IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,423,761
Granted Patent B2
US 11,423,761 · App. 17/083,425 · Granted Aug 23, 2022

Connected monitoring system

Inventors: David E. Christian (West Olive, MI); Thomas S. Wright (Holland, MI); Brian G. Brackenbury (Grand Haven, MI); Steven L. Geerlings (Holland, MI); Darin D. Tuttle (Byron Center, MI); Shane M. Courbier (Grand Rapids, MI)
Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
G08B21/18A61B5/002A61B5/02444A61B5/0507A61B5/742A61B5/7405A61B5/748G01J5/0018G01J5/20G01N27/128G01N33/0054G07C9/00896G08B17/10H04R1/028H04R1/08A61B2503/04A61B2505/07G01J2005/0077G01J2005/202G07C2009/00928
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,423,761
App. No.
17/083,425
Granted
Aug 23, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A multi-zone monitoring system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of sensor modules configured to monitor conditions in a plurality of detection zones. The sensor modules include a combination of detection devices configured to detect different conditions based on a designated zone of each sensor module. The system further includes a reporting device in communication with each of the sensor modules. The reporting device is configured to report the status of each of the detection zones based on indications communicated via the detection devices in the corresponding detection zone.

Claims (29)

1. A multi-zone monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of sensor modules configured to monitor conditions in a plurality of detection zones, wherein the sensor modules comprise a combination of detection devices configured to detect different conditions based on a designated zone of each sensor module, wherein the plurality of sensor modules comprises:

a kitchen sensor module configured to detect conditions in a kitchen region, wherein the kitchen sensor module comprises an air quality detection device configured to detect at least one of a flammable gas presence, a chemical leak, and a burning food product; and

a kitchen occupancy sensor configured to detect an occupancy of the kitchen region, wherein a controller of the monitoring system is configured to control an alarm in response to the detection of the burning food product in combination with the occupancy; and

a reporting device in communication with each of the sensor modules, wherein the reporting device is configured to report the status of each of the detection zones based on indications communicated via the detection devices in the corresponding detection zone.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the reporting device corresponds to at least one of a mobile device and a status hub in communication with each of the sensor modules via a wireless network.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection zones correspond to rooms in a building or home.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensor modules comprises a garage sensor module configured to detect conditions in a garage detection zone, wherein the garage sensor module is configured to detect and control a status of a garage door in the garage detection zone.

5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the garage sensor module comprises at least one of an air quality sensor and a vehicle sensor configured to detect a presence of a vehicle in the garage detection zone and detect an active operating condition of the vehicle.

6. The system according to claim 5 , wherein a controller of the monitoring system is configured to control a garage door position in response to the active operation of the vehicle.

7. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the garage sensor module is configured to detect a garage door position of a garage door and communicate the status of the garage door position to the reporting device.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensor modules comprises a nursery sensor module configured to detect conditions in a nursery region, wherein the nursery sensor module is configured to detect a heart condition associated with a person in the nursery region via a microwave sensor.

9. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the nursery sensor module comprises an ammonia sensor configured to detect ammonia in the air of the nursery region.

10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the reporting device is configured to output a urine or excrement notification in response to the detection of the ammonia in the air of the nursery region.

11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the reporting device further comprises a microphone and a speaker forming a reporting communication interface, and at least one of the sensor modules comprises a sensor microphone and a sensor speaker forming a sensor communication interface.

12. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the reporting communication interface and the sensor communication interface provide for two-way audio communication between the reporting device and the at least one sensor.

13. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the reporting device comprises a display comprising a touchscreen interface, wherein the display is configured to display a status of each of the sensor modules.

14. A multi-zone monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of sensor modules configured to monitor conditions in a plurality of detection zones, wherein the sensor modules comprise a combination of detection devices configured to detect different conditions based on a designated zone of each sensor module, wherein the detection devices comprise:

a kitchen sensor module configured to detect conditions in a kitchen region, wherein the kitchen sensor module is configured to detect a burning food associated with a stove or cooktop; and

an occupancy sensor configured to detect an occupancy of the kitchen region, wherein a controller of the monitoring system is configured to control an alarm in response to the detection indication from the kitchen sensor module in combination with an indication of the occupancy; and

wherein the plurality of sensor modules is in communication with a reporting device in communication with each of the sensor modules, and wherein the reporting device is configured to report the status of each of the detection zones based on indications communicated via the detection devices in the corresponding detection zone.

15. The system according to claim 14 , wherein the kitchen sensor module comprises an air quality detection device configured to detect at least one of a flammable gas presence and a chemical presence.

16. The system according to claim 14 , wherein the kitchen sensor is configured to detect a garbage odor and in response to the garbage odor, output a notification to remove or replace a garbage bag.

17. A multi-zone monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of sensor modules configured to monitor conditions in a plurality of detection zones, wherein the sensor modules comprise a combination of detection devices configured to detect different conditions based on a designated zone of each sensor module, wherein the plurality of sensor modules comprises:

a nursery sensor module configured to detect conditions in a nursery region, wherein the nursery sensor module comprises an ammonia sensor configured to detect ammonia in the air of the nursery region; and

an occupancy sensor configured to detect an occupancy of the nursery region, wherein a controller of the monitoring system is configured to control an alarm in response to the detection indication from the nursery sensor module in combination with an indication of the occupancy; and

wherein the plurality of sensor modules is in communication with a reporting device, wherein the reporting device is configured to report the status of each of the detection zones based on indications communicated via the detection devices in the corresponding detection zone, and wherein the reporting device is configured to output a urine or excrement notification in response to the detection of the ammonia in the air of the nursery region.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 29, 2020
From: CHRISTIAN, DAVID E.; WRIGHT, THOMAS S.; BRACKENBURY, BRIAN G.; GEERLINGS, STEVEN L.; TUTTLE, DARIN D.; COURBIER, SHANE M.
To: GENTEX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054206/0974 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62927261 · Oct 29, 2019
Related Publication 20210125483A1 · Apr 29, 2021