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US 2004/0070506 A1Published application
Radio frequency security system, method for a building facility or the like, and apparatus and methods for remotely monitoring the status of fire extinguishers
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorsLarry Runyon, Wayne M. Gunter, Ronald W. Gilbert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for remotely monitoring the status of one or more fire extinguishers includes means for sensing at least one parameter of each of the fire extinguishers; means for selectively transmitting the sensed parameters along with information identifying the fire extinguishers from which the parameters were sensed; and means for receiving the sensed parameters and identifying information for the fire extinguisher or extinguishers at a common location. Other systems and methods for remotely monitoring the status of multiple fire extinguishers are also provided.
Claims54
A method for providing security comprising:
- providing a tamper-indicating device in a security risk detection position between at least two components, at least one of which is a security-sensitive component, said tamper-indicating device including a tamper-responsive section defining an intact and a non-intact condition wherein relative movement of the two components causes the tamper-responsive section to assume the non-intact condition and indicates a possible security risk occurrence;
- and
- wirelessly interrogating said tamper-indicating device to determine whether the tamper responsive section is in the intact or non-intact condition.
A system for providing security comprising:
- a tamper-indicating device including a tamper-responsive section and a tamper-signaling section, the tamper-responsive section defining a damage-sensitive portion between first and second coupling portions,
- wherein the tamper indicating device is operable to be placed in a security risk detection position having the first and second coupling portions operably coupled to two components, at least one of which is a security sensitive component,
- wherein the damage sensitive portion defines an intact and a non-intact condition wherein the non-intact condition indicates a possible security risk occurrence when the tamper indicating device is placed in the security risk detection position;
- a wireless interrogation device operable to provide a wireless interrogation signal to said tamper-indicating device, wherein the tamper-signaling section is operable to wirelessly transmit a response signal in response to the interrogation signal dependant on whether the damage-sensitive portion is in the intact or non-intact condition;
- and
- a receiver configured to receive the response signal.
3 more elements
A method of remotely monitoring the status of multiple fire extinguishers, the method comprising:
- coupling sensors to respective fire extinguishers in sensing relation to the fire extinguishers, the sensors each being configured to sense a parameter of the fire extinguisher to which it is coupled;
- associating transmitters with respective fire extinguishers, the transmitters being configured to selectively transmit information identifying the fire extinguisher with which the transmitter is associated and to selectively transmit information indicative of the sensed parameter;
- providing a receiver in selective wireless communications with the transmitters;
- and
- providing a computer coupled to the receiver, the computer being configured to maintain testing schedules for respective fire extinguishers and being configured to provide an output when it is time for an extinguisher to be inspected, tested, or undergo maintenance, the computer also being configured to selectively store information from a plurality of the transmitters.
2 more elements
A system for remotely monitoring the status of a fire extinguisher, the fire extinguisher having a trigger and a trigger pin arranged such that the trigger pin must be removed before the trigger can be operated, the system comprising:
- a tamper-indicating device including a tamper-responsive section and a tamper-signaling section, the tamper-responsive section defining a damage-sensitive portion between first and second coupling portions, the damage sensitive portion being in either an intact and a non-intact condition, the first coupling portion being adapted to be coupled to the trigger pin and the second coupling portion being adapted to be coupled external of the trigger pin of the fire extinguisher, the tamper-signaling section being configured to selectively transmit information indicating whether the damage sensitive portion is in the intact or non-intact condition.
A system for remotely monitoring if a fire extinguisher is moved, the system comprising:
- a tamper-indicating device including a tamper-responsive section and a tamper-signaling section, the tamper-responsive section defining a damage-sensitive portion between first and second coupling portions, the damage sensitive portion being in either an intact and a non-intact condition, the first coupling portion being adapted to be coupled to the fire extinguisher and the second coupling portion being adapted to be fixed to a surface external of the fire extinguisher, the tamper-signaling section being configured to selectively transmit information indicating whether the damage sensitive portion is in the intact or non-intact condition.
A method of remotely monitoring the status of multiple fire extinguishers, the method comprising:
- associating transceivers with respective fire extinguishers, with at least some of the transceivers configured to cause an alarm signal in response to a fire extinguisher being moved, and with at least some of the transceivers configured to cause an alarm signal in response to extinguisher pressure below a predetermined threshold, the transceivers being configured to store and selectively transmit information identifying the fire extinguisher with which the transceiver is associated;
- providing an interrogator in selective wireless communication with the transceivers;
- and
- providing a computer coupled to the interrogator, the computer being configured to maintain inspection, testing, maintenance schedules for respective fire extinguishers and being configured to provide an output when it is time for an extinguisher to be inspected, tested, or undergo maintenance, the computer also being configured to provide an output in response to an alarm signal being generated.
1 more element
A system for remotely monitoring the status of multiple fire extinguishers, the system comprising:
- transceivers configured to be associated with respective fire extinguishers, with at least some of the transceivers configured to cause an alarm signal in response to a fire extinguisher being moved, and with at least some of the transceivers configured to cause an alarm signal in response to extinguisher pressure below a predetermined threshold, the transceivers being configured to store and selectively transmit information identifying the fire extinguisher with which the transceiver is associated;
- an interrogator in selective wireless communication with the transceivers;
- and
- a computer coupled to the interrogator, the computer being configured to maintain inspection, testing, or maintenance schedules for respective fire extinguishers and being configured to provide an output when it is time for an extinguisher to be inspected, tested, or undergo maintenance, the computer also being configured to provide an output in response to an alarm signal being generated.
1 more element
A system for remotely monitoring the status of multiple fire extinguishers, the system comprising:
- sensors configured to sense removal, or tampering, of trigger pins of respective fire extinguishers;
- wireless transmitters coupled to respective sensors and configured to selectively transmit whether the trigger pin of the respective fire extinguisher has been removed or tampered with;
- and
- a receiver configured to selectively receive the transmissions for the multiple fire extinguishers at a common location.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.