STROBE LIGHT ALARM DETECTION AND ALERT SYSTEM

• US 20080012716A1
• Filed: 07/11/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InnovAlarm Corporation
• Original Assignee: InnovAlarm Corporation
• Inventors: Albert, David E., Saltzstein, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,501,958 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/600
• 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 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

A system is disclosed that detects an optical alarm signal, such as a strobe light signal generated by a building alarm system. Upon detecting such a signal, the system generates a supplemental alert signal capable of alerting an individual who might not otherwise respond to the alarm condition, such as an individual who is asleep, hearing impaired, and/or sight impaired. The system may, for example, be implemented as a patient-worn device, a bedside unit, or a personal computer coupled to a light-sensing peripheral device.

Claims

1. An alert system, comprising:

a detection device capable of detecting an optical strobe light signal generated by an alarm component in a building; and

a supplemental alert signal generator coupled to the detection device;

wherein the supplemental alert signal generator is responsive to detection of said optical strobe light signal by generating a supplemental alert signal that is capable of alerting an individual to the presence of an alarm condition.

2. The alert system of claim 1, wherein the alert system is configured to be worn on a wrist of the individual.

3. The alert system of claim 2, wherein the supplemental alert signal generator is capable of generating a vibration signal to alert the individual.

4. The alert system of claim 2, wherein the supplemental alert signal generator is capable of generating a mild shock to alert the individual.

5. The alert system of claim 2, wherein the supplemental alert signal generator is capable of generating a low frequency audio alarm signal.

6. The alert system of claim 2, wherein the supplemental alert signal generator is capable of detecting whether the individual has reacted to the supplemental alert signal.

7. The alert system of claim 6, wherein the supplemental alert signal generator is capable of increasing an intensity of the supplemental alert signal in response to detecting an insufficient reaction by the individual to the supplemental alert signal.

8. The alert system of claim 1, wherein the supplemental alert signal generator is capable of generating a vibration signal to alert the individual.

9. The alert system of claim 1, wherein the supplemental alert signal generator is capable of actuating a liquid sprayer.

10. The alert system of claim 1, wherein the alert system is embodied within a patient-worn hearing aid.

11. The alert system of claim 1, wherein the supplemental alert signal generator is capable of generating an audible voice message that indicates a type of alarm condition detected.

12. The alert system of claim 1, wherein the detection device is further capable of detecting an audible alarm signal, and the supplemental alert signal generator is responsive to detection of said audible alarm signal by generating a supplemental alert signal.

13. The alert system of claim 1, wherein the detection device is a computer peripheral device that plugs into a port of personal computer, and the supplemental alert signal generator comprises said personal computer.

14. A method of generating an alert signal, comprising:

converting a light signal into an electrical signal;

analyzing the electrical signal to assess whether the light signal meets criteria of a standard optical alarm signal; and

when the light signal meets the criteria of a standard optical alarm signal, generating, or causing the generation of, a supplemental alert signal that is capable of alerting an individual to the presence of an alarm condition.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the method is performed by a patient-worn device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the patient-worn device is a wrist-worn device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the patient-worn device is a hearing aid device.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein analyzing the electrical signal comprises determining whether the signal meets timing criteria of UL 1971.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of analyzing the electrical signal is performed via software executed by a processor.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the supplemental alert signal is an audible signal.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the supplemental alert signal is a vibration signal.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the supplemental alert signal comprises an electrical shock applied to the individual.

23. The method of claim 14, further comprising using a signal generated by a motion sensor to automatically assess whether the individual has responded to the supplemental alert signal.