Method and system for detecting a predetermined sound event such as the sound of breaking glass

• US 20060177071A1
• Filed: 02/07/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Eskildsen, Kenneth G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,680,283 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/56
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1672 using sonic detecting means, e.g. a microphone operating in the audio frequency range

Abstract

A method and system for detecting a predetermined sound event, such as the sound of breaking glass. Data representing monitored sounds is stored, such as in a circular buffer, while a preliminary assessment is made in real time as to whether the monitored sounds potentially include the predetermined sound event. If there is a potential correspondence, the already stored, pre-event data is frozen, and additional data including, and following, the event is stored. Next, the stored pre-event and additional data is retrieved from storage and provided to a processor that applies one or more algorithms to determine, with finality, if the event corresponds to the predetermined sound event.

Claims

1. A sound processor for detecting a predetermined sound event, comprising:

a microphone for monitoring sounds;

a storage resource for storing first data representing the monitored sounds over a first time period;

first circuitry for determining if the monitored sounds potentially include the predetermined sound event; and

second circuitry responsive to the first circuitry for storing second data representing the monitored sounds over a second time period that follows the first time period when the first circuitry determines that the monitored sounds potentially include the predetermined sound event.

2. The sound processor of claim 1, wherein:

the predetermined sound event comprises a glass break event.

3. The sound processor of claim 1, wherein:

the second circuitry freezes the first data stored in the storage resource when the first circuitry determines that the monitored sounds potentially include the predetermined sound event.

4. The sound processor of claim 1, wherein:

the first data represents the monitored sounds preceding the monitored sounds that potentially include the predetermined sound event; and

the second data represents the monitored sounds including, and following, the monitored sounds that potentially include the predetermined sound event.

5. The sound processor of claim 1, further comprising:

third circuitry for processing the first data and the second data to determine, with finality, whether the monitored sounds include the predetermined sound event.

6. The sound processor of claim 5, wherein:

the third circuitry applies a plurality of sound detection algorithms to the first data and the second data to determine, with finality, whether the monitored sounds include the predetermined sound event.

7. The sound processor of claim 1, wherein:

the first data and the second data are stored in separate designated storage locations.

8. The sound processor of claim 1, wherein:

the first circuitry determines if the monitored sounds potentially include the predetermined sound event by comparing a level of the monitored sounds to a predetermined threshold as the monitored sounds are received.

9. The sound processor of claim 1, wherein:

the storage resource comprises a circular buffer.

10. A sound processor for detecting a predetermined sound event, comprising:

means for monitoring sounds;

means for storing first data representing the monitored sounds over a first time period;

first means for determining if the monitored sounds potentially include the predetermined sound event; and

second means responsive to the first means for storing second data representing the monitored sounds over a second time period that follows the first time period when the first means determines that the monitored sounds potentially include the predetermined sound event.

11. The sound processor of claim 10, wherein:

the predetermined sound event comprises a glass break event.

12. The sound processor of claim 10, wherein:

the second means freezes the first data stored in the storing means when the first means determines that the monitored sounds potentially include the predetermined sound event.

13. The sound processor of claim 10, wherein:

the first data represents the monitored sounds preceding the monitored sounds that potentially include the predetermined sound event; and

the second data represents the monitored sounds including, and following, the monitored sounds that potentially include the predetermined sound event.

14. The sound processor of claim 10, further comprising:

third means for processing the first data and the second data to determine, with finality, whether the monitored sounds include the predetermined sound event.

15. The sound processor of claim 14, wherein:

the third means applies a plurality of sound detection algorithms to the first data and the second data to determine, with finality, whether the monitored sounds include the predetermined sound event.

16. A method for detecting a predetermined sound event, comprising:

monitoring sounds;

storing first data representing the monitored sounds over a first time period;

determining if the monitored sounds potentially include the predetermined sound event; and

storing second data representing the monitored sounds over a second time period that follows the first time period when the determining step determines that the monitored sounds potentially include the predetermined sound event.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

freezing the first stored data when the determining step determines that the monitored sounds potentially include the predetermined sound event.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the first data represents the monitored sounds preceding the monitored sounds that potentially include the predetermined sound event; and

the second data represents the monitored sounds including, and following, the monitored sounds that potentially include the predetermined sound event.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

processing the first data and the second data to determine, with finality, whether the monitored sounds include the predetermined sound event.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein:

the processing applies a plurality of sound detection algorithms to the first data and the second data to determine, with finality, whether the monitored sounds include the predetermined sound event.