Disaster alert system

• US 4,155,042 A
• Filed: 10/31/1977
• Issued: 05/15/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alan R. Permut, Albert A. Permut, Ronald M. Permut
• Original Assignee: Alan R. Permut, Albert A. Permut, Ronald M. Permut
• Inventors: Permut, Ronald M., Permut, Alan R., Permut, Albert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coles, Edward L.
• Application Number:
  US05/846,679
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 325/51, 325/53, 325/54, 325/55, 325/64, 325/466, 325/492, 340/224, 340/412, 340/215, 358/93
• US Class Current: 340/7.5
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/00 Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/00 Alarm systems in which the alarm condition is signalled from a central station to a plurality of substations

Abstract

A disaster alert system is disclosed which consists of two major sub-systems. The first sub-system is a central disaster alert station which transmits coded R.F. activation signals specifying the geographic area and/or the official personnel to be alerted. Said central disaster alert station also transmits audio signals containing the disaster warning message to be disseminated to potential disaster victims and/or pre-selected official personnel.

The second and companion sub-system consists of a plurality of independent and remotely located disaster alert modules which can be placed in any location to which disaster alert information is to be disseminated. Said disaster alert modules operate on continuous low-power standby, receiving and analyzing R.F. signals of a pre-determined carrier frequency and bandwidth. In the absence of said coded activation signal, said disaster alert modules remain in low-power standby. Detection and decoding of said coded activation signals results in activation of the module main power circuits. Activation of main power circuits results in a plurality of module outputs, including but not limited to, production of a clearly audible alarm signal, display of a clearly visible alarm signal, reproduction of the audio message, and activation of desirable auxiliary units equipped with said modules, such as, but not limited to, television receivers, public address systems, and civil defense sirens. Specially designated disaster alert modules located on or near roadways produce, upon similar activation, conspicuous alarm signals, and display disaster alert information on road signs.

Said disaster alert modules operate on self contained battery power with means provided for continuous or occasional re-charging from A.C. lines. Said disaster alert modules remain operative in the event of A.C. power failure. The low-power standby mode is intended to conserve energy and maintain extended battery life, and to preclude discernible outputs when no disaster conditions exists.

Claims

1. A disaster alert system comprising:

a transmitting central disaster alert station and a plurality of receiving disaster alert modules said disaster alert modules being remotely located and independent of each other;

code selecting means in said central disaster alert station for selecting a module activation code, from a plurality of possible codes (2ⁿ), designating the selected disaster alert module(s) to be activated;

coder input means in said central disaster alert station for generating repeating frames of said selected module activation code;

radio frequency (RF) circuit means in said central disaster alert station for converting said frames of said selected module activation code to a modulated RF first signal of a selected carrier frequency;

audio input means in said central disaster alert station for accepting live or pre-recorded audio disaster information messages;

Rf circuit means in said central disaster alert station for converting said audio input to an audio modulated RF second signal of a selected carrier frequency.

Rf amplifier means in said central disaster alert station for amplifying said RF first and second signals;

Rf transmitting means in said central disaster alert station for transmitting said RF first and second signals;

Rf receiver means in said disaster alert module for receiving said first and second signals;

decoder means in said disaster alert module for analyzing RF signals at said selected carrier frequency of said first signal, and providing a power switching output signal upon detecting the module activation code appropriate for said designated disaster alert modules;

rechargeable battery power supply means in said disaster alert module for providing a continuous low power output, and a switchable high power output, said RF receiver means and said decoder means in said disaster alert module remaining in continuous standby condition and powered by said low power output;

power switching means in said disaster alert module, activated by said power switching output signal of said decoder means, for applying said high power output to a plurality of module output means;

first module output means in said disaster alert module for providing a clearly audible alarm;

second module output means in said disaster alert module for providing a clearly visible alarm;

third module output means in said disaster alert module for demodulating and amplifying said RF second signal and reproducing said audio disaster information messages;

fourth module output means in said disaster alert module for controlling desired auxiliary units consisting of a plurality of alarm or warning devices of specialized purpose;

module output function control means in said disaster alert module for controlling the sequencing and durations of operation of said module output means, when appropriately activated by said disaster alert module decoding means.

2. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein a charging circuit means in said disaster alert module is provided for continuous or periodic re-charging of said battery power supply means from AC or DC power sources.

3. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said power switching means in said disaster alert module contains a timing circuit which automatically terminates high power application to said module output means after a pre-selected time following decoder activation of said power switching means.

4. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said fourth module output means in said disaster alert module is utilized to activate auxiliary devices such as but not limited to standard television sets, conventional radio receivers, public address systems, civil defense sirens, special devices to alert handicapped persons, and any other device or devices which are desirable to be operated in time of existing or impending disaster, said auxiliary units having been modified or retro-fitted with said disaster alert modules.

5. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said fourth module output means in said disaster alert module is utilized to activate electronically controlled, or electronically lighted road signs, said road signs having been modified or retro-fitted with said disaster alert modules.

6. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said fourth module output means in said disaster alert module is utilized to activate a mechanical release mechanism to display a road sign or portion of road sign containing disaster alert information, said road sign or portion of road sign not being displayed unless disaster conditions exist, and said road sign having been modified or retro-fitted with said disaster alert modules.

7. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein a test button means in said disaster alert module is provided which when depressed supplies a simulated module activation signal to said RF receiver means, thereby testing the disaster alert module'"'"'s functional capability.

8. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said transmitting means in said central disaster alert station transmits said RF first signal prior to, and followed by said RF second signal, wherein both signals are transmitted at the same RF carrier frequency.

9. The arrangement as recited in claim 8 wherein said power switching means in said disaster alert module contains a timing circuit which automatically terminates high power application to said module output means after a pre-selected time following decoder activation of said power switching means.

10. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said transmitting means in said central disaster alert station transmits said RF first signal prior to, and followed by, said RF second signal, wherein both signals are transmitted at different RF carrier frequencies.

11. The arrangement as recited in claim 10 wherein said power switching means in said disaster alert module contains a timing circuit which automatically terminates high power application to said module output means after a pre-selected time following decoder activation of said power switching means.

12. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said transmitting means in said central disaster alert station transmits said RF first and second signals simultaneously, both signals being transmitted at the same RF carrier frequency, wherein a multiplexer is utilized to multiplex said RF first and second signals onto the same RF carrier frequency.

13. The arrangement as recited in claim 12 wherein said decoder means in said disaster alert module provides said power switching output signal to said power switching means so long as said decoder means detects said appropriate module activation code contained by said RF first signal.

14. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said transmitting means in said central disaster alert station transmits said RF first and second signals simultaneously, both signals being transmitted at different RF carrier frequencies.

15. The arrangement as recited in claim 14 wherein said decoder means in said disaster alert module provides said power switching output signal to said power switching means so long as said decoder means detects said appropriate module activation code contained by said RF first signal.

16. A disaster alert system comprising:

a plurality of disaster alert modules each being remotely located from a central transmitter, and each being independent of the other said disaster alert modules;

Rf receiving means in said disaster alert module for receiving RF first signals containing a module activation code designating the selected disaster alert modules to be activated;

Rf receiving means in said disaster alert module for receiving audio modulated RF second signals containing an audio disaster alert information message;

decoder means in said disaster alert module for analyzing RF signals on a carrier frequency utilized by said RF first signal, and providing a power switching output signal upon detecting the module activation code appropriate for designated disaster alert modules.

rechargeable battery power supply means in said disaster alert module for providing a continuous low power output, and a switchable high power output, said RF receiver means and said decoder means in said disaster alert module remaining in continuous standby condition and powered by said low power output;

power switching means in said disaster module, activated by said power switching output signal of said decoder means, for applying said high power output to a plurality of module output means;

first module output means in said disaster alert module for providing a clearly audible alarm;

second module output means in said disaster alert module for providing a clearly visible alarm;

third module output means in said disaster alert module for demodulating and amplifying said RF second signal and reproducing said audio disaster information messages;

fourth module output means in said disaster alert module for controlling desired auxiliary units consisting of a plurality of alarm or warning devices of specialized purpose;

module output function control means in said disaster alert module for controlling the sequencing and durations of operation of said module output means, when appropriately activated by said disaster alert module decoding means.

17. The arrangement as recited in claim 16 wherein a charging circuit means in said disaster alert module is provided for continuous or periodic re-charging of said battery power supply means from AC or DC power sources.

18. The arrangement as recited in claim 16 wherein said power switching means in said disaster alert module contains a timing circuit which automatically terminates high power application to said module output means after a pre-selected time following decoder activation of said power switching means.

19. The arrangement as recited in claim 16 wherein said decoder means in said disaster alert module provides said power switching output signal to said power switching means so long as said decoder means detects said appropriate module activation code contained by said RF first signal.

20. The arrangement as recited in claim 16 wherein said fourth module output means in said disaster alert module is utilized to activate auxiliary devices such as but not limited to standard television sets, conventional radio receivers, public address systems, civil defense sirens, special devices to alert handicapped persons, and any other device or devices which are desirable to be operated in time of existing or impending disaster, said auxiliary units having been modified or retro-fitted with said disaster alert modules.

21. The arrangement as recited in claim 16 wherein said fourth module output means in said disaster alert module is utilized to activate electronically controlled, or electronically lighted road signs, said road signs having been modified or retro-fitted with said disaster alert modules.

22. The arrangement as recited in claim 16 wherein said fourth module output means in said disaster alert module is utilized to activate a mechanical release mechanism to display a road sign or portion of road sign containing disaster alert information, said road sign or portion of road sign not being displayed unless disaster conditions exist, and said road sign having been modified or retro-fitted with said disaster alert modules.

23. The arrangement as recited in claim 16 wherein a test button means in said disaster alert module is provided which when depressed supplies a simulated module activation signal to said RF receiver means, thereby testing the disaster alert module'"'"'s functional capability.