GB2549261A

GB2549261A - Alarm and environment monitoring system

Info

Publication number: GB2549261A
Application number: GB1605808.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Griffiths John; Wahab Mohammad; Bassi Ranjit; Jackson Gary; Rosewell Nick
Original assignee: Secure Sensor Innovative Design Ltd
Current assignee: Secure Sensor Innovative Design Ltd
Priority date: 2016-04-05
Filing date: 2016-04-05
Publication date: 2017-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2036-04-05
Also published as: GB2549261B

Abstract

An alarm monitoring system (100, see figure 1) comprises a central unit (1, figure 1) and an alarm unit (2, figure 1) where alarm unit (2, figure 1) is a smoke alarm or fire alarm. Central unit (1, figure 1) is a detector for detecting an audible alarm emitted by the alarm unit. The central unit 1 includes a microphone 101, an analogue signal processing and digitising module 102, a digital signal processing module 103, a microprocessor 104 and communication modules 105 and 107. Upon detecting an alarm signal from alarm unit (2, figure 1), central unit 1 will transmit a notification to a recipient or remote location using the communication module 107. Communication module 107 may operate using a telephone network or internet protocol such as Wi-Fi (RTM). The central unit additionally comprises a network of environmental sensors 112, in particular, ambient temperature sensors which may also trigger transmitting a notification. Figure 3 shows the system may comprise multiple units, where satellite unit (3, figure 3) may communicate with the central unit via wireless communication such as Bluetooth (RTM) or Wi-Fi (RTM).

Description

ALARM AND ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SYSTEM

This invention relates generally to an alarm monitoring system, and more particularly to an alarm and environment monitoring system.

Domestic and commercial premises are usually protected by monitoring alarm to detect a variety of events such as smoke, fire, high CO level, flooding and unauthorised entry. These alarms usually emit audible signals on the occurrence of the events they are monitoring, i.e. on the occurrence of alarm events. They also generate audible signals for maintenance reasons such as low battery and test conditions.

Some of these alarms have the ability to communicate to locations remote to the premises in which they are situated, for example it is well known to link a burglar alarms situated at a residential or commercial address to a monitoring centre. However, most alarms are standalone and lack any communication capabilities. Such alarms rely on human interaction to alert the outside world of the occurrence of the alarm event or to take action if a system requires maintenance such as battery replacement.

Thus, it is desirable to provide an alarm and monitoring system with the foregoing in mind. Such an improved solution has now been devised.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a system as defined in the appended claims.

Viewed from a first aspect, there is provided an alarm monitoring system comprising an audio detection device for detecting an audible alarm event and communicating the detected alarm event to a remote location or recipient, responsive to the detection of the audible alarm event. A system in accordance with the first aspect enables an audible alarm to be detected and, responsive to the detection of the audible alarm, communication of an alarm state is made with a remote location. The audible alarm may be emitted by a device which is separate to the system.

The effect of this is that an alarm condition may be communicated to a remote location. The alarm condition may be communicated using any suitable data communications channel.

The invention provides a system which ensures that an audible alarm event is reported to the outside world without human intervention as soon as the event occurs.

The alarm event may be programmable by a user who may provide input to the system to enable an alarm event to be programmed into the system.

The audio detection device may be tailored or tuned to a device operative to emit an audible alarm, such as, for example, a smoke detector or a fire alarm.

Tailoring or tuning the audio detection device and the device operative to emit an audible alarm may be implemented using any suitable media such as, for example, the Bluetooth protocol or near-field communication.

The effect of this is that the audio detection device is in communication with a device operative to emit an audible alarm so that the audio detection device may be configured to respond only to that audible alarm rather than any extraneous audible alarms that may be used to confuse the system. To this end, it could be said that the audio detection device is “listening” to the device operative to emit the audible alarm and the communication of the alarm state is made when the audio detection device “hears” the device emitting the audible alarm.

The audio detection device may be a microphone or any other device can convert an audible signal into a digital or analog signal for further processing. Different types of microphones may be used in the system including but not limited to electret and MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) types.

The system may comprise a communication module operative to transmit an alert to at least one remote location or at least one recipients responsive to the detection of an audible alarm event from the audio detection device.

The communication module may use a landline or mobile telephony to transmit the alert.

The communication module may be arranged to use any suitable communications medium to transmit the alert and such communication may comprise the use of a local hub installed in a premises where the system is installed.

The system may further comprise a sensor device arranged to detect an environmental condition.

An environmental condition is a physical or chemical aspect of the environment which is being monitored by the sensor device. In detecting an environmental condition the sensor is arranged to detect the level of a physical or chemical aspect against a threshold defined for that physical or chemical aspect.

The system may associate the environmental condition with the audible alarm event.

Example environmental conditions may include temperature, temperature variation, humidity, humidity variation, light concentration, gas concentration (e.g. C02 concentrations).

Monitoring environmental conditions, such as temperature and gas levels, provides additional confirmation of the alarm event being monitored. For example, a fire alarm event coupled with a sudden increase in reported temperature values provide confirmation of the likelihood of a fire event.

The system may comprise a plurality of distinct sensors arranged to monitor environmental parameters and communicate those environmental parameters to a processing unit to provide additional information relating to the reported alarm conditions.

Monitoring and reporting these environmental parameters has additional benefits for vulnerable people living on their own, such as elderly or disabled persons. In such cases, the reported environmental parameters can provide early detection of unfavourable living conditions, such as low temperature over prolonged periods, which may cause health problems or worsen existing ones. Similar benefits can be obtained from the detection and reporting of mains power cut and restoration events. A temperature sensor device may be arranged for sensing ambient temperature.

The system may further comprise a transmitter operative to transmit an alert to a remote location or recipient responsive to receiving an alarm signal from the temperature sensor.

Sensors in accordance with the aspect may be distributed over a plurality of geographically distinct locations to enable a broad range of environmental conditions to be detected and a broad variety of audible alarms to be detected.

The at least one sensor may comprise a plurality of temperature sensor devices distributed in different locations.

The at least one sensor may be tailored or tuned to a device operative to emit an audible alarm. The effect of this is that the sensor will, in effect, listen for the audible alarm emitted by the device and respond to the detection of the audible alarm.

The device may comprise the transmitter or a unit comprising the transmitter.

The tailoring or tuning between the sensor and the device operative to emit the audible alarm may be achieved by means of low energy local wireless communication such as, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

Viewed from a second aspect, there is provided an alarm monitoring system wherein the system comprises: i. a first unit comprising an audio detection device for sensing a sound and a transmitter for transmitting an alert to a remote location or recipient; and, ii. a second unit remote from the first unit, the second unit including a temperature sensor for sensing ambient temperature; the first and second units device being in communication with one another; wherein the transmitter is arranged for transmitting an alert to a remote location or recipient responsive to either or both of the temperature sensor device and the audio detection device.

The alert may be transmitted responsive to the detection of a temperature by the temperature sensor device which exceeds a pre-defined temperature threshold or the detection of a sound which exceeds a pre-defined sound threshold.

The first and second units may be paired.

The first unit may be provided with a temperature sensor device for sensing ambient temperature.

The system may comprise a sensor operative to detect the presence of a predetermined audible frequency (or group of specific audible frequencies) over a predetermined threshold of intensity and trigger the transmission of the alert if such a predetermined audible frequency or range of audible frequencies is detected.

The effect of this is that the system may be able to detect a device which emits a predetermined audible frequency or group of audible frequencies.

Group of frequencies may mean a range of frequencies defined by a maximum frequency and a minimum frequency or a list of discrete frequencies distributed across a broad frequency spectrum.

The transmitter may be arranged to be activated to send an alert if the presence of a required mobile communications device is not detected.

The alert may be transmitted to a remote server.

Alerts may be transmitted to a remote server and also a separate contact recipient.

The first unit may be provided with a temperature sensor device for sensing ambient temperature. This enables the system to be configured to respond to ambient conditions. The first unit may additionally be provided with sensors for detecting other ambient environmental conditions.

The system may be operative to detect the presence of an audible frequency or a predetermined range of audible frequencies which exceed a predetermined threshold of intensity and trigger the transmission of an alert if such a level of intensity is detected.

Audible frequency generally means audible to a human being.

The system may be arrange to transmit an alert, to a remote device, for example, if the presence of a required mobile communication device is not detected. Example mobile communication devices include mobile telephones and tablets.

The effect of this is that if a person, say, tries to access a property and that person is not carrying a device which emits a signal at a predetermined frequency or a signal within a range of frequencies that the system can generate an alert which may be transmitted to a remote device. The alert may be transmitted to a remote server and/or a separate contact. A system in accordance with the first or second aspects may be operative to receive information from the audio detection device relating to the battery state of the audio detection device and/or a test alarm status.

This means that an alert may be generated by the system which is transmitted to a remote location or recipient which indicates that the battery in in need of replacement or that an alarm is being tested. A system in accordance with the first or second aspects may be configured to detect the presence of a pre-specified application on a device and, responsive to detecting the presence of such an application on a device, transmitting a signal to an alarm to switch the alarm off.

As an example of the benefit of this feature is the detection of the presence of a technician who is required to do regular checks of an alarm system, or the visit time and duration of a carer for an elderly person.

Viewed from a third aspect, there is provided a method of alarm monitoring comprising monitoring for the sound of an audible alarm, and in response to detection of the required audible parameters triggering transmission of an alert to a remote location or recipient.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to, the embodiment described herein.

First and second embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompany drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a system in accordance with the first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a central unit in accordance with the first and second embodiments.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a system in accordance with the second embodiment; and

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a satellite unit in accordance with the second embodiment.

It is clear that the alarm and environmental system can be used in different situations in a domestic or commercial environment and with different configurations.

Although first and second embodiments are described, it will be clear that features of the first and second embodiments can be combined.

We will now describe, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, system 100 in accordance with the first embodiment. System 100 comprises central unit 1 and alarm unit 2

The alarm unit 2 may be a fire alarm, a smoke alarm or any other type of alarm which provides an audible signal responsive to detected conditions or at least when a detected condition exceeds a pre-defined threshold. These conditions may include the occurrence of the monitored event such as the detection of a fire, the alarm unit requiring maintenance, battery replacement or the alarm being tested.

All the electronic circuitry of the central unit 1 in Figure 1 are contained in a single enclosure with no external parts. That is to say, central unit 1 may form a processing device in communication with alarm unit 2 which generally does not form part of the system 100. In this sense, the central unit 1 will be operative to detect the presence of an audible alarm emitted by the alarm unit 2 and respond to the detection of the audible alarm. The central unit 1 may be powered by the mains or may be powered by a battery instead of or in addition to mains power. The battery may operate as a backup power source in the event of the supply of power from the mains being cut.

The building blocks of the central unit 1 are shown in Figure 2. The central unit 1 comprises a sound detector (e.g. a microphone) 101, an analogue signal processing and digitising module 102, a digital signal processing module 103, a microprocessor 104, a secondary communication module 105, a primary communication module 107, a power supply circuit 109, a network of environmental sensors 112 and a signal conditioning and digitising unit 111.

The power supply circuit 109 is operative to supply power to the other components of the central unit 1.

The sound detector 101 converts an audible signal emitted by the alarm unit 2 that is being monitored to an output electric signal. The output electrical signal of the microphone 101 is fed into the analogue signal processing and digitising block 102 which performs analogue signal processing functions including amplification and filtering and converts the analogue sound signal into a digital format which allows it to be used for the detection of the alarm events being monitored by the central unit 1

The microphone 101 and the analogue signal processing and digitising block 102 may be physically implemented as separate blocks or combined into a unitary block if a digital output microphone device is utilised.

The digital signal processing block 103 detects the alarm events being monitored using a number of different digital processing algorithms including but not limited to: • Measuring the frequency of the digitised signal as an alarm system normally emits a single tone or a fixed frequency signal within a specified range. • Measuring the duration of the alarm audible signal as the duration of the signal can differentiate between different types of events such a real fire alarm or a an alarm test signal. In addition, measuring the duration of the alarm signal enable the discrimination between the real alarm signal and sounds from other sources, such as a television. • Performing correlation between the digitised signal and a stored template signal of the alarm system to enable more robust detection of the alarm signal and improved noise discrimination.

The alarm signal parameters, such as frequency and duration, and signal template mentioned above can be pre-stored in the memory of the non-volatile memory of the microcontroller 104 or downloaded remotely to the central unit 1. An alternative operational mode allows the digital analogue signal processing unit 103 and microcontroller 104 to extract these parameters or record a template of the audio alarm signal directly from the alarm unit 2 in a learning mode if required.

The network of environmental sensors 112 comprises a temperature sensor which is operative to measure the temperature of the environment in which the central unit 1 is located. The output of the temperature sensor is signal conditioned and converted to a digital format in the signal conditioning and digitising block 111. The temperature sensor and the signal conditioning and digitising block 111 may be physically implemented as separate blocks or combined into a single block if a digital output temperature sensor devices is utilised. Other sensors may also be used in the central unit to monitor other environmental parameters such as, humidity and gas concentration.

The microcontroller 104 controls all the functions of the central unit 1 including the sequencing of its operations and timing and routing of the signals between the various blocks and modules described with reference to Figure 2. The firmware of the microcontroller 104 is stored in non-volatile memory with the microcontroller device. The digital signal processing block 103 may be implemented as a firmware function of the microcontroller 104 and thus, removing the need for a separate hardware digital processing unit.

The primary communication module 107 enables the central unit 1 to have bidirectional communications with the outside world via the world-wide web or another suitable communications medium or protocol. The central unit 1 sends information to a remote recipient, such as a mobile telephone, computer or server, about the audible alarm events that are being monitored and the output of its environmental sensors. The information to be transmitted to the remote recipient is externally is transmitted from the microcontroller 104 to the primary communication module 105. Such information may include metadata related to the alarm event such as the start of the audible and end of the audible alarm event with associated time stamps, instantaneous or average readings of the environmental sensors, and status information about the central unit 1 itself.

The information received by the primary communication module 107 from a remote sender, such a mobile telephone or computer, consist normally of configuration data that define the operation of the central unit 1. Configuration data may include the frequency of transmissions from the central unit 1 to the remote receiver, identities of the remote receivers, the alarm events to be communicated, the specifications of the audible signal being monitored such as, frequency and duration and the frequency of transmitting the environmental sensor data.

The primary communication module 107 is operative to communicate over the mobile telephony network in using the GSM standard, which communicates over the mobile telephone network, and uses text messaging as the communication protocol. In such embodiment, text messages are sent by the central unit 1 with the information described above. Similarly, text messages containing configuration information are sent by the remote sender to the central unit 1. Alternative protocols, such as internet protocols, may be used to utilise the internet to exchange information between a remote sender or recipient and the central unit. Example GSM standards which may be used are 2G. 3G, 4G or LTE standards.

The primary communication module 107 can also be implemented using other methods of wireless or wired communications. Such implementation may include using a Wi-Fi module to communicate with an external Wi-Fi router which in turn enables the central unit to communicate with the outside world through an internet connection. Wired communications options may include implementing the primary communication module 107 as an Ethernet interface, which communicates with an external router or DSL modem, or as a modem to communicate over the mobile landline network.

The secondary communication module 105 is used for wireless or wired communication between the central unit 1 and one or more satellite units 3. This use of the secondary communication module 105 will be described in more detail in the second embodiment below. For wireless communications the secondary communication module 105 may be implemented, for example, using a short range wireless technology such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee or Wi-Fi or even using a wireless mesh network or any other architecture that may be used to implement wireless communications. For wired communications, the secondary communication module 105 may be implemented, for example, using a standard networking interface such as Ethernet to connect to a Local Area Network (LAN) router or a simpler networking arrangement such as RS485 or any other architecture that may be used to implement wired communications.

The use of Bluetooth or BLE for implementing the secondary communication module 105 will enable the central unit 1 to communicate directly with a mobile device such as a mobile telephone or a tablet computer which is equipped with Bluetooth communication capability. This will enable the device to receive information directly from the central unit 1 and send configuration information to the central unit 1. In addition, this capability will enable the central unit to detect the presence of the mobile device within the communication range of the Bluetooth protocol or BLE. Alternatively, a mobile device within the communication range of Bluetooth can detect the presence of the central unit and use an app on the device to send this information to a remote recipient or server. This feature of being able to detect that a mobile device is within a specific range of the central unit can have benefits in a number of application. Such applications may include the detecting of a visit by a maintenance engineer to check the alarm system being monitored or the visit time and duration of a carer for an elderly person

In the second embodiment shown in Figure 3, the system 200 comprises the central unit 1 placed in the same room as the alarm system 2 being monitored and a satellite unit 3 in a second room which is may be geographically distant from the first room.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of the electronic circuitry of the satellite unit 3. The satellite unit is identical to the central unit 1 but it does not have the primary communication module 107 of Figure 2. The satellite unit 3 communicates with central unit 1 using the secondary communication module 105 using a suitable communication medium or protocol. An example being the world-wide web. The operation of the satellite unit is identical in all other aspects to the central unit 1 and has similar audible alarm and environmental monitoring capabilities. All data about the from the satellite unit about the alarm system events and the environmental sensors are transmitted to the central unit which in turn send the data to the remote recipients using the primary communication module 107 of Figure 2.

Multiple satellite units may be used with a single central unit. For example, a satellite unit can be placed in each room of a domestic residence and the central unit is placed in the same room where the fire alarm is placed.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" and "comprises", and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. In the present specification, “comprises” means “includes or consists of’ and “comprising” means “including or consisting of’. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice-versa. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An alarm monitoring system comprising an audio detection device for detecting an audible alarm event and communicating the detected alarm event to a remote location or recipient, responsive to the detection of the audible alarm event.

2. An alarm monitoring system according to Claim 1 wherein the audio detection device is tailored or tuned to a device operative to emit an audible alarm.

3. An alarm monitoring system according to Claim 2 wherein the device is a smoke detector.

4. An alarm monitoring system according to Claim 2 wherein the device is a fire alarm.

5. An alarm monitoring system according to any preceding claim, wherein the audio detection device is a microphone.

6. An alarm monitoring system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system comprises a communication module operative to transmit an alert to a plurality of different remote locations or recipients responsive to the detection of an audible alarm event from the audio detection device.

7. An alarm monitoring system according to Claim 6 wherein the communication module uses a landline or a mobile telephone network to transmit the alert.

8. An alarm monitoring system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system comprises at least one sensor arranged to detect an environmental condition and to provide an alarm signal responsive to the detection of the environmental condition.

9. An alarm monitoring system according to Claim 8 wherein the alarm signal is provided responsive to the environmental condition exceeding a pre-defined threshold.

10. An alarm monitoring system according to Claim 8 wherein the at least one sensor is a temperature sensor arranged to detect temperature.

11. An alarm monitoring system according to Claim 10 wherein the temperature is ambient temperature.

12. An alarm monitoring system according to any preceding claim, the system further comprising a transmitter operative to transmit an alert to at least one remote location or at least one recipient responsive to receiving the alarm signal from the temperature sensor.

13. An alarm monitoring system according to Claim 8 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of temperature sensor devices distributed in different locations.

14. An alarm monitoring system according to any of Claims 8 to 13 wherein the at least one sensor is tailored or tuned to a device operative to emit an audible alarm.

15. An alarm monitoring system according to Claim 14 wherein the device comprises a transmitter or a unit comprising a transmitter.

16. An alarm monitoring system according to Claim 14, wherein pairing is achieved by means of low energy local wireless communication.

17. An alarm monitoring system wherein the system comprises: iii. a first unit comprising an audio detection device for sensing a sound and a transmitter for transmitting an alert to a remote location or recipient; and, iv. a second unit remote from the first unit, the second unit including a temperature sensor for sensing ambient temperature; the first and second units device being in communication with one another; wherein the transmitter is arranged for transmitting an alert to a remote location or recipient responsive to either or both of the temperature sensor device and the audio detection device.

18. An alarm monitoring system according to Claim 17 wherein the alert is transmitted responsive to either the temperature sensor device sensing a temperature above a predefined threshold and/or the audio detection device sensing a sound above a predefined sound threshold.

19. An alarm monitoring system according to claim 17 or Claim 18, wherein the first and second units are paired.

20. An alarm monitoring system according to any of Claims 17 to 19, wherein the first unit is provided with a temperature sensor device for sensing ambient temperature.

21. An alarm monitoring system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system operates to detect the presence of a predetermined audible frequency (or group of specific audible frequencies) over a predetermined threshold of intensity and trigger the transmission of an alert if such is detected.

22. An alarm monitoring system according to any preceding claim wherein the transmitter is arranged to be activated to send an alert if the presence of a required mobile communications device is not detected.

23. An alarm monitoring system according to any preceding claim, wherein the alert is transmitted to a remote server.

24. An alarm monitoring system according to any preceding claim, wherein alerts are transmitted to a remote server and also a separate contact recipient.

25. A method of alarm monitoring comprising monitoring for the sound of an audible alarm, and in response to detection of the required audible parameters triggering transmission of an alert to a remote location or recipient.