EP4051390A1

EP4051390A1 - System and method for detection of vaporized aerosols

Info

Publication number: EP4051390A1
Application number: EP20882343.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Loucinda BISTANY; William Hargett; Stephen MILT
Original assignee: Zeptive Inc
Current assignee: Zeptive Inc
Priority date: 2019-11-03
Filing date: 2020-11-03
Publication date: 2022-09-07
Also published as: WO2021087495A1; EP4051390A4; CA3156792A1; AU2020376072A1

Abstract

A vaporized aerosol detection system is presented herein. The system can include a motion sensor that is configured to detect movement in a predetermined or desired area. Further, the motion sensor can be configured to generate a detection signal in response to one or more detected objects in the area. The system can also include a particle sensor electronically coupled to the motion sensor. The particle sensor can be configured to detect a particle count of the area when the objects are detected by the motion sensor. Further, the system can include a housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the motion sensor and particle sensor.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTION OF VAPORIZED AEROSOLS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Nonprovisional Application Serial No. 17/001,994, filed on August 25, 2020, and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTION OF VAPORIZED AEROSOLS,” which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/929,888 filed on Nov. 3, 2019 and entitled “Cloud Enabled Sensor.” This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Nonprovisional Application Serial No. 17/072,892, filed on October 16, 2020 and entitled “VAPORIZED AEROSOL DETECTION NETWORK,” which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/929,893 filed on November 3, 2019 and entitled “Distributed Cloud Enabled Device Network.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of detection of vaporized aerosols. In particular, the present invention is directed to a system and method of sensors and signals to detect substances of interest and alert one or more users to its detection.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The proliferation of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Electronic Non- Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENNDS) requires the detection of the products of those systems in certain indoor areas and/or vehicles. Currently, some systems for the detection of vaporized aerosols are used in limited settings. Further these systems are limited by their power management and lack of adaptability.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] In an aspect, a vaporized aerosol detection system includes a motion sensor configured to detect movement in an environment and generate a detection signal in response to detected movement in the environment, a particle sensor electronically coupled to the motion sensor and configured to detect a particle count of the environment in response to the generation of the detection signal, and a housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the motion sensor and particle sensor.

[0005] In another aspect, a method for vaporized aerosol detection includes detecting, by a motion sensor, movement in an environment, generating, by the motion sensor, a detection signal in response to detected movement in the environment, detecting, by a particle sensor electronically coupled to the motion sensor, a particle count of the environment in response to the generation of the detection signal, and wherein a least a portion of the motion sensor and at least a portion of the particle sensor are enclosed in a housing.

[0006] In yet another aspect, a vaporized aerosol, particle, and gas detection network is presented. The network includes an entry unit disposed at a first location of an environment. The entry unit includes a trigger sensor configured to detect a triggering event in the first location of the environment and generate a detection signal in response to the detected triggering event in the first location of the environment. The entry unit also includes an entry unit housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the trigger sensor. The network further includes a detection unit communicatively connected to the entry unit. The detection unit includes a particle sensor configured to detect a particle count of the environment in response to the generation of the detection signal and a detection unit housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the particle sensor. [0007] These and other aspects and features of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific non-limiting embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a block diagram illustrating a vaporized aerosol detection system, according to embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an aerosolized substance detection system, according to embodiments;

FIG. 3 A is an isometric view illustrating a housing for a vaporized aerosol detection system, according to embodiments;

FIG. 3B is an isometric cutaway view illustrating a housing for a vaporized aerosol detection system, according to embodiments;

FIGS. 4A-B are block diagrams illustrating architectures for an aerosolized substance detection system, according to example embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a graphical user interface on a user device for an aerosolized substance detection system, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for vaporized aerosol detection, according to embodiments; FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of power management of a vaporized aerosol detection system, according to embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a graph representing example graphical thresholding values, according to an example embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a computing system that can be used to implement any one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein and any one or more portions thereof.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations, and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] At a high level a system of sensors and components to detect particles in a vaporized aerosol is provided. System may include a device disposed in an environment where a substance such as a vaporized aerosol containing chemical particles may be present and may be connected to at least one of a plurality of servers. In an aspect, a housing may encapsulate at least a portion of the system components. Housing may be disposed in an environment having a vaporized aerosol present. Particles may be present and have a microscopic or macroscopic size, a distribution, and a count. Devices of system may enter a low power consumption mode to extend component and battery life.

[0010] In embodiments, system may alternatively or additionally include an entry device and a detection device disposed at respective, distinct locations in an environment where a substance such as a vaporized aerosol containing chemical particles may be present and wherein the entry device and detection device may each be connected to at least one of a plurality of servers. In an aspect, each device may include a housing, which may encapsulate at least a portion of each of the entry device and detection device system components. The housing may be disposed in an environment having a vaporized substance of interest present. Substances of interest may be present and have a microscopic or macroscopic size, a distribution, and a count. Devices of the system may enter low power consumption modes to extend component and battery life.

[0011] Referring now to FIG. 1, vaporized aerosol detection system 100 is configured to detect substances 112 within environment 104 and generate an alarm based on detected particles. Substances 112 may include aerosolized particles, substances of interest (such as smoke from tobacco, smoke from drug use, or the like), gasses, gaseous clouds, gaseous chemicals, biologicals (such as viruses, bacteria, pathogens, or the like) or any combination thereof. Further, vaporized aerosol detection system 100 may be configured to transmit and store a signal indicating an alarm and/or data relating to the detected particles to at least one server of a plurality of servers 156 A-C. Any and all signals generated by vaporized aerosol detection system 100 may be additionally or alternatively stored onboard in a memory (discussed below) or remotely on servers 156 A-C.

[0012] According to embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 1, vaporized aerosol detection system 100 may include a motion sensor 116, a sensor suite 160 (including particle sensor 120, chemical sensor 124, temperature sensor 128, humidity sensor 132, or any combination thereof), an alarm 148, a battery 144, an electronics stack 140, a tamper sensor 136, a housing 152, or any combination thereof.

[0013] In embodiments, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, motion sensor 116 includes one or more sensors, each configured to detect motion, proximity, and/or presence. Motion sensor 116 is configured to detect motion, proximity, and/or presence of one or more objects 108 A, B within environment 104. For example, and without limitation, motion sensor 116 may include light sensors (such as infrared sensors, passive infrared sensors, area reflective type sensors, etc.), microwave sensors, ultrasound sensors, vibration sensors, dual technology sensors, or any combination thereof, to name a few. Objects 108 A, B may include people, animals, vehicles, inanimate objects, or any combination thereof, to name a few examples. For example, motion sensor 116 may be configured to detect motion of a person in environment 104. According to embodiments, motion sensor 116 may be configured to detect when objects 108 A, B enter or leave environment 104 such as by observing motion, proximity, and/or presence of objects 108 A, B.

[0014] According to embodiments, and continuing to refer to FIG. 1, environment 104 may comprise an area of interest in which vaporized aerosols are prohibited or discouraged. For example, environment 104 may include areas of a school (such as classrooms, halls, bathrooms, school yards, gymnasiums, school buses, or any combination thereof, to name a few), rental vehicles (such as rental cars, moving trucks, rented recreational vehicles, etc.), business vehicles (such as company cars, vans, tractor-trailer trucks, etc.), rideshare vehicles, areas of an airplane, train, and/or bus (such as cockpits, cabins, bathrooms, or any combination thereof, to name a few), residences, rental homes, rental apartments, hotels (such as hotel rooms, hotel conference rooms, ballrooms, etc.), motel rooms, workplaces (such as offices, factories, warehouses, parking structures, or any combination thereof, to name a few), hospitals, correctional facilities, or any combination thereof. [0015] In embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 1, when motion sensor 116 detects motion, proximity, duration, speed, size, and/or presence of objects 108 A, B, motion sensor 116 may be configured to generate a detection signal. A detection signal may include an analog and/or digital signal indicating a motion, proximity, and/or presence of objects 108 A, B within environment 104. According to embodiments, motion sensor 116 may be configured to generate a detection signal when it detects an object 108 A, B entering environment 104. In embodiments, a detection signal may indicate a time, size, speed, duration, and/or quantity of objects 108 A, B within and/or entering environment 104.

[0016] According to embodiments, and continuing to refer to FIG. 1, motion sensor 116 may be electronically and/or communicatively coupled to electronics stack 140. Motion sensor 116 may be configured to provide a detection signal to electronics stack 140 when the detection signal is generated. Electronics stack 140 may include analog and/or digital circuitry configured to condition, analyze, and/or transform received signals. For example, electronics stack 140 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a power microcontroller, a processor, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, logic circuitry, a memory (e.g. flash memory, hard disk drive, solid state memory, random-access memory, programmable read-only memory, electronically erasable programmable read-only memory, or any combination thereof, to name a few), or any combination thereof, to name a few. According to embodiments, electronics stack 140 may be configured to store received signals from motion sensor 116 in a memory.

[0017] In embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 1, electronics stack 140 may be configured to determine if an object 108 A, B has entered environment 104 by analyzing a received detection signal. Analyzing a detection signal may include comparing a level of the detection signal to a movement threshold value, comparing a time indicated by the detection signal to a time threshold, comparing a duration indicated by the detection signal to a duration threshold, comparing a size indicated by the detection signal to a size threshold, or any combination thereof, to name a few. [0018] According to embodiments, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, a user may set, adjust, cancel, or otherwise manipulate these threshold levels from a user device, whether those thresholds are stored within electronics stack 140 or remotely in servers 156 A-C.

[0019] In embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 1, electronics stack 140 may be electronically coupled to battery 144. Battery 144 may include one or more battery elements in parallel and/or series; battery elements may be configured to provide power to any component and/or element of system 100, including without limitation motion sensor 116, sensor suite 160, alarm 148, electronics stack 140, tamper sensor 136, or any combination thereof. For example, battery 144 may include one or more lithium-ion batteries, alkaline batteries, lead-acid batteries, aluminum-ion batteries, flow batteries, magnesium-ion batteries, metal-air electrochemical cells, nickel-ion batteries, zinc-ion batteries, or any combination thereof, to name a few. According to embodiments, battery 144 may include an alternative power source such as an alternating current (“AC”) power source, direct current (“DC”) power source, power over ethemet (PoE), a solar photovoltaic cell, a wind turbine, or any combination thereof, and/or power electronics such as a half-bridge rectifier, full-bridge rectifier, inverter, maximum-point power tracker, power converter (such as a buck converter, boost converter, buck-boost converter, flyback converter, transformer, etc.), or any combination thereof, to name a few. In embodiments, if battery 144 includes PoE, a DC power source, and/or an AC wall outlet power, operation of motion sensor 116, particle sensor 120, chemical sensor 124, temperature sensor 128, humidity sensor 132, tamper sensor 146, electronics stack 140, alarm 148, or any combination thereof may remain powered at all times.

[0020] According to embodiments, and continuing to refer to FIG. 1, battery 144 is configured to provide power to at least a portion of sensor suite 160, alarm 148, electronics stack 140, and/or tamper sensor 136 based upon electronics stack 140. In embodiments, electronics stack 140 may include power management circuitry including, for example, a power microcontroller, switches, relays, transistors, linear regulators, power converters, or any combination thereof, to name a few. Power management circuitry of electronics stack 140 may be configured to provide power from battery 144 to at least a portion of sensor suite 160, alarm 148, and/or tamper sensor 136 based upon a received detection signal from motion sensor 116, or another sensor configured to act as a trigger for the power management circuitry, and in embodiments may comprise particle sensor 120, chemical sensor 124, and/or a real time clock configured to keep track of time. According to embodiments, electronics stack 140 may be configured to provide power from battery 144 to at least a portion of sensor suite 160, alarm 148, and/or tamper sensor 136 according to the size, duration, time, and/or quantity of detected objects 108 A, B indicated by a detection signal, according to a time the detection signal is received, or any combination thereof. For example, when a detection signal indicates that an object 108 A, B has entered environment 104, electronics stack 140 may be configured to provide power to particle sensor 120 such that particle sensor 120 is adequately powered to take measurements. As another example, electronics stacks 140 may be configured to provide power from battery 144 to sensor suite 160 when a detection signal indicating an object 108 A, B of a predetermined size has entered environment 104. Electronics stack 140 may also be configured to calibrate and/or trim any and all sensors that may be present within vaporized aerosol detection system 100 and/or coupled to the system remotely. Calibration of sensors and systems may include zeroing a sensor after a reading, power cycle, malfunction, or the like.

[0021] In embodiments, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, electronics stack 140 may be configured to monitor a power and/or battery level of battery 144 and generate a signal including data representing a current power and/or battery level of battery 144. Data representing a current power and/or battery level of battery 144 may represent a current, historical, or projected power and/or battery level of battery 144 and may be expressed as a percentage, a value (such as in amp hours), graphically, or any combination thereof. According to embodiments, electronics stack 140 may be configured to compare the data representing a current power and/or battery level of battery 144 to a predetermined low-battery threshold which may be stored in electronics stack 140 or servers 156 A-C. In embodiments, electronics stack 140 may be configured to generate a low-battery alert when a current power and/or battery level of battery 144 is equal to or less than a low-battery threshold value. A low-battery alert may include a signal including representing that battery 144 is at low power and may be configured to be displayed on a display or user device. In embodiments, a low-battery alert may include a signal configured to induce a change in the color of a display such as an LED. For example, a low-battery alert may be configured to switch an LED from green to red. [0022] According to embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 1, electronics stack 140 may be configured to provide and/or transmit a signal including data representing a current power and/or battery level of battery 144 to servers 156 A-C. Servers 156 A-C may be configured to compare data representing current power and/or battery level of battery 144 to a predetermined low-battery threshold. In embodiments, servers 156 A-C may be configured to generate a low-battery alert when a current power and/or battery level of battery 144 is equal to or less than a low-battery threshold value.

[0023] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, any of servers 156 A-C may include any computing device as described in this disclosure, including without limitation a microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP) and/or system on a chip (SoC) as described in this disclosure. Each of one or more servers 156 A-C may include, be included in, and/or communicate with a user device such as a mobile telephone or smartphone. Any server of one or more servers 156 A-C may include a single computing device operating independently, or may include two or more computing devices operating in concert, in parallel, sequentially or the like; two or more computing devices may be included together in a single computing device or in two or more computing devices. Any server of one or more servers 156 A-C may interface or communicate with one or more additional devices as described below in further detail via a network interface device. Network interface devices may be utilized for connecting a server to one or more of a variety of networks, and one or more devices. Examples of a network interface device include, but are not limited to, a network interface card ( e.g ., a mobile network interface card, a LAN card), a modem, and any combination thereof. Examples of a network include, but are not limited to, a wide area network (e.g., the Internet, an enterprise network), a local area network (e.g, a network associated with an office, a building, a campus or other relatively small geographic space), a telephone network, a data network associated with a telephone/voice provider (e.g, a mobile communications provider data and/or voice network), a direct connection between two computing devices, and any combinations thereof. A network may employ a wired and/or a wireless mode of communication. In general, any network topology may be used. Information (e.g, data, software etc.) may be communicated to and/or from a computer and/or a computing device. Any server of one or more servers 156 A-C may include but is not limited to, for example, a computing device or cluster of computing devices in a first location and a second computing device or cluster of computing devices in a second location. Any server of one or more servers 156 A-C may include one or more computing devices dedicated to data storage, security, distribution of traffic for load balancing, and the like. Any server of one or more servers 156 A-C may distribute one or more computing tasks as described below across a plurality of computing devices, which may operate in parallel, in series, redundantly, or in any other manner used for distribution of tasks or memory between computing devices. Any server of one or more servers 156 A-C may be implemented using a “shared nothing” architecture in which data is cached at the worker, in an embodiment, this may enable scalability of system 100 and/or 156 A-C. [0024] Further referring to FIG. 1, any device, unit, and/or server described in this disclosure may be designed and/or configured to perform any method, method step, or sequence of method steps in any embodiment described in this disclosure, in any order and with any degree of repetition. For instance, any device, unit, and/or server may be configured to perform a single step or sequence repeatedly until a desired or commanded outcome is achieved; repetition of a step or a sequence of steps may be performed iteratively and/or recursively using outputs of previous repetitions as inputs to subsequent repetitions, aggregating inputs and/or outputs of repetitions to produce an aggregate result, reduction or decrement of one or more variables such as global variables, and/or division of a larger processing task into a set of iteratively addressed smaller processing tasks. Any device may perform any step or sequence of steps as described in this disclosure in parallel, such as simultaneously and/or substantially simultaneously performing a step two or more times using two or more parallel threads, processor cores, or the like; division of tasks between parallel threads and/or processes may be performed according to any protocol suitable for division of tasks between iterations. Persons skilled in the art, upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be aware of various ways in which steps, sequences of steps, processing tasks, and/or data may be subdivided, shared, or otherwise dealt with using iteration, recursion, and/or parallel processing. [0025] According to embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 1, a user may set, adjust, cancel, or otherwise manipulate a low-battery threshold level from a user device, whether the low-battery threshold is stored within electronics stack 140 or remotely in servers 156 A-C.

[0026] In embodiments, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, when power is provided to sensor suite 160 from battery 144, sensor suite 160 may be configured to detect substances 112 in environment 104. Substances 112 may include one or more substances, gases, and/or particles that have been aerosolized in at least a portion of environment 104. For example, substances 112 may include chemical particles from a nicotine vaping device, a cannabinoid vaping device, a tetrahydrocannabinol vaping device, a chemical spill (such as dimethyl sulfate, toluene diisocyanate), hazardous gas clouds (such as arsine, dimethyl sulfate, toluene, hydrogen azide, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen dioxide), animal excrement (such as ammonia), tobacco smoke, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methamphetamine, fentanyl, anhydrous ammonia, or any combination thereof, to name a few. Sensor suite 160 may be configured to detect a quantity (i.e. particle count), density, size, structure, and/or dispersion of substances 112 and may include particle sensor 120, chemical sensor 124, temperature sensor 128, humidity sensor 132, or any combination thereof. In embodiments, sensor suite 160 may be electronically and/or communicatively coupled to electronics stack 140. Communicative coupling may include a connection sufficient to transfer data back and forth between sensor suite 160 and electronics stack 140. Communicative coupling may be a wired or wireless connection that may employ electronic buses, ethernet, internet, WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular network, or another undisclosed method alone or in combination. Additionally, or alternatively, sensor suite 160 may be communicatively coupled to at least a server 156 A-C. This communicative coupling, as disclosed, is a connection sufficient for transferring data between sensor suite 160 and at least a server 156 A-C and can include WiFi, ethernet, cellular networks, Bluetooth, NB-IoT, LTE CAT1, LTE-M1, CAT NB1, long-range (LoRA) communication connects, or any combination thereof, to name a few.

[0027] In an embodiment, and still referring to FIG. 1, sensor suite 160 may include particle sensor 120. Particle sensor 120 may include one or more sensors that are configured to detect a quantity (i.e. particle count), size, structure, dispersion, or any combination thereof, of substances 112. In embodiments, particle sensor 120 may be configured to differentiate ambient particles present in environment 104 to substances of interest that may trigger an alert within the system. For example, particle sensor 120 may be configured to compare a historical reading of particles in environment 104 to a detection of substances 112 to determine what particles within substances 112 are ambient in environment 104 and which particles may be substances of interest. According to embodiments, particle sensor 120 may be configured to measure or otherwise detect the quantity (i.e. particle count), size, structure, dispersion, or any combination thereof, of particles present in substances 112 and may be configured to translate those readings into electronic signals. According to embodiments, particle sensor 120 may be electronically and/or communicatively coupled to electronics stack 140 and can be configured to send signals including data representing the quantity (i.e. particle count), size, structure, dispersion, or any combination thereof, of particles present in substances 112 to electronics stack 140.

[0028] In embodiments, and continuing to refer to FIG. 1, sensor suite 160 may include chemical sensor 124. Chemical sensor 124 may include one or more sensors configured to detect the structure, size, shape, and/or composition of particles in order to determine the chemical composition of substances 112 in environment 104. Chemical sensor 124 may include a printed electrochemical sensor, Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) circuit, metal oxide, nanotube, micro cantilever, micro hot plates, mobility spectrometer (ion or differential), mass spectrometer, infrared spectrometer, or any combination thereof, to name a few examples. In embodiments, chemical sensor 124 may be configured to differentiate ambient chemicals present in environment 104 to chemicals of interest that may trigger an alert within the system. For example, chemical sensor 124 may be configured to detect a plurality of chemicals and/or gaseous or aerosolized particles, some of which may include nicotine, cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinoids, particles from a chemical spill (such as dimethyl sulfate, toluene diisocyanate), particles in hazardous gas clouds (such as arsine, hydrogen azide, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen dioxide), particles from animal excrement (such as ammonia), tobacco smoke, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, respiratory irritants, indicators of indoor air quality, or any combination thereof. Chemical sensor 124 may translate readings it collects to an electronic signal including data representing the structure, size, shape, and/or composition of particles. In embodiments, chemical sensor 124 may be electronically and/or communicatively coupled to electronics stack 140. Chemical sensor 124 may be configured to send a signal including data representing a structure, size, shape, and/or composition of particles to electronics stack 140.

[0029] According to embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 1, sensor suite 160 may include temperature sensor 128. Temperature sensor 128 may include one or more sensors configured to determine a temperature of environment 104. Temperature, for the purposes of this disclosure, is an amount of heat energy present in environment 104. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that temperature is truly the amount of kinetic energy present in an environment on the atomic level, and for the purposes of this disclosure, temperature as it affects electronics, humans, objects, and/or gaseous elements may be measured in Fahrenheit, Celsius, Kelvin and/or the like. According to embodiments, temperature sensor 128 may determine a temperature of environment 104 to help assess the dispersion, density, and/or composition of substances 112 in environment 104. Additionally, temperature sensor 128 may determine the temperature of environment 104 to assess the health of the electronics and sensors present within vaporized aerosol detection system 100. In embodiments, temperature sensor 128 may be configured to generate a signal including data representing a detected temperature of environment 104 and provide this signal to electronics stack 140, at least a first server 156 A-C, or a combination thereof. In embodiments, this signal may also include data alerting a user of a change in temperature of environment 104 over or under certain thresholds or to alert a user of aerosolized particles evidenced by a change in temperature. According to embodiments, temperature sensor 128 may translate readings it collects into electronic signals including data representing the detected temperatures. Temperature sensor 128 may be electronically and/or communicatively coupled to electronics stack 140 and may be configured to provide such signals to electronics stack 140.

[0030] In embodiments, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, sensor suite 160 may include humidity sensor 132. Humidity sensor 132 may include one or more sensors configured to determine an amount of humidity present in environment 104. Humidity, for the purposes of this disclosure, is a quantity of vaporized water in a gaseous area, in this case air of environment 104. Humidity sensor 132 may be further configured to measure humidity in one of three general methods: absolute, relative, and specific. Absolute humidity describes the water content of air and is expressed in either grams per cubic meter or grams per kilogram. Relative humidity may be expressed as a percentage and indicate a present state of absolute humidity relative to a maximum humidity given the same temperature (as determined by temperature sensor 128). Specific humidity is the ratio of water vapor mass to total moist air parcel mass. Humidity sensor 132 may be configured to determine humidity of environment 104 in order to detect a change in air density, which may be due to the presence of substances 112. Humidity sensor 132 may additionally or alternatively be configured to determine humidity of environment 104 in order to ascertain the optimal range of humidity for the complement of other sensors present in sensor suite 160, in an embodiment. Humidity sensor 132 may translate readings it collects into electronic signals including data representing the humidity in environment 104. In embodiments, humidity sensor 132 may be electronically and/or communicatively coupled to electronics stack 140 and may be configured to provide such signals to electronics stack 140.

[0031] According to embodiments, and continuing to refer to FIG. 1, electronics stack 140 may include equipment necessary to receive signals generated from any disclosed or undisclosed sensor present within vaporized aerosol detection system 100. Electronics stack 140 may include analog and/or digital circuitry configured to condition, analyze, and/or transform received signals. For example, electronics stack 140 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a power microcontroller, a processor, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, logic circuitry, or any combination thereof, to name a few.

[0032] In embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 1, electronics stack 140 may be configured to determine if substances of interest are present. Substances of interest may include any particles that may be a cause of concern for environment 104. For example, substances of interest may include substances that are disallowed in environment 104 (such as nicotine, cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinoids, tobacco smoke, etc.), substances that are hazardous (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, arsine, hydrogen azide, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen dioxide, viruses, bacteria, pathogens, etc.), undesirable substances for environment 104 (tobacco smoke, nicotine, cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinoids, ammonia from pet excrement, etc.), or any combination thereof, to name a few. According to embodiments, determining whether substances of interest are present in environment 104 may include comparing levels of signals received from sensor suite 160 to various, predetermined threshold values. For example, electronics stack 140 may be configured to receive a signal including data representing a detected structure, size, shape, and/or composition of substances 112 and compare one or more levels included in this signal to predetermined threshold values in order to determine what chemicals (i.e. types of particles) are present in substances 112. According to embodiments, a user may set, adjust, cancel, or otherwise manipulate threshold levels from a user device, whether those thresholds are stored within electronics stack 140 or remotely in servers 156 A-C.

[0033] Still referring to FIG. 1, according to embodiments, these predetermined threshold values may include a level or measure of a detected structure, size, shape, and/or composition of substances 112. According to embodiments, these predetermined threshold values may be stored in a memory such as a memory of electronics stack 140.

[0034] In embodiments, and with further reference to FIG. 1, electronics stack 140 and/or servers 156 A-C may be configured to determine if a detection event has occurred in environment 104. A “detection event,” for the purposes of this disclosure, is a detection of substances, particles, or chemicals of interest in substances 112 within environment 104. For example, a detection event may indicate that a nicotine vaporizer device has been used in environment 104, a chemical spill has occurred in environment 104, smoke is present in environment 104, animal excrement is present in environment 104, or any combination thereof, to name a few examples. According to embodiments, a detection event may further indicate that a quantity, particle density, and/or dispersion of substances of interest within environment 104 have exceeded a predetermined threshold. For example, a detection event may indicate that the particle density of aerosolized vape has exceeded a threshold value in environment 104.

[0035] In embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 1, these predetermined threshold values may include a level or measure of a particle density, dispersion, and/or composition of particles that are disallowed, hazardous, or otherwise undesired in environment 104. According to embodiments, these predetermined threshold values may be stored in a memory such as a memory of electronics stack 140.

[0036] According to embodiments, and continuing to refer to FIG. 1, electronics stack 140 may include equipment necessary for wireless transmission of electronic signals to a plurality of servers 156 A-C. Servers 156 may include one or more computers, servers, computing clouds, processors, microprocessors, a memory (e.g. flash memory, hard disk drive, solid state memory, random-access memory, programmable read-only memory, electronically erasable programmable read-only memory, or any combination thereof, to name a few), or any combination thereof. For example, electronics stack 140 may include a transceiver and may be configured to be communicatively coupled to a server 156 by a cellular phone network(s), wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless personal area networks (WPAN), wireless wide area networks (WWAN), wireless sensor networks, satellite communication networks, terrestrial microwave networks, Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee, low-power long range wide area network (LoRaWan and LoRa), internet, ethernet, a wireless ad-hoc network also known as a wireless mesh network, and/or any combination thereof. In embodiments, these predetermined threshold values may be stored within servers 156 A-C.

[0037] In embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 1, processing of signals to determine detection events may be additionally or alternatively handled by remotely located servers 156 A-C. According to embodiments, servers 156 may be configured to determine what particles are present in environment 104 and whether a detection event has occurred by comparing levels of signals received from electronics stack 140 to various, predetermined threshold values. For example, servers 156 A- C may be configured to receive a signal including data representing a detected structure, size, shape, and/or composition of substances 112 and compare one or more levels included in this signal to predetermined threshold values in order to determine what chemicals (i.e. types of particles) are present in substances 112.

[0038] According to embodiments, and continuing to refer to FIG. 1, electronics stack 140 may be configured to trigger an alert based on a detection event by electronics stack 140 and/or servers 156 A-C. In embodiments, when electronics stack 140 and/or servers 156 A-C have detected that a detection event has occurred, electronics stack 140 may then generate an alert signal and/or provide power to alarm 148 from battery 144. Alert signal may include an electrical signal configured to activate alarm 148. Alarm 148 may include an auditory alarm or signaling device (such as a buzzer, siren, horn, etc.), a visual alarm or signaling device (such as an LED, strobe light, laser, LED screen, LCD screen, etc.), tactile alarm or signalizing device (such as a vibration alarm, motor, etc.), or any combination thereof. Activating alarm 148 may include sending an electronic signal to alarm 148 to induce an audible alert (such as, for example, a chime, chirp, siren, beep, or otherwise artificial noise), a visual alert (such as, for example, flashing lights, a display, a strobe, color lights, etc.), a tactile alert (such as vibration, shaking, etc.), and/or any alert sufficient to alert that a detection event has occurred in environment 104. A user may adjust alarm volume, alarm sound, alarm light display, and disable alarm through user device and/or server 156 A-C.

[0039] In an embodiment, and still referring to FIG. 1, vaporized aerosol detection system 100 may also include tampering sensor 136. Tampering sensor 136 may include one or more sensors disposed within or on housing 152 and may be configured to detect a tampering event. A tampering event may include someone breaking open vaporized aerosol detection system 100, someone moving vaporized aerosol detection system 100, someone touching vaporized aerosol detection system 100, someone hitting vaporized aerosol detection system 100, someone shaking vaporized aerosol detection system 100, someone disconnecting vaporized aerosol detection system 100, or any combination thereof. According to embodiments, tampering sensor 136 may be configured to detect a tampering event by detecting that an object in close proximity to vaporized aerosol detection system 100, movement of vaporized aerosol detection system 100, integrity of housing 152, or any combination thereof. For example, tampering sensor 136 may include one or more sensors configured to detect a tampering event when a person is attempting to move or break open vaporized aerosol detection system 100.

[0040] According to embodiments, and further referring to FIG. 1, tamper sensor 136 may be configured to generate a tamper alarm when a tampering event is detected. A tamper alarm, as used in this disclosure, is an electronic signal configured to induce an audible alert, a visual alert, a tactile alert, and/or any alert sufficient to alert a tamper event from alarm 148. In other embodiments, tamper sensor 136 may generate signals including data representing that an object is in close proximity to vaporized aerosol detection system 100, movement of vaporized aerosol detection system 100, integrity of housing 152, or any combination thereof. Tamper sensor 136 may be electronically and/or communicatively coupled to electronics stack 140 and configured to provide said signals to electronics stack 140. In embodiments, electronics stack 140 may be configured to detect that a tampering event has occurred based upon the received signals including data representing that an object is in close proximity to vaporized aerosol detection system 100, movement of vaporized aerosol detection system 100, integrity of housing 152, or any combination thereof. Electronics stack 140 may be configured to generate a tamper alarm when a tampering event has occurred. A user may enable, disable, or otherwise manipulate a tamper alarm from a user device and/or server 156 A-C. Tamper alarm may also be disabled through, for example, an interlock such as a magnetic switch disposed in or on housing 152, which may be engaged, for example, by a magnetic key fob held by a potential maintainer or user.

[0041] In embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 1, at least a portion of motion sensor 116, sensor suite 160, tamper sensor 136, electronics stack 140, battery 144, alarm 148, or any combination thereof, may be enclosed or encased with housing 152. Housing 152 may include a shape having a number of sides or faces, where each side may include opposite, opposing surfaces with a thickness between them. According to embodiments, a first surface of a side may form a portion of an outer wall of housing 152 and a second, opposing and opposite surface of the side may form a portion of an inner wall of housing 152. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of claim 1, housing 152 may include a hollow three-dimensional prism with an outer mold line with a thickness. In embodiments, housing 152 may be one continuous shape or may be mechanically fastened smaller individual pieces configured to encase or enclose at least a portion of motion sensor 116, sensor suite 160, tamper senor 136, electronics stack 140, battery 144, alarm 148, or any combination thereof.

[0042] According to embodiments, and with further reference to FIG. 1, housing 152 may be configured to snap together non-permanently such that housing 152 may be pulled apart by a user for allowed access to interior components. Housing 152 may include injection molded plastics like high- density polyethylene (HDPE) or Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), stamped or otherwise machined metal like aluminum, steel alloys, tin, or other alloys. Housing 152 may include a back plate which may be permanently or temporarily mechanically fastened to a cover through screws, nails, snap connectors, epoxy, glue, double-sided tape, rivets, or another undisclosed method alone or in combination. In embodiments, housing 152 may, in a hollow space within, enclose or encase at least a portion of motion sensor 116, sensor suite 160 (including particle sensor 120, chemical sensor 124, temperature sensor 128, humidity sensor 132, or any combination thereof), alarm 148, battery 144, electronics stack 140, tamper sensor 136 or a portion of any which may allow its optimal operation. Housing 152 may include cut-throughs and/or openings where a sensor may need access to an air sample of environment 104 or where a vaporized aerosol may enter housing to reach any internal component.

[0043] In embodiments, and continuing to refer to FIG. 1, vaporized aerosol detection system 100 may include a display such as, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) display, liquid crystal display (LCD), electronic ink display, cathode ray tube (CRT) display, organic LED display, or any combination thereof. According to embodiments, a display may be configured to display one or more alerts, measures and/or levels detected by sensor suit 160, battery level (especially low battery), a temperature of environment 104, a humidity of environment 104, general health information, or any combination thereof.

[0044] According to embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 1, motion sensor 116 may include one or more cameras communicatively coupled to electronics stack 140 and/or servers 156 A-C.

One or more cameras may include, for example, video cameras, still cameras, SLR cameras, DSLR camera, closed circuit networks, or any combination thereof, to name a few. In embodiments, electronics stack 140 may be configured to provide power from battery 144 to a camera of motion sensor 116 when a detection event is detected. In response to being provided power and/or when a detection event is detected, a camera of motion sensor 116 may be configured to capture one or more images of environment 104, such as photographs and/or video footage of environment 104.

[0045] In embodiments, and further referring to FIG. 1, captured videos and/or photographs (i.e. images) may be provided to electronics stack 140 and/or servers 156 A-C. According to embodiments electronics stack 140 and/or servers 156 A-C may each, or in tandem, be configured to analyze, process, and compress the captured video and/or photographs. For example, electronics stack 140 and/or servers 156 A-C may include facial recognition software configured to identify persons present in captured videos and/or photographs. Further, electronics stack 140 and/or servers 156 A-C may be communicatively coupled with an organizational identification database for the purposes of facial recognition. In embodiments, analyzing captured video and/or photographs may occur in real-time or may be delayed.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 2, an aerosolized substance detection system is configured to detect substances of interest 204 within environment 208 and generate an alarm based on detected substance and/or particles. Substances of interest (also referred to herein as “substances”) 204 may include any substances as described above in reference to FIG. 1. Further, aerosolized substance detection system 200 may be configured to transmit and store a signal indicating an alarm and/or data relating to detected substances to at least one server of a plurality of servers 212a-c. Any and all signals generated by aerosolized substance detection system 200 may be additionally or alternatively stored onboard in a memory (discussed below) or remotely on servers 212a-c.

[0047] With continued reference to FIG. 2, aerosolized substance detection system 200 includes an entry unit 216 disposed at a first location within environment 208. Entry unit 216 is configured to generate a detection signal in response to a detected triggering event within environment 208. For detecting a triggering event, entry unit 216 may include a trigger sensor such as motion sensor 220, particle sensor, chemical sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, camera, and/or a tamper sensor. A “triggering event”, as used in this disclosure, is an event of interest that occurs within or proximate to one or more locations within environment 208 such as detected movement, detected predetermined substances of interest, detected particle counts, detected particle densities, detected temperatures, detected objects within a video and/or image, detected humidity, a detected tamper event, or any combination thereof.

[0048] For example, entry unit 216 may include a motion sensor 220 configured to detect movement in and/or proximate to its location within an environment 208 and generate a detection signal in response to detected movement in the environment 208. Motion sensor 220 may include any motion sensor suitable for use as motion sensor 116 as described above.

[0049] According to embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 2, environment 208 may include an area of interest in which vaporized aerosols are prohibited or discouraged, for instance as described above regarding environment 104.

[0050] In embodiments, and with continued reference to FIG. 2, when entry unit 216 detects a triggering event such as motion, proximity, duration, speed, size, detection of predetermined substances of interest, a tampering event, and/or presence of objects 224a-b within environment 208, entry unit 216 may be configured to generate a detection signal. A detection signal may include an analog and/or digital signal indicating details of a triggering event such as the location, area, motion, proximity, and/or presence of objects 224a-b within a location of environment 208, a particle count at a location within environment 208, detection of a tampering event, or any combination thereof. According to embodiments, entry unit 216 may include a motion sensor 220 configured to generate a detection signal when it detects an object entering, within, or proximate to an entry unit’s location within environment 208. In embodiments, a detection signal may indicate a time, size, speed, duration, and/or quantity of objects 224a-b entering, within, or proximate to an entry unit’s location within environment 208.

[0051] According to embodiments, and with further reference to FIG. 2, sensors such as motion sensor 220 of entry unit 216 may be electronically and/or communicatively coupled to an entry unit electronics stack 228 and may be configured to provide a detection signal to entry unit electronics stack 228, which may be implemented in any manner suitable for electronics stack 140 as described above, when the detection signal is generated. In embodiments, entry unit electronics stack 228 may be proximate to motion sensor 220 while in other embodiments entry unit electronics stack 228 may be remote from motion sensor 120. According to embodiments, entry unit electronics stack 228 may be configured to store received signals from motion sensor 220 in a memory.

[0052] In embodiments, and with continued reference to FIG. 2, entry unit electronics stack 228 may be configured to determine a triggering event (such as if an object has entered environment 208, a predetermined substance has been detected, etc.) by analyzing a received detection signal. Analyzing a detection signal may include comparing a level of the detection signal to a predetermined threshold value. For example, analyzing a detection signal may include comparing a level of the detection signal to a movement threshold value, comparing a time indicated by the detection signal to a time threshold, comparing a duration indicated by the detection signal to a duration threshold, comparing a size indicated by the detection signal to a size threshold, or any combination thereof, to name a few. In embodiments, these predetermined thresholds may be stored within entry unit electronics stack 228 while in other embodiments they may be stored remotely. According to embodiments, a user may set, adjust, cancel, or otherwise manipulate these threshold levels from a user device, whether those thresholds are stored within entry unit electronics stack 228 or remotely in servers 212a-c.

[0053] According to embodiments, entry unit electronics stack 228 may be configured to send a detection signal to a communications hub 272, which may be configured to analyze the received detection signal according to predetermined threshold values stored on communications hub 272. Communications hub 272 may further be configured to transmit a received detection signal to servers 212a-c which may be configured to analyze the received detection signal according to predetermined threshold values stored on servers 212a-c.

[0054] In embodiments, and further referring to FIG. 2, entry unit electronics stack 228 may be electronically or communicatively coupled to an energy storage device, such as a battery 232, which may be implemented in any manner suitable for a battery 144 as described above. Battery 232 may power any element and/or component of entry unit 216. For instance, a battery 232 and/or energy storage device may be configured to provide power to at least a portion of entry unit 216, detection unit 244, communication hub 272, repeater node 276, camera 280, or any combination thereof based upon an electronics stack. In embodiments, an electronics stack may include power management circuitry including, for example, a power microcontroller, switches, relays, transistors, linear regulators, power converters, or any combination thereof, to name a few.

[0055] Still referring to FIG. 2, power management circuitry of entry unit electronics stack 228 may be configured to provide power from a battery 232 to at least a portion of sensor suite 248, entry unit electronics stack 228, tampering sensor 240, communication hub 272, repeater node 276, camera 280, or any combination thereof based upon a received detection signal from motion sensor 220, or another sensor configured to act as a trigger for the power management circuitry, and may include a real time clock configured to keep track of time. According to embodiments, entry unit electronics stack 228 may be configured to provide power from battery 232 to at least a portion of sensor suite 248, and/or tampering sensor 240 according to a size, duration, time, and/or quantity of detected objects 224a-b indicated by a detection signal, according to a time the detection signal is received, or any combination thereof. For example, when a detection signal indicates that an object has entered environment 208, entry unit electronics stack 228 may be configured to provide power to a detection unit 244 as described below, such that detection unit 244 is adequately powered to take measurements.

[0056] According to embodiments, providing power from a battery 232 to at least a portion of sensor suite 248, entry unit electronics stack 228, tampering sensor 240, communication hub 272, repeater node 276, camera 280, or any combination thereof may include generating a wake-up signal. For example, a wake-up signal may be generated when movement is detected by movement sensor 220. A wake-up signal may comprise an analog or digital signal configured to switch at least a portion of sensor suite 248, entry unit electronics stack 228, tampering sensor 240, communication hub 272, repeater node 276, camera 280 from a sleep, low-power mode, and/or standby mode to an active or armed mode.

[0057] In embodiments, and continuing to refer to FIG. 2, entry unit electronics stack 228 may be configured to monitor a power and/or battery 232 level of battery 232 and generate a signal including data representing the current power and/or battery 232 level of battery 232; this may be implemented, without limitation, as described above in reference to FIG. 1.

[0058] According to embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 2, entry unit electronics stack 228 may be configured to provide and/or transmit a signal including data representing current power and/or battery level of battery 232 to other devices and/or units in vaporized aerosol detection system 200, and/or to one or more servers 212a-c; such devices, units, and/or servers 212a-c may be configured to compare data representing current power and/or battery level of battery 232 to a predetermined low-battery threshold. In embodiments, devices, units, and/or servers 212a-c may be configured to generate a low-battery alert when a current power and/or battery level of battery 232 is equal to or less than a low-battery threshold value. According to embodiments, a user may set, adjust, cancel, or otherwise manipulate a low-battery threshold level from a user device, whether the low-battery threshold is stored within entry unit electronics stack 228 or remotely in additional devices, units, and/or servers 212a-c.

[0059] According to embodiments, and with further reference to FIG. 2, entry unit electronics stack 228 may include equipment configured to receive signals generated from any disclosed or undisclosed sensor present within vaporized aerosol detection system 200. Entry unit electronics stack 228 may include analog and/or digital circuitry configured to condition, analyze, and/or transform received signals. For example, entry unit electronics stack 228 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a power microcontroller, a processor, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, logic circuitry, or any combination thereof, to name a few. [0060] According to embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 2, entry unit electronics stack 228 may include equipment necessary for wireless transmission of electronic signals to other devices, units, and/or servers 212a-c. Servers 212a-c may be implemented without limitation, in any manner suitable for implementation of servers 156 A-C as described above in reference to FIG. 1. For example, entry unit electronics stack 228 may comprise a transceiver and can be configured to be communicatively coupled to a server by a cellular phone network(s), wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless personal area networks (WPAN), wireless wide area networks (WWAN), wireless sensor networks, satellite communication networks, terrestrial microwave networks, Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee, low-power long range wide area network (LoRaWan and LoRa), internet, ethernet, a wireless ad-hoc network also known as a wireless mesh network, and/or any combination thereof. In embodiments, these predetermined threshold values may be stored within servers 212a-c. [0061] Still referring to FIG. 2, entry unit 216 includes an entry unit housing 236 configured to enclose at least a portion of the trigger sensor, such as motion sensor 220; housing may have any form and/or composition suitable for a housing as described above in reference to FIG. 1. In embodiments, a housing may be one continuous shape or may be mechanically fastened smaller individual pieces configured to encase or enclose at least a portion of motion sensor 220, a tampering sensor 240, entry unit electronics stack 228, battery 232, or any combination thereof. [0062] In an embodiment, and continuing to refer to FIG. 2, entry unit 216 may also include a tampering sensor 240, which may include any tampering sensor as described above in reference to FIG. 1. For example, tampering sensor 240 may comprise one or more sensors configured to detect a tampering event when a person is attempting to move or break open entry unit 216. According to embodiments, tampering sensor 240 may be configured to generate a tamper alarm when a tampering event is detected; this may be implemented in any manner described above in reference to FIG. 1.

[0063] With continued reference to FIG. 2, entry unit 216 may have a polling mode. In the polling mode, entry unit 216 may be configured to periodically perform a polling cycle which can include powering on for a predetermined amount of time, checking for a triggering event such as motion, predetermined detection of a substance, a tampering event, etc., and powering off/entering a sleep or standby mode. In embodiments, the predetermined amount of time an entry unit is powered on during a polling cycle can include seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, or any combination thereof. According to embodiments, a polling cycle can be performed periodically at predetermined intervals which can include a predetermined amount of time such as seconds, minutes, hours, days, days of the week, dates, weeks, or any combination thereof. In embodiments, a polling cycle may further comprise transmitting any detected triggering, detection, or tampering events to servers 212a- c. According to embodiments, a polling cycle can comprise evaluating a communicative connection between entry unit 216 and one or elements of aerosolized substance detection system 200 (such as, for example, detection unit 244, communication hub 272, repeater node 276, and/or servers 212a-c). Evaluating a communicative connection can comprise evaluating a number of packets sent from and received by entry unit 216, locating IP addresses, receiving/transmitting authentication signals, or any combination thereof. In embodiments, entry unit 216 can determine that a communicative connection between entry unit 216 and one or elements of aerosolized substance detection system 200 has failed, such as, for example, when entry unit 216 is offline or a local network has gone down. When entry unit 216 has determined that a communicative connection has failed, entry unit 216 may be configured to determine a failed detection signal. The failed detection signal can comprise a signal configured to indicate that entry unit 216 is offline and can include an alert, switching the color of an LED, inducing an audible alarm, or any combination thereof — to name a few. In embodiments, entry unit 216 may be configured to transmit data to communication hub 272 and/or servers 212a-c during a polling cycle such as data representing detected triggering events, battery levels, device health, diagnostic information, or any combination thereof. According to embodiments, entry unit 216 may be configured to receive data from communication hub 272 and/or servers 212a-c during a polling cycle such as alerts, firmware updates, software updates, threshold values, or any combination thereof.

[0064] According to embodiments, polling cycles for entry unit 216 may be determined by a watchdog timer. A watchdog timer can comprise hardware and/or software and a power source configured to perform a polling cycle at predetermined intervals of time (such as every 12 or 14 hours) and dictate the predetermined length or time of the polling cycles (such as for 1-2 hours). In embodiments, a watchdog timer may operate a duty cycle in which entry unit 216 is powered off, except for the watchdog timer, for some proportion of a period, and powers on briefly to check for motion; duty cycle may, for instance, switch on entry unit 216 and/or motion sensor 220 for 300 ms every second or the like. In embodiments, polling cycles for entry unit 216 can be determined by a clock timer. A clock timer can comprise software and/or hardware such as a processor, microprocessor, microcontroller, quartz crystal, power source, and/or memory and can be configured to perform a polling cycle at predetermined, variable intervals of time (such as every 4 or 10 hours) and dictate the predetermined, variable length or time of the polling cycles (such as for 1-2 hours). In embodiments, the predetermined, variable intervals of time and length or time can be varied or set by servers 212a-c or a user device.

[0065] Entry unit 216 may have a scanning mode, in which the entry unit 216 is configured to communicate with a detection unit 244. Entry unit 216 may be configured to enter the scanning mode when a triggering event is detected such as when the motion sensor 220 detects motion; entry unit 216 may remain in scanning mode until a cessation of the triggering event such as when motion is detected and/or until a scan for particles as described below has completed. A timer such as a watchdog timer or the like may count down from initiation of scanning mode, a latest detected motion, or the like, where count-down to zero may cause transition into polling mode, and count down may be reset upon detection of motion, particles, or the like. Transitions between modes may be governed by a processor, finite state machine, or the like.

[0066] According to embodiments any element of aerosolized substance detection system 200 (such as detection unit 244, communication hub 272, camera 280, etc.) may have a polling mode similar or the same as entry unit 216.

[0067] Still referring to FIG. 2, aerosolized substance detection system 200 includes a detection unit 244 communicatively connected to the entry unit 216. As used herein, “communicative connecting” is a process whereby one device, component, or circuit is able to receive data from and/or transmit data to another device, component, or circuit. In an embodiment, communicative connecting includes electrically coupling at least an output of one device, component, or circuit to at least an input of another device, component, or circuit. Communicative connection may be wired, wireless, effected using magnetic and/or optical couplings, or the like; communicative connection may be performed according to any process and/or protocol for communication between devices and/or units as described in this disclosure. Detection unit 244 may include a particle sensor 252 configured to detect a particle count of the environment 208 in response to the generation of the detection signal. In embodiments, detection unit 244 may be disposed in a different location from entry unit 216 within environment 208.

[0068] In embodiments, and with further reference to FIG. 2, detection unit 244 may include a sensor suite 248. Sensor suite 248 may include any element suitable for inclusion in sensor suite 160 as described above; sensor suite 248 may detect any substance using any process and/or technology as described above with regard to sensor suite 160.

[0069] In an embodiment, and still referring to FIG. 2, sensor suite 248 may include particle sensor 252. Particle sensor 252 may include any device suitable for use such as a particle sensor as described above. According to embodiments, particle sensor 252 may be electronically and/or communicatively coupled to detection unit 244 electronics stack and may be configured to send signals including data representing the quantity (i.e. particle count), size, structure, dispersion, or any combination thereof, of particles present in substances 204 to detection unit 244 electronics stack. [0070] In embodiments, and with continued reference to FIG. 2, sensor suite 248 may include chemical sensor 256. Chemical sensor 256 may include any component suitable for use as chemical sensor 124 as described above. In embodiments, chemical sensor 256 may be electronically and/or communicatively connected and/or coupled to detection unit 244 electronics stack and may be configured to send the signals including data representing the structure, size, shape, and/or composition of particles to detection unit 244 electronics stack.

[0071] According to embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 2, sensor suite 248 may include temperature sensor 260. Temperature sensor 260 may include any component suitable for use as temperature sensor 128 as described above. Temperature sensor 260 may be electronically and/or communicatively connected and/or coupled to detection unit 244 electronics stack and may be configured to provide such signals to detection unit 244 electronics stack.

[0072] In embodiments, and further referring to FIG. 2, sensor suite 248 may include humidity sensor 264. Humidity sensor 264 may include any component suitable for use as humidity sensor 132 as described above. In embodiments, humidity sensor 264 may be electronically and/or communicatively connected and/or coupled to detection unit 244 electronics stack and may be configured to provide such signals to detection unit 244 electronics stack.

[0073] Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, detection unit 244 may include a detection unit housing 268 configured to enclose at least a portion of the particle sensor 252. Detection unit housing 268 may be implemented in any manner suitable for entry unit housing 236. Detection unit housing 268 may include cut-throughs and openings where a sensor may need access to an air sample of environment 208 or where a vaporized aerosol may enter housing to reach any internal component. Detection unit 244 may include a tampering sensor, which may include any component suitable for use as entry unit 216 tampering sensor 240 above, including without limitation a piezo-electric vibration sensor used to measure unexpected vibrations in the device related to device tampering, a conductivity sensor triggered where conductivity is altered by alterations to housing, and/or an accelerometer or the like for detection of movement of housing and/or components thereof. In some embodiments, detection unit housing 268 housing can be configured to be handheld and/or portable while in other embodiments detection unit housing 268 can be configured to be stationary, such as when affixed/coupled to a surface.

[0074] Further referring to FIG. 2, at least one of entry unit housing 236 and detection unit housing 268 may include venting openings. Detection unit housing 268 may be configured to be disposed inline in an air circulation system such as without limitation a duct, vent, or the like. Aerosolized substance detection system 200 may include an alarm configured to produce an alert in response to the detected particle count; alarm may be in a self-contained unit, which may include any elements and/or components of a unit as described in this disclosure, or may be incorporated in and/or communicatively connected to any unit as described in this disclosure, including without limitation entry unit 216, detection unit 244, communication hub 272, a mobile device, and/or a repeater. Aerosolized substance detection system 200 temperature sensor 260, which may be configured to detect a temperature of environment 208 in response to generation of a detection signal.

[0075] Still referring to FIG. 2, detection unit 244 may include any battery 232, energy storage device, and/or energy source suitable for use with entry unit 216. Detection unit 244 may include an audible alarm, which may include any alarm suitable for use with entry unit 216; audible alarm may provide local alarm to warn occupants and nearby staff that a detection event or tampering was detected. Detection unit 244 electronics stack may also be configured to calibrate and/or trim any and all sensors that may be present within aerosolized substance detection system 200 and/or coupled to the system remotely. Calibration of sensors and systems may comprise zeroing a sensor after a reading, power cycle, malfunction, or the like.

[0076] Further referring to FIG. 2, detection unit 244 may be configured to detect a detection event as a function of the particle count. Detection unit 244 may be configured to detect the detection event as a function of comparing the particle count to a predetermined threshold. As a non limiting example, in embodiments, detection unit 244 electronics stack may be configured to determine if substances of interest 204 are present; this may be implemented, without limitation, as described above in reference to FIG. 1. Detection unit 244 electronics stack and/or servers 212a-c may be configured to determine if a detection event has occurred within or proximate to detection unit’s 244 location within environment 208. A detection event may include any detection event as described above in reference to FIG. 1 and may be detected in any manner described above in reference to FIG. 1. According to embodiments, detection unit 244 electronics stack may be configured to trigger an alert based on a detection event by detection unit 244 electronics stack or servers 212a-c. In embodiments, when detection unit 244 electronics stack and/or servers 212a-c have detected that a detection event has occurred, detection unit 244 electronics stack may then generate an alert signal and/or provide power to alarm from battery 232. The alert signal may include an electrical signal configured to activate the alarm. In embodiments, the alert can comprise data representing measurements taken during the detection event and may be transmitted to communication hub 272 and/or servers 212a-c.

[0077] Still referring to FIG. 2, detection unit 244 may have a low-power mode. When in low- power mode, detection unit 244 may be configured to periodically power on, check for communication from entry unit 216, and power off. Low power mode may operate at a duty cycle or clock timer, governed by a timer such as a watchdog timer; this may be implemented in any manner suitable for implementation of polling mode for entry unit 216. During a duty cycle of a low-power mode, a detection device may check for a signal transmitted from entry unit 216; that is, detection device may check whether entry unit 216 has entered scanning mode as described above. Detection unit 244 may have a detection mode, in which the detection unit 244 is configured to detect a particle count using particle sensor 252. Detection unit 244 may be configured to enter detection mode upon receiving a communication from entry unit 216.

[0078] Still referring to FIG. 2, aerosolized substance detection system 200 may include a communication hub 272 communicatively connected, as defined above, to entry unit 216 and detection unit 244, wherein the communication hub 272 is communicatively connected to at least a server. Communicative connection to one device may be affected via another device; in other words, connection to any one device may function as a connection to all devices in system 200. Communication hub 272 may include an electronics stack, which may include any components suitable for use in entry unit electronics stack 228. Communication hub 272 may include a housing, which may include any housing suitable for use as entry unit housing 236. Communication hub 272 may include a tampering sensor 240, which may include any device suitable for use as an entry unit 216 tampering sensor 240 and/or detection unit 244 tampering sensor 240. [0079] With continued reference to FIG. 2, communication hub 272 may be configured to detect a detection event as a function of a particle count; detection may be implemented, without limitation, according to any process described above for detection of detection events. For instance, and without limitation, communication hub 272 may be further configured to detect a detection event as a function of comparing a particle count to a predetermined threshold, for instance as described above. At least a server may be configured to detect a detection event as a function of a particle count; detection may be implemented, without limitation, according to any process described above for detection of detection events. For instance, and without limitation, at least a server may be configured to detect a detection event as a function of comparing a particle count to a predetermined threshold, for instance as described above. Communication hub 272 may be a separate unit from other units in vaporized aerosol detection system 200; alternatively or additionally, any unit of an aerosolized substance detection system 200 described in this disclosure may function as communication hub 272; for instance, communication hub 272 may be, include, and/or be included in at least one of entry unit 216 and detector unit. In an embodiment, operations that require more power, such as communication to a cloud and/or at least a server, may be relegated to the communication hub 272, which may be powered directly via Power over Ethernet (PoE), AC power, or the like.

[0080] In embodiments, and further referring to FIG. 2, processing of signals to determine detection events may be additionally or alternatively handled by remotely located servers 212a-c. According to embodiments, servers 212a-c may be configured to determine what particles are present in environment 208 and whether a detection event has occurred by comparing levels of signals received from a respective electronics stack to various, predetermined threshold values. For example, servers 212a-c may be configured to receive a signal including data representing a detected structure, size, shape, and/or composition of substances 204 and compare one or more levels included in this signal to predetermined threshold values in order to determine what chemicals (i.e. types of particles) are present in substances 204.

[0081] Still referring to FIG. 2, an aerosolized substance detection system 200 may include a repeater node 276. Repeater node 276 may include any signal reception and/or transmission elements suitable for use with communication hub 272, entry unit 216, and/or detection unit 244, incorporated in and/or connected to any electronics stack suitable for such units and/or elements; for instance, an electronics stack of repeater node 276 may provide Bluetooth, cellular, and/or WiFi communication to and from the other nodes and/or units and/or the communication hub 272.

Repeater node 276 may be battery operated, wired, and/or powered via Power over Ethernet depending on configuration of application environment 208. Repeater node 276 may include a housing, which may be implemented in any way described above for a housing of an entry unit 216. Repeater node 276 may include a tampering sensor 240 to warn monitoring personnel if the device is disturbed; tampering sample may be implemented as described above for a tampering sensor 240 of entry unit 216. Repeater node 276 may be configured to receive a signal from at least one of the entry unit 216 and the detection unit 244 and transmit the signal to communication hub 272.

[0082] With continued reference to FIG. 2, aerosolized substance detection system 200 may include at least a camera 280 communicatively connected to the entry unit 216 and the detection unit 244. For instance, and without limitation, data captured using sensor suite 248 and/or other components may be combined with video or still camera 280 to provide photographs of occupants exiting an area after an alert occurs or entering an area before an alert occurs. Alert metadata may be used as input to a video/photo analysis package to select corresponding video footage or photos from a camera 280 storage system in a cloud or on communication hub 272 and/or a local server. If video is stored, footage may be converted to still photos. Video and/or still photos may be cropped to focus on faces of occupants; camera 280 information may be transmitted to an application on an electronic device. Alternatively, analyzed camera 280 footage stored on a local server may be transmitted to an application on an electronic device. Transmission may be performed in the form of a text or email, and/or may be transmitted to a software application located on an electronic device. Alternatively, facial photos/video footage may be categorized via facial recognition software analysis to identify occupants from an area by comparing camera 280 information to organizational identification databases. Alternatively, occupant faces may be tagged anonymously and/or sorted according to frequency of appearance. Processed footage transmission may be delayed or real-time.

[0083] According to embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 2, camera 280 may be communicatively connected to a respective electronics stack and/or servers 212a-c. Camera 280 may include, for example, video camera 280, still camera 280, SLR camera 280, DSLR camera 280, closed circuit networks, or any combination thereof, to name a few. Camera 280 may be incorporated in and/or attached to an electronics stack of any element and/or unit of vaporized aerosol detection system 200. In embodiments, an electronics stack connected to at least a camera 280 may be configured to provide power from a battery 232 to a camera 280 when a detection event is detected. In response to being provided power and/or when a detection event is detected, a camera 280 may be configured to capture one or more images of environment 208, such as photographs and/or video footage of environment 208. In embodiments, camera 280 may be part of an external system to aerosolized detection system 200. [0084] In embodiments, and with further reference to FIG. 2, captured videos and/or photographs (i.e. images) may be provided to a respective electronics stack and/or servers 212a-c. According to embodiments, units and/or servers 212a-c may each, or in combination, be configured to analyze, process, and compress the captured video and/or photographs. For example, a respective electronics stack and/or servers 212a-c can include facial recognition software configured to identify persons present in the captured videos and/or photographs. Further, a respective electronics stack and/or servers 212a-c can be communicatively coupled with an organizational identification database for the purposes of facial recognition. In embodiments, analyzing the captured video and/or photographs may occur in real-time or may be delayed.

[0085] With reference to FIG. 3 A, an isometric view of vaporized aerosol detection system and/or detection unit 300, the similar or the same as vaporized aerosol detection system 100, is illustrated, according to embodiments. Vaporized aerosol detection system and/or detection unit 300 may include motion sensor 316, sensor suite 340 (including particle sensor 320 , chemical sensor 324, temperature sensor (not shown for clarity), humidity sensor (not shown for clarity), and/or any combination thereof), alarm 332, battery 328, electronics stack 336, tamper sensor (not shown for clarity), similar or the same as components hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. [0086] In embodiments, and with further reference to FIG. 3A, device housing 304, similar or the same as housing 152 and/or detection unit housing 268, may be configured to enclose any element of system 200 and/or detection unit 244, including without limitation at least a portion of motion sensor 316, sensor suite 340 (including particle sensor 320, chemical sensor 324, temperature sensor (not shown for clarity), humidity sensor (not shown for clarity), or any combination thereof), alarm 332, battery 328, electronics stack 336, tamper sensor, and has a shape with at least one set of opposite, opposing surfaces. A shape of housing 304 may include any three-dimensional shape having one or more faces. In embodiments, a shape of housing 304 may be hollow allowing housing 304 to enclose at least a portion of motion sensor 316, sensor suite 340 (including particle sensor 320, chemical sensor 324, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, or any combination thereof), alarm 332, battery 328, electronics stack 336, and/or tamper sensor. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B, housing 304 may have a shape of a rectangular prism or a hollow box. According to embodiments, each face of a shape of housing 304 may form a respective wall of housing 304. A “wall,” as used in this disclosure, is a piece of material having opposite, opposing surfaces (e.g. an inner surface and an outer surface) with a thickness between them.

[0087] According to embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 3 A, a wall of housing 304 may include venting 308, which may allow for air to travel within housing 304. Venting 308 may be accomplished by any number or combination of methods including, but not limited to slotting, screens, perforations, cutouts, pass throughs, milled holes, or injection-molded openings, to name a few. By allowing air to travel within housing 304, vaporized aerosol containing chemical particles may be provided to the sensors enclosed with housing 304 for sampling. Venting 308 may be disposed on any or all walls of housing 304 to allow for directed airflow.

[0088] In embodiments, and further referring to FIG. 3 A, housing 152 may be configured to enclose or encase one or more fans. Each fan may be disposed within housing 152 such that the fan is configured to draw air into venting 308 and/or push air out of venting 308. In embodiments, fans enclosed within housing 152 may be configured to create a positive or negative pressure within housing 152 such that air is pulled into and/or forced out of venting 308. According to embodiments, creating a negative or positive pressure within device housing 152 may allow for air to travel within housing 152 so that it may be sampled by the sensors enclosed within housing 304. In embodiments, power may be provided to the fans from the battery.

[0089] According to embodiments, and with continued reference to FIG. 3A, housing 304 may include a flapper that allows air to pass through venting 308 such as during sampling but does not allow high pressure bursts of air to enter housing. In other words, a flapper may be configured to allow a low flow sampling (such as, for example <lm/s airflow) while preventing higher flow rates or bursts (such as, for example, >lm/s airflow). Flapper may be disposed near venting 308 and configured so that a sudden burst of air may force the flapper closed over at least a portion of venting 308 in order to protect the components enclosed within housing 304 from damage. Flapper may be made of mylar, aluminum, various plastics, or another undisclosed combination of lightweight materials. A closure of the flapper may be communicated wirelessly or through a wired connection to electronics stack 140 and/or servers 156 A-C for the purpose of notifying a user that sampling is taking place or the possibility that tampering was detected, for example. Flapper, in embodiments, may have an electrical connection-type sensor that may determine if the flapper is closed by the presence of a completed circuit within the sensor; this is merely an example as any contact sensor or grouping of sensors may accomplish this task.

[0090] For example, and with further reference to FIG. 3A, air may enter housing 304 and travel over enclosed particle sensor 316 and/or chemical sensor 320 laminarly so that particle sensor 316 and chemical sensor 320 may sample the air. “Laminar flow,” as used in this disclosure, is defined as non-turbulent flow with smooth streamlines and little to no mixing of layers of flowing particles. According to embodiments, an arrangement of particle sensor 320, chemical sensor 324, and any other sensors that may be present alone or in combination fully and/or partially enclosed within housing 304 may be sequential such that airflow is sampled by sensors in the order in which the sensors are reached by the airflow.

[0091] According to embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 3A, housing 304 may include mounting hardware 312 for mounting device 200 and/or detection unit 244 in a plurality of orientations and in a plurality of locations. Mounting hardware 312 may include threaded holes, clearance holes, hooks, slots, and/or other hardware interfaces that may accept or interact with standard hardware for mounting in a plurality of arrangements and orientations. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 A mounting hardware 312 may be arranged for mounting on a wall of a room. This is only an example and one of ordinary skill in the art would understand mounting hardware 312 may take another form for mounting device 200 and/or detection unit 244 on a ceiling or in a vehicle. Configuration of housing of entry unit 216, communication hub 272, repeater, and/or other elements of system 200 may be affected similarly.

[0092] According to embodiments, and continuing to refer to FIG. 3 A, housing 304 and enclosed components may also be configured in line with an air filtration system, a vehicle air system, an HVAC system, an air conditioning system, or any system which passes air and/or gaseous fluid through it. In embodiments, vaporized aerosol detection system 300 may be configured to be only a subcomponent or process in a larger system such that it may detect information about a detection event and convey that to a larger system. These systems, both system 300 and the larger HVAC -type system, may be disposed in or on residential or commercial buildings, vehicles like airplanes, cars, and/or trucks, or any combination thereof, to name a few. Housing 304 may also include a screen configured to provide general information about the system, warnings, or alerts, and/or health-related information configurable by a user or as reflected by sensor data from the system.

[0093] With reference to FIG. 3B, an isometric cutaway view of device 200 and/or detection unit 244 from FIG. 3 A is shown. Disposition of previously shown sensors 316, 320, 324, may alternatively be found within or on device as well. In FIG. 3B electronics stack 336 is shown along with battery 328 and alarm 332. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the arrangement of components within housing 304 are example embodiments and in other embodiments may take different forms allowing for different shaped housings, airflow directions, mounting arrangements, and environmental locations.

[0094] Referring again to FIG. 2, aerosolized substance detection system 200 and/or any unit thereof, including without limitation entry unit 216, detection unit 244, communication hub 272, repeater node 276, or the like may include a display such as, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) display, liquid crystal display (LCD), electronic ink display, cathode ray tube (CRT) display, organic LED display, or any combination thereof. According to embodiments, display may be configured to display one or more alerts, measures and/or levels detected by sensor suit, battery level (especially low battery), a temperature of environment 208, a humidity of environment 208, general health information, or any combination thereof.

[0095] In operation, entry unit 216, detection unit 244, repeater node 276, and the communication hub 272, may be configured to enable communication between any of entry unit 216, detection unit 244, repeater node 276, and the communication hub 272. This configuration may form a network of sensors that may be distributed in a variety of configurations best suited to the detection application. Communication hub 272 may act as a gateway for transmitting data to and from the cloud to nodes. Data transmitted to the cloud may be delivered to electronic device applications used to provide alerts, view data, system status including battery power, system maintenance messages, user access, or thresholding. Repeater node 276, where present, may receive and re-transmit data to other nodes. Alternatively, some node configuration files, such as firmware, may be transmitted directly to the devices from the cloud as required.

[0096] Still referring to FIG. 2, entry unit 216 may act as a primary trigger for system 200. When a triggering event such as movement is detected, entry unit 216 may send a signal to detection units 244 and/or units directly or via communication hub 272 and/or repeater node 276 to wake up sensors; detection unit 244 may then power on for some time and transmit data to another element, such as without limitation communication hub 272, server, and/or the cloud. Signal may then be transmitted from the cloud to an electronic device for processing. Signal from sensors may be compared to thresholds set in any unit of system 200, a server, and/or an application operating on a mobile device in communication with system 200, and if the signal exceeds the threshold an alert may be generated as a result. Thresholding algorithm may be stored, in a non-limiting example, at nodes and/or units of system 200 on firmware; in this case data processing may be done locally. In the above-described version only alerts may be transmitted to the cloud then to servers 212a-c, electronic device application, such as mobile device applications, or the like. Algorithms to determine alert states may also be more advanced to include smoothing, peak picking, and/or second derivative calculations or machine learning to train the sensors to an environment 208. Any unit of system 200, node of system 200, server, and/or mobile device in communication therewith may also receive warnings when a battery 232 in system 200 requires charging or if systems200 is tampered with or disabled for any reason. [0097] With further reference to FIG. 2, baselines and/or thresholds may be calculated and/or dynamically set as at any unit of system 200 as follows. A timer such as a watchdog timer, as described above, may turn on entry unit 216, detection unit 244, and/or other elements of system 200 at a configurable time to collect baseline data from sensors of sensor suite 248 at a regular interval, such as each day; any such element or combination thereof may be powered on for a configurable period of time, which may as a non-limiting example fall between 10 minutes and 60 minutes. A mean from data of each sensor, excluding zeros, and a standard deviation from the data of each sensor may then be calculated. A threshold may be established by adding a calculated mean value from each sensor to a calculated standard deviation of that sensor. A confidence factor may be applied by multiplying a standard deviation by a factor as well. Alternatively, a calculated mean value may be multiplied by a configurable variable then added to a calculated standard deviation to reduce influence of environment 208 noise. A confidence factor may be applied by multiplying standard deviation by a factor as well. In a non-limiting example, confidence factor may be calculated according to the following equation:

Baseline Threshold = Particle CountMean + ( Variable x s )

Alternative Baseline Threshold= (Variable x Particle CountMean) + ( Variable x s )

A resulting value may be stored in the system until the next watchdog timer event. In this embodiment for 24 hours, and/or until the next configurable wakeup for baseline collection.

[0098] In an embodiment, detection unit 244 is a wearable monitoring system for vaping, cigarette smoke, fire, and/or indoor air quality (e.g. CO2, CO, etc.). In this embodiment the detection unit 244 may be worn on a person and connected directly to an electronic device such as a mobile device, server, and/or communication hub 272 using any form of communicative connection, including via wireless connections such as WiFi, radar, ultrasonic, mesh, ZigBee, or Bluetooth and/or cellular connections such as 4G, LTE, 5G, RF point-to-point, or ultra-wideband radio or the like for data transmission monitoring and alerting. In embodiments, wearable detection unit 244 may be connected to the cloud via wireless or cellular connection then data is transmitted from the cloud via wireless or cellular to an electronic device for monitoring and alerting. As a further non-limiting example, detection unit 244 also may contain a Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is read by an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a separate RFID receiver. Alternatively, detection unit 244 may contain a global positioning system (GPS) used to monitor a location of detection unit 244. Detection unit 244, when deployed as a wearable device, may include any element and/or component used in any unit of system 200 as described above. Wearable detection unit 244 may include, for instance, one or more vents, sensor suite 248, electronics stack 228, camera 280, or the like. Wearable detection unit 244 may perform preconfigured threshold comparisons between sensed substances 204 and a preconfigured threshold to identify detection events. A wearable detection unit 244 can be used as an environment 208 surveillance tool in an area such as an industrial building or a school. A bar code, serial number, device name, QR code, or similar technology, may be used to register wearable detection unit 244 to a person wearing the node and/or another system such as a personnel database or time management system. Alerts generated from detection unit 244 are received at the electronic device and include, but are not limited to, wearable device metadata, which may include any metadata as described above, the person registered with the detection unit 244, and location.

[0099] FIGS. 4A and B illustrate example architectures 400 for vaporized aerosol detection system 200, according to embodiments. Referring now to FIG. 4A, an example architecture 400 can include entry unit 416, the same or similar as entry unit 216; repeater unit 476, the same or similar as repeater unit 276; detection units 444a, b each the same or similar as detection unit 244; camera 480, the same or similar as camera 280; communication hub 472, the same or similar as communication hub 272, or any combination thereof. In embodiments, architecture 400 can include entry unit 416, repeater unit 476, detection units 444a, b, camera 480, communication hub 472, or any combination thereof each disposed within environment 408 at two or more discrete locations within environment 408, the same or similar as environment 208.

[0100] Still referring to FIG. 4A, in an embodiment, entry unit 416 may be disposed at a first location within environment 408 and can be configured to detect when one or more objects enter environment 408. In response to detecting an object has entered environment 408, entry unit 416 may be configured to generate a detection signal and transmit the generated detection signal to communication hub 472 disposed at a second location within environment 408. In embodiments, entry unit 416 may transmit the detection signal to communication hub 472 via WiFi, a LAN, Bluetooth, ZigBee, ethemet, the internet, RF waves, near-field communication (NFC), or any combination thereof, to name a few.

[0101] In response to receiving a detection signal, communication hub 472 may be configured to analyze, such as by an electronics stack, the detection signal by, for example, comparing the detection signal to a predetermined threshold value. In some embodiments, communication hub 472 may transmit the detection signal to servers 412, the same or similar as servers 212a-c, configured to analyze the detection signal and transmit the result of the analysis to communication hub 472.

[0102] Based upon the analysis, communication hub 472 may further be configured to provide power to at least a portion of detection unit 444a and camera 480 disposed at a third location within environment 408 and detection unit 444b disposed at a fourth location within environment 408. In embodiments, providing power to at least a portion of detection units 444a, b and camera 480 can include transmitting one or more signals to power management circuitry communicatively coupled to detection units 444a, b and camera 480. In response, said power management circuitry can be configured to power at least a portion of detection units 444a, b and camera 480 from respective batteries coupled to detection units 444a, b and camera 480. In embodiments, providing power to at least a portion of detection units 444a, b and camera 480 can include switching each of detection units 444a, b and camera 480 from a sleep mode to an active or armed mode.

[0103] In embodiments, communication hub 472 can be configured to send and receive one or more signals to detection unit 444a and camera 480 via repeater unit 476. Repeater unit 476 may act as an intermediary between detection 444a/camera 480 and communication hub 472 such that repeater unit 476 is configured to receive incoming signals from communication hub 472, detection unit 444a, and/or camera 480 and transmit these incoming signals to communication hub 472, detection unit 444a, and/or camera 480.

[0104] According to embodiments, once at least a portion of detection units 444a, b is powered, they may be configured to measure one or more particle counts proximate to their respective locations within environment 408. Further, detection units 444a, b, may be configured to transmit these measurements to communication hub 472.

[0105] In embodiments, once at least a portion of camera 480 is powered, camera 480 may be configured to capture one or more pictures and/or videos of an area within environment 408 proximate to the respective location of camera 480. Further, camera 480 may be configured to transmit these pictures and/or video to communication hub 472.

[0106] In some embodiments, in response to receiving measures of one or more particle counts, communication hub 472 may be configured to determine if a detection event occurred proximate either to the respective locations of detection units 444a, b. Communication hub 472 may, for example, determine if a detection event has occurred proximate to a respective location by comparing a measure of a particle received from a detection unit at the respective location to a predetermined threshold value. In other embodiments, communication hub 472 may be configured to transmit any received measures of particle counts to servers 412. Servers 412 may be configured to determine if a detection event occurred proximate either to the respective locations of detection units 444a, a. Servers 412, may for example, determine if a detection event has occurred proximate to a respective location by comparing a measure of a particle received from a detection unit at the respective location to a predetermined threshold value. [0107] When communication hub 472 and/or servers 412 have determined that a detection event has occurred, communication hub 472 and/or servers 412 can be configured to generate an alarm signal. In embodiments, the alarm signal can be transmitted to an alarm disposed near and/or proximate to the detection unit 444 that took a measurement of a particle count. The alarm signal can comprise a signal configured to induce an audible, visual, and/or tactile alert in said alarm.

[0108] According to other embodiments, the alarm signal can be transmitted to servers 412 and can comprise a signal representing the location where the detection event occurred, the time the detection event occurred, measurements taken by one or more detection units 444, a chemical make up of the detection event, or any combination thereof. Servers 412 may be configured to transmit the alarm signal to one or more user devices 484 such that at least a portion of the information represented by the alarm signal is displayable on user device 382. User device 484 can comprise a computer, a smartphone, a tablet, a processor, a smartwatch, or any combination thereof, to name a few.

[0109] In embodiments, user device 484 can be configured to generate and transmit one or more threshold, activation, and/or deactivation signals to servers 412 and/or communication hub 472. Threshold signals can comprise signals configured to adjust, set, or modify a predetermined threshold used by entry unit 416, detection unit 444, camera 480, communication hub 472, or servers 412. Activation signals can comprise signals configured to switch a respective entry unit 416, detection unit 444, camera 480, and/or alarm to an active and/or on mode. Deactivation signals can comprise signals configured to switch a respective entry unit 416, detection unit 444, camera 480, and/or alarm to a sleep, off, and/or debug mode. Servers 412 and/or communication hub 472 may transmit received threshold, activation, and/or deactivation signals to a respective entry unit 416, detection unit 444, camera 480, and/or alarm. In embodiments, user device 484 can be configured to transmit threshold, activation, and/or deactivation signals to a respective entry unit 416, detection unit 444, camera 480, and/or alarm via WiFi, ethernet, a LAN, Bluetooth, ZigBee, NFC, Piconet, RFID, or any combination thereof.

[0110] Referring now to FIG. 4B, entry unit 416 disposed at a first location within environment 408 may be configured to transmit a detection signal directly to camera 480 disposed at a second location within environment 408 and/or detection unit 444 disposed at a third location within environment 408. Entry unit 416 may transmit the detection signal to camera 480 and/or detection unit 444 by ad-hoc communications such as RFID, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Piconet, NFC, or any combination thereof, to name a few examples. [0111] In embodiments, when camera 480 and/or detection unit 444 each receive a detection signal, at least a portion of each camera 480 and/or detection unit 444 may be powered by a respective battery. Furthermore, each of camera 480 and/or detection unit 444 may be configured to switch from a sleep or standby mode to an active mode when a detection signal is received.

[0112] According to embodiments, once at least a portion of detection units 444 is powered, it may be configured to measure one or more particle counts proximate to its respective location within environment 408. Further, detections unit 444 may be configured to transmit these measurements to communication hub 472. In embodiments, once at least a portion of camera 480 is powered, camera 480 may be configured to capture one or more pictures and/or videos of an area within environment 408 proximate to the respective location of camera 480. Further, camera 480 may be configured to transmit these pictures and/or video to communication hub 472.

[0113] Referring now to FIG. 5, graphical user interface (GUI) 500 for user device 484 is presented, according to an example embodiment. GUI 500 can comprise an interactive GUI 500 that includes navigation buttons 504a-c, location selection 508, alert 512, and current window 516.

[0114] Navigation buttons 504a-c can comprise interactive buttons having a shape (e.g. oval, rectangle, circle, square, etc.) and a text representing one or more windows, sites, and/or menus associated with GUI 500. For example, navigation button 504a can include text representing a dashboard window, navigation button 504b can include text representing a readings window, and navigation button 504c can include text representing a settings window. In embodiments, navigation buttons 504a-c can each be configured to receive an interaction with GUI 500 such as a tap on a touchscreen, a swipe on a touchscreen, a mouse click, a keyboard entry, or any combination thereof, to name a few. In response to receiving an action with navigation buttons 504a-c, GUI 500 may be configured to present a window in current window 516 according to which navigation button 504 received an interaction. For example, if navigation button 504b including text representing a readings window receives an interaction, GUI 500 may be configured to present a readings window in current window 516.

[0115] Current window 516 may be configured to present information related to a window presented by GUI 500. For example, current window 516 may be configured to present information related to a dashboard window, a readings window, and/or a settings window. Information related to a dashboard window may comprise power levels of batteries associated with entry units, detection units, cameras, and/or communication hubs within a system vaporized aerosol detection system 200, alerts associated with entry units, detections units, cameras, and/or communication hubs within a system vaporized aerosol detection system 200, and/or maintenance alerts associated with entry units, detections units, cameras, and/or communication hubs within a system vaporized aerosol detection system 200. Information related to a settings window can include selectable, modifiable, and/or interactive thresholds associated with entry units, detections units, cameras, and/or communication hubs within a system vaporized aerosol detection system 200; selectable, modifiable, and/or interactive activation signals generated with entry units, detections units, cameras, and/or communication hubs within a system vaporized aerosol detection system 200; and/or selectable, modifiable, and/or interactive deactivation signals associated with entry units, detections units, cameras, and/or communication hubs within a system vaporized aerosol detection system 200.

[0116] Information related to a readings window may include measurements taken by one or more detection units such as particle counts, chemical make-ups, particle sizes, etc. Such information can be presented as dials, graphs, numbers, animations, or any combination thereof. In embodiments, the readings window can be configured to display measurements associated with a first location provided by a detection unit in or proximate to that location. According to embodiments, this first location may be indicated by location selection 508. Location selection 508 can include interactive buttons, drop-down menus, lists, and/or sliders each having text representing one or more locations within an environment. Location selection 508 can be configured to receive an interaction with GUI 500 such as a tap on a touchscreen, a swipe on a touchscreen, a mouse click, a keyboard entry, or any combination thereof, to name a few. In response to receiving an action with location selection 508, GUI 500 may change the location indicated by location selection 508 according to the received interaction. Such locations may include areas of an environment such as specific offices, classrooms, bathrooms, sectors, etc.

[0117] Alert 512 can include a window presenting whether an alert has occurred. For example, alert 512 can include text representing that a detection event has occurred, the time of the detection event, the location of the detection event, and/or the frequency of a detection event. In embodiments, alert 512 may be configured only to present alerts for detection events that occur in locations indicated by location selection 508.

[0118] With reference to FIG. 6, a flow chart illustrating a method of vaporized aerosol detection 600 is presented. At step 605, a trigger sensor, such as a motion sensor, particle sensor, chemical sensor, and/or real time clock similar or the same as motion sensor 116, particle sensor 120, or chemical sensor 124, respectively, may be active. According to an embodiment, at 610, the trigger sensor may be configured to detect a triggering event. For example, a motion sensor 116 or 220 may be configured to determine whether motion has been detected by detecting motion, proximity, and/or presence of one or more objects 224a-b within an area. In embodiments, detecting whether motion has been detected in an environment may include comparing a detected motion, proximity, presence, size, speed, or any combination thereof to a threshold value. In this way, certain types of motion (such as from small animals) may be filtered out while other types of motion (such as from a person walking) will be detected. In another embodiment, a similar methodology may be followed with a chemical sensor similar to or the same as chemical sensor 124 or 256. Chemical sensor may additionally or alternatively be powered on and upon detection of a substance of interest, may provide similar signals as motion sensor 116 or 220 configured to power system as described below. In yet another example embodiment, a similar methodology may be followed with a particle sensor similar to or the same as particle sensor 120 or 252. Particle sensor may additionally or alternatively be powered on, and upon detection of a substance of interest, may provide similar signals as motion sensor 116 or 220 or chemical sensor 124 or 256 configured to power the system as described above. Additionally, or alternatively, a real time clock, which may keep track of time, may be used as a timer to power the system on and off at predetermined times or intervals, for instance to perform a polling cycle as discussed above.

[0119] Further, at step 610, and still referring to FIG. 6, if a triggering event such as motion has been detected, particles have been detected, chemicals have been detected, and/or a predetermined time has elapsed or arrived then system moves on to step 615, otherwise step 605 is repeated. At step 615, a portion of system, which may correspond to at least a portion of a sensor suite similar or the same as sensor suite 160 or 248, and/or which may be at a second location of environment, is activated; for instance, and without limitation, at least a detection unit 244 may be activated upon receipt of a signal from entry unit 216. Step 615 may include powering a portion of sensor suite and arming constituent sensors. Arming of sensors at step 615 may also command those sensors to begin taking measurements. Arming of sensors may be irrespective of readings of any sensors; in other words, if motion is detected at step 610, the sensor suite may start taking measurements with or without the presence of vaporized aerosols.

[0120] At step 620, and further referring to FIG. 6, a particle count of the environment is measured by sensor suite. Sensor suite may be configured to detect a quantity, size, density, composition, structure, dispersion, or any combination thereof, of aerosolized particles in vaporized aerosol in a certain area similar or the same as environment 104. In embodiments, a sensor suite may be configured to generate one or more signals including data representing a quantity, size, density, composition, structure, dispersion, or any combination thereof of aerosolized particles. According to embodiments, these signals may be sent to an electronics stack, the same as or similar to, electronics stack 140. Alternatively or additionally, these signals may be sent to another device and/or component such as communication hub 272, one or more servers 212a-c, a mobile device, or the like.

[0121] At step 625, and still referring to FIG. 6, the system is configured to determine whether a detection event has occurred. Determining whether a detection event has occurred may include determining a presence of substances of interest in an area. Substances of interest may include any substances that may be a cause of concern for an area. For example, substances of interest may include substances that are disallowed in an area (such as nicotine, cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinoids, tobacco smoke, etc.), particles that are hazardous (carbon monoxide, arsine, hydrogen azide, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen dioxide, viruses, bacteria, pathogens, etc.), undesirable particles for the area (tobacco smoke, nicotine, cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinoids, ammonia from pet excrement, etc.), or any combination thereof, to name a few. According to embodiments, determining a presence of substances of interest may include comparing, respectively by an electronics stack, entry unit 216, detection unit 244, communication hub 272, and/or at least a server, a detected size, structure, composition, density, and/or dispersion to a threshold value. For example, a detected size exceeding a threshold value may indicate that substances of interest are present in the area.

[0122] Further, and continuing to refer to FIG. 6, the system may be configured to compare a quantity, particle density, and/or dispersion of detected substances of interest to one or more predetermined threshold values in order to determine if a detection event has occurred. For example, the system may be configured to compare a detected particle density (such as from a cloud of aerosolized vape) to a threshold value and determine that the particle density has exceeded the threshold value indicating a detection event has occurred. If a detection event has occurred then system moves to step 630, otherwise the system repeats step 605.

[0123] At step 630, and further referring to FIG. 6, an alarm signal is generated. An alarm signal may include a signal configured to induce an alert from an alarm similar or the same as alarm 148. Alert may include an auditory alert or signal (such as a buzzer, siren, horn, etc.), a visual alert or signal (such as an LED, strobe light, laser, LED screen, LCD screen, etc.), tactile alert or signal (such as a vibration alarm, motor, etc.), or any combination thereof.

[0124] At step 635, and still referring to FIG. 6, alarm signal may be transmitted to one or more servers the same or similar as server 156 A-C or a user device and additionally stored. An alarm signal may include data indicating that a detection event has occurred in an area and may be configured to display a particle count, density, size, composition, etc. as well as the area in which the detection event occurred on the user device. A user device may comprise a computer, a processor, a server, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or any combination thereof, to name a few. In embodiments, a user may disable an alarm from a user device, whether that alarm was triggered by a detection event or a tamper event.

[0125] With reference to FIG. 7, a flow chart illustrating a method for power distribution in a vaporized aerosol detection system 700 is presented. At step 705, trigger sensor such as a motion sensor, particle sensor, chemical sensor, or the like, which may be similar or the same as motion sensor 116, particle sensor 120, or chemical sensor 124, respectively, may be active. At step 710, a trigger sensor may be configured to determine whether a triggering event has occurred. For example, a motion sensor may be configured to determine whether motion has been detected by detecting the motion, proximity, and/or presence of one or more objects within an area. Additionally, or alternatively, at step 710, particle sensor or chemical sensor may be configured to determine if vaporized aerosols and/or chemicals are present within an area. In embodiments, detecting whether motion has been detected in an environment may include comparing a detected motion, proximity, presence, size, speed, or any combination thereof to a threshold value. In this way, certain types of motion (such as from small animals) may be filtered out while other types of motion (such as from a person walking) may be detected. In another example embodiment, a similar methodology may be followed with a chemical sensor similar to or the same as chemical sensor 124. Chemical sensor may be powered on, and upon detection of a substance of interest, may provide similar signals as motion sensor 116 configured to power the system as described below. In yet another example embodiment, a similar methodology may be followed with a particle sensor similar to or the same as particle sensor 120. Particle sensor may additionally or alternatively be powered on, and upon detection of a substance of interest, may provide similar signals as motion sensor 116 or chemical sensor 124 configured to power the system as described below. Additionally, or alternatively, a real time clock, which keeps track of time, may be used as a timer to power the system on and off at predetermined times or intervals.

[0126] Further referring to FIG. 7, at step 710, and in separate or the same example embodiments, if a triggering event has been detected, such as when motion has been detected, particles have been detected, chemicals have been detected, and/or a predetermined time has elapsed or arrived then the system moves on to step 715, otherwise 705 is repeated. At step 715, a portion of the system, such as one or more detectors and/or detection unit 244, may be activated; this may correspond to a sensor suite similar or the same as sensor suite 160. In embodiments, activating a portion of the system, such as a sensor suite and/or detection unit 244, may include providing power to one or more sensors within sensor suite from a battery the similar or the same or battery 144. In embodiments, power from battery 144 may be controlled and directed by electronics stack the same or similar as electronics stack 140 and/or 228. Electronics stack 140 and/or 228 may be configured to provide power to one or more sensors of the sensor suite when motion, particles, chemicals, or in general, substances of interest have been detected in the area. Further, in embodiments, electronics stack 140 and/or 228 may be configured to provide power from battery 144 and/or 232 to one or more components of electronics stack 140 and/or 228 in response to motion being detected in the area.

[0127] Still referring to FIG. 7, at step 720, a particle count of an environment is measured by powered sensors within the sensor suite. Powered sensors may be configured to detect the quantity, size, density, composition, structure, dispersion, or any combination thereof, of aerosolized particles in vaporized aerosol in a certain area similar or the same as environment. In embodiments, powered sensors may be configured to generate one or more signals including data representing the quantity, size, density, composition, structure, dispersion, or any combination thereof of the aerosolized particles. According to embodiments, these signals may be sent to an electronics stack.

[0128] At step 725, and with continued reference to FIG. 7, the system may be configured to determine whether a detection event has occurred. Determining whether a detection event has occurred may include determining a presence of substances of interest in an area. Substances of interest may include any particles that may be a cause of concern in the area. For example, substances of interest may include particles that are disallowed in an area (such as nicotine, cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinoids, tobacco smoke, etc.), particles that are hazardous (carbon monoxide, arsine, hydrogen azide, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen dioxide, viruses, bacteria, pathogens, etc.), undesirable particles for the area (tobacco smoke, nicotine, cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinoids, ammonia from pet excrement, etc.), or any combination thereof, to name a few. According to embodiments, determining a presence of substances of interest may include comparing, respectively by an electronics stack and/or at least a server, a detected size, structure, composition, density, and/or dispersion to a threshold value. For example, a detected size exceeding a threshold value may indicate that substances of interest are present in the area.

[0129] Further referring to FIG. 7, system and/or network is configured to compare a quantity, particle density, and/or dispersion of detected substances of interest to one or more predetermined threshold values in order to determine if a detection event has occurred. For example, the system may be configured to compare a detected particle density of carbon monoxide to a threshold value and determine that the particle density has exceeded the threshold value indicating a detection event has occurred. If a detection event has occurred then the system moves to step 730, otherwise the system may cease providing power to sensors and the system repeats step 705.

[0130] At step 730, and still referring to FIG. 7, power is provided from battery to a transceiver within the electronics stack. Transceiver may be configured to transmit and/or receive data from one or more servers the same or similar to servers 156 A-C and/or a user device via, for example, internet, cellular networks, WIFI, Bluetooth, ZigBee, ethernet, wired connections, or any combination thereof. A user device may include a computer, a processor, a server, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or any combination thereof, to name a few, such as without limitation an electronics stack of detection unit 244.

[0131] At step 735, and continuing to refer to FIG. 7, power is provided from battery to an alarm the same or similar as alarm 148. In embodiments, alarm 148 is configured to generate an alert or signal when power is provided and/or an alarm signal is received. Such an alert may include, but is not limited to, an audible alert or signal (such as a buzzer, siren, horn, etc.), a visual alert or signal (such as an LED, strobe light, laser, LED screen, LCD screen, etc.), tactile alert or signal (such as a vibration alarm, motor, etc.), or any combination thereof.

[0132] Referring now to FIG. 8, a graph 800 representing example sensor signals 808, 816, 820, 824, and 828 and an example threshold 832 over particle count 804 vs time 812 is presented, according to an example embodiment. Graph 800 demonstrates an example particle count threshold that, when exceeded, may trigger an alarm and/or alert. According to graph 800, it can be seen that sensor signals 808, 816, 820, 824, and exceed threshold 832. Conversely, sensor signal line 828 does not exceed threshold 832 and would therefore not trigger an alarm and/or an alert due to a detection event that has occurred.

[0133] It is to be noted that any one or more of the aspects and embodiments described herein may be conveniently implemented using one or more machines ( e.g ., one or more computing devices that are utilized as a user computing device for an electronic document, one or more server devices, such as a document server, etc.) programmed according to the teachings of the present specification, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the computer art. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the software art. Aspects and implementations discussed above employing software and/or software modules may also include appropriate hardware for assisting in the implementation of the machine executable instructions of the software and/or software module. [0134] Such software may be a computer program product that employs a machine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable storage medium may be any medium that is capable of storing and/or encoding a sequence of instructions for execution by a machine ( e.g ., a computing device) and that causes the machine to perform any one of the methodologies and/or embodiments described herein. Examples of a machine-readable storage medium include, but are not limited to, a magnetic disk, an optical disc (e.g., CD, CD-R, DVD, DVD-R, etc.), a magneto-optical disk, a read-only memory “ROM” device, a random access memory “RAM” device, a magnetic card, an optical card, a solid-state memory device, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and any combinations thereof. A machine- readable medium, as used herein, is intended to include a single medium as well as a collection of physically separate media, such as, for example, a collection of compact discs or one or more hard disk drives in combination with a computer memory. As used herein, a machine-readable storage medium does not include transitory forms of signal transmission.

[0135] Such software may also include information (e.g, data) carried as a data signal on a data carrier, such as a carrier wave. For example, machine-executable information may be included as a data-carrying signal embodied in a data carrier in which the signal encodes a sequence of instruction, or portion thereof, for execution by a machine (e.g, a computing device) and any related information (e.g, data structures and data) that causes the machine to perform any one of the methodologies and/or embodiments described herein.

[0136] Examples of a computing device include, but are not limited to, an electronic book reading device, a computer workstation, a terminal computer, a server computer, a handheld device (e.g, a tablet computer, a smartphone, etc.), a web appliance, a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, any machine capable of executing a sequence of instructions that specify an action to be taken by that machine, and any combinations thereof. In one example, a computing device may include and/or be included in a kiosk.

[0137] FIG. 9 shows a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a computing device in the exemplary form of a computer system 900 within which a set of instructions for causing a control system to perform any one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the present disclosure may be executed. It is also contemplated that multiple computing devices may be utilized to implement a specially configured set of instructions for causing one or more of the devices to perform any one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the present disclosure. Computer system 900 includes a processor 904 and a memory 908 that communicate with each other, and with other components, via a bus 912 Bus 912 may include any of several types of bus structures including, but not limited to, a memory bus, a memory controller, a peripheral bus, a local bus, and any combinations thereof, using any of a variety of bus architectures.

[0138] Processor 904 may include any suitable processor, such as without limitation a processor incorporating logical circuitry for performing arithmetic and logical operations, such as an arithmetic and logic unit (ALU), which may be regulated with a state machine and directed by operational inputs from memory and/or sensors; processor 904 may be organized according to Von Neumann and/or Harvard architecture as a non-limiting example. Processor 904 may include, incorporate, and/or be incorporated in, without limitation, a microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), Graphical Processing Unit (GPU), general purpose GPU, Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), analog or mixed signal processor, Trusted Platform Module (TPM), a floating point unit (FPU), and/or system on a chip (SoC)

[0139] Memory 908 may include various components ( e.g ., machine-readable media) including, but not limited to, a random-access memory component, a read only component, and any combinations thereof. In one example, a basic input/output system 916 (BIOS), including basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer system 900, such as during start-up, may be stored in memory 908. Memory 908 may also include (e.g., stored on one or more machine-readable media) instructions (e.g, software) 920 embodying any one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the present disclosure. In another example, memory 908 may further include any number of program modules including, but not limited to, an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, program data, and any combinations thereof.

[0140] Computer system 900 may also include a storage device 924. Examples of a storage device (e.g, storage device 924) include, but are not limited to, a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disc drive in combination with an optical medium, a solid-state memory device, and any combinations thereof. Storage device 924 may be connected to bus 912 by an appropriate interface (not shown). Example interfaces include, but are not limited to, SCSI, advanced technology attachment (AT A), serial AT A, universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394 (FIREWIRE), and any combinations thereof. In one example, storage device 924 (or one or more components thereof) may be removably interfaced with computer system 900 (e.g, via an external port connector (not shown)). Particularly, storage device 924 and an associated machine-readable medium 928 may provide nonvolatile and/or volatile storage of machine-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and/or other data for computer system 900. In one example, software 920 may reside, completely or partially, within machine-readable medium 928. In another example, software 920 may reside, completely or partially, within processor 904.

[0141] Computer system 900 may also include an input device 932. In one example, a user of computer system 900 may enter commands and/or other information into computer system 900 via input device 932. Examples of an input device 932 include, but are not limited to, an alpha-numeric input device ( e.g ., a keyboard), a pointing device, a joystick, a gamepad, an audio input device (e.g, a microphone, a voice response system, etc.), a cursor control device (e.g, a mouse), a touchpad, an optical scanner, a video capture device (e.g, a still camera, a video camera), a touchscreen, and any combinations thereof. Input device 932 may be interfaced to bus 912 via any of a variety of interfaces (not shown) including, but not limited to, a serial interface, a parallel interface, a game port, a USB interface, a FIREWIRE interface, a direct interface to bus 912, and any combinations thereof. Input device 932 may include a touch screen interface that may be a part of or separate from display 936, discussed further below. Input device 932 may be utilized as a user selection device for selecting one or more graphical representations in a graphical interface as described above.

[0142] A user may also input commands and/or other information to computer system 900 via storage device 924 (e.g, a removable disk drive, a flash drive, etc.) and/or network interface device 940. A network interface device, such as network interface device 940, may be utilized for connecting computer system 900 to one or more of a variety of networks, such as network 944, and one or more remote devices 948 connected thereto. Examples of a network interface device include, but are not limited to, a network interface card (e.g, a mobile network interface card, a LAN card), a modem, and any combination thereof. Examples of a network include, but are not limited to, a wide area network (e.g, the Internet, an enterprise network), a local area network (e.g, a network associated with an office, a building, a campus or other relatively small geographic space), a telephone network, a data network associated with a telephone/voice provider (e.g, a mobile communications provider data and/or voice network), a direct connection between two computing devices, and any combinations thereof. A network, such as network 944, may employ a wired and/or a wireless mode of communication. In general, any network topology may be used. Information (e.g, data, software 920, etc.) may be communicated to and/or from computer system 900 via network interface device 940.

[0143] Computer system 900 may further include a video display adapter 952 for communicating a displayable image to a display device, such as display device 936. Examples of a display device include, but are not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasma display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, and any combinations thereof. Display adapter 952 and display device 936 may be utilized in combination with processor 904 to provide graphical representations of aspects of the present disclosure. In addition to a display device, computer system 900 may include one or more other peripheral output devices including, but not limited to, an audio speaker, a printer, and any combinations thereof. Such peripheral output devices may be connected to bus 912 via a peripheral interface 956. Examples of a peripheral interface include, but are not limited to, a serial port, a USB connection, a FIREWIRE connection, a parallel connection, and any combinations thereof.

[0144] The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Features of each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with features of other described embodiments as appropriate in order to provide a multiplicity of feature combinations in associated new embodiments. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Additionally, although particular methods herein may be illustrated and/or described as being performed in a specific order, the ordering is highly variable within ordinary skill to achieve methods and systems according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not to otherwise limit the scope of this invention.

[0145] Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions, and additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vaporized aerosol detection system, comprising: a motion sensor configured to detect movement in an environment and generate a detection signal in response to detected movement in the environment; a particle sensor electronically coupled to the motion sensor and configured to detect a particle count of the environment in response to the generation of the detection signal; and a housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the motion sensor and particle sensor.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit the particle count to one or more servers, wherein the one or more servers are configured to detect a detection event as a function of the particle count.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a tampering sensor configured to detect a tampering event and generate a tamper alarm in response to the tampering event.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises venting openings.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power controller configured to provide power to the particle sensor in response to the generation of the detection signal.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to compare the particle count to a predetermined threshold.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to generate an alarm signal as a function of comparing the particle count to a predetermined threshold.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising an alarm configured to produce an alert in response to the alarm signal.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the environment in response to the generation of the detection signal.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to be disposed inline in an air circulation system.

11. A method for vaporized aerosol detection, comprising: detecting, by a motion sensor, movement in an environment; generating, by the motion sensor, a detection signal in response to detected movement in the environment; detecting, by a particle sensor electronically coupled to the motion sensor, a particle count of the environment in response to the generation of the detection signal; and wherein a least a portion of the motion sensor and at least a portion of the particle sensor are enclosed in a housing.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising detecting a detection event, wherein detecting the detection event comprises comparing the particle count to a particle threshold.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: generating an alert in response to the detected detection event; and transmitting the alert to a user device.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising capturing an image in response to the detected detection event.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein detecting the particle count further comprises providing power to the particle sensor.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising detecting, by a humidity sensor, a humidity of the environment.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising transmitting the particle count to one or more servers, wherein the one or more servers are configured to detect a detection event as a function of the particle count.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising generating, by the one or more servers, an alarm signal in response to the detected detection event.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising generating an audible alarm as a function of the alarm signal.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining, by a chemical sensor, a composition of the particle count in response to the generation of the detection signal.

21. A vaporized aerosol, particle, and gas detection network, the network comprising: an entry unit disposed at a first location of an environment, the entry unit comprising: a trigger sensor configured to detect a triggering event in the first location of the environment and generate a detection signal in response to the detected triggering event in the first location of the environment; and an entry unit housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the trigger sensor; and a detection unit disposed at a second location of the environment and communicatively connected to the entry unit, the detection unit comprising: a particle sensor configured to detect a particle count proximate to the second location of the environment in response to the generation of the detection signal; and a detection unit housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the particle sensor.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein: the entry unit has a polling mode; and the entry unit is configured to periodically power on, check for the triggering event, and power off when in the polling mode.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein: the entry unit has a scanning mode, in which the entry unit is configured to communicate with the detection unit; and the entry unit is configured to enter the scanning mode when the trigger sensor detects the triggering event.

24. The network of claim 21, wherein the detection unit is configured to detect a detection event as a function of the particle count.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the detection unit is further configured to detect the detection event as a function of comparing the particle count to a predetermined threshold.

26. The network of claim 21, wherein: the detection unit has a low-power mode; and the detection unit is configured to periodically power on, check for communication from the entry unit, and power off when in the low-power mode.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein: the detection unit has a detection mode, in which the detection unit is configured to detect the particle count using the particle sensor; and the detection unit is configured to enter the detection mode upon receiving a communication from the entry unit.

28. The network of claim 21, further comprising a communication hub communicatively connected to the entry unit and the detection unit, wherein the communication hub is communicatively connected to at least a server.

29. The network of claim 28, wherein the hub is configured to detect a detection event as a function of the particle count.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the communication hub is further configured to detect the detection event as a function of comparing the particle count to a predetermined threshold.

31. The network of claim 28, wherein the at least a server is configured to detect a detection event as a function of the particle count.

32. The network of claim 21, wherein the at least a server is further configured to detect the detection event as a function of comparing the particle count to a predetermined threshold.

33. The network of claim 28, wherein the communication hub is at least one of the entry unit and the detector unit.

34. The network of claim 28, further comprising a repeater node, wherein the repeater node is configured to: receive a signal from at least one of the entry unit and the detection unit; and transmit the signal to the communication hub

35. The network of claim 21, further comprising a camera communicatively connected to the entry unit and the detection unit.

36. The network of claim 21, wherein at least one of the entry unit housing and the detection unit housing comprises a tampering sensor configured to detect a tampering event and generate a tamper alarm in response to the tampering event.

37. The network of claim 21, wherein at least one selected from the entry unit housing and the detection unit housing includes venting openings.

38. The network of claim 21, wherein the detection unit housing is configured to be disposed inline in an air circulation system.

39. The network of claim 21 further comprising an alarm configured to produce an alert in response to the detected particle count.

40. The network of claim 21, further comprising a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the environment in response to the generation of the detection signal.