IP Library Granted Patent US 11,844,970
Granted Patent B2
US 11,844,970 · App. 17/252,933 · Granted Dec 19, 2023

System and method for guiding a user operating a fire extinguisher

Inventors: Ashis Kumar Sinha (Telangana, IN); Harshal Chaudhari (Telangana, IN)
Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
A62C13/76G08B7/06G08B21/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,844,970
App. No.
17/252,933
Granted
Dec 19, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system comprising a fire extinguisher, one or more indicator devices disposed on the fire extinguisher adapted to actuate in a series representing a series of operations to be performed by a user for extinguishing a fire with the fire extinguisher, and a controller for controlling the actuation series of the one or more indicator devices.

Claims (33)

1. A system comprising a controller and a data storage medium coupled to the controller, wherein the controller performs operations comprising:

controlling a plurality of indicator devices, wherein each of the plurality of indicator devices is positioned on a corresponding one of a plurality of predetermined portions of a fire extinguisher;

determining, based at least in part on data from a sensor network, that a user has picked up the fire extinguisher;

subsequent to determining that the user has picked up the fire extinguisher, determining, based at least in part on data from the sensor network, an amount of pressure of extinguishing material within the fire extinguisher and making a determination whether or not the amount of pressure of the extinguishing material is below a threshold pressure;

concurrently with determining the amount of pressure, actuating each of the plurality of indicator devices in a series representing a series of operations to be performed at the plurality of predetermined portions of the fire extinguisher by a user for extinguishing a fire with the fire extinguisher; and

based at least in part on a result of the determination whether or not the amount of pressure of the extinguishing material is below the threshold pressure, abandoning actuating each of the plurality of indicating devices and generating an indication that notifies the user that the fire extinguisher is not usable.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of indicator devices comprises Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of predetermined portions of the fire extinguisher comprises a pull-pin, a hose, a release lever and an instruction's region on a surface of the fire extinguisher.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of indicator devices comprises a speaker.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of indicator devices comprises a haptic actuator.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the haptic actuator is positioned on a pull-pin, a hose, and a release lever of the fire extinguisher.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of indicator devices comprises a display screen.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the display screen is positioned on a surface of the fire extinguisher.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises:

a communication module adapted to communicate to a wireless network;

a memory for storing the actuation series; and

a battery for providing electrical energy.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein sensors are positioned on the fire extinguisher.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the sensors comprise at least one of a temperature sensor, a haptic sensor, a motion sensor, a pressure sensor, or a smoke detector.

12. A method comprising using a controller to perform operations comprising:

controlling a plurality of indicator devices, wherein each of the plurality of indicator devices is positioned on a corresponding one of a plurality of predetermined portions of a fire extinguisher;

determining, based at least in part on data from a sensor network, that a user has picked up the fire extinguisher;

subsequent to determining that the user has picked up the fire extinguisher, determining, based at least in part on data from the sensor network, an amount of pressure of extinguishing material within the fire extinguisher and making a determination whether or not the amount of pressure of the extinguishing material is below a threshold pressure;

concurrently with determining the amount of pressure, actuating each of a plurality of indicator devices in a series representing a series of operations to be performed at the plurality of predetermined portions of the fire extinguisher by a user for extinguishing a fire with the fire extinguisher; and

based at least in part on a result of the determination whether or not the amount of pressure of the extinguishing material is below the threshold pressure, abandoning actuating each of the plurality of indicating devices and generating an indication that notifies the user that the fire extinguisher is not usable.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the series of operations comprise using the plurality of indicator devices to indicate to the user to pull a pull-pin, aim a hose, and squeeze a release lever of the fire extinguisher.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of indicator devices comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs), and wherein the series of operations comprises illuminating LEDs positioned on the pull-pin, the hose, the release lever, and an instructions' region of the fire extinguisher.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of indicator devices comprises a speaker, and wherein the series of operations comprises actuating the speaker to produce sounds.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the sounds produced by the speaker comprise pre-recorded spoken instructions to operate the fire extinguisher.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of indicator devices comprises haptic actuators, and wherein the series of operations comprises actuating haptic actuators positioned on a pull-pin, a hose, and a release lever of the fire extinguisher.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of indicator devices comprises a display screen, and wherein the series of operations comprises displaying visuals on the display screen.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein determining that the user has picked up the fire extinguisher is based at least in part on sensor data.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the operations further comprise, based at least in part on the result of the determination being that that the amount of pressure of the extinguishing material is below the threshold pressure, indicating to the user to leave a location.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2025
From: CARRIER CORPORATION; CARRIER GLOBAL CORPORATION; CARRIER FIRE & SECURITY EMEA; CARRIER FIRE & SECURITY, LLC; CARRIER CANADA CORPORATION; CLIMATE, CONTROLS & SECURITY ARGENTINA S.A.; KIDDE IP HOLDINGS , INC.; KIDDE LTD.; KIDDE PRODUCTS LTD.; CARRIER TRANSICOLD AUSTRIA GMBH; CARRIER TRANSICOLD FRANCE SCS
To: KIDDE FIRE PROTECTION, LLC
Reel/Frame 072829/0172 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2020
From: SINHA, ASHIS KUMAR; CHAUDHARI, HARSHAL
To: UTC FIRE & SECURITY INDIA LTD.
Reel/Frame 054672/0309 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2020
From: UTC FIRE & SECURITY INDIA LTD.
To: CARRIER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054672/0331 →
Priority Claims (1)
IN 201911036642 · Sep 12, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220193472A1 · Jun 23, 2022