Proximity warning system for a fireplace
AssigneeHON Technology Inc.
InventorsThomas J. Bachinski, David J. Oja
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A proximity warning system for a fireplace including a monitor module and an alarm module. The monitor module is configured to sense when an object, such as a person, enters a defined zone proximate to the fireplace. The monitor module may use a variety of techniques to sense when an object enters the defined zone. For example, the monitor module may use capacitance or pulse infrared light to detect when an object enters the defined zone. The alarm module is coupled to the monitor module to generate an alarm when the monitor module senses that the object has entered the defined zone. The alarm may be audible or visual.
Claims19
A proximity warning system for a fireplace, the system comprising:
- a monitor module coupled to the fireplace, wherein the monitor module is configured to automatically turn on when the fireplace reaches a given temperature to sense when an object enters a defined zone proximate to the fireplace;
- and
- an alarm module coupled to the monitor module to generate an alarm when the monitor module senses that the object has entered the defined zone.
A fireplace including a proximity warning system, the fireplace comprising:
- an enclosure defining a combustion chamber and including at least one exposed surface;
- a plate coupled to the at least one exposed surface, wherein the plate includes a conductive area forming a first capacitor;
- a capacitance module, wherein the capacitance module is electrically coupled to the conductive area and includes a second capacitor that is tunable to match a capacitance of the first capacitor;
- and
- an alarm module electrically coupled to the capacitance module to generate an alarm when an object enters a defined zone proximate the fireplace and thereby cause the capacitance of the first capacitor to vary with respect to a capacitance of the second capacitor.
A method for warning when an object approaches a fireplace, the method comprising steps of:
- providing a monitor module for monitoring when an object enters a defined zone proximate the fireplace;
- providing an alarm module coupled to the monitor module for generating an alarm when the object centers the defined zone;
- monitoring the defined zone, including:
- matching a first capacitance with a second capacitance;
- measuring when the first capacitance varies with respect to the second capacitance;
- and
- changing a voltage output based on variance in the first and second capacitance;
- and
- generating an alarm when the object enters the defined zone.
A method for warning when an object approaches a fireplace, the method comprising steps of:
- providing a monitor module for monitoring when an object enters a defined zone proximate the fireplace;
- providing an alarm module coupled to the monitor module for venerating an alarm when the object enters the defined zone;
- turning on the monitor module automatically when the fireplace reaches a given temperature;
- monitoring the defined zone;
- and
- generating an alarm when the object enters the defined zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.