A smoke alarm device

INTRODUCTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to smoke alarm devices. This term should be interpreted to include any device for detecting fire or fire potential, for detecting smoke, gas, or heat.

Prior Art Discussion

In many situations it is specified that a number of such devices must be inter-linked so that they communicate with each other in a network. One problem arising from this is the task of installing the necessary cabling. Another problem is the tedium of testing that they all communicate correctly with each other. With say 12 smoke alarms, checking that they are all communicating can be quite a chore, often requiring two people. For example, one must check that the first unit communicates with all the other 11 units so that it can cause them to go into alarm. While one person holds down the test button on the first unit the other person goes around ensuring that all the other 11 are in alarm. This is then repeated with the second unit, and so on. This results in 11 x 12 = 132 combinations being checked - quite a tedious task. Further if there are problems with some units not communicating they will need to be re-sited and then the whole checking process repeated.

The invention is directed towards providing for simplified device installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a smoke alarm device comprising a fire sensor, an alarm circuit for determining when an alarm condition exists and for generating an alarm, and an interconnect interface for communicating with other alarm devices in a network, characterised in that the interconnect interface communicates wirelessly, by radiation.

In another aspect, the invention also provides a smoke alarm modular base comprising a housing, an interconnect interface for wireless communication with other devices in a network, and mains terminals for connection on one side to mains cables and on the other side to an alarm unit, and signal terminals for alarm status communication with an alarm unit with which it is connected to complete an alarm device.

In one embodiment, the radiation is radio frequency radiation.

In another embodiment, the interconnect interface uses frequency modulation.

In a further embodiment, the interconnect interface comprises means for automatically testing integrity of interconnect communication among devices in a network.

In one embodiment, the interconnect interface comprises means for generating a user output, such as activating an LED, to indicate testing status.

In another embodiment, the interconnect interface comprises means for activating house coding for a network of devices in response to a user input.

In a further embodiment, the interconnect interface maintains a count of the number of devices from which it has received a house-coding signal, and indicates the count to the user.

In one embodiment, the interconnect interface activates an LED in successive flashes to indicate the count.

In another embodiment, the activation is repeated at successive intervals such as 5 seconds.

In a further embodiment, the interconnect interface is factory programmed with a unique device identifier code, during house coding it transmits said code and receives codes from other devices and saves them to a register, and generates the user indication according to the number of codes in the register.

In one embodiment, the interconnect interface recognises a received common default serial code and transmits said code in absence of house coding.

In another embodiment, the interconnect interface is programmable to operate as a repeater of an alarm signal.

In a further embodiment, the interconnect interface modifies a received alarm signal before repeating it, to indicate that it is not original, and does not repeat alarm signals having a non-original indicating code.

In one embodiment, the interconnect interface wakes at pre-programmed intervals according to a timer, and an alarm trigger signal indicating an alarm condition transmitted by said interface is longer then said interval, and the circuit remains in wake mode until alarming ceases.

In another embodiment, the interface generates an alarm cancel signal a pre-set time after ceasing sensing an alarm condition.

In a further embodiment, the interface ceases outputting an alarm output after expiry of a time-out period after sensing of an alarm condition.

In one embodiment, the device comprises an antenna, and means for moving the antenna between a retracted position and an extended position.

In another embodiment, in the retracted position the antenna extends peripherally in an arc within part of a housing of the device.

In a further embodiment, the interconnect interface is housed within a modular base of the device, and the device further comprises an alarm unit for connection to the base.

In one embodiment, the base contains an independent back-up battery.

In another embodiment, the base comprises an interconnect interface activation switch configured to turn on when the alarm unit is secured to the base.

In a further embodiment, the base and the alarm unit are configured for sliding push-fit interconnection, and the activation switch protrudes from a plane of the base so that it is pressed down as the alarm unit is fitted.

In one embodiment, the interconnect interface communicates with a message signal unit having a pre-defined fixed length, and it repeats signal units to build up to a desired transmission time.

In another embodiment, each message signal unit comprises a plurality of fields including a device identifier code.

In a further embodiment, the fields include a code field indicating nature of the message, and a checksum field.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a wireless network of smoke alarm devices within a domestic dwelling;</li><li>Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of a modular base of a device;</li><li>Fig. 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrams showing desired orientations of devices, while Fig. 3(c) shows an undesirable mutual orientation;</li><li>Fig. 4 is an underneath perspective view of the modular base, showing the side which connects with an alarm unit;</li><li>Fig. 5 is a block diagram of an interconnect circuit of the modular base; and</li><li>Fig. 6 is a representation illustrating interconnect signal format.</li></ul>

Description of the Embodiments

Referring to Fig. 1 a number of smoke alarm devices 1 to 7 are mounted in a number of rooms in a building. The devices 1 are mains-powered. However there is wireless communication between the devices for enhanced fire/smoke warning capability and ease of installation. The wireless communication is performed by a transceiver within each device 1, and the modulation is FM, at a frequency of 868MHz. The communication protocol is unique to networks of devices 1 and allows a large amount of information to be conveyed in a short communication duty cycle of 0.004%. In the network of Fig. 1 the device 4 is configured by the installer to be a repeater unit. This merely involves an input for microcontroller software configuration.

Referring to Figs 2, 3, and 4 a modular base 10 of a device is shown. The base 10 is secured to a wall or ceiling, and a smoke alarm unit is pushed translationally for simultaneous mechanical and electrical interconnection so that mains power wired to the base 10 is delivered to the alarm unit. This is in principle as described in our prior European Patent Specification No. EP1045354.

In this case, however, the base 10 does much more than provide mains power. It contains an interconnect interface 30 for radio frequency (RF) communication with the other devices within its network. It also contains its own rechargeable power supply.

The base 10 comprises a base plate 12 having holes for securing to a ceiling or wall using screw fasteners. It also has an opening 13 for receiving mains power cables, which are connected to input terminals in a terminal block 20. As shown in Fig. 2 an antenna 15 is initially curved around the periphery of the base 10. However a frangible tab 16 allows it to be pulled out so that it extends outwardly, such as radially. Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) show preferred mutual orientations for the devices closest to each other, while Fig. 3(c) shows a poor mutual orientation. Depending on the barriers within the building between the devices the antennae 15 may not need to be extended. If extension is required, the preferred orientations are as illustrated. The antenna arrangement allows excellent versatility.

The underneath of the base, where it connects with an alarm unit, is shown in Fig. 4. The terminal block 20 has output terminals 21 for push-fit connection with terminal spades of the alarm unit. By incorporating all interconnect functionality within the base 10, the RF interconnect capability can be retro-fitted to existing alarm units of the push fit, type (as described in our prior EP1045354). The interconnect circuit contained within the base 10 is automatically powered up by its own battery because a protruding switch 25 is pressed down when the alarm unit slides over the base 10 during push-fitting. An OFF button 26 is also provided. This does not protrude, and is operated manually whenever the smoke alarm unit is removed from the base 10.

The base 10 also comprises a "house-coding" switch 28 connected to a ramped actuator 27 which is accessible from the side using a screwdriver or similar tool pushed through an aperture 29 in the side wall.

Referring to Fig. 5 the base 10 includes the interconnect interface circuit 30 and power supply for interconnect functions. Input mains terminals 31 on one side of the terminal block 20 are connected to mains cables. A DC rectifier 32 supplies a regulator 34, in turn providing a 3.3V DC output for circuit operation. It also supplies a charging circuit 35, which provides a 6.6V DC charging potential to Lithium rechargeable batteries 36. Back-up power is provided by the Lithium rechargeable batteries 36. A DC rail 37 provides power for a transceiver 38 connected to the antenna 15. A 5-bit bus 39 links the transceiver 38 to a PIC microcontroller 40. The microcontroller 40 is connected by a link 41 to an output terminal 41 is the block 20 for communication with the alarm unit control circuit. The house coding switch 28 is connected to the mircrocontroller 40. The basic modulation parameters for the transceiver 38 are outlined above. In more detail, and referring to Fig. 6, the coding protocol includes the following segments: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>41, message code;</li><li>42, message length;</li><li>43, indicator of whether original or repeat;</li><li>44, checksum; and</li><li>45, serial number.</li></ul>

The message codes 41 are: <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="2" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="78.75mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="78.75mm" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">F5, fire;</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">C8, remote test;</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">D5, alarm off;</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">EB, remote hush;</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">CA, learn mode;</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">FC, remote locate;</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">DB, standby</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">F2, low battery; and</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">D2, button test;</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">C5, optical chamber degradation</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

As shown in Fig. 6 the serial number includes the year and week of manufacture together with a four-digit code. This gives a very large number of possible codes, so that there is in practice almost no chance of interference with a neighbouring alarm device wireless network.

The microcontroller 40 is programmed in software to perform the interconnect operations.

To install each device 1, an electrician connects the mains cables to the terminals in the block 20 and then slides the alarm unit until its terminal spades engage in the terminals 21. A screwdriver is then inserted into the slot 29 to contact the house coding switch ramp 27. This is repeated for all devices 1 of the network within a 15 minute timeframe. When activating the house coding switch 28, the electrician must wait until an amber LED is activated. He or she then checks that all devices 1 have communicated with each other by counting the number of times the amber light flashes on each device in turn. For example, if there are eight devices in the network, there should be eight flashes within a five-second period repeated every 5 seconds in each device.

During house coding, within a 15 minute period each device transmits every 5 seconds a signal stating that it is in the house coding mode and also transmitting its unique serial number. This is factory programmed to ROM. Every 5 seconds each unit will flash a light (e.g. a blue LED) to indicate the number of units it has identified. If it has not identified any unit, it will just flash once indicating there is just one unit, itself, in the network. As it detects a second unit it will flash twice, and so on. So, by simply checking that each of the 12 units is flashing its light 12 times, every 5 seconds, the installer can confirm that they are all operating.

If, say, two units are only flashing the blue LED 11 times, whereas the rest are flashing 12 times, it indicates that these two are not communicating with each other. They can then be re-sited or the antennae re-orientated until each flashes 12 times. The system can then be checked by clearing the coding in all 12 units (for example, by first powering up each unit with the test button held on, or by depressing a switch while powering up the unit, and then putting them into the checking mode as described above).

During house coding, each device saves in a register each successive serial number it receives. At the end of house coding each device should therefore store in its register a serial number for every other device of the network.

A further feature is that while the units are in the house coding mode they will only acknowledge signals that are about 10 dB higher than its normal signal threshold. This helps to ensure that small reductions in the RF signal strength due for example, to furniture being moved or renovations will not lead to a loss of communication.

The interconnect circuit 30 is programmed so that all units will communicate with each other as shipped using a default serial number "000 0001". If there is likely to be a potential problem with neighbouring units, there is a simple way (described above) of coding the units so they communicate with their own units, but ignore communications from other systems. Thus, the unique code of each device stored in its ROM is accessed only if the house coding switch is pressed.

For speed of installation the installer can take a unit out of the program mode by repeating the sequence that caused it to go into program mode (e.g. 3 presses of the test button or pressing the program switch). Later on, further units can be added to the system by installing them and then simply putting the new units along with all the old units into program mode. If it is necessary to clear all the codes learned (e.g. if a unit was being transferred to a new system, or after a preliminary test) this can be done by simply holding the house code button down for 6 seconds, until the LED starts flashing. It could also alternatively be done by powering up the unit while holding down the house code switch - however this may be more awkward. On units with a separate program switch it can be done by powering up the unit while holding down the program switch.

Referring again to Fig. 1, it will be appreciated that some devices may not communicate with others because of barriers between them. For example, the device 1 may be in a building extension connected to the remainder of the building by an external wall and possibly having foil-backed plaster-board. To address this issue, all circuits 30 have the software capability to act as repeaters. The installer configures a selected device to be a repeater by holding the test button until the RF signal is being sent, (as indicated by the LED being on for 3.5 seconds), and then while the RF is being sent to press the house code switch. This well-defined procedure ensures a unit will not be made into a repeater inadvertently.

The microcontroller 40 automatically re-broadcasts each alarm trigger message if it has been configured to act as a repeater. However, before doing so it flips the code in field 43 to indicate that the message is not original. Thus, a device in a "blind" location potentially receives the original alarm trigger message broadcast by the device which detected smoke and also the repeated one. Because field 43 has been "flipped" it is not repeated by the repeater device and the possible problem of perpetual broadcast of the alarm trigger message is avoided. Thus, by careful selection of the location of the repeater device or devices there is full coverage because there are multiple paths to even devices in "blind" locations.

A timer in each circuit 30 "wakes" the circuit every 1.8 seconds. The trigger signal has a total duration of 3.5 seconds, thus ensuring that all devices can receive it. The actual message transmission takes 10ms, and so the trigger message is a message unit with the message code field 41 indicating alarm, repeated 350 times. Thereafter the unit sensing smoke transmits a continuing alarm message of 50ms duration (5 message units) every 5 seconds. These are all repeated by each repeater device, with the field 43 flipped. The microcontroller 40 is programmed to transmit a cancel message of 3.5 seconds duration, each message unit having a cancel code in the field 41. Also, each microcontroller 40 is programmed to cancel an alarm after absence of an alarm signal for 1 minute.

It is envisaged that the circuit 30 may also transmit an RF signal in a proprietary protocol or Bluetooth, for example, to a mobile network to cause one or more mobile stations to sound and possibly also to display text message. Also, it is envisaged that the circuits may transmit wirelessly status update signals to a control controller of the network. Such a controller could accordingly display basic status data such as fire alarm, battery-low, or system-OK status levels.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail.