved; and

• FCC approved (e.g., compliance with Class B digital service requirements).

[0040] As more detailed, but not limiting, examples, a system 10 or sensors, components or other devices placed within the internal housing 16 (or within the external housing 12 if the internal housing 16 is not used) may be used to detect or measure the presence of particulate matter at a level of PM2.5, the presence of particulate matter at a level of PMi, one or more plant-based particulates, one or more animal-based particulates, one or more pest-based particulates, bacteria, viruses, fungi or mold, particulate matter at a level of PM10, ozone, radon, benzene, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, or nitrogen dioxide levels, diesel exhaust particulate matter, lead or mercury particulate level or presence (especially if a water sample can be provided into the internal housing 16), formaldehyde level or presence, one or more inorganic chemicals, one or more organic chemicals, one or more microorganisms, tobacco or other smoke, one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benz[a]pyrene, one or more disinfectants, one or more disinfectant byproducts, one or more ultrafme particulates, one or more radionuclides, light, light temperature, light intensity, light change, light distribution, sound level, sound distribution, etc.

[0041] More specifically, in some embodiments, one or more sensors or other devices may be positioned or positionable within the internal housing 16 (or directly within the external housing 12 if the internal housing 16 is not used) and have or have close to, for example purposes only, the following specifications, operational parameters or measurement capabilities:

TEMPERATURE -20 to 80 C

[-4F to 176F]

HUMIDITY O to 100% RH

PM 0 to 300 ug/m³, 0 to

600 ug/m³

PM2.5 0 to 500 ug/m³, 0 to

1000 ug/m³

PM10 0 to 1000 lug/m³

TVOC 0 to 1000 ppb, 0 to

20,000 ppb

C02 400 to 5000ppm RELATIVE 30 to 120 kPa

PRESSURE [0.3 to 1.2 bar]

NOISE 30 to 100 dBA,

lOOHz to lOKHz, 200

Hz to 4000Hz, human

audible range

O3 0 to 500 ppb, 0 to

1000 pbb

NOx 0 to 20 ppm

O2 0 to 25% vol

Table 1.

In addition, in some embodiments, the one or more sensors or other devices may have other requirements, such as accuracy, resolution, lifespan, power use, etc.

[0042] In some embodiments, the components or devices located within the internal housing 16 may communicate wireless (e.g., via Wi-Fi, GSM, ZigBee, Z-wave, XBee, Bluetooth, satellite) or via wired connection to other components or devices located within the internal housing 16, located exterior to the external housing 12, etc. Different components and devices within the internal housing 16 may be positioned within the internal housing 16 so that they do not interfere with each other or reduce each other’s capabilities, so that they augment or enhance each other, so that they are easily reachable within the internal housing 16 (regardless of whether or not the internal housing 16 is removed from the external housing 12), etc.

[0043] In some embodiments, one or more devices such as a speaker, microphone, light,

LED, motion detector, camera, signal receiving device, signal creating device, alarm device, etc. also may be partially or completed positioned in the internal housing 16. As shown in Fig. 8, the face plate 18 may include one or more holes, slots or other openings 24 (with corresponding openings in the internal housing 16 (not shown in FIG. 8)) such that the devices can be positioned partially or completely within them. For example, one or more speakers, microphones or other sound detectors, motion detector components, cameras, laser beam generators, laser beam detectors, data storage devices, air sample collection and storage devices, particulate collection and storage devices, light detectors, LEDs or other light emitters, etc. may extend some or all of the way through the face plate 18 via the one or more holes, slots or other openings 24 in the face plate 18. Light, sound, and motion devices can be referred to as LSM devices in Fig. 8, but“LSM” does not require that the device or the system 10 requires each of a light detecting or generating, sound detecting or generating, or motion detecting capabilities.

[0044] The face plate 18 (or a portion thereof) can be positioned within or adjacent to the internal housing 16. One or more seals, gaskets, or other material (e.g., glue or other adhesive, tape, plastic, elastic material, latex material, rubber) 28 may be placed between the face plate 18 and the internal housing 16 or the eternal housing 12 to help the face plate 18 fit tightly with or snugly to the internal housing 16. In some embodiments, the material 28 may help direct air flow, sound, light, particulates, etc. into the internal housing 16 and across or through specific components or other devices located within the internal housing 16. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more seals, gaskets, or other material (e.g., glue or other adhesive, tape, plastic, elastic material, latex material, rubber) 29 may be placed between the internal housing 16 and the eternal housing 12 to help the internal housing 16 fit tightly or snugly with the external housing 12. In some embodiments, the material 29 may help direct air flow, sound, etc. into the internal housing 16 and across or through specific components or other devices located within the internal housing 16.

[0045] In some embodiments, the system 10 may include sound proofing, sound suppression, vibration suppression, temperature insulation, light transmission blocking, or other material placed between some or all of the external housing 12 and some or all of the internal housing 16,

[0046] In some embodiments, the face plate 18 may include one or more slots, holes, conduits, channels, or other openings 30 that align with similar slots, holes, conduits, channels, or other openings 32 in the internal housing. The holes, slots or other openings 30, 32 allow external air to flow into the internal housing 16. One or more slots, holes, conduits, channels or other openings 33 in the external housing 12 may allow the air to flow from the face plate 18 to the internal housing 16. Similar holes, slots, conduits, channels or other openings 34 in the face plate 18 and holes, slots or other openings 36 in the internal housing 16 may allow air to flow out from the internal housing 16. One or more holes, slots, conduits, channels or other openings 37 in the external housing 12 may allow the air to then flow to the holes or slots 34 in the face plate 16. Such holes, slots or other openings 30, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37 may be useful or even needed if an air quality sensor, temperature sensor, or other sensor or other device that requires access to air or a flow of air is positioned within the internal housing 16, or if it is desired that the flow or propagation of air or sound into, out of, and within the internal housing 16 be restricted or controlled. Similarly, air or a flow of air within the internal housing 16 may help cool any electronic or other devices located within the internal housing 16. The holes or slots 30, 32, 34, 36 also may be positioned so that air exiting the internal housing 16 or the face plate 18 is not likely to be recirculated back into the internal housing 16 or the face plate 18.

[0047] In some embodiments, if the system 10 or the internal housing 16 includes or uses one or more particulate count sensors, the particulate count sensor(s) will be mountable or otherwise positionable within the internal housing 16 such that the particulate count sensor(s) is located in close proximity to the opening 30 and/or 32 so that air flowing into the internal housing 16 is directed across, through or by such particulate count sensor(s) or so at least the particular count sensor(s) can measure or otherwise determine the particulate count in the air flow accurately.

[0048] In some embodiments, if the system 10 or the internal housing 16 includes or uses one or more fans 60 to draw air into the internal housing 16, such fan(s) 60 will be mountable or otherwise positionable within the internal housing 16 such that the fan(s) 60 is located in close proximity to the opening 34 and/or 36. The system 10 also may include one or more heat sinks to help negate or minimize the negative impact of temperature on sensors, transducers, and other electrical components positioned within the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12.

[0049] In some embodiments, if the system 10 or the internal housing 16 includes or uses one or more sound or noise sensors, such sound or noise sensor(s) will be mountable or otherwise positionable within a chamber 38 of the internal housing 16 such that such noise or sound sensor is separated from one or more other components, sensors or devices that may be mountable or positionable within the internal housing 16. As illustrated in Fig. 7, if the internal housing 16 includes a chamber 38, that extends from the top of the internal housing 16, the external housing 12 also may include an extension 39 such that that chamber 38 is partially or fully enclosed or enclosable within the external housing 12.

[0050] In some embodiments, the external housing 12 may include a hole or other opening

40 so that an electrical cord, Ethernet, telephone, cable, string, wire or cord, or tube 42 may extend into the external housing 12 and potentially into the internal housing 16 to provide power, electrical current, water samples, network connectivity, sensor connectivity, etc. to one or more devices or other components located in the internal housing 16.

[0051] Allowing the face plate 18 and the internal housing 16 to be removed or otherwise be removable from the external housing 12 and/or the wall 12 may enable components, materials, devices, batteries, etc. located within the external housing to be replaced, upgraded, tested, configured, calibrated, etc.

[0052] As illustrated in Fig. 6 and in Fig. 11, in some embodiments, the system 10 and the internal housing 16 may include one or more curved surfaces or angled portions or walls 51 to help direct air flow, sound waves, etc. into, within, and/or out from the internal housing 16 and the system 10. Such curved surfaces or angled portions also may help direct air flow, sound waves, etc. across, to, or within one or more sensors, detectors or other components located within the internal housing 16. If the internal housing 16 is not used, or in addition to any curved or angled portions or walls in the internal housing 16, one or more angled or curved portions, walls or surfaces 50 may be part of the external housing 12 or otherwise used within the external housing 12

[0053] In some embodiments, one or more components or devices partly or completely positioned with the internal housing 16 or external housing 12 may collect and store data locally for some period of time, may forward some or all data it collects or generates to another device, might be calibrated or be calibratable locally and/or remotely, might be configured or be configurable locally and/or remotely, may be turned on/off or turnable off/on locally and/or remotely, may be able to detect if sensor module, sensor housing, etc., has been removed, changed or tampered with, needs replacing, is out of calibration, etc., may or may not require air flow through it or across it, may be able to determine type of noises (e.g., baby crying, child or spouse sleeping, TV or radio on, window breaking, vacuum cleaner, dish washer or other appliance running, multiple adults speaking, dog barking, dog eating, knocking at a door or window, something hitting a window or wall, ambulance or firetruck siren, door bell ringing) are happening in room where internal housing 16 is placed, may be able to conduct or report some self-diagnostics (e.g., battery needs replacing, recalibration is needed, device is broken, device is out of warranty or expected operational life time), may be able to play sound in the room where the internal housing 16 or system 10 is placed (e.g., sounds from baby’s room or nursery, noise from the outside house, or apartment, noise outside the specific room or space, music, fire alarm, intruder alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, other alarm, scene setting noise, pre-recorded voice messages or other sounds, incoming text messages or emails, wireless connectivity conversations, radio, television, cable channel, web site, monitoring device), or provide other capabilities (e.g., data or signal encryption, facial recognition, data security, data or signal decryption) via hardware and/or software.

[0054] In some embodiments, a code or key may be needed to move or remove the face plate 18, provide access to the internal housing 16, provide access to the external housing 12, or remove, change, update, reconfigure, etc., any component or device located with the internal housing 16 or the external housing 12. The system 10 may include one or more locks to limit access to and/or removal of the external housing 12, internal housing 16 and/or the face plate 18. A lock may be key based, combination based, facial recognition based, fingerprint based, voice based, etc. As another option, in some embodiments, the system 10 may include tape, marking or other form of indicator so that it can be determined if the system 10, or any component or portion therein, has been removed, changed, tampered with, recalibrated, reconfigured, etc.

[0055] The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary or desirable to provide yet further embodiments.

[0056] In some embodiments, the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12 may include one or more walls, holes, openings, conduits, chambers, tubes, partitions, or other structures that direct air flow or air movement, sound propagation, light, particulates, etc. towards one or more specific parts of or areas within the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 16, a sensor, detector or other device within the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12, etc. Different portions of air, sound, light, particulates, etc. entering through the opening 30 in the face plate 18 may be directed in different directions, paths or ways depending on where such air, sound, light, particulates, etc. enter or otherwise flow though the face plate 18. The areas where the different portions of air, sound, light, particulates, etc. are directed may overlap or not overlap, at least initially. The different portions may recombine or overlap in whole or in part, especially if they later exit the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12. For example, different portions of the air entering the internal housing 16 may be directed in different ways or in different amounts or percentages to different areas within the internal housing 16, but the portions or air may then recombine or overlap in whole or in part prior to exiting the internal housing 16. As another example, a tube, wall, barrier or chamber that forms part of the internal housing 16 may direct air or sound at least partially towards the side of the internal housing opposite the face plate 18, the top or bottom of the internal housing 16, a sensor or other device located in the middle of the internal housing 16, etc.

[0057] For example, a portion of the air entering the internal housing 16 may be directed to, through or across an air temperature sensor, a portion of the air entering the internal housing 16 may directed to, through or across a sensor or other detector of particulates, and a portion of the air entering the internal housing may be directed to, through or across a humidity measuring sensor or other device, all of which are located and mounted in the internal housing 16. The air may enter the internal housing 16 via one or more openings in the face plate 18, such as the opening 30. As another example, different portions of sound waves propagating into the internal housing 16 may be directed in different ways such that some of them are directed towards a sensor or other device located in the internal housing 16 that measures frequency and some of them are directed towards a sensor or other device located in the internal housing 16 that measures decibel level. As a third example, different portions of light entering the internal housing 16 may be directed in different ways such that different characteristics of the light (e.g., wavelength, brightness, color, temperature) are detected or measuring by different devices located in different locations within the internal housing 16. The location of the source of light within a room or other space where the face plate 18 is positioned to allow entry of light, or at least the direction of the light entering through the face plate 18, also may be detectable or otherwise determinable.

[0058] As another example, as illustrated by the cross-sectional view of the face plate 18, internal housing 16 and external housing 12 in Fig. 12, in some embodiments extending from a wall 70 of the internal housing 16 may be an interior wall or chamber 72 that directs air entering the internal housing via the opening 30 in the face plate 18 and the opening 32 in the internal housing 12 to the wall 74 of the internal housing 16 so that air flow is directed towards the rear of portion of the internal housing 16 opposite the face plate 18. One or more fans 76 may be used to help circulate air through the internal housing 16.

[0059] In some embodiments, one or more openings in the face plate 18 may direct air, sound, light, particulates, etc. entering such openings to, through, or along one or more walls, holes, slots, channels, conduits or other openings, chambers, tubes, partitions, or other structures located in the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12. Different openings in the face plate 18, or different parts of the same opening in the face plate 18, such as the opening 30, may be configured and shaped to direct different portions of the air, sound, light, particulates, etc. flowing through or within such openings to different parts of or areas in the external housing 12 and/or the internal housing 16, in different patterns, etc.

[0060] In some embodiments, the internal housing 16 may be removably affixed to the external housing 12, such that the internal housing 16 and the external housing 12 can be separated without damaging either the internal housing 16 or the external housing 12. In some embodiments, the internal housing 16 may be irremovably affixed to the external housing 12, such that the internal housing 16 and the external housing 12 can only be separated by damaging either or both of the internal housing 16 or the external housing 12. In some embodiments, the internal housing 16 may be detectably removable from the external housing 12 such that while the internal housing 16 may be removed from the external housing 12, such removal cannot be done without being detectable. For example, tape, plastic, glue or other adhesive, sensor or other device portion, string, solder or other metal, wire, breakable wall portion, circuit board, rivet or other fastener or other fastener, etc. may connect both the internal housing 16 and the external housing 12 such that removal of the internal housing 16 from the external housing 12 causes breakage or damage to such tape, plastic, glue or other adhesive, sensor or other device portion, string, solder or other metal, wire, breakable wall portion, circuit board, rivet or other fastener area, internal housing 16, external housing 12, etc.

[0061] In some embodiments, the face platel8 may be removably affixed or attachable to the internal housing 16, such that the face plate 18 and the internal housing 16 can be separated without damaging either the internal housing 16 or the face plate 18. In some embodiments, the face plate 18 may be irremovably affixed or attachable to the internal housing 16, such that the internal housing 16 and the face plate 18 can only be separated by damaging either or both of the internal housing 16 or the face platel8. In some embodiments, the face plate 18 may be detectably removable or detachable from the internal housing 16 such that while the face plate 18 may be removed from the internal housing 16, such removal cannot be done without being detectable. For example, tape, plastic, glue or other adhesive, sensor or other device portion, string, solder or other metal, wire, breakable wall portion, circuit board, rivet or other fastener, etc. may connect both the internal housing 16 and the face plate 18 (and perhaps even the external housing 12) such that removal of the face plate 18 from the internal housing 16 causes breakage or damage to such tape, plastic, glue or other adhesive, sensor or other device portion, string, solder or other metal, wire, breakable wall portion, circuit board, rivet or other fastener area, face plate 18, internal housing 16, external housing 12, etc.

[0062] In some embodiments, the face plate 18 may be removably affixed or attachable to the external housing 12, such that the face plate 18 and the external housing 12 can be separated without damaging either the external housing 12 or the face plate 18. In some embodiments, the face plate 18 may be irremovably affixed or attachable to the external housing 12, such that the external housing 12 and the face plate 18 can only be separated by damaging either or both of the external housing 12 or the face platel 8. In some embodiments, the face plate 18 may be detectably removable or detachable from the external housing 12 such that while the face plate 18 may be removed from the external housing 12, such removal cannot be done without being detectable. For example, tape, plastic, glue or other adhesive, sensor or other device portion, string, solder or other metal, wire, breakable wall portion, circuit board, rivet or other fastener, etc. may connect both the external housing 12 and the face plate 18 (and perhaps even the internal housing 16) such that removal of the face plate 18 from the external housing 12 causes breakage or damage to such tape, plastic, glue or other adhesive, sensor or other device portion, string, solder or other metal, wire, breakable wall portion, circuit board, rivet or other fastener area, face plate 18, external housing 12, internal housing 16, etc.

[0063] In some embodiments, the internal housing 16 may include one or more bendable, rotatable, flexible, reshapable, reconfigurable or otherwise movable portions that may be adjusted during use of the internal housing 16 or any sensor, component or other device located within the internal housing 16. This may allow a sensor, component or other device located within the internal housing 16, or remote to the internal housing 16, to control or vary the flow or flow pattern of air, sound, light, particulates, etc. within the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12. This also or alternatively may enable such sensor, component or other device located either internally or externally to the internal housing 16 to partially or completely open or close a hole or other opening, conduit, tube, channel, etc. within the face plate 18, internal housing 16, or external housing 12, to control or vary the flow of air, sound, light, particulates, etc. within the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12. For example, an air temperature sensor located within the internal housing 16 may be used to measure air temperature at certain times during the day. Thus, a movable wall or other structure located within the internal housing 16 may be configured, oriented or moved at those times during the day to direct air flow or movement within the internal housing 16 make sure that the sensor has enough air flow to it, across it or through it to take an accurate air temperature measurement. If enough air is flowing to, across or through this sensor, or if measuring air temperature is not done or needed at a different time of day, the moveable wall or other structure located within the internal housing 16 may be configured, oriented or moved in a different way to direct air flow to, across, or through a different sensor or other device that measures or detects something else, such as humidity, presence of one or more particulates, presence of one or more VOCs, etc.

[0064] In some embodiments, one or more sensors, components or other devices located within the internal housing 16 may be remotely configurable, may be remotely turned on or off, may be remotely testable to determine if it is operating properly or within desired ranges of acceptability, etc. For example, an air quality sensor or detector located in the internal housing 16 may only take and measure air samples or detect the presence of one or more particulates one or two times a day or week. During the times when the air quality sensor or other device is not being used it may be turned off to extend battery life, reduce energy expenditures, etc. As another example, a sensor or other device located within the internal housing 16 may measure air temperature every thirty minutes during the day, but then turn off at night. Other sensors or devices located within the internal housing 16 may turn on if the air temperature rises above or falls below a certain level.

[0065] In some embodiments, one or more fans located within the internal housing 16 may be reversible so that that they can blow air in opposite or different directions at different times. This may allow the fans to help clean themselves, clean any wall, hole, opening, conduit, chamber, tube, or other structure, or sensor, component, or other device, within the internal housing 12 that air flows by, across or through or that otherwise directs air flow within the internal housing 16. The speed and direction of the air flow created by the one or more fans may be controlled by a component, sensor or other device located within the internal housing 16 or external to the internal housing 16.

[0066] In some embodiments, one or more fans located within or attached to the internal housing 16 may be able to vary their fan speeds or air movement rates depending on the need of the sensors, components, or other devices located within the internal housing 16. This may be particularly helpful when portions of the one or more fan or any wall, hole, opening, conduit, chamber, tube, or other structure, or sensor, component, or other device, within the internal housing 12 become dirty, get particulate or material build up on them, break, etc. such that the proper amount of air or particulates is flowing within the internal housing 16 or at least certain portions of the internal housing (e.g., where a sensor is located). In some embodiments, air that enters the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12 via one or more slots, holes, conduits, channels or other openings in the face plate 18, internal housing 16, and/or external housing 12 may exit the internal housing 16 and/or external housing 12 through a hole or opening that does not go through the face plate 18. For example, air exiting the internal housing 16 and the external housing 12 may be directed through one or more exit holes or openings in the internal housing 16 and/or external housing 12 opposite the face plate 18 or at least separated and positioned away from any holes, slots, conduits, channels or other openings in the face plate 18. The exit holes or openings may be on a wall of the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12 such that air flowing through them and exiting the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12 flow into the wall 14, or behind the wall 14 separate from the side of the wall 14 from where air is entering the internal housing 16 and/or the external housing 12.

[0067] These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above- detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

[0068] Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of other modifications, alterations, and combinations can also be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising: an external housing; an internal housing removably and at least partially positionable into said external housing; and a face plate removably attachable to at least one of said external housing and said internal housing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said face plate includes at least one hole, said internal housing includes at least one hole, and said at least one hole of said face plate aligns with said at least one hole of said internal housing when said face place is attached to said internal housing.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least one hole of said face plate, at least one hole of said internal housing, and said at least one hole of said external housing align when said internal housing is positioned into said external housing and said face place is attached to said internal housing.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said face plate includes at least one hole, said internal housing includes at least one hole, and said at least one hole of said face plate at least partially aligns with said at least one hole of said internal housing when said face place is attached to said internal housing.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said at least one hole of said face plate, at least one hole of said internal housing, and said at least one hole of said external housing at least partially align when said internal housing is positioned into said external housing and said face place is attached to said internal housing.

6 The system of claim 1, further including at least one sensor positioned within said internal housing.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said at least one sensor is capable of detecting the presence of at least one of the following:

particulate matter at a level of PM2.5,

one or more plant-based particulates,

one or more animal-based particulates,

one or more pest-based particulates,

bacteria,

one or more viruses,

fungi,

mold,

particulate matter at a level of PM1₀,

particulate matter at a level of PMi,

ozone,

radon,

benzene,

carbon dioxide,

carbon monoxide,

nitrogen dioxide,

diesel exhaust particulate matter,

one or more lead particulates,

one or more mercury particulates, one or more formaldehydes,

one or more inorganic chemicals,

one or more organic chemicals,

one or more microorganisms,

tobacco or other smoke,

one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs),

benz[a]pyrene,

one or more disinfectants,

one or more disinfectant byproducts,

one or more ultrafme particulates,

one or more radionuclides,

movement,

presence of light,

light,

light temperature,

light intensity,

light change,

light distribution,

sound level, and

sound distribution.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said face plate includes a hole extending through said face plate.

9 The system of claim 8, including at least one of the following positioned at least partially within said hole

a camera,

a microphone,

a speaker,

a laser beam creating device,

a motion detector,

an alarm generator,

a light controlling device,

a sound controlling device,

a sound directing device,

an air movement controlling device,

an air quality controlling device,

a particulate concentration controlling device,

a particulate size controlling device,

a sound suppression device,

an air mediation controlling device

a light generating device,

a data collection device,

a laser beam controlling device,

a laser beam generating device,

a signal transmitting device, and

a signal receiving device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said face plate is connectable to said internal housing such that air flowing through at least one hole in said face plate is directed to a specific location within said internal housing.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said face plate is connectable to said external housing and said internal housing is connectable to said external housing such that said air flowing through at least one hole in said face plate is directed to a specific location within said internal housing.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said air includes at least one of the following:

particulate matter at a level of PM2.5,

one or more plant-based particulates,

one or more animal-based particulates,

one or more pest-based particulates,

bacteria,

one or more viruses,

fungi,

mold,

particulate matter at a level of PM10,

particulate matter at a level of PMi,

ozone,

radon,

benzene,

carbon dioxide,

carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide,

diesel exhaust particulate matter,

one or more lead particulates,

one or more mercury particulates,

one or more formaldehydes,

one or more inorganic chemicals,

one or more organic chemicals,

one or more microorganisms,

tobacco or other smoke,

one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs),

benz[a]pyrene,

one or more disinfectants,

one or more disinfectant byproducts,

one or more ultrafme particulates, and

one or more radionuclides.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said face plate is connectable to said internal housing such that sound flowing through at least one hole in said face plate is directed to a specific location within said internal housing.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said face plate is connectable to said external housing and said internal housing is connectable to said external housing such that said sound flowing through at least one hole in said face plate is directed to a specific location within said internal housing.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said face plate is connectable to said internal housing such that light entering through at least one hole in said face plate is directed to a specific location within said internal housing.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said face plate is connectable to said external housing and said internal housing is connectable to said external housing such that said light entering through at least one hole in said face plate is directed to a specific location within said internal housing.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing includes an opening and said external housing includes an opening that aligns with said opening of said internal housing.

18. The system of claim 1, further including at least one of a sound emitter or a light emitter.

19. The system of claim 1, further including at least one of the following: a light detector, a sound detector, a particulate detector, or a motion detector.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing includes at least one curved portion configured to direct flow of air within said internal housing.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing includes at least one curved portion configured to direct flow of sound within said internal housing.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing includes at least one angled portion configured to direct flow of air within said internal housing.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing includes at least one angled portion configured to direct flow of sound within said internal housing.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing includes at least one angled portion configured to direct particulates within said internal housing.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing includes at least one angled portion configured to direct particulates within said internal housing.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing includes at least one angled portion configured to direct light within said internal housing.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing includes at least one angled portion configured to direct light within said internal housing.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein said face plate is detectably detachable to said internal housing.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein said face plate is detectably detachable to said external housing.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing is detectably detachable to said external housing.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein said system includes at least one fan.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said fan and direct air in opposite directions.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing includes at least one structure capable of directing at least a first portion of air entering said internal housing to a first area within said internal housing and at least a second portion of said air entering said internal housing to a second area within said internal housing.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said second areas does not overlap with said first area.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein said second area does overlap at least in part with said first area.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein said external housing includes at least one structure capable of directing at least a first portion of air entering said external housing to a first area within said external housing and at least a second portion of said air entering said external housing to a second area within said external housing.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein said second areas does not overlap with said first area.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein said second area does overlap at least in part with said first area.

39. The system of claim 1, wherein said face plate includes at least one structure capable of directing at least a first portion of air entering said face plate to a first area within said internal housing and at least a second portion of said air entering said face plate to a second area within said internal housing.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein said second areas does not overlap with said first area.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein said second area does overlap at least in part with said first area.

42. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one device located with said internal housing is removably affixed to said internal housing.

43. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one device located within said internal housing is irremovably affixed to said internal housing

44. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one device located within said internal housing is detectably removable from said internal housing.

45. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing is frictionally attached to said external housing.

46. The system of claim 1, wherein said face plate is frictionally attached to said internal housing.

47. The system of claim 1, wherein said face plate is frictionally attached to said external housing.

48. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing can direct air entering said internal housing on a first side of said internal housing to a second side of said internal housing.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein said first side of said internal housing is opposite said second side of said internal housing.

50. The system of claim 48, wherein said first side of said internal housing is parallel to said second side of said internal housing.

51. The system of claim 48, wherein said first side of said internal housing is not parallel to said second said internal housing.

52. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing includes at least one structure capable of directing at least a first portion of sound entering said internal housing to a first area within said internal housing and at least a second portion of said sound entering said internal housing to a second area within said internal housing.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein said second areas does not overlap with said first area.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein said second area does overlap at least in part with said first area.

55. The system of claim 1, wherein said external housing includes at least one structure capable of directing at least a first portion of sound entering said external housing to a first area within said external housing and at least a second portion of said sound entering said external housing to a second area within said external housing.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein said second areas does not overlap with said first area.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein said second area does overlap at least in part with said first area.

58. The system of claim 1, wherein said face plate includes at least one structure capable of directing at least a first portion of sound entering said face plate to a first area within said internal housing and at least a second portion of said sound entering said face plate to a second area within said internal housing.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein said second areas does not overlap with said first area.

60. The system of claim 58, wherein said second area does overlap at least in part with said first area.

61. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing includes at least one structure capable of directing at least a first portion of air entering said internal housing to a first area within said internal housing and at least a second portion of said air entering said internal housing to a second area within said internal housing.

62. The system of claim 33, wherein said second areas does not overlap with said first area.

63. The system of claim 33, wherein said second area does overlap at least in part with said first area.

64. The system of claim 1, wherein said external housing includes at least one structure capable of directing at least a first portion of air entering said external housing to a first area within said external housing and at least a second portion of said air entering said external housing to a second area within said external housing.

65. The system of claim 36, wherein said second areas does not overlap with said first area.

66. The system of claim 36, wherein said second area does overlap at least in part with said first area.

67. The system of claim 1, wherein said face plate includes at least one structure capable of directing at least a first portion of particulates entering said face plate to a first area within said internal housing and at least a second portion of said particulates entering said face plate to a second area within said internal housing.

68. The system of claim 67, wherein said second areas does not overlap with said first area.

69. The system of claim 67, wherein said second area does overlap at least in part with said first area.

70. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal housing includes at least one opening to allow air to exit said internal housing without said air passing through said face plate.

71. The system of claim 70, wherein said external housing includes at least one opening to allow air to exit said external housing with said air to passing through said face plate, and wherein said at least one opening in said internal housing aligns with said at least one hole in said external housing.

72. The system of claim 1, wherein said external housing includes at least one opening to allow air to exit said external housing with said air to passing through said face plate.

73. A system, comprising:

an external housing;

an internal housing positioned in said external housing; and

and a face plate attached to said internal housing.

74. The system of claim 73, wherein said face plate cannot be removed from said internal housing without damaging at least one of said face plate, said internal housing, and said external housing.

75. The system of claim 73, wherein said internal housing cannot be removed from said external housing without damaging at least one of said face plate, said internal housing, and said external housing.

76. The system of claim 73, wherein at least partial removal of said face plate from said internal housing is detectable.

77. The system of claim 73, wherein at least partial removal of said internal housing from said external housing is detectable.

78. The system of claim 73, wherein at least partial removal of said face plate from said internal housing is detectable by a device located within said internal housing.

79. The system of claim 73, wherein at least partial removal of said internal housing from said external housing is detectable by a device located within said internal housing.

80. The system of claim 73, wherein any repositioning of said face plate relative to said internal housing is detectable.

81. The system of claim 73, wherein any repositioning of said internal housing relative to said external housing is detectable.

82. The system of claim 73, wherein said internal housing includes at least one curved portion configured to direct flow of air within said internal housing.

83. The system of claim 73, wherein said internal housing includes at least one curved portion configured to direct flow of sound within said internal housing.

84. The system of claim 73, wherein said internal housing includes at least one angled portion configured to direct flow of air within said internal housing.

85. The system of claim 73, wherein said internal housing includes at least one angled portion configured to direct flow of sound within said internal housing.

86 A system, comprising:

an external housing; and

a face plate removably attachable to said external housing.

87. The system of claim 86, further including at least one sensor positioned within said external housing.

88. The system of claim 86, wherein said face plate includes at least one opening, said external housing includes at least one opening, and said at least one opening of said face plate aligns with said at least one opening of said external housing when said face place is attached to said external housing.

89. The system of claim 86, wherein said external housing includes at least one curved portion configured to direct flow of air within said external housing.

90. The system of claim 86, wherein said external housing includes at least one curved portion configured to direct flow of sound within said external housing.

91. The system of claim 86, wherein said external housing includes at least one angled portion configured to direct flow of air within said external housing.

92. The system of claim 86, wherein said external housing includes at least one angled portion configured to direct flow of sound within said external housing.

93. The system of claim 86, wherein said external housing is mountable to a wall.