WO2018109657A1

WO2018109657A1 - Alarm system with smoke generation

Info

Publication number: WO2018109657A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/057835
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ohad Amir; Haim Amir
Original assignee: Essence Security International (E.S.I.) Ltd.
Priority date: 2016-12-12
Filing date: 2017-12-12
Publication date: 2018-06-21

Abstract

An alarm system, comprising: at least one smoke generating device, comprising: at least one ignition component; combustible matter mounted to be ignited by the ignition component; at least one heating element, mounted to be heated by a high temperature reaction in the combustible matter; and smoke producing matter, mounted to be heated by the heating element; and at least one controller, connected to at least one sensor and to the ignition component, and adapted to: determine an event by analyzing at least one sensor output value of the sensor; and deliver an electrical current to the ignition component upon determining an event; wherein the combustible matter is ignited by the ignition component, producing a high temperature reaction in the combustible matter, wherein the high temperature reaction in the combustible matter heats the heating element, and wherein the smoke producing matter produces smoke upon heating of the heating element.

Description

ALARM SYSTEM WITH SMOKE GENERATION

BACKGROUND

Alarm systems exist that monitor presence(s) and/or action(s) of person(s) on premises and react to alarm events. Examples of premises are a residence and an office. Examples of an alarm event are presence of a person, movement of an object, and opening of a door or a window.

For brevity, the term "event" is used to mean "alarm event", and the terms "event" and "alarm event" are used interchangeably.

An alarm system often comprises one or more sensors at various locations of the premises, configured to monitor one or more areas within or outside the premises, and a controller receiving one or more signals from the one or more sensors for the purpose of detecting an alarm event and performing an action upon detecting the event. Examples of sensors are motion sensors, audio sensors and proximity sensors. Typically, a controller comprises a designated electrical hardware component such as a designated DSP microcontroller, or a processor running suitable software for processing the signals delivered by the sensor(s). Upon detecting an event, the controller may activate a device for producing an audio signal such as sounding an alarm, or a visual signal such as a flashing a light. Other examples of a reaction to detecting an event are sending a message to a designated person and sending a message to a server of the alarm system, for example for the purpose of recording the detected event or to trigger sending a person to the premises to help.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for an alarm system.

The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

According to a first aspect of the invention, an alarm system comprises: at least one smoke generating device, comprising: at least one ignition component; combustible matter mounted to be ignited by the at least one ignition component; at least one heating element, mounted to be heated by a high temperature reaction in the combustible matter; and smoke producing matter, mounted to be heated by the at least one heating element; and at least one controller, electrically connected to at least one sensor and to the ignition component of the at least one smoke generating device, and adapted to: determine a smoke activation event by analyzing at least one sensor output value of the at least one sensor; deliver an electrical current to the at least one ignition component upon determining a smoke activation event. The combustible matter is ignited by the at least one ignition component upon delivery of the electrical current, producing a high temperature reaction in the combustible matter. The high temperature reaction in the combustible matter heats the at least one heating element. The smoke producing matter produces smoke upon heating of the heating element. Using a high temperature reaction in a combustible matter to heat at least one heating element may facilitate reducing operation costs of an alarm system capable of producing smoke on short notice.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for an alarm system comprises: determining a smoke activation event by analyzing at least one sensor output value of at least one sensor; delivering an electrical current to at least one ignition component of a smoke generating device upon determining a smoke activation event; igniting combustible matter by the at least one ignition component, to produce a high temperature reaction in the combustible matter; heating at least one heating element by the high temperature reaction in the combustible matter; and producing smoke by a smoke producing matter upon heating of the heating element.

With reference to the first and second aspects, in a first possible implementation of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the combustible matter is thermite. A high temperature reaction in thermite may reach a temperature of up to 2500 degrees centigrade, possibly enabling quick heating of a heating element for producing smoke. Optionally, the thermite is a pyrotechnic composition of a first amount of fuel matter, selected from a group of fuel matters consisting of aluminum, magnesium, titanium, zinc, silicon and boron, and a second amount of oxidizer matter, selected from a group of oxidizer matters consisting of nitrous oxide, bismuth(III) oxide, boron(III) oxide, silicon(IV) oxide, chromium(III) oxide, manganese(IV) oxide, iron(III) oxide, iron(II,III) oxide, copper(II) oxide, and lead(II,IV) oxide. Optionally, the thermite is a pyrotechnic composition of iron and nitrous oxide.

With reference to the first and second aspects, in a second possible implementation of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the high temperature reaction is an exothermic reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction. An exothermic redox reaction does not require an external source of oxygen and may sustain itself, thus may be used in a non-ventilated housing or vessel.

With reference to the first and second aspects, in a third possible implementation of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the smoke producing matter is an identified liquid. The high temperature reaction in the combustible matter heats the at least one heating element to a temperature at least as high as a boiling point of the identified liquid. A heating element at least as hot as the boiling point of the identified liquid may heat the identified liquid to its boiling point, to produce smoke. Optionally, the identified liquid is a mixture of water and glycol, and the high temperature reaction in the combustible matter heats the at least one heating element to a temperature of at least 100 degrees centigrade.

With reference to the first and second aspects, or the third implementation of the first and second aspects, in a fourth possible implementation of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the system further comprises: at least one vessel holding an amount of the identified liquid; and at least one spraying element operatively connected to the vessel and mounted to spray an amount of the identified liquid on to the at least one heating element when the at least one heating element has a temperature at least as high as a boiling point of the identified liquid, to produce the smoke. Optionally, the at least one heating element is a metal plate. By spraying an amount of the identified liquid on a hot heating element may heat the sprayed identified liquid quickly to produce smoke.

With reference to the first and second aspects, or the third implementation of the first and second aspects, in a fifth possible implementation of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the at least one heating element is at least one vessel holding an amount of the identified liquid. Heating the at least one vessel heats the amount of the identified liquid to a temperature at least as high as the boiling point of the identified liquid. Using a vessel holding the identified liquid to heat the identified liquid may reduce costs of production and thus costs of installation of an alarm system. Optionally, the at least one vessel has at least one opening, the at least one smoke generating device is housed in a housing having at least one other opening, and the at least one smoke generating device comprises at least one fan, mounted to assist flow of the smoke leaving the vessel and the at least one smoke generating device. Smoke produced inside a smoke generating device may be delivered away from the smoke generating device.

With reference to the first and second aspects, in a sixth possible implementation of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the smoke producing matter ignites when heated, and the smoke producing matter is mounted to be ignited by a high temperature reaction in the combustible matter, to produce the smoke. Using smoke producing matter that ignites when heated may eliminate a need for an ignition component and thus may reduce costs of production and installation of an alarm system.

With reference to the first and second aspects, in a seventh possible implementation of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the ignition component is an electrical circuit designed to produce an electrical spark upon receiving the electrical current from the at least one controller. The electrical spark ignites the combustible matter to produce the high temperature reaction in the combustible matter. Optionally, the at least one ignition component is electrically powered by a battery. Using a battery to power the ignition component may reduce, or even eliminate, a dependency on a constant connection to an electrical network.

With reference to the first and second aspects, in an eighth possible implementation of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the at least one sensor is selected from a group of sensors consisting of: a motion sensor, a heat sensor, a microphone, a digital camera, a proximity sensor, a magnetic contact, a pressure sensor, a standing wave sensor, and a vibration sensor. The at least one sensor output value is an output value selected from a group comprising: an image, an audio signal, a temperature value, and an electrical signal. Analyzing the at least one sensor output value to determine a smoke activation event comprises at least one of a group consisting of: identifying a presence of a person in an image, identifying in an audio signal a sound indicating a presence of a person, identifying a temperature value is greater than a first threshold temperature value; identifying a difference between a temperature value and an ambient temperature value is greater than a second threshold temperature value, and identifying in an electrical signal an indication of an opening of a door or a window.

With reference to the first and second aspects, in a ninth possible implementation of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the system further comprises at least one smoke detecting device, connected to the at least one controller and mounted in an identified proximity to the at least one smoke generating device. The at least one smoke detecting device is configured to deliver a smoke detection indication to the at least one controller upon detecting at least an identified amount of smoke, and the at least one controller is configured to activate an alarm upon receiving the smoke detection indication from the at least one smoke detecting device. Optionally, activating the alarm comprises at least one of a group of actions comprising: delivering an electrical current to an audio device capable of emitting an audio signal, delivering an electrical current to a visual device capable of emitting a visual signal, sending a message to at least one designated person, displaying a message on a visual display, delivering an electrical current to at least one hardware processor electrically connected to the at least one controller, and sending a message to at least one hardware processor connected to the at least one controller via a digital communication network. By producing smoke, the present invention may trigger an existing smoke-detection system, thus may enable extension of an existing smoke-detection system to detect vents in addition to smoke detection.

With reference to the first and second aspects, in a tenth possible implementation of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the at least one heating element is additionally connected to an electrical network via an electrical switch, and the electrical switch is configured to deliver, upon delivery of the electrical current to the at least one ignition component, electrical power from the electrical network to the at least one heating element for the purpose of further heating the at least one heating element. Connecting the at least one heating element to an electrical network following determination of a smoke activation event, may facilitate sustaining a temperature of the at least one heating element after the high temperature reaction has subsided, and may facilitate extending a period of time where smoke is produced.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary system, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart schematically representing an optional flow of operations, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGs. 3A and 3B are schematic block diagrams of exemplary smoke generating devices, according to some embodiments of the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another exemplary system comprising a smoke detecting device, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to an alarm system and, more specifically, but not exclusively, to an alarm system configured to produce smoke in response to a detected event.

As used herein, the term "smoke" means a collection of visible airborne vapor, gases, and fine particles, given off by burning or smoldering matter.

Haze is traditionally an atmospheric phenomenon in which dust, smoke, and other dry particulates obscure clarity of the sky. Fog traditionally refers to visible cloud water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air at or near the Earth's surface. However, in the context of artificially generating smoke in an alarm system, the terms "fog" and "haze" are sometimes used to mean "smoke", and the terms are used interchangeably.

In some alarm systems, upon detecting an event, a smoke generating device is activated to generate smoke, for example for the purpose of impairing an intruder's view and reducing the intruder's ability to move around the premises monitored by the alarm system.

Some devices for generating smoke in an alarm system are known as a fog generator, a haze generator or a smoke bomb. The following disclosure uses the term "smoke", and the term "smoke generating device" is used to include devices known as a fog generator, a haze generator or a smoke bomb.

For brevity, henceforth a smoke generating device is sometimes referred to as "a bomb". One known technique for producing smoke in an alarm system comprises spraying a liquid mixture of water and a substance, for example glycol, over a metal plate maintained at high temperature, such that smoke is produced when the liquid mixture is heated by the metal plate. When used in an alarm system, a bomb must usually generate smoke in short notice, for example in less than 1 second after detecting an event. In order to use this technique in a bomb, the metal plate is typically kept at high temperature, to reduce latency between detecting an event and generating smoke. However, keeping the metal plate at a high temperature, for example above 100 degrees centigrade, typically implies high energy consumption which in return requires high electrical power consumption, and depends on a constant power supply. Power supply interruption, accidental or malicious, may render such a bomb inoperable. In addition, installing such a bomb includes connecting the bomb to an electrical network, thus increasing deployment cost and complexity. Another known technique for producing smoke in an alarm system comprises igniting matter that produces smoke once ignited. Sometimes igniting such matter produces an explosion, similarly to fireworks. However, smoke produced by explosion of such matter may be toxic. In addition, smoke produced by such a matter may leave an unwanted layer of residual material in an environment of the explosion.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, proposes an alarm system capable of generating on short notice non-toxic smoke that does not leave an unwanted layer of residual material, and does not require constant connection to an electrical network.

In such embodiments, a bomb comprises combustible matter which upon ignition produces a chemical reaction at high temperature (also called a high temperature reaction). A high temperature reaction may reach temperatures as hot as 2500 degrees centigrade. The combustible matter is optionally a thermite, being a pyrotechnic composition of fuel such as a metal powder, and oxidizer, for example metal oxide. When ignited by heat or electrical spark, thermite undergoes an exothermic reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction. Most varieties of thermite are not explosive but can create a brief burst of high temperature in a small area. When an ignition component of the bomb is activated, for example by receiving electrical current on an input of the ignition component, the ignition component optionally produces an electrical spark that ignites the combustible matter, for example the thermite. The high temperature caused by the high temperature reaction of the thermite is used in some embodiments to heat a heating element, for example a metal plate, which in turn heats a liquid that produces smoke when heated, for example a mixture of water and glycol. Optionally, the heating element is installed in a vessel holding the liquid. Optionally, the heating element is the vessel holding the liquid. Optionally, the liquid is sprayed on the heating element, upon heating the heating element. Heating the liquid by any of these optional heating elements produces smoke.

Optionally, the high temperature caused by the high temperature reaction of the thermite is used to ignite smoke producing matter that ignites when heated, and smoke is produced by the combustion, or burning, of the smoke producing matter.

Using a heating element heated by a high temperature reaction in a combustible matter allows for generating smoke on short notice without continuously maintaining a high temperature of the heating element, and thus may reduce deployment and operation costs of an alarm system. Optionally, a power source such as a battery is used to power the ignition component of the bomb. Using a battery powered ignition component to ignite the combustible matter reduces or eliminates the alarm system's dependency on a constant electrical power supply in order to operate. In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one controller is adapted to analyze at least one output value of a sensor of the alarm system, for the purpose of determining a smoke activation event. Examples of a smoke activation event are detection of a presence of a person, detection of movement, and detection of opening a door or a window. Upon determining an alarm event, in such embodiments the at least one controller activates the bomb's ignition component, for example by delivering an electrical current on an input of the ignition component. In such embodiments, smoke is generated as a result of detecting a smoke activation event. A smoke activation event may be, but is not mandated to be, an alarm event, and vice versa.

Another possible use of the present invention is to extend an existing smoke detection system to react to additional alarm events besides detecting smoke, for example by adding one or more motion sensors and/or proximity sensor. In such embodiments, smoke generated by the bomb after detecting an event may trigger a smoke detecting device. The smoke detecting device optionally delivers a smoke detection indication to a controller of the smoke detection system, which in turn performs an action in reaction to the smoke detection indication, for example activating a device for producing an audio signal such as sounding an alarm, or a visual signal such as a flashing a light. The present invention may reduce cost of installing an alarm system by enabling an extension of an existing installation of a smoke-detection system.

An existing smoke detection system may be extended to react to other alarm events using a smoke generating device other than the exemplary smoke generating devices described in the present disclosure.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.

The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an

Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, showing a schematic block diagram of an exemplary system 600, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In such embodiments, at least one controller 601 is connected to at least one sensor 620. Examples of a sensor are a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, a sensor for sensing opening and closing of a door, a window or another opening, an audio sensor such as a microphone, a heat sensor, a digital camera, a magnetic contact, a pressure sensor, a standing wave sensor, and a vibration sensor. At least one sensor 620 is optionally electrically connected to at least one controller 601. Optionally, at least one controller 601 and at least one sensor 620 are connected via a digital communication network, for example an Ethernet local area network or a wireless network. At least one sensor 620 optionally delivers at least one sensor output value to at least one controller 601. Examples of a sensor output signal are an image, an open/close indication, an audio signal, a temperature value and an electrical signal. For example, when at least one sensor 620 is a passive infra-red sensor, the sensor may deliver to at least one controller 601 at least one electrical signal indicative of an amount of electromagnetic radiation intercepted by the sensor. In addition, in such embodiments system 600 comprises at least one smoke generating device 610 comprising at least one ignition component 611 electrically connected to at least one controller 601, combustible matter 612 mounted to be ignited by at least one ignition component 611, at least one heating element 613 mounted to be heated by a high temperature reaction of combustible matter 612, and smoke producing matter 614, mounted to be heated by at least one heating element 613. Optionally, combustible matter 612 is thermite. Thermite is a pyrotechnic composition of metal powder fuel and metal oxide oxidizer. An exothermic redox reaction created when thermite is ignited is a high temperature reaction which, for a brief period of time, for example several seconds, may burn at a temperature as hot as 2500 degrees centigrade. The exothermic redox reaction created when thermite is ignited may burn from 1 second up to 2 minutes, depending on an amount of thermite and how the thermite is geometrically dispersed in smoke generating device 610. In addition, the exothermic redox reaction supplies its own oxygen, thus it may be used in an environment without ventilation, for example a closed vessel. One example of metal powder is aluminum, having a high boiling point and low cost. Some other examples of metal powder fuel include aluminum, magnesium, titanium, zinc, silicon and boron. Some examples of oxidizer include nitrous oxide, bismuth(III) oxide, boron(III) oxide, silicon(IV) oxide, chromium(III) oxide, manganese(IV) oxide, iron(III) oxide, iron(II,III) oxide, copper(II) oxide, and lead(II,IV) oxide. An example of thermite is a composition of iron and nitrous oxide.

In such embodiments smoke producing matter 614 produces smoke when heated. Optionally, smoke producing matter 614 is mounted such that at least one heating element 613 heats smoke producing matter 614 to produce smoke. Optionally, smoke producing matter 614 is a liquid. A possible liquid that produces smoke when heated is a mixture of water and a substance such as glycol. Another example of a substance is glycerin. The mixture may have a high ratio of substance to water, for example 3 parts glycerin to 7 parts water, to produce very thick smoke. The mixture may have a low ratio of substance to water, for example 3 parts glycerin to 17 parts water, to produce less thick smoke.

Optionally, an output of at least one controller 601 is connected to an input of at least one ignition component 611. Optionally, at least one ignition component 611 is an electrical circuit designed to produce an electrical spark upon receiving an electrical current from at least one controller 601 on the input of the at least one ignition component, and the electrical spark ignites combustible matter 612, producing a high temperature reaction which in turn heats at least one heating element 613. Optionally, at least one ignition component 611 is electrically powered by a power source such as a battery. Optionally, at least one ignition component 611 comprises an electrical ignitor that delivers the electrical spark. Optionally at least one ignition component 611 comprises an electrical ignitor as known in the art. Examples of an electrical ignitor include a resistor that burns when current exceeding a predefined threshold current passes through the resistor, producing a spark, an electrode and a cathode that pass an electric spark between them, and a reverse diode that burns when voltage exceeding a predefined threshold voltage is dropped above the reverse diode.

Optionally, smoke generating device 610 is housed in a housing having at least one opening, and comprises at least one component mounted to assist flow of the smoke leaving the smoke generating device, for example a fan. Optionally, the high temperature reaction of the combustible matter and, in addition or alternately, heating of at least one heating element 613 and/or the production of smoke fractures a housing of smoke generating device 610, allowing the smoke to leave the smoke generating device.

Optionally, at least one controller 601 is connected to at least one audio device 621, capable of producing an audio signal, and, additionally or alternately, to at least one visual device 622, capable of producing a visual signal. When a smoke activation event is detected, at least one controller 601 may deliver an electrical current to some of at least one audio device 621 and at least one visual device 622, in addition to delivering an electrical current to at least one ignition component 611.

Optionally, at least one heating element 613 is additionally connected to an electrical network 630 via an electrical switch 631, for the purpose of continuously delivering electrical power to at least one heating element 613 in order to further heat at least one heating element 613, for example to maintain at least a predetermined temperature over a period of time following the exothermic redox reaction of combustible matter 612. Optionally, electrical switch 631 is connected to at least one ignition component 611 or to an output of at least one controller 601, and is configured such that, upon delivery of the electrical current to at least one ignition component 611 following identification of a smoke activation event, electrical switch 631 connects at least one heating element 613 to electrical network 630 and delivers electrical power from the electrical network to the at least one heating element.

To produce smoke upon detection of a smoke activation event, in some embodiments of the present invention system 600 implements the following optional method.

Reference is now made also to FIG. 2, showing a flowchart schematically representing an optional flow of operations 100, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In such embodiments, in 103 at least one controller 601 determines a smoke activation event by analyzing at least one sensor output value of at least one sensor 620. Upon determining the smoke activation event, at least one controller 601 optionally delivers in 105 an electrical current to at least one ignition component 611 of smoke generating device 610. Some examples of a smoke activation event are: identification of presence of a person in an image, identification in an audio signal of a sound indicating a presence of a person, identification that a temperature value is greater than a first threshold temperature value, possibly indicating presence of an object not normally present on premises; identification that a difference between a temperature value and an ambient temperature value is greater than a second threshold temperature value, possibly indicating presence of a person, and identification in an electrical signal of an indication of an opening of a door or a window.

In 109, at least one ignition component 611 ignites combustible matter 612, to produce a high temperature reaction in combustible matter 612. Optionally, combustible matter 612 is ignited by an electrical spark produced by ignition component 611. Next, at 112, the high temperature reaction produced in 109 optionally heats at least one heating element 613, such that at 115 smoke producing matter 614 optionally produces smoke upon heating of at least one heating element 613. In embodiments where smoke producing matter 614 is a liquid, at least one heating element 613 may be heated at 112 to a temperature at least as hot as a boiling point of the liquid, such that at least one heating element 613 may bring smoke producing matter 614 to a boil in order to produce the smoke. For example, in embodiments where the liquid is a mixture of water and glycol, in 112 at least one heating element 613 may be heated to a temperature of at least 100 degrees centigrade. Optionally, at least one heating element 613 is heated to a temperature of at least 140 degrees centigrade, a boiling point of some water and glycol mixtures.

In some embodiments of the present invention, smoke is produced by heating a liquid. Reference is now made also to FIGs. 3 A and 3B, showing partial schematic block diagrams of two exemplary smoke generating devices 610a and 610b, according to some embodiments of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 3 A, smoke generating device 610a comprises at least one vessel 651 for holding smoke producing liquid 614, and at least one spraying element 652 operatively connected to at least one vessel 651 and mounted to spray an amount 614a of smoke producing liquid 614 on at least one heating element 613. Optionally, at least one spraying element 652 sprays the amount of smoke producing liquid on at least one heating element 613 when the at least one heating element reaches a temperature at least as high as a boiling point of smoke producing liquid 614, to produce the smoke. At least one spraying element 652 may spray the amount of smoke producing liquid on at least one heating element 613 for a period of time when the at least one heating element has a temperature at least as high as a boiling point of smoke producing liquid 614. At least one heating element 613 is optionally a metal plate.

Optionally, at least one controller 601 is operatively connected to at least one spraying element 652 and is further adapted to instruct the spraying element to spray the amount 614a of smoke producing liquid on at least one heating element 613 when at least one heating element 613 reaches a temperature at least as high as a boiling point of the smoke producing liquid.

Reference is now made also to FIG. 3B, showing a partial schematic block diagram of another exemplary smoke generating device 610b, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In such embodiments, at least one heating element 613 is at least one vessel holding an amount of smoke producing matter 614. Optionally, smoke producing matter 614 is a smoke producing liquid, such as a mixture of water and glycol or water and glycerin. Optionally, the high temperature reaction in combustible matter 612 heats the vessel which in turn heats the smoke producing liquid to a temperature at least as high as a boiling point of the smoke producing liquid. For example, when the smoke producing liquid is a mixture of water and a substance, heating at least one vessel 613 may heat the smoke producing liquid to a temperature of at least 100 degrees centigrade, such that the smoke producing liquid produces smoke. Optionally, at least one vessel 613 has at least one opening by which the smoke may leave the at least one vessel. Optionally, smoke generating device 610b is housed in a housing having at least one other opening by which the smoke may leave the smoke generating device. Optionally, smoke generating device 610b comprises at least one component mounted to assist flow of the smoke leaving the at least one vessel and the smoke generating device, for example a fan.

In some embodiments of the present invention, smoke producing matter 614 ignites when heated and produces smoke when ignited. In such embodiments, smoke producing matter 614 is mounted to be ignited by heat produced by the high temperature reaction in combustible matter 612. Examples of smoke producing matter that ignites when heated include a mixture of Hexachloroethane-zinc and granular aluminum, and a mixture comprising potassium chlorate and lactose.

The present invention may be used to extend an existing smoke detection system to perform an alarm action in reaction to additional alarm events such as detection of motion. In some embodiments of the present invention, some smoke produced in reaction to identification of an alarm event is intercepted by a smoke detection device. An output of the smoke detection device upon intercepting the some smoke is delivered to at least one controller for the purpose of activating an alarm.

Reference is now made also to FIG. 4, showing a schematic block diagram of another exemplary system 700 comprising a smoke detecting device, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In such embodiments, at least one controller 601a is connected to at least one smoke detecting device 710 and mounted in sufficient proximity to at least one smoke generating device 610 such that some of smoke 701 generated by at least one smoke generating device 610 may be intercepted by the at least one smoke detecting device 710. At least one controller 601a is optionally at least one controller 601. Upon detecting at least an identified amount of smoke, at least one smoke detecting device 701 optionally delivers a smoke detection indication to at least one controller 601a. The at least one controller is optionally configured to activate an alarm upon receiving the smoke detection indication from at least one smoke detecting device 701.

Optionally, at least one controller 601a is connected to at least one audio device 621 and, in addition or alternately, to at least one visual device 622. Upon receiving the smoke detection indication, at least one controller 601a may deliver an electrical current to some of at least one audio device 621 and at least one visual device 622 to activate an alarm. Other examples of activating the alarm are: sending a message to at least one designated person, displaying a message on a visual display, delivering an electrical current to at least one hardware processor electrically connected to the at least one controller, and sending a message to at least one hardware processor connected to the at least one controller via a digital communication network, for example for the purpose of recording the alarm event or to trigger sending a person to the premises to help.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application many relevant combustible matters and smoke producing matters will be developed and the scope of the terms "combustible matter" and "smoke producing matter" is intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

As used herein the term "about" refers to ± 10 %.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to". This term encompasses the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of".

The phrase "consisting essentially of" means that the composition or method may include additional ingredients and/or steps, but only if the additional ingredients and/or steps do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition or method.

As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance or illustration". Any embodiment described as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

The word "optionally" is used herein to mean "is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments". Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of "optional" features unless such features conflict.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases "ranging/ranges between" a first indicate number and a second indicate number and "ranging/ranges from" a first indicate number "to" a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An alarm system, comprising:

at least one smoke generating device, comprising:

at least one ignition component;

combustible matter mounted to be ignited by the at least one ignition component; at least one heating element, mounted to be heated by a high temperature reaction in the combustible matter; and

smoke producing matter, mounted to be heated by the at least one heating element; and

at least one controller, electrically connected to at least one sensor and to the ignition component of the at least one smoke generating device, and adapted to:

determine a smoke activation event by analyzing at least one sensor output value of the at least one sensor;

deliver an electrical current to the at least one ignition component upon determining a smoke activation event;

wherein the combustible matter is ignited by the at least one ignition component upon delivery of the electrical current, producing a high temperature reaction in the combustible matter,

wherein the high temperature reaction in the combustible matter heats the at least one heating element, and

wherein the smoke producing matter produces smoke upon heating of the heating element.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the combustible matter is thermite.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the thermite is a pyrotechnic composition of:

a first amount of fuel matter, selected from a group of fuel matters consisting of aluminum, magnesium, titanium, zinc, silicon and boron; and

a second amount of oxidizer matter, selected from a group of oxidizer matters consisting of nitrous oxide, bismuth(III) oxide, boron(III) oxide, silicon(IV) oxide, chromium(III) oxide, manganese(IV) oxide, iron(III) oxide, iron(II,III) oxide, copper(II) oxide, and lead(II,IV) oxide.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the thermite is a pyrotechnic composition of iron and nitrous oxide.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the high temperature reaction is an exothermic reduction- oxidation (redox) reaction.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the smoke producing matter is an identified liquid; and wherein the high temperature reaction in the combustible matter heats the at least one heating element to a temperature at least as high as a boiling point of the identified liquid.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

at least one vessel holding an amount of the identified liquid; and

at least one spraying element operatively connected to the vessel and mounted to spray an amount of the identified liquid on to the at least one heating element when the at least one heating element has a temperature at least as high as a boiling point of the identified liquid, to produce the smoke.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the identified liquid is a mixture of water and glycol; and

wherein the high temperature reaction in the combustible matter heats the at least one heating element to a temperature of at least 100 degrees centigrade.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one heating element is a metal plate.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one heating element is at least one vessel holding an amount of the identified liquid; and

wherein heating the at least one vessel heats the amount of the identified liquid to a temperature at least as high as the boiling point of the identified liquid.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one vessel has at least one opening,

wherein the at least one smoke generating device is housed in a housing having at least one other opening, and

wherein the at least one smoke generating device comprises at least one fan, mounted to assist flow of the smoke leaving the vessel and the at least one smoke generating device.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the smoke producing matter ignites when heated; and wherein the smoke producing matter is mounted to be ignited by a high temperature reaction in the combustible matter, to produce the smoke.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the ignition component is an electrical circuit designed to produce an electrical spark upon receiving the electrical current from the at least one controller; and

wherein the electrical spark ignites the combustible matter to produce the high temperature reaction in the combustible matter.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from a group of sensors consisting of: a motion sensor, a heat sensor, a microphone, a digital camera, a proximity sensor, a magnetic contact, a pressure sensor, a standing wave sensor, and a vibration sensor; and

wherein the at least one sensor output value is an output value selected from a group comprising: an image, an audio signal, a temperature value, and an electrical signal.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein analyzing the at least one sensor output value to determine a smoke activation event comprises at least one of a group consisting of: identifying a presence of a person in an image, identifying in an audio signal a sound indicating a presence of a person, identifying a temperature value is greater than a first threshold temperature value; identifying a difference between a temperature value and an ambient temperature value is greater than a second threshold temperature value, and identifying in an electrical signal an indication of an opening of a door or a window.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one smoke detecting device, connected to the at least one controller and mounted in an identified proximity to the at least one smoke generating device;

wherein the at least one smoke detecting device is configured to deliver a smoke detection indication to the at least one controller upon detecting at least an identified amount of smoke; and

wherein the at least one controller is configured to activate an alarm upon receiving the smoke detection indication from the at least one smoke detecting device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein activating the alarm comprises at least one of a group of actions comprising: delivering an electrical current to an audio device capable of emitting an audio signal, delivering an electrical current to a visual device capable of emitting a visual signal, sending a message to at least one designated person, displaying a message on a visual display, delivering an electrical current to at least one hardware processor electrically connected to the at least one controller, and sending a message to at least one hardware processor connected to the at least one controller via a digital communication network.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one ignition component is electrically powered by a battery.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one heating element is additionally connected to an electrical network via an electrical switch; and

wherein the electrical switch is configured to deliver, upon delivery of the electrical current to the at least one ignition component, electrical power from the electrical network to the at least one heating element for the purpose of further heating the at least one heating element.

20. A method for an alarm system, comprising:

determining a smoke activation event by analyzing at least one sensor output value of at least one sensor;

delivering an electrical current to at least one ignition component of a smoke generating device upon determining a smoke activation event;

igniting combustible matter by the at least one ignition component, to produce a high temperature reaction in the combustible matter;

heating at least one heating element by the high temperature reaction in the combustible matter; and

producing smoke by a smoke producing matter upon heating of the heating element.