Patent Application
20240273982
The present disclosure generally relates to a method of and a system for alerting users with sensory limitations and/or users in environments with sensory interference for purposes of safety, timing, and/or convenience.
Alerts of any kind—safety, timing, and/or convenience often fail because both humans and animals can suffer from sensory loss or sensory interference or both. Alerts can be associated with safety issues, event timing, and/or convenience. This can be anywhere from an emergency signal, a phone call, a means for attention, time to do something, and/or something as simple as a call that ‘dinner is ready.’ Humans and animals often have sensory limitations due to birth, injury, and/or aging. Environments can limit or obscure normal sensory system responses due to increased sound, light, motion, or combinations thereof. Sensory limitations can be from degradation or loss of hearing, sight, feeling, cognition, or combinations thereof. The need for an omnibus solution providing alert functions for any or a variety of sensory constraints in a given environment is the foundation of the system.
The present invention provides an electronic notification system for individuals with limited or missing sensory systems and/or individuals located in interfering sensory environments. The system is designed to overcome human or animal sensory limitations, losses, or environments subject to interferences at levels that restrict or eliminate or confuse normal sensory system response. The interference can be such things as interfering levels of sound from random background noise, a sound or sounds associated with a specific item or items, intense light, low-level light, varying light, stationary color patterns, changing color patterns, mechanical interaction such as vibrations, shock waves, structural failure or combinations of some or all of these.
According to one presently preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for alerting individuals experiencing sensory limitations and/or sensory interference comprising a user interface device and an alerting device. The user interface device includes a transceiver, a program and a reporting application. The alerting unit is in wireless communication with said transceiver of said user interface device. The alerting unit comprises a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with said user interface device; a central processing unit for receiving and processing communications from said transceiver; an alert notification device coupled to said central processing unit, said alert notification device configured to provide an alert to a user upon receipt of an alert signal from said central processing unit; and a power supply for providing power to the central processing unit, transceiver and alert notification device of the alerting unit.
The user interface device may be selected from a group consisting of a smartphone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer and a tablet computing device. The alert notification device may be selected from a group consisting of a light source, a sound source and a mechanical source. A driver may be connected to the alert notification device and a power supply electrically coupled to the driver. The driver may be connected to the central processing unit which provides instructions to the driver based upon a software notification subroutine. A plurality of alerting units may be arranged in a mesh network, with each alerting unit in wireless communication with the user interface device and each of the other plurality of alerting devices. Each alerting unit may comprise a mesh network node and may function as a repeater node. One or more repeater nodes may also be provided in wireless communication with the user interface device and each of the plurality of alerting devices.
According to another presently preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for alerting individuals experiencing sensory limitations and/or sensory interference comprising a hard wired telephone, an integrator circuit, a transceiver and a power supply. The integrator circuit may be electrically coupled to the hard wired telephone, and may include a signal generator coupled to a transmitter; and an alerting unit in wireless communication with said transmitter of said user integrator circuit. The alerting unit may comprise a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with said user integrator circuit; a central processing unit for receiving and processing communications from said transceiver; an alert notification device coupled to said central processing unit, said alert notification device configured to provide an alert to a user upon receipt of an alert signal from said central processing unit; and a power supply for providing power to the central processing unit, transceiver and alert notification device of the alerting unit.
The integrator circuit may further comprises a 20 Hz bandpass filter electrically coupled to the hard wired phone and the integrator circuit to filter the telephone ring signal. The integrator circuit may further comprise a voltage limiter disposed between the bandpass filter and the signal generator. The integrator circuit may have an internal power supply comprising a supercapacitor having an input coupled to the voltage limiter and an output coupled to an AND gate/voltage sensor and a relay. The integrator circuit may have an external power supply further comprising a battery backup power supply.
According to a further presently preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for alerting individuals experiencing sensory limitations and/or sensory interference comprising the steps of: generating a wireless signal from a user interface device based on a program and a reporting application; transmitting said wireless signal from a transceiver associated with said user interface device; receiving said wireless signal at a transceiver of an alerting unit; using a central processing unit to process said signal utilizing a notification subroutine; and sending a signal from the central processing unit based on the notification subroutine to an alert notification device coupled to said central processing unit; and generating a notification to a user. The notification generated is selected from a group consisting of a light notification, sound notification and mechanical notification. The wireless signal in generated from a user interface device selected from a group consisting of a smartphone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer and a tablet computing device. The step of transmitting said wireless signal between a plurality of alerting units and/or repeater nodes arranged in a mesh network.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the following drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.
The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:
For purposes of promoting and understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the invention that would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
The system 10 for alerting individuals experiencing sensory limitations and/or sensory interference comprises a user interface 20, such as a smartphone 21, laptop computer 22, desktop computer 23, tablet 24 and the like, and an alerting unit 30. The user interface 20 includes a program and a reporting application (app). The alerting unit 30 houses a programed microcontroller that drives, controls, and powers, the behavior of the alerting mechanism(s).
As best shown in
The components of the alerting unit 30 may be housed in an enclosure or small case that can typically be a cylinder or block, 3 to 4 inches in diameter or 3 to 4 inches in width, and typically 4 to 5 inches in height. Size can range larger and smaller, as required by component parameters and notification mechanism components. The alerting unit 30 may have a magnetic, suction cup, and/or a mechanical device for providing preferred secure placements, other than merely resting on a horizontal support surface. The alerting unit 30 may have a dedicated switching device such as a push or touch button when activated sends a signal to any device housing the system App such as a smartphone 21 for purposes of revealing its location.
The power switch 32 is coupled to a battery charger 35, which meets the requirement for charging the battery 36, such as a 4.2V 2400 mAh lithium-ion battery. The battery charger 35 monitors a charge level sensor 37 which measures available battery energy and is electrically coupled to the battery 36 and battery charger 35. When charging a lithium-ion battery and an 85% charge level is reached, or the charge current falls to 3%, the charger is disengaged. A second multicolor (red or green) light source 38 indicates charge level (red<85%, green>85%). The second multicolor light source 38 is preferably an LED source and is coupled to an LED driver 39.
A power source-detector 40 has inputs electrically coupled to the power switch 32, battery 36 and charge level sensor 37. The DC voltage from the power supply 31 powers the alerting unit 30 electronics and notification sources. However, if a power interruption is detected by the source-detector 40, it will automatically switch to the battery 36 (emergency backup).
A DC/DC X converter 41 is provided for powering the CPU/MCU 42—typically 3.2 volts DC—and the transmitter/receiver 43. The transmitter/receiver 43 is a wireless transmitter/receiver, preferably Bluetooth and/or WiFi, and provides two-way wireless communication with other alerting units 30 and the system remote programing and control app as housed in such devices as a smartphone 21, laptop 22, desktop 23, and/or tablet 24. As shown in
A DC/DC Y converter 44 is provided for powering RAM & flash 45, a local database 46, and low power alert notification devices utilizing light, sound, and/or mechanical energy for overcoming human or animal sensory limitations, losses, and/or environments subject to physical interferences at levels that restrict or eliminate or confuse normal sensory system response. As shown in
The DC/DC Y converter 44 provides power to the light source notification device 47a through DC/DC/AC light source power supply 50a which supplies power to the light source driver 51a, which drives light source notification device 47a. The light source driver 51a is connected to the CPU/MCU 42 which provides instructions to the light source driver 51a based upon the software subroutines 52a for light notification styles.
The DC/DC Y converter 44 provides power to the sound source notification device 47b through DC/DC/AC sound source power supply 50b which supplies power to the sound source driver 51b (amplifier), which drives sound source notification device 47b. The sound source driver 51b is connected to the CPU/MCU 42 which provides instructions to the sound source driver 51b based upon the sound notification software subroutines 52b for sound notification styles.
The DC/DC Y converter 44 provides power to the mechanical source notification device 47c through DC/DC/AC mechanical source power supply 50c which supplies power to the mechanical source driver 51c, which drives mechanical source notification device 47c. The mechanical source driver 51c is connected to the CPU/MCU 42 which provides instructions to the mechanical source driver 51c based upon the software subroutines 52c for mechanical notification styles.
The alerting unit 30 is further provided with a retrieval subroutine 53 in communication with the CPU/MCU 42. The retrieval subroutine 53 is activated by pressing a retrieval button 54 which triggers a signal generator 55 in communication with the CPU/MCU 42.
The system functions electronically as a CPU-MCU 42 controlled circuit that consists of a power supply 31, Bluetooth and/or WiFi receiver/transmitter 43, a series of software subroutines 52a, 52b, 52c that provide pre-set performance routines for light notifications 47a, sound notifications 47b, and/or mechanical notifications 47c. The subroutines 52a, 52b, 52c can be preprogrammed by the supplier or programed by the user or both. Each of the performance routine programs when required, are sent to amplifiers 51a, 51b, 51c that drive the notification energy source(s). If the energy source is to be remotely located a preamplifier 50a, 50b, 50c might be required to drive the amplifier 51a, 51b, 51c driving the notification energy source(s) 47a, 47b, 47c.
Another option can be a wireless connection to the energy source. In that case the performance routine is sent to the transmitter/receiver or another dedicated transmitter/receiver-BlueTooth or WiFi—which establishes a connection with a remotely located energy source which has at least a transmitter/receiver or transponder, amplifier, CPU-MCU, power supply, and energy notification mechanism—light, sound and/or mechanics. A light notification energy source can be a light display using solid or color changing LEDs, halogen bulbs, CFL's, conventional light bulbs, etc. A sound notification energy source can be a conventional coil and magnet speaker, piezoelectric speaker, magnetostrictive speaker, electrostatic speaker, plasma arc speaker, etc. A mechanical notification energy source can a buzzer, vibrator, electric hammer, electronic clicker, etc.
The system supports both BlueTooth and/or WiFi receiver/transmitter capability for supporting all wireless functions. Programing, reporting functions, and required standard protocol requirements are incorporated in an App located in either a smartphone, tablet, desktop, or laptop with BlueTooth and/or WiFi wireless capability.
In accordance with the invention, an electronic signal for initiating an alert notification is initiated by a spontaneous or programmed external signal or a pre-set external or internal signal. The system detects, amplifies, processes, forms, and distributes the alert notification to at least one or an assortment of alert notification devices such as a source or sources of light, sound, and/or mechanics. The signal's path to the alerting device or devices can be wired, wireless, or through a MESH network. The alert output can be composed of simple serial, parallel, or complex patterns occurring in at least one or more alert notification devices. The alert output or outputs can occur at one or multiple devices in parallel, serially, or in patterns. The output can occur serially in multiple devices placed and sequenced for the purpose of guidance.
Programming determines the types and levels of detection and notification method or methods required by the user. Programing is a software or hardware function where the user can choose the options available through the App GUI display.
Notification can be programed from soft to intense employing sound and or light and/or mechanics. Notification can be in the form of messaging, reminding, or alerting Notification can be static or dynamic. It can be in the form of static or dynamic patterning, serial or parallel sequencing, and or static or dynamic leveling. Notification mechanisms are contained within the alerting device 30 or can be connected to exterior notification hardware such as light, sound, and/or mechanical energy sources by wire directly or wirelessly connected.
As shown in
Detection can be wired or wireless or both. Detection levels can be set from low sensitivity to high sensitivity. A MESH network can be added to increase the area of system performance. Internal notifications can be provided from presets within the system.
As shown in
The Power Source-Detector 92 normally sends power to the DC/DC/DC convertor 81. If the USB power fails, the Power Source-Detector 92 automatically switches to the battery 95, which is typically a 4.2V 2400 mAh lithium-ion battery. The battery charger 96 meets the requirement for charging the battery 95, and monitors the charge level sensor 97, which measures available battery energy. When charging a lithium-ion battery and an 85% charge level is reached, or the charge current falls to 3%, the charger is disengaged. A multicolor (red or green) light source 98, such as an LED, indicates charge level. (red<85%, green>85%). If the indicator is an LED, a LED driver 99 is required. The charge level sensor 97 sends a signal to the Power Source Detector 92 that the battery 95 is sufficiently charged to operate the Integrator Circuit 70. The DC/DC/DC converter 81 supplies power to the voltage sensor 80, signal generator 73 and transmitter 76.
The following are the system functions in outline form:
The App is responsible for programing all Alert functions in the alert device 30. The programing and required responses are sent and received wirelessly via BlueTooth and/or WiFi domains. At the conclusion of any incoming phone call an Alert end-command is issued regardless of the response state—answered, dismissed, handled by voicemail, or ignored. The following are all the App functions available through the App GUI:
The App can, if required, communicate with a dedicated Cloud database 49 for any stored data needed to setup, operate, update software and/or firmware, review operating history, and user's operating selections. All functions are editable if (touch, point, or click) “edit” and “done” is displayed on each given screen. All changes or additions become permanent by activating “done.” The following are the system functions in outline form:
This detailed description, and particularly the specific details of the exemplary embodiment disclosed, is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modifications will become evident to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2022/035843 | 6/30/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63216737 | Jun 2021 | US |
