Patent Application
20080055097
The drawing
The present invention comprises a radio receiver alarm module 1 containing a microprocessor and associated electronics 2. Said radio receiver alarm module is connected to at least one hazardous condition detector such as a smoke detector. Said radio receiver alarm module is capable of receiving hazard alerts encoded onto a radio signal such as those from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and may, additionally, be capable of receiving other types of radio or satellite broadcasts. The radio receiver alarm module, itself, is preferably, and in this example, attached to the wall at a convenient height and wired into, or otherwise connected to, the building's electrical supply. Said radio receiver alarm module is, as well, connected to other alarm devices such as smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors which alarm devices are, themselves, interconnected.
Each connected alarm module responds to data bits received from other interconnected alarm modules by generating an audible alarm and, in this example, stored voice messages specific to the threat.
The housing of the alarm modules may have any appearance or configuration desired, so long as appropriate conventional apertures, openings, and/or passages are provided for access to such internal components as function controls, battery access for replacement, connections for external or remote components, and so on.
Each hazardous condition alarm module 3 includes at least one sensor, switch or transducer from which it accepts an input signal. In this example, each such module comprises a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector with sensors 4 and 5 and said hazardous condition alarm module contains a microprocessor and associated electronics 6. The hazardous condition alarm module emits an audible alarm and stored voice message utilizing its speaker 7 when either smoke or carbon monoxide is detected and, as well, sends data bits for each type of alarm condition to all other alarm modules through the power and network interface 8 which is wired 9 in this exemplary system but is not limited thereto and could otherwise use wireless means. Optionally, a remote visual alarm such as a strobe 10, 11 may be utilized.
Optionally, but not in the exemplary system, warnings could be shown using stored messages (e.g., “THUNDERSTORM,” “TORNADO,” “FLASH FLOOD,” etc.) on a display 12, 13 in each alarm module. Alternatively, indicators lights in each alarm module could be used as, for example, a red light could be illuminated to indicate a tornado, a yellow or amber light for a mudslide, and a blue light for an earthquake and so on. Such lights or such displays could be incorporated into the housings of each module.
The alarm modules 1 and 2 are connected through the power and network interfaces 8 by wires some of which, in this exemplary system, supply power to each module. The power supply 14, preferably, and in this example, a part of the radio receiver alarm module 1 receives alternating electric current from the building's electrical supply mains 15 and reduces the voltage and rectifies the current to provide power to each of the modules connected to the network. Other means of providing power to the alarm modules are possible. A backup battery 16 is also provided, with the system automatically switching from the power supply 14 to the backup battery 16 in the event of a power interruption. A low battery power warning means is a blinking light 17,18 in this example but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, a low battery warning means could include intermittent audible and/or visual warnings as well as continuous sounds or lights or text messages. In the exemplary system's power supply 14, circuitry is provided for charging and maintaining the backup battery 16. While wires are used to interconnect each alarm module in the exemplary system, it is quite feasible to use a wireless interconnection means provided that each module is fitted with its own power supply.
The exemplary system's radio receiver alarm module is tuned to the broadcast bands of the previously mentioned National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The radio receiver alarm module of the exemplary system includes means for setting the previously mentioned FIPS code, selecting the broadcast frequency which has the strongest signal, and other setup functions which means include a keypad 19, a display 12, and a speaker 20 for the radio receiver alarm module. Said speaker is also used to emit alarms. An optional external antenna 21 enhances reception in areas where the signal is too weak for the internal antenna 22.
Each module in the exemplary system contains a power switch 23, 24.
In summary, this invention, and the exemplary system, provide a much-needed integration of hazard warnings combining, in one system of networked building alarms, warnings that can be sensed on-premises by specialized alarm devices such as smoke detectors with warnings that are commonly gathered off-premises by public or private institutions which institutions warn of threats from natural disasters or intentional acts such as terrorism. The exemplary system includes warning means for both smoke and carbon monoxide and for disasters of both natural and malicious origin in a network where, preferably, all components use a common electrical power supply and a common set of interconnecting (network) wires. The system's power supply is, in turn, connected to electrical power supplied to the structure with an integral backup battery. The present invention is suited for permanent installation in any inhabited structure where it can provide timely warning of disasters.
Accordingly, this invention extends the usefulness of distributed hazardous condition detection systems, allowing such systems to warn about a multiplicity of dangers such as tornadoes, earthquakes and terrorism as well as the presence of smoke or other substances for which such systems were originally intended and giving the occupants of buildings protected by such the opportunity to preserve life and property.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60842330 | Sep 2006 | US |
