Sound-responsive Repeater Device and System

• US 20180158309A1
• Filed: 11/06/2017
• Published: 06/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Karl Michael Steins
• Original Assignee: Karl Michael Steins
• Inventors: Steins, Karl Michael
• Application Number:
  US15/805,035
• Publication Number:
  US 20180158309A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 25/51 for comparison or discrimination
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/00 Monitoring arrangements; Testing arrangements for hearing aids H04R25/30; detection of loudspeaker connection H04R5/04; sound-field adaptation dependent on speaker detection H04S7/308

Abstract

A Sound-responsive Repeater Device, System, and Method. The device can be programmed to recognize audible sounds and then responsively trigger an action. The triggered actions are local visual and audible alerts, such as flashing lights and audible sirens or beeps. Each device may be capable of recognizing the unique alert tone of another device so that each device will trigger on the audible alert being generated by another device without the need for user programming. This will create a “domino effect” of cascading alerts from device to device. Each device will have onboard backup power, as well as at least one removeable flashlight that will provide a user with emergency lighting at each device, and the ability to take a flashlight with them in order to escape the building. There will be versions of the device that interconnect with conventional Home Automation gateways, either via conventional Home Automation communications protocol (e.g. zigbee, zwave, etc.), or by WiFi. These interconnected devices should not only be able to generate triggers for the HA gateway, but they should also be able to receive Home Automation triggers from the gateway. Receipt of these triggers should generate audible and/or visual alerts at the devices, depending upon their programming. Each device can be converted from a non-interconnected to an interconnected mode by exchanging a detachable module, such as the flashlight module, with an interconnectable module.

Claims

1. A sound repeater device, comprising:

a lamp module;

a base module configured to be plugged into a conventional electrical outlet, said base module further comprising;

a microphone element;

a speaker element; and

a control system, said control system configured to activate said speaker element and said lamp module responsive to a pre-determined sound detected by said microphone element.

2. The device of claim −

1, wherein said base module is further defined by a holster configured to removably receive said lamp module therein.

3. The device of claim-1, wherein said lamp module comprises an internal battery, such that a lamp in said lamp module can be illuminated when said lamp module is not within said holster.

4. The device of claim-3, wherein said control system is configured to activate said speaker element and said lamp module responsive to said microphone element detecting a smoke detector alert sound.

5. The device of claim-4, wherein said control system is configured to activate said speaker element and said lamp module responsive to said microphone element detecting a door bell sound.

6. The device of claim-5, wherein said control system is configured to activate said speaker element and said lamp module responsive to said microphone element detecting a pool alert sound.

7. The device of claim-6, wherein said control system is configured to activate said speaker element and said lamp module responsive to said microphone element detecting a flood alert sound.

8. The device of claim-7, wherein said control system is configured to activate said speaker element and said lamp module responsive to said microphone element detecting a carbon monoxide detector alert sound.

9. The device of claim-8, wherein said control system is configured to activate said speaker element and said lamp module responsive to said microphone element detecting a sound emitted by another said sound repeater device.

10. The device of claim-9, wherein said device further comprises a communications system configured to communicate wirelessly with an external communications subsystem.

11. The device of claim-1, wherein said communications system is within said lamp module.

12. A method for repeating a sound, comprising the steps of:

detecting a pre-determined sound at a first device, said pre-determined sound selected from a group of sounds containing a smoke detector alert, a flood detector alert, a doorbell, the sound of glass breaking and a carbon monoxide detecter alert; and

emitting a pre-determined sound at said first device responsive to said first detecting.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of said first device transmitting a trigger message to a gateway system via wireless communications responsive to said detecting.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said emitting is further responsive to a unique sound generated by a second said device.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said emitting is further responsive to receipt of a trigger message wirelessly received from a gateway system.

16. A sound repeater device, comprising:

a base module configured to be plugged into a conventional electrical outlet, said base module further comprising;

an internal battery element

a microphone element;

a speaker element; and

a control system, said control system configured to activate said speaker element and said lamp module responsive to a pre-determined sound detected by said microphone element; and

a lamp module comprising a lamp element and an internal battery, said lamp module attachable to said base module.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said lamp element of said lamp element is configured to be activated by said base module.

18. The device of claim 16, further comprising a communications system configured to transmit wireless messages responsive to said control system and to receive wireless messages.