IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,701,355
Granted Patent B1
US 7,701,355 · App. 11/781,721 · Granted Apr 20, 2010

Extended smoke alarm system

Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,701,355
App. No.
11/781,721
Granted
Apr 20, 2010
Kind
B1
Abstract

An extended smoke alarm system and related methods are disclosed. In particular, embodiments of an extended smoke alarm system having wireless-signal-send-and-receive functionalities wherein the system includes one or more flashlights having at least wireless-signal-receiving functionality are detailed. Related methods for system use are also disclosed.

Claims (35)

1. A system comprising:

a smoke detector comprising a first computing system, in a home or other building, supporting at least wireless-signal-sending functionality;

a hand-held flashlight having at least wireless-signal-receiving functionality;

an first offsite device comprising a second computing system; and

an second offsite device comprising a third computing system, wherein the first computing system detects smoke or fire within the home or other building and transmits a wireless activation signal that is received by the hand-held flashlight and thereby activates a light beam projection from the hand-held flashlight, transmits data on smoke or fire status of the home or other building from the some detector to the first offsite device associated with an emergency responder, and transmits the data on the smoke or fire status from the smoke detector to a second offsite device associated with an insurance company.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless activation signal is a wireless radio frequency activation signal.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the data received on the smoke or fire status is used by the insurance company for actuarial analysis.

4. The computer-based system of claim 1 , wherein the smoke detector transmits the wireless activation signal to an occupant worn device based on the detection; and

the occupant worn device activates based on the receipt of the wireless activation signal.

5. A method comprising:

detecting smoke or fire near a smoke detector located in a home or other building;

transmitting a wireless activation signal from the smoke detector to a hand-held flashlight based on the detecting;

receiving the wireless activation signal at the hand-held flashlight;

activating a light beam projection from the hand-held flashlight based on the receiving of the wireless activation signal;

transmitting data on smoke or fire status of the home or other building from the smoke detector to a first offsite device associated with an emergency responder; and

transmitting the data on the smoke or fire status of the home or other building from the smoke detector to a second offsite device associated with an insurance company.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the wireless activation signal is a wireless radio frequency activation signal.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the data received on the smoke or fire status is used by the insurance company for actuarial analysis.

8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

transmitting the wireless activation signal from the smoke detector to

an occupant worn device based on the detecting; and

activating the occupant worn device based on the receiving of the wireless activation signal.

9. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions, which when executed by a processor cause the processor to:

detect smoke or fire near a smoke detector located in a home or other building;

transmit a wireless activation signal from the smoke detector to a hand-held flashlight based on detection;

receive the wireless activation signal at the hand-held flashlight;

activate a light beam projection from the hand-held flashlight based on receipt of the wireless activation signal;

transmit data on smoke or fie status of the home or other building from the smoke detector a first offsite device associated with an emergency responder; and

transmit the data on the smoke or fire status of the home or other building from the smoke detector to a second offsite device associated with an insurance company.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the wireless activation signal is a wireless radio frequency activation signal.

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the data received on the smoke or fire status is used by the insurance company for actuarial analysis.

12. The computer readable storage medium of claim 9 , further comprising instructions that cause the processor to:

transmit the wireless activation signal from the smoke detector to

an occupant worn device based on detection; and

activate the occupant worn device based on receipt of the wireless activation signal.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2019
From: USAA PROPERTY HOLDINGS, INC.
To: HS LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 049323/0768 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 23, 2019
From: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
To: USAA PROPERTY HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 048112/0386 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2007
From: BILLMAN, BRADLY JAY
To: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
Reel/Frame 019610/0446 →