Systems and methods for controlling electrical current and associated appliances and notification thereof

• US 10,438,472 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2015
• Issued: 10/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael L. Haynes, Sylvester C. Maier Jr
• Original Assignee: Michael L. Haynes, Sylvester C. Maier Jr
• Inventors: Haynes, Michael L., Maier, Jr., Sylvester C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sherwin, Ryan
• Application Number:
  US14/709,248
• Publication Number:
  US 20150269821A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,611 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/242 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 83/00 Protective switches, e.g. circuit-breaking switches, or protective relays operated by abnormal electrical conditions otherwise than solely by excess current

Abstract

A digital electronic system used for receiving an audio alarm from a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector and like detectors. The system amplifies and converts the alarm to a digital encoded radio frequency signal for shutting off power to a kitchen appliance. The system includes a microphone and an amplifier connected to a comparator circuit. This circuit provides for outputting a logic 0 or logic 1 and outputs logic 1, in the form of the digital radio frequency signal, if an audio alarm is received. The comparator circuit is connected to a transmitter and encoder circuit, which receives the frequency signal and transmits it to a radio frequency receiver and decoder circuit. This circuit then decodes the signal and disconnects the power to the appliance.

Claims

1. An electronic system comprising:

a comparator circuit providing a detection signal when the comparator circuit discerns an ongoing audio alarm indicative of a detected dangerous condition caused by an appliance, the comparator circuit comprising;

a microphone,

an amplifier connected to the microphone,

a rectifier diode coupled to the amplifier to provide a direct current (DC) voltage that is dependent on an amplitude of the discerned ongoing audio alarm,

a second amplifier, comprising a first pin and a second pin, wherein an output from the second amplifier changes from a high voltage to a low voltage to indicate a logic value when a voltage on the first pin exceeds a bias voltage on the second pin, and

a first resistor and a second resistor, the first resistor and the second resistor together setting a bias operating point of the amplifier and setting a bias operating point of the second amplifier;

an encoder circuit for encoding the detection signal to provide an encoded detection signal; and

a decoder circuit for decoding the encoded detection signal, the decoder circuit comprising a power disconnecting circuit that disconnects electrical power to the appliance in response to the ongoing audio alarm.

2. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the power disconnecting circuit includes a first electrical plug adapted for receipt in a power outlet and a second electrical plug adapted for receipt in an appliance outlet plug, the first and second electrical plugs connected to a reset power switch;

and

a surge protector connected to the first electrical plug, the surge protector protecting the system from power spikes.

3. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the comparator circuit providing a detection signal when the comparator circuit discerns an ongoing audio alarm comprises the comparator circuit providing a detection signal when the comparator circuit discerns between the ongoing alarm and a loud noise.

4. The electronic system of claim 1, further comprising:

a third resistor connected to the microphone and biasing the microphone; and

a fourth resistor acting together with the third resistor to set a gain of the amplifier.

5. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the decoder circuit includes a light emitting diode (LED) for visually indicating the ongoing audio alarm.

6. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the comparator circuit further comprises a resistor and a capacitor providing a filter network that charges upon discernment of an ongoing audio alarm.

7. The electronic system of claim 1, further comprising one or more of:

an Alarm Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) or a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).

8. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the ongoing audio alarm originates from one or more of:

a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector.

9. The electronic system of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver for communicating with a network.

10. The electronic system of claim 9, wherein the network is one or more of:

a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), a wireless LAN, a wireless WAN, or the Internet, and

wherein a communication format is one or more of;

transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), 802.11g, 802.11n, or BLUETOOTH.

11. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein information relating to one or more of:

the ongoing alarm or disconnection of electrical power to the appliance is accessible to an Internet of Things (IoT).

12. A comparator circuit for converting an audio alarm into a logic value, the comparator circuit comprising:

a microphone;

a first resistor, directly connected to the microphone and biasing the microphone;

a first amplifier, connected to the microphone and amplifying a microphone signal from the microphone;

a second resistor, acting together with the first resistor to set a gain of the first amplifier;

a second amplifier, comprising a first pin and a second pin, wherein an output from the second amplifier changes from a high voltage to a low voltage to indicate the logic value when a voltage on the first pin exceeds a bias voltage on the second pin; and

a third resistor and a fourth resistor, together setting a bias operating point of the first amplifier and the second amplifier.

13. The comparator circuit of claim 12, wherein a second resistor, acting together with the first resistor to set a gain of the first amplifier comprises the second resistor, acting together with the first resistor to set a gain of the first amplifier to a specified value.

14. The comparator circuit of claim 12, wherein the comparator circuit discerns ongoing audio alarms from other sounds.

15. The comparator circuit of claim 14, further comprising a rectifier diode coupled to the first amplifier to provide a direct current (DC) voltage that is dependent on an amplitude of discerned audio alarms.

16. The comparator circuit of claim 14, further comprising a fifth resistor and a capacitor providing a filter network that charges upon discernment of an ongoing audio alarm.

17. The comparator circuit of claim 12, wherein an output from the second amplifier changes from a high voltage to a low voltage to indicate the logic value comprises an output from the second amplifier changes from a high voltage to a low voltage to provide a high logic value indicative of a dangerous condition at an appliance.

18. The comparator circuit of claim 12, wherein the comparator circuit is one or more of:

an Alarm Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) circuit or a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) circuit.

19. The comparator circuit of claim 12, wherein the audio alarm originates from one or more of:

a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector.

20. The comparator circuit of claim 12, wherein the comparator circuit communicates with a transceiver for communicating with a network.

21. The comparator circuit of claim 20, wherein the network is one or more of:

a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), a wireless LAN, a wireless WAN, or the Internet, and

wherein a communication format is one or more of;

transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), 802.11g, 802.11n, or BLUETOOTH.

22. The comparator circuit of claim 12, wherein information relating to one or more of:

the audio alarm or the logic value converted by the comparator circuit is accessible to an Internet of Things (IoT).

23. An electrical device connected to a power source, the power source providing power to an appliance, the electrical device comprising:

a comparator circuit, the comparator circuit providing a detection signal when the comparator circuit discerns an ongoing audio alarm from other sounds, the ongoing audio alarm indicative of a detected dangerous condition caused by the appliance, the comparator circuit comprising;

a microphone;

an amplifier connected to the microphone;

a rectifier diode connected to the amplifier to provide a direct current (DC) voltage that is dependent on an amplitude of the ongoing audio alarm;

a resistor and a capacitor providing a filter network that charges upon discernment of an ongoing audio alarm;

a second amplifier, comprising a first pin and a second pin, wherein an output from the second amplifier changes from a high voltage to a low voltage to indicate a detection signal when a voltage on the first pin exceeds a bias voltage on the second pin; and

a second resistor and a third resistor, the second resistor and the third resistor together setting a bias operating point of the amplifier and setting a bias operating point of the second amplifier; and

a power disconnecting circuit that upon discernment of the ongoing audio alarm disconnects the appliance from the power source to mitigate the detected dangerous condition.

24. The electrical device of claim 23, further comprising

a fourth resistor, directly connected to the microphone and biasing the microphone;

and

a fifth resistor, acting together with the fourth resistor to set a gain of the first amplifier.

25. The electrical device of claim 23, wherein the electrical device comprises one or more of:

an Alarm Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) or a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).

26. The electrical device of claim 23, wherein the electrical device comprises one of:

an electrical outlet or an electrical receptacle.

27. The electrical device of claim 23, further comprising a surge protector connected to the power source, the surge protector protecting components of the electrical device from power spikes.

28. The electrical device of claim 23, further including a rectifier diode connected to the power source to provide a smooth transition of DC power.

29. The electrical device of claim 23, wherein the ongoing audio alarm originates from one or more of:

a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector.

30. The electrical device of claim 23, further comprising a transceiver for communicating with a network.

31. The electrical device of claim 30, wherein the network is one or more of:

a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), a wireless LAN, a wireless WAN, or the Internet, and

wherein a communication format is one or more of;

transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), 802.11g, 802.11n, or BLUETOOTH.

32. The electrical device of claim 23, wherein information relating to one or more of:

the ongoing alarm or disconnection of the appliance from the power source is accessible to an Internet of Things (IoT).