SMOKE AND FIRE AND ACTIVATING EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a controller unit having a wifi sensor for detecting smoke and fire and activating an emergency notification system and apparatus.

BACKGOUND

The use of wireless communication systems such as wifi and blue tooth routers are well known. Similarly, wireless communication devices which are enabled to report the occurrence of a notifiable event through the internet are well known. By example, a suitably enabled tracking device may be programmed to transmit a gps coordinate notification to an internet server upon a vehicle being involved a collision. The event is logged, stored on the server and the event data being individually transmitted as a report at a later point to a user, again through internet and GSM communication.

Of particular relevance to the invention is the ability to detect the unique identity of a wireless communication device by other wireless communication devices regardless of whether the devices are a known or affiliated with one another. In this regard, the invention pertains to the use of a BSSID (basic service set identifier) associated with wifi communication devices as a unique device identification means. As is known to those skilled in the prior art - every wifi engine is manufactured with a unique BSSID at time of manufacture and the BSSID is fixed and non-changeable. Accordingly, when the wifi engine of a wireless communication device broadcasts its identification data - the BSSID is broadcast and readable by any suitably enabled device. As the BSSID of a wifi engine is detectable without authentication - the unique BSSID can be even be detected by unaffiliated or unpaired wifi devices thus making identification possible. It would thus be beneficial to create a method and apparatus for using the BSSID of a wifi communication device for at least one of: securely communicating data; uniquely identifying and tracking the user of such device; authenticating the identity of a device user; enabling access of a device user; regulating use of electronic devices; regulating use of software; activating device or software functionality; use for emergency purposes.

The invention seeks to provide a suitable I/O devices for use with a wireless network communication system that at least partially ameliorates the abovementioned disadvantages associated with the prior art.

The term I/O refers to devices being input-output enabled, whereby they can transmit data and process instructional data received and transmitted.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a controller unit having wireless communication identification sensor for use in detecting at least one of smoke or fire and activating functionality of an emergency notification apparatus, the wireless communication identification sensor comprising a wifi BSSID combined with programmable SSID data, wherein the BSSID in combination with the programmable data is configurable to identify the sensor. In use, the sensor is affiliated with a user whose identity and authority to enable computing device functionality is registered on a computing device affiliated database. Conveniently the programmable data comprises an instruction data set, wherein a computing device with enabling software for analysing and processing the data set causes an activation, alternately deactivation of a function associated with the sensor. By example, the first three programmable characters of said programmable data when using enabling software to analyse and process the SSID data - result in the initiation of a message to be transmitted by the sensor. In the case of a notifying occupants of a property using the sensor to identify the user - the activation of a controller wifi sensor broadcasts a smoke or fire notification which notification is automatically detected by suitably enabling controller unit or server unit software which is tasked with processing the activation and notification of a smoke or fire event. By example - server unit apparatus activated upon receipt of the emergency notification broadcast can be limited to the area of smoke detection. Accordingly, a sprinkler system may only be activated in the vicinity of the smoke detectors activated for allocation of limited water resources to only the relevant area, while a siren and sms notification is activated beyond the immediate hazard zone to enable property occupant adequate time to respond to the emergency.

Conveniently the sensor information is readable using a suitably enabled software application on a wireless communication device, wherein the software, once activated, searches for wifi networks resulting in sensors within wifi range being detected. The signal strength of the sensor relative to the wireless communication device is used to determine the location of the sensor, when using the enabling software.

Conveniently the software application, which when loaded on to a suitably enabled computing device, serves as the user interface to activate the sensor functionality. In particular, the software application may either pair with an external sensor, alternately, utilise its own hardware having BSSID and SSID and thereby enabling the controller unit to act as a sensor of the invention.

Preferably, the software application enables the user to input and store personal identifying information on the user device, alternately on a remote server which has enabling software and hardware to interact with the software application and communicate the user information.

Conveniently when the computing device functionality is activated, the software application utilises the sensor gps coordinates to transmit the appropriate notification to predetermined persons advising them of the functionality activation or user input request.

Conveniently the sensor comprises event triggered programmable data. Accordingly, the programmable data broadcast with the BSSID comprises sensor environment information. By example, a plurality of sensors may be required within a predetermined distance of one another, alternately a wifi router processing the transaction to activate server unit functionality, alternately user notification, whereby the wifi signal strength is used to measure proximity. Furthermore a movement behaviour pattern recordable by the sensor can be used as a trigger event for purposes of populating the SSID with sensor movement pattern authentication. Still further, the trigger event may be caused due to passivity or non detection of controller sensor. By example, where a computing device does not detect the controller sensor SSID broadcast for a predetermined period of time - a notification is transmitted to affiliated persons to check the functionality of the smoke detector.

Conveniently sensors having varying functionality may be paired and their combined functionality usable by each individual sensor.

Conveniently where a plurality of sensors are connected, storage of event data may be stored on one or more of the sensors thereby enabling sharing of data storage generated from sensor activity. Alternately, data stored may be duplicated on one or more connected sensors thereby serving as a data back-up means. Alternately, the proximity of paired individuals to one another and the recording of group data on each paired sensor enables the tracking of each individual whilst in contact with the group. This allows for the monitoring of potential occupants trapped in the property and their approximate location utilising signal strength monitoring.

Conveniently, the controller sensor comprises a sensor for detection of at least one of moisture, pressure, light, impact, temperature, biometrics, altitude, chemical composition, sound, wherein a predetermined sensor reading results in the activation, alternately deactivation of a sensor communication device function.

Conveniently, the sensor additionally comprises at least one of a gps device, a speaker, a light, a vibration generator or an electrical shock generator which are activated in accordance with programmable parameters.

Conveniently a sensor notification is generated upon function criteria being met, wherein in addition to the sensor data being broadcast, a notification is sent to at least one of a predetermined telephone number, email or other communication destination (such as a whatsapp, website, hashtag, social media profile) using a suitably enabled communication device such as a phone, tablet or PC having GSM or wifi capabilities.

Conveniently, the sensor is enabled to operate as either

- a client via a suitably enabled wifi router, pc or suitable electronic communication device, whereby data stored on the device is accessible by a suitably enabled and linked wireless communication device; or

- a Webserver wherein the device comprises RAM for storage of user data and whereby the data is accessible by using a web browser of a paired wireless communication device.

Conveniently the sensor comprises a signal strength detector thereby enabling at least one of directional and distance tracking of the device while in range of one or more wifi routers. In this way, the device can activate predetermined notifications, alternately cause the activation of predetermined functions upon the movement pattern of the device. By example, a notification may comprise a GPS location, visual details of the wearer being viewable on monitoring devices of the account listed user.

Conveniently the sensor comprises at least two modes of functionality, wherein the sensor "bleeps" or remains in a dormant sleep mode. The frequency of audible bleeps are variable in accordance with activation parameters. Activation of the controller may include the broadcast of a sound tone to provide audible confirmation that the controller has been activated

Conveniently the sensor comprises data fields which are editable and where data is uploadable onto the sensor and accessible through a web browser. Accordingly, a third party user does not require specialised software to interrogate, alternately edit the data on the device.

Conveniently the editable data comprises at least one of text, images or audio files which data evidences actions performed on the sensor, alternately for the user associated with the sensor.

Conveniently access to data or modification thereof is limited in accordance with user access criteria, which criteria are programmable.

Conveniently the sensor is programmable whilst operative, wherein programming instructions are transmitted to the sensor from a remote communication device such as a computer or phone having enabling software. This is typically transmitted using a wireless communication protocol such as wifi, Bluetooth or gsm.

Conveniently the sensor is programmable to switch at least part of its functionality on or off; and where the functionality is enabled or restricted for a limited duration. By example, where the controller is turned off, alternately the signal strength is below a predetermined level - the device utilising the controller for function activation is restricted from such functionality.

Conveniently input and output data may be communicated to and from the sensor via a sensor specific data address such as an cellular phone number, IP address, IPv6 address, MAC Address, or an equivalent address format that will identify a specific sensor or virtual address where data can be transferred via the Internet or other wireless communication protocol.

Conveniently a plurality of sensors may be paired, wherein sensor activity or a lack thereof of a paired sensor is communicated to other paired sensors. Accordingly, non-responsiveness of a paired sensor will result in a functioning paired sensor - transmitting a fault report in accordance with the sensor's fault detection transmission criteria.

Conveniently the sensor has 'store and forward' capability, wherein transmission of sensor based data results in deleting of the storage cache on the sensor, which is typically deleted on a first in/first out basis, although deletion criteria may be modified in accordance with user preferences.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of enabling computing device functionality in the absence of data transfer between two sensors of the invention, comprising the step of activating the controller wifi and first sensor, the controller sensor and a second sensor affiliated with a computing device detecting each other by virtue of their respective SSID broadcasts; the SSID information broadcast resulting in an authentication of the user whereafter the computing device enables functionality in accordance with predetermined use criteria.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a controller unit having wireless communication identification sensor for use in detecting at least one of smoke or fire and activating functionality of an emergency notification apparatus, the wireless communication identification sensor comprising a unique wireless identifier combined with programmable broadcast data, wherein the programmable data is configurable to identify the sensor. In use, the sensor is affiliated with a user whose identity and authority to enable computing device functionality is registered on a computing device affiliated database.

Conveniently the sensor data comprises an instruction data set, wherein said data causes the activation, alternately deactivation of a function associated with the sensor.

Conveniently the wireless communication identification sensor having a unique identifier is enabled to perform functions and employ methods of use as they pertain to the aforementioned uses of a BSSID combined with programmable SSID data to identify the sensor

Further features, variants and/or advantages of the invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of an example of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A wifi router comprises a unique BSSID in conjunction with a SSID which typically has 31 bytes of programmable characters. Wifi devices simply scan for the name allocated to a wifi device and not the BSSID. Upon further interrogation, the BSSID may be revealed although the BSSID is not replicable. In accordance with the invention, the characters of the SSID are used to either transmit information, alternately control the activation a desired functionality. By example, the initial 3 characters of a SSID are allocated to sending a message type, by example "@@@" results in a request to access files notification. The remaining characters pertain to information of the device affiliated with the user or information pertaining to the user. When used with a suitably enabled software application - the information contained in the SSID broadcast is processed in accordance with pre-programmed parameters and a desired function activated. A user scanning for wifi signals and having the software application of the invention installed onto their computing device - will be able to process and analyse the information contained in the SSID broadcast. The SSID broadcast and its analysis thereof is thus achieved without data transfer, rather via SSID broadcast and wifi receiver detecting the broadcast. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art - a lack of data availability or connectivity will still enable line-of-site communication between a sensor and a computing device having the software application of the invention installed.

In accordance with the invention, upon activation of a controller wifi having a sensor of the invention - the sensor is paired to and utilises the controller's wifi engine and BSSID and SSID. Accordingly, the activation of the controller sensor results in the sensor BSSID and SSID being broadcast for detection by relevant communicating devices. Said broadcast is detected by a second sensor affiliated with a computing device which the user intends accessing and activating functionality such as sprinkler system or siren activation. This step of sensor detection and authentication is achieved without data transfer, in particular, it achieved by simply detecting SSID broadcasts and in some instances, modification of sensor SSID broadcast in response to response to third party sensor broadcasts detected.

In one embodiment of the invention, activating the controller sensor, results in a second sensor affiliated with a computing device detecting the controller sensor SSID broadcast. The controller SSID is used by the computing device to unlock files on the computing device. This authentication is done without the need of a user to input any verification data.

As will be appreciated - the sensors of the invention enable computing device functionality to be enabled without data transfer. This is enabled due to the BSSID and SSID being broadcast whilst the wifi engine is operational. Any suitably enabled wifi reader is able to detect the presence and potentially the proximity of the wifi engine based on signal strength. The invention thus enables computing device functionality even when network connection problems are experienced by a computing device and a remote authentication server. As will be appreciated, the invention ameliorates the problems associated with data transfer, which is dependent on a data availability and internet connectivity; and wifi devices without access to data usage, which are unable to transfer data.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the controller sensor comprises a housing having at least one button, which when pushed, activates a functionality enabling request. By example, the controller sensor comprises a wifi engine and gps functionality. When the button of the sensor is pushed by a user - the sensor broadcasts data programmed into the SSID. Accordingly, the SSID may comprise varying information in accordance with the nature of the functionality sought from a computing device or server responsible for authorising computing device functionality. Additionally, the sequence and duration of pushing the sensor button will determine the type of data broadcast. By illustration, a single push of the button results in a sprinkler server unit request signal being incorporated into the SSID broadcast; while a double button push results in a cancellation of the signal being incorporated into the SSID broadcast and regulating server unit functionality.

In a another embodiment of the invention the SSID may comprise varying information in accordance with the nature of the functionality sought from a computing device or server responsible for authorising computing device functionality. Additionally, the sequence and duration of pushing the sensor button will determine the type of data broadcast. By illustration, a single push of the button results in an emergency light and sirens activation request signal being incorporated into the SSID broadcast; while a double button push results in a cancellation of the activation request signal being incorporated into the SSID broadcast and functionality is thereby locked.

In a another embodiment of the invention where multiple users are required for enabling server unit functionality - alert notifications can be transmitted when a paired individual is detectable or no longer detectable, alternately when the individual sensor moves beyond an acceptable distance from the group of sensors which are required to enable computing device functionality. Accordingly, by interrogating one device - all participants in the area with device are recorded including when the devices were within range - this allows for confirmation whether all persons required to authorise the server unit functionality are accounted for.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor has a unique wifi tag which is programmable to correspond with an object or person. In doing so, the object or person status is monitorable in accordance with the sensor capabilities. Sensor events may be transmitted to local server, alternately a cloud based server or a combination thereof. A MySQL database would typically be used to track and record sensor events. The sensor selects the destination to where specific event data must be transmitted thereby maintaining data confidentiality and preventing unauthorised interception by a non-authorised reader. Accordingly, the sensor may broadcast both restricted and unrestricted data in addition to being able to transmitted restricted confidential data to a server.

Input and output data may be communicated to and from the sensor via a sensor specific data address such as an IP address, IPv6 address, MAC Address, or an equivalent address format that will identify a specific device or virtual address where data can be transferred to on the Internet. Accordingly, it is possible to dial into the closed-loop wifi network server and provide output instructions to a specific sensor which in turn will result in the object functioning.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, dormant wifi engines may be activated for a limited period of time as and when the sensor data is needed. Activation can be in response to a physical event which event is determined by a suitable sensor, such as an impact sensor, a time based event, proximity to a RFID type device resulting in the activation of the wifi engine from a sleep condition. This results in a prolonged battery life where the wifi engine does not utilise an external power supply. The sensor comprises an independent battery power supply to enable the transmission of event notifications. The sensor may however be plugged into an external power supply source to charge the battery or comprise a solar battery supply.

The sensor comprises at least one environmental variation sensor for detecting environmental changes. These may include at least one of a thermostat sensor, impact sensor, light sensor, audio sensor, chemical composition sensor, electrical magnetic sensor, gps sensor, altitude sensor or humidity sensor.

The sensor can itself directly communicate with a remote server data address and does not require a sensor login prior to receiving or transmitting data to and from the sensor.

The data transmitted by the sensor includes the sensor identification which may additionally include user information such as contact details, thereby allowing the recipient of the data transmitted from the sensor to contact the user.

The invention is not limited to the precise details described above. Modifications may be made and other embodiments developed without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, data generated from sensor activity may be stored at least partially on the sensor itself - the sensor having data storage capacity. Further, where a plurality of sensors are connected, storage of event data may be stored on one or more of the sensors thereby enabling sharing of data storage generated from sensor activity. Alternately, data stored may be duplicated on one or more connected sensors thereby serving as a data back-up means. Still further, where a plurality of sensors are connected, input and output data may be jointly processed by the sensors to improve data processing abilities.

In this invention, the term BSSID may extend to any unique identifier whose unique identifier can be broadcast and wirelessly detected by a suitably enabled device. Additionally, a wireless communication device having a unique identifier in addition to a BSSID - interacts with one or more electronic communication devices by virtue of the unique identifier and/or the interaction of the unique identifier with the BSSID of the wireless communication device. By example, the unique identifier may be a mobile phone number, or IMEA number affiliated with a mobile phone or GSM modem. The method of broadcast may be any wireless protocol including wifi, gsm, Bluetooth.

The Summary of Invention and Claims forms an integral aspect of the description of the invention.