The present invention relates to a personal, portable detection device In particular, the invention relates to a combined personal, portable detection device for detecting carbon-monoxide, carbon-dioxide, smoke and/or natural gas

There are a number of detection devices currently available These include smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, carbon dioxide detectors and devices for detecting gas leaks, changes in temperature, changes in UV levels, and the like Detectors such as these are generally in a fixed position in a building, and generally, are adapted to only detect one type of variable such as smoke level, CO level, CO ₂ level and the like

Since these known devices are generally fixed in position, the variables, such as smoke level, CO level, CO ₂ level and the like, can only be detected in one specific place within a building or structure As such, detectors of the kind described above are not adapted to monitor the levels of the variables in all the areas where individuals are likely to be, especially since detectors are usually mounted in hallways or corridors where individuals are unlikely to spend a great deal of time

The fixed position of the detectors means that the change in a variable is monitored only at the position of the detector Therefore, in the case of a smoke detector for example, the smoke must reach the position of the detector in order for the detector to signal an alarm condition This often means that by the time the variable is detected by the detecting means, an individual may be in an area where the levels of the variable are much higher, leading to the variable not being detected in time to prevent any health risk to that individual

Detecting means such as those described above are only operable to detect a single variable Therefore, in order to monitor a number of variables, a number of separate detecting means are required This can result in an unsightly array of detecting means each for a different variable

It is an object of the present invention to address these and other problems associated with the prior art

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a personal, portable detection device comprising at least one sensor, monitoring means adapted to monitor an output of the or each sensor, and signalling means to issue an alarm condition upon detection of a predetermined sensor output by the monitoring means

Preferably, the personal, portable detection device is adapted to be carried on or by a person

Preferably, the personal, portable detection device comprises a housing Preferably, the housing is a key fob

Preferably, the device comprises one sensor Alternatively, the device comprises two or more different sensors

Preferably, the device comprises at least three sensors More preferably, the device comprises at least a smoke detector, a carbon dioxide detector and a carbon monoxide detector

Additional or alternative sensors may be present in the device Such additional sensors may comprise thermometers, natural gas detectors, UV light sensors, impact sensors, and the like

Alternatively, the personal, portable detection device comprises one or more interchangeable sensors The interchangeable sensors may be selected from the above non-exhaustive list Preferably, the or each sensor is adapted to communicate an output to the monitoring means

Preferably, the predetermined output of the or each sensor is the reaching, or exceeding, of a predetermined threshold level of the variable sensed by the or each sensor For example, the predetermined output of a carbon monoxide sensor may be the reaching, or exceeding, of a certain value in ppm (parts per million) of CO in an air sample analysed by the sensor

The signalling means preferably comprise an audible alarm Preferably, the signalling means further comprise visible signalling means Preferably, the signalling means comprise a vibration means

Preferably, the audible alarm is generated by at least one sounder, more preferably, by at least one piezo sounder Preferably, the audible alarm is a short, repeating alarm or a continuous alarm More preferably, the audible alarm is operable to change between a short, repeating alarm and a continuous alarm to distinguish between different sensor outputs

Preferably, the visible signalling means comprises one or more LEDs Preferably, one or more of the one or more LEDs are illuminated in an alarm condition

Preferably, the visible signalling means is operable to indicate which of the or each sensor output was detected by the monitoring means as reaching a predetermined level Preferably, a different coloured LED is provided for each different sensor Preferably, the appropriately coloured LED is illuminated in an alarm condition

Preferably, the vibration means comprise a vibration device operable to vibrate upon detection of a predetermined sensor output by the monitoring means According to a second aspect to the present invention, there is provided a smoke chamber for a personal, portable detection device

The smoke chamber is preferably adapted to fit in the personal, portable detection device according to the first aspect of the invention

Preferably, the smoke chamber comprises a peripheral wall Preferably, the peripheral wall comprises a number of wall panels, preferably the peripheral wall comprises 10 wall panels

Preferably, the smoke chamber comprises an IR (infra-red) LED (light emitting diode), more preferably a 3mm IR LED

Preferably, the smoke chamber comprises a base section and a ceiling section Preferably, at least one of the base section and the ceiling section are integrated into the personal, portable detection device of the first aspect of the invention

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a personal, portable detection device comprising at least one sensor, monitoring means for monitoring an output of the or each sensor, and signalling means adapted to issue an alarm condition upon detection by the monitoring means of a predetermined sensor output wherein at least one of the sensors is adapted to detect the level of oxygen in the surrounding air

Preferably, the signalling means are adapted to issue an alarm condition upon detection of a reduced level of oxygen and/or a dangerously low level of oxygen by the monitoring means Preferably, the reduced level of oxygen and the dangerously low level of oxygen are in the region of, for example, approximately 17% and approximately 10%, respectively, in the surrounding air The use of such a sensor allows the user to stay in areas where there is sufficient oxygen in the air to breathe, or to know when a separate oxygen supply may be needed, and to keep away from areas where the level of oxygen in the air is too high such that it creates an explosion risk

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a personal, portable detection device comprising at least one sensor, monitoring means for monitoring an output of the or each sensor, and interfacing means for interfacing with at least one remote system in response to the detection of a predetermined sensor output by the monitoring means

Preferably, the remote system comprises a fixed-position system The remote system may be a fire alarm system, carbon monoxide detection system, carbon dioxide detection system, air conditioning system, heating system, boiler, thermostat, air purification system, dehumidification system, or the like

Preferably, the device is operable to interface with existing remote systems Alternatively, the device may interface with specially-adapted, new remote systems

The interfacing means preferably comprise wireless internet connection means Preferably the interfacing means comprise a Bluetooth (RTM) wireless connection means as appropriate

Alternatively, the interfacing means may comprise wireless network connection means

The interfacing means preferably transmit a signal to the or each remote system upon detection of a predetermined sensor output by the monitoring means Preferably, the transmitted signal causes the or each remote system to switch on or off, trigger an alarm condition or adjust a setting within the system Any of the above features may be taken in any combination and with any aspect of the invention

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of a personal, portable detection device,

Figure 2 shows a schematic, perspective view of a top elevation of the device of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 shows a plan view of a first side of the device with the casing removed,

Figure 4 shows a plan view of a second side of the device with the casing removed,

Figure 5 shows a schematic, perspective view of the device with first and second casings removed, and

Figure 6 shows schematic plan and side views of a smoke chamber contained within the device

Referring to Figure 1 , a personal, portable detection device 2 comprises a housing 4 having first 8 and second 6 casings The housing 4 comprises a first plurality of openings 10, 12 to allow air from the surrounding environment to move through the device 2 and into the sensors (as will be described below) The housing 4 further comprises a second plurality of openings 14 to allow an audible signal emanating from signalling means (described below) within the device 2 to be heard clearly Further, a plurality of LEDs 16 is visible within the housing 4 of the device The casings 6, 8 which make up the housing 4 of the device 2 are made from a hard plastics material which is able to withstand high impacts and has high abrasion resistance The casings 6, 8 are bell-shaped This ensures that air flow through the device 2 is not blocked or restricted if the device 2 is placed upside down

Referring to Figure 2, the personal, portable detection device 2 further comprises a key loop 18 for receiving an attachment to a key ring Further, the device 2 is provided with a sliding power switch 20 and a push test switch 22 The switches 20, 22 are recessed within the casing 6,8 to prevent accidental use A number of feet 24 are provided on the second casing 6 of the device 2 to allow the device 2 to rest on a surface

Referring now to Figures 3, 4 and 5, a printed circuit board 26 is situated within the housing 4 of the personal, portable detection device 2 The printed circuit board 26 is provided with connections to the sliding power switch 20 and push test switch 22, as well as a plurality of sensors, monitoring and controlling means and signalling means The printed circuit board 26 is also supplied with a power source in the form of batteries 28 The rear of the printed circuit board 26 is provided with spring contacts 56 to electrically connect the batteries 28 to the printed circuit board 26

The batteries 28 are located behind a battery cap 30 in the housing 4 of the device The battery cap 30 comprises a transparent region (not shown) through which the batteries 28 are visible by the user The printed circuit board 26 beneath the batteries 28 is coloured red such that, when there are no batteries 28 in the device 2, the user will see the red colour through the transparent region This red colouring provides a warning to the user of the absence of batteries

The sensors comprise a smoke detector 32, a carbon dioxide detector 34 and a carbon monoxide detector 36 The smoke detector 32 comprises a smoke chamber 42 as shown in figure 6 The smoke chamber 42 comprises a wall 44 having a plurality of inlets to allow air to enter the chamber 42 The wall 44 comprises ten wall panels 45 which each have a thickness of 0 8mm The chamber 42 is substantially circular in cross section Within the walls 44 of the chamber 42 there is provided a 3mm infra-red LED light source 46 and an infra-red sensor 48 The infra-red sensor 48 is provided at an angle of approximately 30° to the light beam provided by the LED light source 46 Both the LED light source 46 and infra-red sensor 48 point radially towards the centre of the smoke chamber 42 The ceiling portion 49 of the smoke detector 32 is integrated into, and forms part of, the casing 8 of the device 2

Under normal conditions, the infra-red sensor 48 detects a known low level of infra-red light from the LED light source 46 When smoke particles enter the smoke chamber 42 through the inlets in the walls 44 of the chamber 42, light beams emanating from the LED light source 46 are reflected by the smoke particles and are deflected such that the infra-red sensor 48 detects the deflected light beams which results in a light level greater than the known low level of infra-red light

The carbon dioxide detector 34 is a sensor of the kind that is readily available from various suppliers This sensor 34 outputs an electronic signal to the monitoring means based on the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air being detected by the sensor 34

The carbon monoxide detector 36 is a sensor of the kind readily available from various suppliers The sensor 36 outputs an electronic signal to the monitoring means based on the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air being detected by the sensor 36

The monitoring means (not shown) are contained within the printed circuit board 26 to monitor the outputs from the sensors 32, 34, 36 The monitoring means are programmed to send a signal to signalling means 16, 38 upon detection of a predetermined threshold value of one or more of the variables being met or exceeded.

With regard to the smoke detector 32, the monitoring means are adapted to send a signal to the signalling means 16, 38, 40 upon detection of a predetermined level of smoke particles, indicative of a fire, being present in the air travelling through the device 2.

With regard to the carbon monoxide detector 36, the monitoring means are adapted to send two different signals to the signalling means 16, 38, when a predetermined low threshold value and/or a pre-determined high threshold value of carbon dioxide is met or exceeded in the air passing through the device 2. The predetermined threshold values are based on the concentration of, and time exposed to, the carbon monoxide. Table 1 shows the trigger levels.

Table 1

With regard to the carbon dioxide detector 34, the monitoring means are programmed to send two different signals to the signalling means 16, 38 upon detection of, firstly, a low threshold level of carbon dioxide being met or exceeded, and/or secondly, a high threshold level being met or exceeded, in the air travelling through the device 2. The threshold levels are given in Table 2 below. The low threshold level corresponds to a level of carbon dioxide which could cause drowsiness and, therefore, be a danger to a person whilst driving or operating machinery, for example This value corresponds to a concentration level of approximately 800 - 1000 ppm carbon monoxide in air

Table 2

The high threshold level corresponds to a level of carbon dioxide being present in the air passing through the device which would be unsafe to and cause damage to the health of a person This level corresponds to a concentration level of greater than approximately 5000ppm carbon dioxide in air

The signalling means 16, 38 are operable to indicate an alarm condition, as well as providing an indication of which variable, or sensor, led to the triggering of the alarm condition A piezo sounder 38 provides the means for an audible alarm signal The sounder 38 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 26 Upon receipt of a signal from the monitoring means, the signalling means causes the piezo sounder 38 to emit an audible warning signal The signalling means also comprise three LEDs 16 which are visible in the housing 4 of the device The LEDs 16 are all different colours, and each one corresponds to a specific sensor Upon receipt of the signal from the monitoring means, the signalling means cause the appropriately coloured LED 16 to light up according to which sensor 32, 34, 36 outputted the high level The visual signal, therefore, indicates the reason for the triggering of the alarm

Furthermore, the signalling means 16, 38 are operable to distinguish between the low carbon monoxide threshold level and high carbon monoxide threshold level being exceeded These distinguishing signals are indicated in Table 2 Upon the low threshold being exceeded, the audible alarm is sounded for three short blasts every 30 seconds Upon the high threshold being exceeded, the audible alarm is sounded continuously

Control of the power supply to the sensors 32, 34, 36, monitoring means and signalling means 16, 38, 40 on the printed circuit board 26 is provided by the sliding power switch 20 The power switch 20 is slidable between an ON and an OFF position In the ON position, the power supply from the batteries 28 is connected to the printed circuit board 26 to provide power to the sensors, monitoring means and signalling means In the OFF position, the power supply is disconnected from the printed circuit board 26

The push test switch 22 is to be pushed by a user to close a connection between the switch 22 and the monitoring and controlling means Upon closure of the connection between the push switch 22 and the monitoring and controlling means, the normal operation of the signalling means 16, 38 is overridden and the unit enters a test mode In this mode, a test alarm condition is signalled In this way, the operation of the signalling means 16, 38 for each of the sensors and the batteries 28, can be tested for a short period of time by the user The connection between the switch 22 and the monitoring and controlling means is broken, and therefore the signalling of an alarm condition is stopped as soon as the push switch 22 is released

Referring now to Figure 5, the first casing 8 is provided with a plurality of plastic hooks 58 which clip into corresponding recesses 60 (as shown in Figures 3 and 4) in the second casing 6 This hook 58 and recess 60 arrangement provides a snap-fit connection between the first 8 and second 6 casings to hold the two casings 6, 8 securely together, thus forming the housing 4 of the device 2

In use, the personal, portable detection device is turned on by a user by sliding the power switch from the OFF position to the ON position When in the ON position the power supply is connected to the printed circuit board, sensors, monitoring means and signalling means Whilst turned on, the device continuously samples and analyses levels of smoke, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in the air passing through the device

The carbon dioxide sensor is recalibrated each time the device is turned on The recalibration of the sensor is achieved by assuming the carbon dioxide sensor is in normal air with a CO ₂ level of between 350 and 450 ppm The detected level of the CO ₂ in the air is then measured along with the temperature A compensation factor is applied based on the current temperature and the zero offset required to have a correct reading These values are used until the system is next calibrated

The monitoring means monitor the output from the analysis of the air performed by the sensors The monitoring means are programmed with a predetermined set of threshold levels against which the sensor outputs are measured Upon detection of an output level from a sensor which meets or exceeds a threshold level for the corresponding variable, the monitoring means send a signal to the signalling means This signal contains information for the signalling means to indicate an alarm condition and to indicate from which of the sensors the output originated

Upon receipt of the signal from the monitoring means, the signalling means cause an alarm condition to be indicated The alarm condition is indicated by an audible signal and a visual signal

The signalling means are also operable to indicate a low battery condition upon receipt of a signal from the printed circuit board The low battery signal comprises a single, audible beep every 8 seconds

The push test switch can be used to test whether the signalling means are working correctly This is done by pushing the test switch down towards the interior of the device When the switch has been pushed far enough, a connection is made between the power supply, test switch and signalling means and the signalling means indicate an alarm condition Such a connection is only made whilst the test switch is held down to maintain the connection The alarm condition indicated whilst the test switch is operated uses the sounder and all the LEDs Therefore, if no audible signal is heard and/or some or all of the LEDs are not illuminated, the user can determine which of the signalling means is not working correctly

The test switch is also adapted to silence the audible alarm upon triggering of the signalling means due to the detection of high smoke, carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide levels in the air by the monitoring means

The personal, portable detection device described above may alternatively comprise additional or alternative sensors to those described above For example, the device may comprise a thermometer and monitoring means to detect changes in temperature, for example the meeting or exceeding of high and low temperature thresholds This would be useful in the workplace where guidelines give maximum and minimum temperatures for working in The device may also comprise a UV sensor and monitoring means to detect when a user is exposed to unhealthy UV levels

The personal, portable detection device may be fitted with a wireless internet or network connection capability, such as Bluetooth® capability With such wireless capability, the personal, portable detection device could be used to transmit signals to a remote system, such as a fire alarm system, air conditioning system, heating system or boiler, air purification or dehumidification system, or the like, which is installed within a commercial (industrial and office), residential and/or public (schools, libraries, etc) building, upon detection of an output from a sensor within the device that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold level The signals transmitted could cause the appropriate system(s) to switch on or off, trigger an alarm condition or adjust a setting within the system

For example, the device could transmit a signal across a wireless network or the internet to a fire alarm system in an industrial building upon detection of smoke particles in the air surrounding the device The transmitted signal would cause an alarm condition in the fire alarm system, thus alerting people in the building to the smoke detection

The device of the invention has the capability to detect smoke particles in the air in areas that are not close to fixed detectors in the fire alarm system Therefore, using the system described above, people within the building can be warned of the smoke detection before the smoke particles reach a fixed detector

Wireless connectivity also provides the device with the capability to alert one or more emergency services, for example, the fire brigade, ambulance service or police, upon detection of a sensor output which exceeds a predetermined threshold level In the above example, upon detection of smoke particles, the device could transmit a signal to the fire and ambulance services at the same time as transmitting a signal to the fire alarm system, thus alerting the detection to their attention early This early alerting of the emergency services could help to reduce the damage caused, and/or the number of casualties affected

The detection device described above can also be used to monitor levels of variables within vehicles, for example, cars, trains, aircraft, and the like The device may interface with the control systems for the variable levels within the vehicle to maintain the air quality and temperature at a desired level

A motion sensor and/or GPS unit can be fitted within the device Such a sensor or unit would allow the location that a high level of a variable is detected to be determined In a device also comprising wireless connectivity, the position of an incident could then be transmitted to the remote system or emergency services

The personal, portable detection device can, further, be upgraded by adding sensors to the unit to increase the capability thereof

The personal, portable detection device of the present invention ensures that the personal safety and health of the user is protected The user is alerted to the presence of fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and possibly other variables, in his vicinity, which may be potentially harmful Therefore, the user can remove himself to safety

The interfacing of the personal, portable detection device with remote systems also allows the early detection of the presence of a potentially harmful condition to be alerted to other people and/or emergency services, or to be removed by altering a setting within the remote system

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodιment(s) The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed