UTILITY OUTLETS AND ALERTMENT/FIRE SAFETY

SYSTEMS

Technical Field

The current invention relates to utility outlets and more specifically to the use of utility outlets as a fire safety system.

Background Art

Fire alarm/alertment systems are critical to efforts to reduce the amount of injuries and deaths caused by fire in premises, particularly homes. Typically, not all rooms in a premises are equipped with a fire alarm/alertment system. It is widely recognized, however, that it is safest to install a fire alarm/alertment in all or as many rooms as possible (except the kitchen), in a premises. To increase the coverage of fire alarm/alertment systems in premises, cost effective means of adding fire detection/alertment devices to a building or retrofitting a building with a new fire alarm/alertment system is needed.

Further, although the system described can be used for any anomaly, in the event of an emergency in a building, safety procedures typically require immediate evacuation. Examples of anomalies are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 11/683,326 to Schoettle, filed March 7, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Where the building is large and/or the occupants are not familiar with the building, directing the occupants out of the building is of primary concern. Accordingly, property owners or building occupiers usually provide a diagram or copy of evacuation routes applicable to evacuation from particular locations in a building. For example, hotels provide evacuation routes on the doors in the hotel room. Similarly, employers sometimes provide evacuation routes to employees.

While the procedure of posting or publishing evacuation routes may enhance safety in an emergency, there are certain situations in which these procedures are inadequate. For example, a visitor to a building would not usually have access to the evacuation routes published to employees. Further, an occupant of a building may be in an area,

such as a passageway, where no evacuation route is posted. Even when an occupant of a building has access to evacuation routes, those publications and postings are necessarily prepared prior to the emergency. Therefore, where there is more than one possible evacuation route from a particular location, the existing evacuation route publications or postings typically display a previously determined preferred evacuation route.

Significantly, the previously determined preferred route may be the most dangerous of the possible routes in a particular emergency. In other words, a preferred route may become the most dangerous route based on the location of the cause of the emergency. For example, a fire may have engulfed the passageway of a preferred evacuation route. Accordingly, in a scenario where there are optional routes, the existing systems do not provide a means of indicating the safest routes based on the circumstances at the time of the emergency.

Moreover, smoke alarms, although very useful for determining the existence of fire, are typically poor at determining the room or location of the fire. This is because most smoke detectors work either by optical detection and/or by ionization detection methods. They do not detect heat/fire directly, and because smoke particles travel much quicker than fire or heat, smoke detectors are very poor at discriminating where a fire actually is. Because authorities require only a relatively few smoke alarms for large buildings, the challenge of fire location in those buildings is exacerbated yet further. The above discussion also applies to other anomalies and emergencies, such as gas leak, biohazards, chemical agents, terrorist attacks, and more.

In environments such as the home, it is not practical to post evacuation routes. Even if such routes were to be posted, some occupants, such as young children, might not be able to read or remember the route. Further, once the emergency condition exists it is usually too late (or too smoky) for anyone to stop and read the posted route information. Compounding the problem even further is the fact that when smoke or chemicals reduce visibility, occupants of the premises, whether it be a room in a home, a room in a public facility or an office or hallway in a work environment, can

become confused as to the nearest exit and thus be trapped, or waste precious time trying to escape the problem area.

Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a system and method which allows a fire alarm/alertment system to cover all important areas of a premises at minimal cost. Embodiments of the invention do this by using utility outlets to serve as components of a fire alarm or other alertment system in addition to the conventional purpose of connecting devices to an electrical power supply system. In making utility outlets serve this dual purpose, a single installed device now performs two functions, thus reducing overall cost. In one embodiment of the invention, there is a system comprising a plurality of utility outlets in a premises where the utility outlets function as a fire detection/alarm/alertment system and concurrently as a system to dynamically indicate emergency evacuation routing.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a utility outlet as one embodiment of the current invention; and

FIGURE 2 illustrates a plurality of utility outlets encompassing one embodiment of the current invention.

FIGURE 3 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of the current invention showing an electrical switch;

FIGURES 4 A to 4F are diagrams illustrating the operation of one embodiment of the current invention;

FIGURE 5 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of the current invention showing the combination of a utility outlet and a face plate.

FIGURE 6 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of the current invention as applied to a building with multiple exit routes.

FIGURE 7 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of the current invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

FIGURE 1 illustrates a utility outlet 10 as one embodiment of the current invention. Utility outlet 10 has power sockets 101 and 102 for connecting devices to a premises' power supply. In addition to serving as connection to the premises' power source, utility outlet 10 has detectors for detecting a fire (or other relevant emergency) within the premises. The detectors may be any type of detector capable of detecting an anomaly or emergency fire such as smoke detector 104 and heat detector 105. On the detection of a fire at utility outlet 10, transceiver 106 transmits a signal to another utility outlet 10 (received by transceiver 106 in the other utility outlet 10) or to an alarm/alertment notification system 108. Alarm/alertment notification system 108

may be located in utility outlet 10 or apart from utility outlet 10 somewhere else in the premises or connected to a security or alertment system not on the premises. Alarm/alertment notification system 108 may include an illumination device, an audible transducer or a combination thereof.

Utility outlet 10 may also have a central processing unit 107 for controlling and coordinating signals between utility outlets 10 and/or the components of the utility outlets 10. In some embodiments, utility outlet 10 has a button 103, which may be depressed by a user to manually activate alarm notification system 108. It should be noted that utility outlet 10 may be any one of a power socket, an electrical switch and a permanently mounted light socket.

In addition to serving as connection to a power source, fire detection and alarm, utility outlet 10 serves as a device to indicate an evacuation route in the event it detects an emergency such as a fire. When the fire is detected, the utility outlet displays the evacuation route by illuminating some light signal such as, for example, apparatus 1003. Illumination apparatus 1003 can be a single light source or it may comprise several individual light sources, such as illumination devices 401 to 406. Illumination devices 401 to 406 may illuminate all at once, constantly or intermittently. Concurrent illumination (constantly or intermittently) would, for example, be appropriate where the utility outlet is located close to an exit in a building and the utility outlet serves the purpose of identifying the location of that exit. Additionally, however, each of illumination devices 401 - 406 can illuminate consecutively in a way to indicate a certain direction.

Alternatively, illumination apparatus 103 could be in the shape of an arrow that indicates a direction by constant or intermittent illumination. Touch sensitive plate 105 may be used to turn the illumination apparatus 103 and device 104 on or off. Touch sensitive plate 105 may also be used to turn the illumination apparatus and audio devices of other utility outlets on or off. It should be noted that the face plate used to cover the utility outlet when installed would have sufficient open space to allow easy visibility of illumination apparatus 103 and access to touch sensitive plate 105. Device 10 can have, if desired, an audio device, such as device 104 which can

provide sound, voice, or some coordination thereof. The sound can act with an illumination source or separately therefrom to indicate a direction out of a premises.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a plurality of utility outlets encompassing one embodiment of the current invention. Premises 20 contains a plurality of utility outlets 10a - 1On. Preferably, at least one utility outlet in every room of premises 20 is capable of detecting a fire by smoke detector 104 and/or heat detector 105. Because there are usually several utility outlets located in different sections of a room, the utility outlets may be equipped with the most appropriate detector for its location. For example, permanently mounted light socket 10a is in a central and highest point of the roof as it is the typical location for connecting a bulb to the premises' electrical supply. In its position, permanently mounted light socket 1 Oa is in a good location to detect smoke. Thus, permanently mounted light socket 10a is preferably equipped with a smoke detector. Likewise, power socket 10b which may be located close to an appliance that may overheat and cause a fire on the premises and thus may be equipped with a heat detector. The plurality of utility outlets 10a - 1Od are connected to the premises' electrical power supply. Thus, the power cables of the electrical power supply may, if desired, be used for communications between utility outlets 10a - 1Od and control panel 201. Utility outlets 10s - 1Od may also be connected wirelessly or by a communication wire. The plurality of utility outlets 10, in addition to being able to detect a fire, may also be adapted to indicate an evacuation route when utility outlet 10 has detected a fire.

FIGURE 3 illustrates one embodiment 30 showing an electrical switch wherein all of the outwardly visible portions of actuator 302 serve as an illumination device. In this scenario, after being activated by a signal of an emergency condition, actuator 302 illuminates constantly or intermittently. The embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 3 takes advantage of the fact that, typically, switches are located close to exits. Accordingly, illuminating the actuator of the switch during the time of an emergency indicates the exit. This illumination can be of a particular color, a strobe, a very bright light, or any combination thereof.

It should be noted that in some embodiments any or all of the utility outlets can give off a sound (or even a verbal command) to aid the occupant to move towards an outlet where, for example, in the case of fire, smoke prevents viewing the utility outlet from a distance. This would also help the visually impaired to evacuate. In one embodiment, the sound could be used as a means to direct the occupant closer to the utility outlet so that the direction of exit as indicated by the device could be observed. Alternatively, the sound can be used as an indicator of the direction in which to evacuate. In other words, only the utility outlets in the direction of an exit furthest away from the source of danger would emit a sound, thus leading the occupant away from the most dangerous exits.

In another embodiment, each switch and/or socket could be established to work together with all other switches and/or sockets within the same area or room. In this mode, each switch and/or socket would emit loud sounds and light that would pulse or point with increasing frequency and/or duration as an indicator toward a viable exit. The switch or socket closest to the viable exit could be set to operate continuously. In yet another embodiment, each switch or socket could be silenced momentarily (using programmable times, e.g. 10 seconds) so as to allow for easier hearing of the next switch or socket with a higher frequency and/or duration, indicating the direction to a viable exit. The switch or socket may have a touch sensitive plate to turn the switch or socket on or off. This touch sensitive plate could also serve as a means by which an occupant activates or deactivates the illumination apparatus or audio device of other switches and indicates his/her present location and progress. In the event there is more than one viable exit, the one closest to the switch or socket or present location of person will be chosen automatically.

FIGURES 4A through 4F illustrate the operation of the set of illumination devices 401 to 406 positioned on control device 10. Illuminating the devices 401 to 406 consecutively in a particular direction visually indicates that the occupant should move in that direction. For example, in FIGURE 4A at time 1 , only illumination device 401 is illuminated. FIGURE 4B shows time 2 in which illumination device 401 is no longer illuminated, and illumination device 402 is the only device illuminated. FIGURES 4C through 4F show progressive frames until illumination

device 406 is illuminated. At that point the process starts over with illumination device 401. The consecutive illumination of devices 401 to 406 occurs rapidly and repeatedly, thereby creating the effect of a flow from left to right in this example. The occupant is thus urged to move to his/her right along the wall where the outlet is positioned. Reversing the sequence of illuminating the illumination devices would, accordingly, show a flow from right to left encouraging the occupant to move in the opposite direction, i.e. to his/her left.

FIGURES 4A to 4F illustrate a single outlet 10 having consecutive lights to show a direction out of the area. However, multiple outlets 10 can be used to create an apparent movement of lights along a wall leading an occupant along the evacuation route.

FIGURE 5 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment 50 showing a combination of a utility outlet 504 and faceplate 501 for utility outlet 504, serving as a way of indicating an evacuation route in the event of an emergency. In this embodiment, face plate 501 is shaped to point in a particular direction. The utility outlet and faceplate would be installed in a building so that the pointed portion would point towards the exit. For example, a utility outlet installed in a room where there is one door would point to the door. The surface of faceplate 501 could be an illumination device. Additionally, the shape of the plate is raised from the wall or otherwise easily discernible from the wall by touch. Apart from helping persons who cannot see because of the emergency conditions, this would also help visually impaired persons to find the exit. It should be noted that the pointed portion alone could be the illuminated portion, or the entire faceplate can be made to illuminate during an emergency.

In this embodiment, utility outlet 504 serves as a power socket in a traditional manner and also has the capability of receiving a signal of an emergency condition via either a power cable, a separate communications cable or from an internal sensor. The received signal is communicated to the faceplate, for example, by contacts 505 and 506 that mate with contacts 502 and 503, respectively. The faceplate is thereby activated to illuminate and display an evacuation route. It should be noted that utility

outlet 504 and faceplate 501 may be connected to each other by any means that facilitates the emergency signal being transmitted from utility outlet 504 to the faceplate 501.

FIGURE 6 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment as applied to building 60 with multiple exit routes. FIGURE 6 depicts passageways 60-West, 60-East, and 60-North in building 60. In this embodiment of the current invention, a system of utility outlets indicates evacuation routes away from the source of danger. In this example, there is a fire in location 64. In this embodiment, utility outlets/switches 65 through 77 are visible from the passageways. Because devices 65 through 77 are equipped with heat detectors, device 69 detects that a fire is in location 64, initiates an alarm and send signals to the other devices 65-68 and 70-77. Devices 65-77 would then indicate evacuation routes. It should be noted that the arrows beside utility outlets 65 through 77 show the direction that each utility outlet would indicate in this example. Where there are alternative evacuation routes, the utility outlet displays a particular direction based on a signal from the separate alarm system or from one of the devices 65-77.

An occupant in position 60-A would potentially have the option to exit via one of exits 61, 62 or 63. However, based on the fire being at location 64, a user in location 60-A can view utility outlet 66 and determine the safest way to go is in the direction of exit 61. Notably, an occupant in location 60-B will be directed by utility outlets 67 through 70 and 73 through 77 to go in an easterly direction away from exit 61 and towards exit 63. Similarly, the occupant in position 60-C will be directed away from exits 61 and 62 by utility outlets 74 through 77 and towards exit 63 in an easterly direction. In contrast, an occupant in position 60-D would be directed in a northerly direction away from exits 61 and 63 and towards exit 62 by utility outlets 71 and 72. Accordingly, the utility outlets in this embodiment provide a dynamic, location specific indicator as to the safest route.

FIGURE 7 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of the current invention and showing the steps in dynamically displaying an evacuation route. As an example, in this embodiment, a fire in a building is used as the emergency event. The flow chart

in FIGURE 7 shows some of the steps a utility outlet may follow in displaying an evacuation route.

In process 701 , a determination is made whether the utility outlets have detected a fire. If there is no fire, the system remains in a non-indicating (no light or sound) state. If there is a signal that a fire exists, then the utility outlet, in process 703, determines if there is more than one exit route that the utility outlet can indicate. If there is only one exit route, the utility outlet indicates the direction of the sole exit/evacuation route in process 704. If there is more than one exit route that the utility outlet can indicate, then in process 705, the utility outlet determines if the location of the event causing the emergency, in this case a fire, has been identified, hi process 706, if the location of the fire is unknown to the utility outlet then the utility outlet indicates any evacuation route or an otherwise previously identified preferred evacuation route. If the location of the fire has been identified then, in process 707, the utility outlet indicates a direction along the safest of the possible evacuation routes.

It should be noted that any or all of the utility outlets may have, among other things, one or more of the following capabilities: detecting the source of danger, storing the evacuation routes, storing the location of other utility outlets, sending signals to other utility outlets, receiving signals from other utility outlets, coordinating with other utility outlets to display an evacuation route and controlling the illumination of other utility outlets.

It should also be noted that although a fire was used here, the current invention also applies to other anomalies and emergencies such as hazardous chemical release, burglary, gas leaks, biohazards, terrorist attacks, etc. In all applicable anomaly and/or emergency situations, the utility outlet may contain the device for detecting the anomaly and/or emergency situation or rely on a separate anomaly/emergency and alarm system for a signal that there is, for example, an existing emergency.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made

herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Industrial Applicability

The present invention reduces the amount of injuries and deaths caused by fire in premises, particularly homes through the use of utility outlets as components of a fire alarm or other alertment system