AU2019203389A1

AU2019203389A1 - Smoke alarm

Info

Publication number: AU2019203389A1
Application number: AU2019203389A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Cameron Neil Davis; Simon Christopher Harvey
Original assignee: Smoke Alarm Solutions Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Smoke Alarm Solutions Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-14
Filing date: 2019-05-14
Publication date: 2019-11-28

Abstract

Abstract A smoke alarm (1) comprising: a smoke sensing arrangement (2), a main controller (3), an alarm arrangement (4), a communications arrangement (5) and a power source element (6) including a battery (12); the communications arrangement including an LPWAN or Low Power Wide Area Network mode. In use, after each time a first pre-set period has elapsed, the main controller instigates the LPWAN mode to send a first message to a monitoring service on a server (35) or to e-mail (34) or personal electronic devices (36, 37), after which the LPWAN modem remains powered for a second pre-set period to receive a request for the smoke alarm to perform a self-test. After the second pre-set period the LPWAN mode is suspended, returned to a low power state, or an off state, no longer operational until the first pre set period has again elapsed, unless an alarm signal needs to be sent. £) L(") L-

Description

SMOKE ALARM

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to smoke alarms and in particular to smoke alarms comprising communications arrangements.

BACKGROUND [0002] There exist various improvements to smoke detectors to allow for communication of an alarm signal and/or other data. For example, in United States patent number 7,339,468 there is disclosed a method of radio frequency communication between safety devices throughout a building. The safety devices can be smoke, gas, fire, flame or heat detectors or infra-red or ultra-violet sensors. Such local communication between smoke detectors in a residence or building can be mandatory in some jurisdictions.

[0003] In United States patent application number 2015/0077248 there is disclosed an apparatus configured to provide smoke detection and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) capabilities. Multiple smoke detectors on a Local Area Network (LAN) such as within a single dwelling can thereby communicate with each other to pass alarm signals, providing simultaneous smoke alarm actuation within a home. The LAN can include an ethernet switch or router that may further be used with an Internet modem to provide Internet capabilities, however the purpose is to enable the smoke detectors to provide a wireless access point for a personal computer, a tablet, a wireless home entertainment device or a smart phone.

[0004] United States patent number 9,202,364 again provides an alarm device for detecting a hazardous situation then both alerting persons in an area surrounding the alarm device and transmitting alert information to an external address. The communications interface is preferably a wireless local area network and when the alarm device is used in isolation, the communications interface establishes access to the Internet and transmits information related to detected environmental state and the device-specific states of the alarm device. When multiple of the alarm device are

2019203389 14 May 2019 used in one location, the alarm devices are connected to one another and to a receiving station via WLAN. The receiving station is in the form of a WLAN router and couples the alarm devices to the public Internet.

[0005] It is also known for smoke alarm monitoring services to be provided. The monitoring service can alert the relevant authorities or services in the case of an alarm signal from a serviced location, i.e. in response to a detected environmental state of an alarm device. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring service can ensure and then certify where required, that all smoke alarms in a serviced location such as a dwelling or building are operational, using data transmitted about the device specific states of the alarms in the location.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0006] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a smoke alarm comprising: a smoke sensing arrangement, a main controller, an alarm arrangement, a communications arrangement and a power source element including at least one battery; the communications arrangement including an LPWAN (or Low Power Wide Area Network) mode; in use, after each time a first pre-set period has elapsed, the main controller instigates the LPWAN mode of the communications arrangement to send a first message; wherein the LPWAN mode is operational for a second pre-set after transmitting the first message.

[0007] The first message may be, for example, to a monitoring service. The first message may include an identifier to enable a monitoring service to determine a location of the smoke alarm. The first pre-set period may be less than one month, preferably less than 2 weeks or less than 1 week, more preferably less than 4 days or less than 2 days and yet more preferably less than 24 hours or 12 hours.

[0008] The first pre-set period may be less than one month, preferably less than 2 weeks or less than 1 week, more preferably less than 4 days or less than 2 days and yet more preferably less than 24 hours or 12 hours.

2019203389 14 May 2019 [0009] The first pre-set period may be greater than 1 hour, preferably more than 2 hours or more than 3 hours, more preferably at least 4 hours, but may be at least 6 hours or at least 8 hours or at least 12 hours. In one or more forms of the invention, the first pre-set period may be in the range weekly to daily.

[0010] Prior to the LPWAN arrangement sending the first message, the main controller may perform a basic status check including at least one check, such as a check of a status of the at least one battery. The first message may include data derived from the basic status check.

[0011] In one or more forms of the present invention, the at least one battery may be a single backup battery or multiple batteries. For example, the at least one battery may include an alarm battery for the smoke sensing and alarm functions or elements and a communications battery for the communications arrangement. The basic status check may check the status of one of or preferably each of the multiple batteries. The power source element may further include a mains power connection, the basic status check of the smoke alarm further including a check that the mains power connection is operational.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, the at least one check of the basic status check may further include at least one of: a check of the alarm arrangement; a check of the smoke sensing arrangement; a check of a tamper detection mechanism; a check of correction operation of any indicator light; and/or a check of point-to-point communications. The check of the alarm arrangement can be for example: whether the sounder can generate 85dB; or preferably whether the sounder produces a vibration when activated for a mini chirp, i.e. a short burst; or if the resistance across the sounder terminals indicates whether the sounder is still connected. The check of the smoke sensing arrangement can for example be whether the smoke detection chamber is clear of dirt or debris. The check of the tamper detection mechanism would typically be to indicate whether the device has been removed or otherwise tampered with. The check of correct operation of any indicator light may be to indicate whether for example the status LEDs are still operational, so able to provide feedback to people in the vicinity of the smoke alarm. The check of point-to-point

2019203389 14 May 2019 communications can for example be a history confirming that any or all other local smoke alarms that should be in contact with the smoke alarm have been in regular communication using the local communications mode.

[0013] The data derived from the basic status check may be a signal indicating that a result, or every respective result from the at least one check of the basic status check is within an or a respective acceptable range. For example, the signal may be a single okay or not okay (i.e. fault) status signal for the smoke alarm as a whole. Alternatively, where multiple checks are performed as part of the basis status check, the data derived from the basic status check may be include the results or a summary (such as a simple okay or fault) of the results of each check performed. Then if the signal is or includes the fault signal, it may be that a receiver of the signal or of data derived from the signal either flags a manual inspection request or requests more detailed testing from the smoke alarm.

[0014] The LPWAN mode may be operational for a second pre-set period after transmitting the first message. This may be, for example, to thereby permit a request to be received such as a request for a status report, being a report including additional parameters and/or check results. The second pre-set period may be at least 5 seconds, preferably at least 10 seconds and more preferably at least 20 seconds. The second pre-set period may be no more than 60 seconds or preferably no more than 45 seconds. In one embodiment, the pre-set period may be 30 seconds.

[0015] If during the second pre-set period a request for a status report is received, then the main controller may send a second message including a diagnostic report. For example, prior to sending the second message the main controller may perform a diagnostic check including at least one of: a battery level or a battery usage; an end of life indication; a check of the alarm arrangement; a check of the smoke sensing arrangement; a check of a tamper detection mechanism; a check of the correct operation of any indicator light; and/or a check of an ability to communicate with any locally connected smoke alarms or retrieve a point-to-point communications history of the local communications mode of the communications arrangement. The

2019203389 14 May 2019 battery level and/or the battery usage can be for the or at least one of the at least one battery.

[0016] If, at the end of the second pre-set period no request for a status report has been received, the LPWAN mode may be suspended, returned to a low power state, or an off state, no longer operational.

[0017] The communications arrangement may further include a local communications mode. The local communications made may for example provide local communications within a range of up to 500metres, or preferably up to 200m or 150m, or more preferably 100m, or yet more preferably 50metres. Conversely, the LPWAN mode may provide communications within for example a range of at least 3,000metres, preferably 5,000m, or 10,000metres and more preferably

30,000metres or 50,000metres. Typically the local communications are within a single dwelling or within a single site, whereas the LPWAN communications are typically off-site communications.

[0018] The communications arrangement may include: a modem for providing the LPWAN mode; and a radio frequency module for providing the local communications mode. For example, the radio frequency module may have a lower power consumption than the modem when operational. The radio frequency module may be a point-to-point radio transceiver.

[0019] Alternatively, the communications arrangement may include a single radio module to provide both the local communications mode and the LPWAN mode. For example, the radio module may have a lower power consumption when operating in the local communications mode compared to when operating in the LPWAN mode. The difference in power consumption can for example allow for continuous operation in the lower power local communications mode and infrequent plus on-demand operation in the LPWAN mode. For example, the local communications mode may be used continuously or intermittently for a duty cycle of greater than 1% or greater than 5% or greater than 10% whereas the LPWAN mode may be used much less frequently, say a duty cycle of less than 0.1%, preferably less than 0.04% or less than 0.006%. The power consumption rate of the LPWAN mode when transmitting

2019203389 14 May 2019 may be less than 1Watt per second preferably less than 700mW per second. Each LPWAN first message may be transmitted in less than 2 seconds, preferably less than 1.1 seconds. Therefore the first message may be transmitted using less than 0.2mWh of power by the communications arrangement. The power consumption of the LPWAN mode when receiving may be less than 150mW, preferably less than 80mW for the duration of the second pre-set period. Therefore the power consumption of the LPWAN mode of the communications arrangement during the second pre-set period may be less than 0.7mWh.

[0020] The LPWAN mode may be narrow band or ultra-narrow band. An example of an Ultra-Narrow Band (UNB) LPWAN system is Sigfox.

[0021] The smoke alarm may be a first smoke alarm and the local communications mode may provide for transmitting and receiving of alarm signals between the first smoke alarm and at least one local additional smoke alarm; and the LPWAN mode may provide for transmitting and receiving of data derived from at least one of a basic status check and/or a diagnostic check. The first smoke alarm and the at least one local additional smoke alarm may be for example, smoke alarms in a single dwelling or smoke alarms within the range of the local communications mode, such as up to 50m or up to 100m or up to 150m or up to 200m or up to 500m. Conversely the LPWAN mode may provide for longer distance communications than the local communications mode, being for example primarily for transmitting status or diagnostic data to a monitoring platform located most likely off-site, over a low power wide area network.

[0022] The local communications mode may be a point-to-point radio mode for transmitting and receiving of alarm signals between the first smoke alarm and at least one local additional smoke alarm. For an additional smoke alarm to considered local, i.e. a local additional smoke alarm, it may for example be in the same dwelling (such as a house or apartment) as the smoke alarm and/or within a range of up to 50m or up to 100m or up to 150m or up to 200m or up to 500m.

[0023] The local communications mode may provide low latency communication of local messages between the first smoke alarm and at least one local additional

2019203389 14 May 2019 smoke alarm. For the communications to be low latency there may for example be a delay between the start of transmission of a message from one smoke alarm and the receipt of the message by another smoke alarm of less than 2 minutes, preferably less than 60 seconds, or less than 30 seconds and more preferably less than 10 seconds or less than 1 second. In this case the term communication encompasses both transmission and receipt. The local messages may include at least alarm messages such as for example alarm start, alarm stop or cancel and/or alarm test.

[0024] When, in use, the smoke sensing arrangement detects smoke, the main controller may activate the communications arrangement to broadcast at least one signal. The at least one signal may include a signal in the local communications mode to alert at least a second said smoke alarm within range, for example an additional local smoke alarm. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one signal may include a message in the LPWAN mode, such as for example, broadcasting a smoke detected signal and smoke alarm identifier to a monitoring platform over a low power wide area network.

[0025] If during the second pre-set period a request for a status report of a second or additional local smoke alarm is received in the LPWAN mode, the local communications mode may transmit a request for a status report to said second or additional local smoke alarm. Said second or additional local smoke alarm may perform a diagnostic check, then transmit results of said diagnostic check to the first smoke alarm using the local communications mode. The first smoke alarm may then transmit in the LPWAN mode the results of said diagnostic check. Alternatively, the first smoke alarm may store the results of said diagnostic check and transmit said results when the LPWAN mode is next operational at the scheduled for transmitting a first message.

[0026] The smoke sensing arrangement may include a smoke detection chamber.

[0027] The alarm arrangement may include an audible alarm. For example, the alarm arrangement may include at least a sounder and may further include a driver for the sounder.

2019203389 14 May 2019 [0028] The power source element may include a battery. For example, the battery may provide the sole source of power for the smoke alarm. The power source element may further include a mains power connection. For example, in this case the battery may be a backup battery, so in use, the power source element may draw power from the mains power connection when available, and from the backup battery at other times.

[0029] The main controller may be in communication with the smoke sensing arrangement, the alarm arrangement, the communications arrangement and the power source element.

[0030] The main controller may further be in communication with at least one input button. The at least one input button may include a test button and a commission button.

[0031] The main controller may further be in communication with at least one indicator light. The at least one indicator light may include at least one status light, such as, for example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) and optionally a commission light.

[0032] The main controller may further be in communication with a tamper detection mechanism. For example, the smoke alarm may include a mounting base and a housing, and the tamper detection mechanism may be arranged to at least detect when the housing is removed from the mounting base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0033] In the drawings:

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a smoke alarm according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 is a diagram showing local communications between multiple of the smoke alarms of the present invention.

2019203389 14 May 2019 [0036] Figure 3 is a diagram showing monitoring communications path between multiple smoke alarms of the present invention in one location and at least one external device in a separate location.

[0037] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a smoke alarm according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) [0038] Referring initially to Figure 1, there is a smoke alarm 1 comprising a smoke sensing arrangement 2, a main controller 3, an alarm arrangement 4, a communications arrangement 5 and a power source 6, some or all of which is located in a housing 7. The smoke sensing arrangement 2 typically includes a smoke detection chamber 8. The alarm arrangement 4 includes a sounder 9. The communications arrangement 5 includes a radio device 10 connected to an antenna 11. The power source 6 shown includes a battery 12 and can optionally include a mains power connection 13 shown in dashed lines.

[0039] Figure 2 shows four such smoke alarms, all located within a first location such as a dwelling, building or other serviced location. Two of the smoke alarms 1 include the mains power connection 13, but the battery 12 is still present to provide backup power in the event of mains power being lost. However, the other two smoke alarms 21 have only the battery 12 as the sole power source. In either case, the battery 12 can be two or more batteries. For example, one battery can be provided for the smoke alarm base functionality of detecting smoke and sounding the alarm, and another battery can be provided for the communications arrangement. Being solely battery powered allows for easier installation, as it does not require wiring to be provided in a new building application where regulations permit and more importantly, not requiring mains power wiring to be added into an existing structure in the case of retro-fitment. Typically at least two smoke alarms are provided in each first location, such as a house, but preferably three, four (as shown), five or more are provided.

2019203389 14 May 2019 [0040] Each smoke alarm is shown in communication with each other smoke alarm in the first location. This communication is low latency, that is the delay between one alarm sending out a signal and all the other alarms in the first location receiving the signal is less than two minutes, preferably less than sixty seconds, or less than 30 seconds, more preferably less than 10 seconds and yet more preferably less than 1 second. Such low latency communication is provided at all times when the smoke alarm is in use, however to do so whilst consuming such a small amount of power to enable the battery 12 of the battery powered smoke alarms 21 to provide sufficient useful life requires that the method of communication be limited.

[0041] As the low latency communication between smoke alarms is required within the first location for safety to alert persons in the first location to the hazard when smoke is detected by one of the smoke alarms, the range can be limited being up to 500metres, or preferably up to 200metres, or up to 150metres, or up to 100metres or yet more preferably up to 50metres. Within a dwelling or other first location a range of up to 50metres or up to 100metres is typically sufficient, although a device with a greater range of up to 200 or 500metres may be used if the range is measured in line-of-sight, where in use the communication is usually through walls and floors for example, with the additional potential for metallic objects in between.

[0042] Such low latency communication cannot be provided long distance with both reliability and low power consumption. So, each smoke alarm has two communications modes: one for local low latency communications within the first location; and another for off-site less frequent communications using a LPWAN. The low latency local communications mode can be continuously operational, or operate intermittently, with a timing frequency orders of magnitude higher than the LPWAN mode, for example, such as every minute, but could be from at least every 2 minutes to at least twice a minute or at least six or ten times per minute, with a duty cycle of greater than 1 percent, preferably greater than 5 percent, more preferably greater than 10 percent. Conversely the LPWAN mode can be used with a timing frequency that is lower than the local low latency communications mode, for example typically only one message per day or per week, at most one or two messages per hour and

2019203389 14 May 2019 at the least one or two messages per month, so having overall shorter duty cycles of less than 0.1 percent, preferably less than 0.04 percent or less than 0.006 percent.

[0043] The advantages of providing both modes on each smoke alarm are numerous, including reduced part count and increased safety. For example, the reduced part count, i.e. not producing separate detectors and a base station for each installation location, makes manufacture, distribution and/or installation easier.

Safety is increased since each smoke alarm is capable of communicating off-site to enable the relevant services to be alerted even when other smoke alarms in the same location are not able through sudden fault or damage, such as communications or power being lost between the wireless router and the Internet in prior arrangements.

[0044] Figure 3 shows three smoke alarms in a first location such as a house. In this example, one of the smoke alarms 1 includes a mains power connection 13 and the other two smoke alarms 21 are solely battery 12 powered. Each of the smoke alarms 1 or 21 in the first location is shown in individual off-site communication with a second location. This off-site communication is preferably over a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN), allowing communication over a range of at least 3,000metres, preferably 5,000metres or 10,000metres and more preferably 30,000metres or 50,000metres between the smoke detectors 1, 21 and the LPWAN gateway 31. From the gateway 31, the communications pass via the Internet or cloud 32 to either be delivered as a message 34 such as an e-mail or SMS, or communicated to a monitoring server 35, or to remote monitoring on for example a personal computer 36 or a phone or tablet 37. In this example, the or each smoke alarm 1 may have a communications arrangement 5 comprising an LPWAN mode but no local communications mode.

[0045] Preferably the LPWAN type is Ultra-Narrow Band (UNB) such as the Sigfox network or Sigfox global network. In this case, the gateway 31 is a Sigfox gateway or base station which is connected via a secure IP connection over the public Internet to the Sigfox cloud 32. The Sigfox support systems of the Sigfox cloud 32 include: back-end servers for base stations management, for monitoring and for

2019203389 14 May 2019 messages processing; and storage of modems metadata and of messages. Each smoke alarm 1, 21 has a unique identification (ID) to the LPWAN and when the smoke alarm is commissioned, its unique Sigfox ID is reported and registered on the Sigfox back end.

[0046] The LPWAN mode is used to communicate device status and/or alerts to a monitoring platform run for example on the server 35 of a monitoring company. For example, the radio device such as an LPWAN modem in the communications arrangement 5 of the smoke alarm 1,21 transmits to the Sigfox cloud 32 via the gateway 31. The Sigfox cloud 32 processes the parcel of data from the smoke alarm 1 or 21 and transmits the message to the server 35 of the monitoring company.

[0047] Where the communications arrangement 5 also includes a local low latency communication mode, such mode can also be referred to as either: point-to-point radio mode as it is the mode in which radio messages are relayed locally, point-topoint, i.e. between smoke alarms in the first location; or as local communications mode since the communications in this mode are limited in range, intended for use within the first location, not off-site. Conversely the mode provided for off-site less frequent communications can also be referred to as LPWAN mode since it communicates over a low power wide area network, i.e. off-site with the gateway being potentially several kilometres away and the location of the server running the monitoring platform being in most cases a far greater distance away again.

[0048] Figure 4 shows the main features or components of the smoke alarm 1 in a block diagram. The power source 6 is connected to several of the components including the main controller 3 and includes a battery 12. If the optional mains power connection 13 is included, then the battery is essentially present to maintain functionality in the event of a loss of mains power. However, if the mains power connection 13 is not included in the power source 6, then the battery 12 is the primary or only power source and typically provides power for a minimum of two years, preferably five years or ten years. In order to provide longer battery life and to ensure that communications arrangement does not deplete the battery so that no smoke alarm functionality is possible, it is preferable to provide multiple batteries in

2019203389 14 May 2019 place of the one battery 12. For example, an alarm battery can be provided for the smoke sensing and alarm functions or elements and a communications battery can be provided for the communications arrangement. Even when the main power connection 13 is included, the battery 12 can still be at least two batteries so that the device can remain fully operational when the power is off for long periods such as in a rental property between tenants.

[0049] The smoke detection chamber 8 of the smoke sensing arrangement 2 is connected to the main controller as is the driver 41 of the alarm arrangement 4 which also includes the sounder 9. A sound pressure transducer 42 allows the operational of the sounder to be verified. This can be a transducer to detect the vibration of a mini chirp of the sounder, so the sounder test is not audible enough to be disruptive to people in the vicinity of the smoke alarm, but the operation of the driver and sounder of the alarm arrangement can be confirmed. The decibel level of the sounder of the individual smoke alarm may have been verified before installation and is unlikely to reduce, as long as the driver and sounder are still operational and produce a detectable vibration during the mini chirp test. Alternatively, rather than detecting a vibration, the operation of the sounder can be detected in other ways, such as detecting the current used (or that at least a current change is detectable) during the mini-chirp test. Again the sound pressure transducer 42 may not directly measure a sound pressure, but instead detect a characteristic that indicates that the driver and sounder are still operational.

[0050] There is at least one input button provided for manual operation of features of the smoke alarm. For example, the test button 44 allows for a manual test of the sounder as is commonly provided on smoke alarms. This one input button could be used to initiate commissioning mode also for example when the device is first installed, or a separate button may be used for the additional function.

[0051] The commission button 45 allows an installer to initiate commissioning mode on the smoke alarm. For example, association between multiple such smoke alarms using the local communications mode can be performed by: pressing the commission button 45 on a first smoke alarm in a first location such as installed in a

2019203389 14 May 2019 house, at which time the commission light 46 will indicate that association is in progress; the commission button 45 is then pressed on a second device in the first location, i.e. inside the same house; the commission light 46 should indicate when association has been completed successfully; point-to-point local communication between the first and second smoke alarms can then be tested and the result indicated by the commission light 46 for example. The precise sequence during commissioning and the method of indicating the result may vary subject to the design. For example, alternatively or additionally, the results of the point-to-point local communication testing can be broadcast to a field application running on a device such as a mobile phone or tablet. The use of a field application can also assist with registering the LPWAN ID of the individual smoke alarm. For example, the field application can register the smoke alarm ID with the Sigfox back end. When all smoke alarms in a location have been associated locally for local communications and their IDs registered for LPWAN communications, full network test mode can be entered using the commission button 45 and commission light 46. The results of the full network test can be viewed on the field application and/or via a specific colour of at least one light or a pattern of multiple lights such as the indicator lights 48.

[0052] A status light 47 provides a visual indication of the operability of the smoke alarm, for example that all self-tests are positive, such as the smoke detector chamber is clear of obstructions and the sounder is operational. There can be more than one status light provided, for example if the only issue detected by the main controller is that the battery is nearing end of life and requiring replacement, a separate status indicator light can be provided to enable an occupant of the location to identify the need and replace the battery.

[0053] A tamper detection mechanism 49 whether the smoke alarm has been tampered with, by for example detecting when the housing of the alarm is removed from a mounting base. This could be by making or breaking a contact, or by operation of a tilt switch for example. Hysteresis is preferably included so removal of the smoke alarm housing from the mounting base for a short period such as one or two minutes or even longer such as five minutes does not trigger a tamper detect

2019203389 14 May 2019 alert message being sent to the monitoring platform via the LPWAN. This can allow for the battery to be changed without triggering such an alert message.

[0054] The communications arrangement 5 comprises the radio device 10 and the antenna 11. The radio device 10 can include: the modem 51 to provide the LPWAN mode for off-site monitoring and reporting; and a separate radio frequency module 52 for local communication between smoke alarms in a single location such as a home. Alternatively, the LPWAN mode and the local communications mode can be provided by a single radio module. As it is optional, the radio frequency module 52 is shown in dashed lines. Where only the LPWAN mode is required, or if only the LPWAN mode is provided, the radio device 10 would only include the LPWAN modem 51, i.e. the optional radio frequency module 52 would not be present.

[0055] In order to keep power consumption low or at a minimum, especially in smoke alarms where the mains power connection is not present, the LPWAN mode provided by the modem 51 or by the radio module 10 is only operational for short periods. Usually the LPWAN mode is routinely activated every first pre-set period into an on-state to send a message to the monitoring platform, such as reporting basic status. The routine activation can be as infrequent as monthly, but preferably the first pre-set period is less than a month, less than 2 weeks, and more preferably in the range 1 week to 1 day, such as less than 4 days or less than 2 days. It is possible for the first pre-set period to be less than 1 day, i.e. less than 24 hours or less than 12 hours but to conserve battery power where there is no active mains power connection, the first pre-set period is typically 24 hours or greater. The first pre-set period can be varied in smoke alarms having the mains power supply 13, with the first period being shorter such as hourly or daily when there is mains power connected to the mains power supply 13 and the first period being longer such as weekly or monthly when the mains power is not connected to the mains power supply 13 of the smoke alarm 1.

[0056] As this routine activation after first pre-set period is for reporting status, the latency (which is typically hours but can be days) in reporting an okay status to the monitoring platform is acceptable. However if there is a fault, such as smoke

2019203389 14 May 2019 detected, battery life very low or tampering detected, then the LPWAN mode can be activated outside of the first pre-set period to provide very low latency of reporting for high importance messages.

[0057] The smoke alarm can perform one or more self-tests to generate a basic status report or to confirm that the basic status message to be sent should be a status okay message. Such self-tests should always include a check of the status of the battery and also a check of the mains supply connectivity if present, but can also include additional checks. For example, a check of the alarm arrangement can be performed. Testing that the sounder can generate the required sound pressure, such as 85dB, each time that the smoke alarm reports to the monitoring platform would provide unacceptably intrusive noise, so confirming that the sounder is still electrically attached or more checking that a mini-chirp produces vibration is preferable as discussed above. A check of the smoke sensing arrangement can be performed, such as confirming that the smoke detection chamber is free of debris. Checks can also be performed of the tamper detection mechanism, indicator lights and/or the point to point communications of the local communications mode. For example the point-to-point communications test can, for each smoke alarm, request the ID of the other smoke alarms with which it has communicated over a recent period, such as the last few days. Any of these tests can be included in the basic status check, and if all of the tests or checks performed have results within an acceptable range then a single okay status message can be sent to the monitoring platform.

[0058] Once the basic status message has been sent to the monitoring platform, the LPWAN mode remains operational or in an on-state for a second pre-set period, such as at least 5 seconds, preferably 10 seconds and more preferably 20 or 30 seconds, although it may be as long as 45 or even 60 seconds, but the power draw required limits the feasible length of this pre-set period to preferably 30 seconds or less. Regardless of whether the basic status message was okay or not okay, the monitoring platform can within the second pre-set period send a message back to the smoke alarm, for example to request a more detailed status report.

2019203389 14 May 2019 [0059] If such a request for a more detailed status report is received by the smoke alarm, a diagnostic check is then performed, including one or preferably all of the following checks of: battery level or battery usage; end of life indication; the alarm arrangement, the smoke sensing arrangement, the tamper detection mechanism, the indicator light(s), and (where the radio frequency module 52 is provided) the ability to communicate with any locally connected or associated smoke alarms. Local communications can alternatively or additionally be checked using a history of pointto-point communications of the local communications mode of the communication arrangement. The LPWAN can then either return to a suspended, low power or offstate or wait for another pre-set period such as the second pre-set period before reverting to no longer being operational.

[0060] Indeed, if the smoke alarm includes the radio frequency module 52 and is connected to additional local smoke alarms by the local communications mode, the request for a more detailed status report can be requesting the status of all locally connected alarms or of a specific locally connected smoke alarm. So when any request for a more detailed status report is received, the LPWAN modem can then be returned to a suspended, low power or off-state and the diagnostic check can be started or the request passed on to all locally connected smoke alarms, or the specific locally connected smoke alarm. Once the smoke alarm has the results from the diagnostic check of the or each additional locally connected smoke alarm, the results can be transmitted by the LPWAN modem either immediately, or when the LPWAN modem is next scheduled to be powered up to send a first message. Alternatively, when the request for the more detailed status report is received, the diagnostic check can be scheduled to be performed just before the end of the next first period, so that fresh results can be sent at the time that the LPWAN modem is next powered up.

[0061] The LPWAN mode, when transmitting the first message, can use as an example, approximately 200milliamps (mA) at 3 volts (V) for 1 second. Therefore the uplink or first message uses approximately 600mWatts for 1 second, or 0.177mWh of power to transmit. However when receiving, for example during the second pre-set period, the LPWAN mode can use 25mA at 3V for 30 seconds.

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Therefore the second period waiting to receive a downlink or request for a status report, uses 75mW, but potentially for a longer period such as the 30 seconds in this example, which equates to 0.625mWh. Once the downlink such as the status request has been received the second waiting period can be cut short and the LPWAN mode powered down to conserve power.

[0062] In addition to reporting status and sending alarm messages and tamper detect alerts to the monitoring platform, the LPWAN mode can be used to forward alarm messages from other associated smoke alarms, schedule alarm tests for an entire location via downlink from the monitoring platform, or for other maintenance such as decommissioning.

[0063] During alarm mode, following the detection of smoke or the receipt of a local communication of an alarm signal, the smoke alarm sends both LPWAN messages such as Sigfox frames using the LPWAN mode, interleaved with local broadcasts using the local communications mode. If a hush button is provided, pressing the hush button can send a hush message to all associated smoke alarms. Preferably if the hush button is pressed on the smoke alarm that detected smoke, the hush message is sent to all associated smoke alarms, but if the hush button is pressed on a second smoke alarm that has had the alarm triggered by a message forwarded from a first smoke alarm, then the hush button will hush only the second smoke alarm, i.e. preferably the first smoke alarm cannot be remotely hushed.

[0064] If any of the basic status tests or diagnostic checks report a fault, the or all such faults can be broadcast to other local smoke alarms in the first location using the local communications mode to permit the fault(s) to be reported to the monitoring platform by other smoke alarms using the LPWAN mode to provide redundancy in the reporting of faults.

[0065] In addition to reporting “smoke detected” alarm messages to local authorities or other organisations, the monitoring platform provides a number of benefits. For example, a company operating the monitoring service can access status information for the smoke alarm without requiring physical access into the location of the smoke alarm. This reduces time required as it is not necessary to schedule access into the

2019203389 14 May 2019 location and eliminates travel time as well as transportation costs. Another benefit is the ability to generate location test reports and certificates which are particularly common requirements for real estate rentals in some jurisdictions for example. The data in the monitoring platform would typically include installation date and/or date of commission, date of last manual test, date of last remote test and date of next remote test. It is straightforward to also compute the next manual test date required and automatically send reminders to arrange access for a manual test. Annual alarms can also be scheduled by downlink using the LPWAN mode connection between the monitoring platform and the smoke alarm. Any of this data can be presented to a user or operator of the monitoring platform along with test results and if required historical test results also.

Claims

1. A smoke alarm comprising: a smoke sensing arrangement, a main controller, an alarm arrangement, a communications arrangement and a power source element including at least one battery;

the communications arrangement including an LPWAN or Low Power Wide Area Network mode wherein, in use, after each time a first pre-set period has elapsed, the main controller instigates the LPWAN mode of the communications arrangement to send a first message.

2. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first message includes an identifier to enable a monitoring service to determine a location of the smoke alarm.

3. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first pre-set period is less than one month.

4. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first pre-set period is at least one hour.

5. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second pre-set period is at least 5 seconds.

6. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 1 wherein prior to the LPWAN arrangement sending the first message, the main controller performs a basic status check including at least one check, the at least one check including a check of a status of the at least one battery, the first message including data derived from the basic status check.

7. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 6 wherein the at least one battery is at least one backup battery and the power source element further includes a mains power connection,

2019203389 14 May 2019 the basic status check of the smoke alarm further including a check that the mains power connection is operational.

8. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the at least one check of the basic status check further includes at least one of:

a check of the alarm arrangement; a check of the smoke sensing arrangement; a check of a tamper detection mechanism; a check of the correct operation of any indicator light; and/or a check of point-to-point communications.

9. A smoke alarm as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the data derived from the basic status check is a signal indicating that a or every respective result from the at least one check of the basic status check is within an or a respective acceptable range.

10. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 1 wherein the LPWAN mode is operational for a second pre-set period after transmitting the first message.

11. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 10 wherein if during the second pre-set period a request for a status report is received, then the main controller sends a second message including a diagnostic report.

12. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 11 wherein prior to sending the second message the main controller performs a diagnostic check including at least one of:

a battery level or a battery usage;

an end of life indication;

a check of the alarm arrangement;

a check of the smoke sensing arrangement;

a check of a tamper detection mechanism;

a check of the correct operation of any indicator light; and/or

2019203389 14 May 2019 a check of an ability to communicate with any locally connected smoke alarms or retrieve a point-to-point communications history of the local communications mode of the communications arrangement.

13. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 10 wherein if, at the end of the second preset period no request for a status report has been received, the LPWAN mode is suspended, returned to a low power state, or an off state, no longer operational.

14. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 1 wherein the communications arrangement further includes a local communications mode.

15. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 14 wherein the communications arrangement includes:

a modem for providing the LPWAN mode; and a radio frequency module for providing the local communications mode.

16. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 14 wherein the communications arrangement includes a single radio module to provide both the local communications mode and the LPWAN mode.

17. A smoke alarm as claimed in any one of claims 1, 14, 15 or 16 wherein the LPWAN mode is narrow band or ultra narrow band.

18. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 1 or any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the first message is transmitted using less than 0.2mWh of power by the communications arrangement.

19. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 1 or any one of claims 14 to 18 wherein power consumption of the LPWAN mode of the communications arrangement during the second pre-set period is less than 0.7mWh.

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20. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 14 wherein the local communications mode provides for transmitting and receiving of alarm signals between the smoke alarm and at least one local additional smoke alarm, and the LPWAN mode provides for transmitting and receiving of data derived from at least one of a basic status check and/or a diagnostic check.

21. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 14 wherein the local communications mode is a point-to-point radio mode for transmitting and receiving of alarm signals between the smoke alarm and at least one local additional smoke alarm.

22. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 14 wherein the local communications mode provides low latency communication of local messages between the smoke alarm and at least one local additional smoke alarm.

23. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 14 wherein, in use, when the smoke sensing arrangement detects smoke, the main controller activates the communications arrangement to broadcast at least one signal.

24. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 23 wherein the at least one signal includes a signal in the local communications mode to alert at least a second said smoke alarm within range.

25. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 23 wherein the at least one signal includes a message in the LPWAN mode.

26. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 1 wherein the smoke sensing arrangement includes a smoke detection chamber.

27. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 1 wherein the alarm arrangement includes an audible alarm.

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28. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 1 wherein the power source element includes a battery.

29. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 28 wherein the power source element further includes a mains power connection.

30. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the main controller is in communication with the smoke sensing arrangement, the alarm arrangement, the communications arrangement and the power source element.

31. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 30 wherein the main controller is further in communication with at least one input button.

32. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 31 wherein the at least one input button includes a test button and a commission button.

33. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 30 wherein the main controller is further in communication with at least one indicator light.

34. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 33 wherein the at least one indicator light includes at least one status light and optionally a commission light.

35. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 30 wherein the main controller is further in communication with a tamper detection mechanism.

36. A smoke alarm as claimed in claim 35 wherein the smoke alarm includes a mounting base and a housing, the tamper detection mechanism being arranged to at least detect when the housing is removed from the mounting base.

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