Enhanced fire, safety, security and health monitoring and alarm response method, system and device

• US 20060017559A1
• Filed: 07/23/2004
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InnovAlarm Corporation
• Original Assignee: InnovAlarm Corporation
• Inventors: Albert, David E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,129,833 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/531
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 13/021 Details
• 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 21/0423 detecting deviation from an expected pattern of behaviour or schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0446 worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0453 worn on the body to detect health condition by physiological monitoring, e.g. electrocardiogram, temperature, breathing detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0461 integrated or attached to an item closely associated with the person but not worn by the person, e.g. chair, walking stick, bed sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0469 Presence detectors to detect unsafe condition, e.g. infrared sensor, microphone G08B21/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

Method, system and device useful with conventional personal computers respond automatically to an identified alarm sound by sending a notification signal via the Internet only when a special sound monitoring program is active. Additionally, bedside detection of acoustic alarms is combined with enhanced waking devices to insure the waking of a child or hearing impaired person in response to an emergency. Home safety and security are provided using a bedside unit to monitor audible safety and security alarms and send notification signals to the appropriate communication site. A health monitoring method and system utilizes the bedside device to monitor breathing patterns and other health measuring signals and communicate these patterns and signals to a medical monitoring station.

Claims

1. A method for waking an individual in response to an audible alarm from a pre-existing alarm device comprising:

operating a bedside sound monitoring unit having a microphone, a microprocessor, and means for activating a waking device; and

by operating the bedside unit, detecting from sounds received by the microphone of the bedside unit when alarm conditions exist and in response thereto activating the waking device.

2. A method for waking an individual in response to an audible alarm from a pre-existing smoke detector comprising:

operating a bedside sound monitoring unit having a microphone, a microprocessor, and a switch controlling supply of power to a waking device; and

by operating the sound monitor, detecting from sounds received by the microphone of the bedside unit when a smoke detector is sounding and in response thereto switching on supply of power to the waking device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the waking device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of a bedside audible alert, bed shaking device, light, and a speaker giving verbal instructions.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the waking device comprises a bedside audible alert having a volume of at least 100 dB.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the waking device comprises a strobe light.

6. A method for waking an individual in response to an audible alarm from a pre-existing smoke detector comprising:

operating a bedside sound monitoring unit having a microphone, a microprocessor, and a switch for controlling supply of power to a waking device;

by operating the bedside unit, detecting sounds received by the microphone of the bedside unit and determining if detected sound represents a smoke detector alarm; and

when a smoke alarm is determined, using the bedside unit to activate the waking device by switching on supply of power to the waking device.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the sound monitoring unit further comprises a memory storing a standard smoke alarm signal signature for identifying the smoke detector alarm.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising, by operating the sound monitoring unit in a learning mode during initial setup, allowing the smoke detector alarm to be activated, detected and identified as such.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the bedside sound monitoring unit further comprises battery backup power for operation of the monitoring unit including powering the waking device.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the bedside unit further comprises a communications port and said method further comprises, by operating the unit, generating and sending response signal(s) out the communications port of the unit when a smoke detector alarm is determined.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the response signals comprise alarm notification signals to local emergency personnel.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the response signals comprise alarm notification signals to a monitoring service.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising communicating from the monitoring service to a telecommunication number, e-mail address or instant message address.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the communication port is a wireless communication port.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising operating a motion detector to communicate to the bedside unit signals representing the occurrence of motion and, after a smoke detector alarm is determined, using the bedside unit to further determine whether an individual remains in the room.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the motion detector is selected from the group consisting of infrared detectors, load sensors, and accelerometers.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the motion detector comprises an infrared detector built into the bedside unit.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the motion detector is a load sensor positioned in the bed and in wired or wireless communication with the bedside unit.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising using the microprocessor to generate and send a notification to local emergency personnel regarding whether an individual remains in bed after a smoke alarm is determined.

20. A method for providing for alarm monitoring for a residence, comprising:

receiving at a monitoring service site a request to monitor a bedside audible alarm monitoring unit along with response instructions; and

receiving at the monitoring service site a fire alarm indicating signal sent from the bedside audible alarm monitoring unit when the bedside unit detects a smoke alarm sound, and transmitting a notification signal from the monitoring service site in response.

21. An alarm monitor comprising:

a bedside unit including a microphone, microprocessor, and a switch for activating an electrically connected waking device; and

a sound monitoring program stored within the microprocessor, including;

first instructional signals for determining when sound received through the microphone of the bedside unit is a fire alarm sound; and

second instructional signals for engaging the switch to activate the waking device when a fire alarm sound is determined.

22. The alarm monitor of claim 21 further comprising battery backup power for operation of the monitoring unit including powering the waking device.

23. The alarm monitor of claim 21 further comprising a communications port for sending response signal(s) out when a smoke detector alarm is determined.

24. The alarm monitor of claim 23 wherein the communications port is a wireless communications port.

25. The alarm monitor of claim 21 further comprising a built-in infrared motion detector and/or receiver for receiving signals from a motion detector.

26. A fire alarm system comprising:

an audible fire alarm;

a waking device; and

a bedside sound monitoring unit having a microphone and a microprocessor to identify the fire alarm, and a switch controlling supply of power to the waking device to be switched on in response to the fire alarm.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the audible fire alarm is a residential smoke detector providing a sound output in accordance with a predetermined standard.

28. The system of claim 26 wherein the waking device is selected from the group consisting of a bedside audible alert, bed shaking device, light, and a speaker giving verbal instructions.

29. The system of claim 26 wherein the monitoring unit further comprises a communications port for sending a response signal generated by the microprocessor in response to the fire alarm.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the communications port is a wireless communications port.

31. The system of claim 26 further comprising a motion detector and wherein the monitoring unit further comprises a receiver for receiving signals from the motion detector.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the motion detector is selected from the group consisting of an infrared detector, a load detector and accelerometer.

33. A memory device for a microprocessor in a bedside alarm monitoring unit comprising:

a memory substrate for a bedside unit; and

a monitoring means disposed on the memory substrate, the monitoring means including;

means encoded on the memory substrate for determining when sound received through a microphone of the bedside unit is a fire alarm sound; and

means encoded on the memory substrate for cooperatively functioning with a switching device to activate a waking device when a fire alarm sound is determined.