Ambient condition sensor for use in smoke detectors, which rely on variable sampling rates, uses a control element to sample the sensor output and then increase the sampling rate if the sensor output exhibits a preset pattern

摘要

The electrical unit consists of an ambient condition sensor (40), which generates an output which indicates a sensed condition. A control element (50) is coupled to the sensor, which samples the sensor output to produce a sampled output sensor. Decision circuitry determines if the sampled output exhibits a predetermined, non-threshold based, profile (42). If so, the sampling rate is increased. The control element consists of a programmed processor fitted with a storage unit which defines the predetermined profile. It also contains the instructions needed to vary the output.