Sound level detector with program interrupt
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for notifying a person of the presence of a detected sound, comprising:
- means for detecting sound;
a source of a program;
output means;
switch means, associated with said sound detecting means, said program source, and said output means, for switching said output means between electrical connection with said detecting means and electrical connection with said program source; and
means, electrically connected to said sound detecting means and to said switch means, for controlling said switch means to electrically disconnect said output means from said program source and to electrically connect said output means to said sound detecting means when a sound having a magnitude in excess of a predetermined level is detected.
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Abstract
A sound receiver outputs a signal to a sound level detector and to a notification signal generator. The sound level detector outputs a signal to a first input of a switch, and the notification signal generator outputs a signal to a second input of the switch. Also input into the switch is the program from a program source. Under control of the sound level detector, the switch either outputs the program or the notification signal to an output element of the alarm system whereby the program is interrupted and the notification signal substituted therefor on detection of a sound level greater than a preselected level.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus for notifying a person of the presence of a detected sound, comprising:
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means for detecting sound; a source of a program; output means; switch means, associated with said sound detecting means, said program source, and said output means, for switching said output means between electrical connection with said detecting means and electrical connection with said program source; and means, electrically connected to said sound detecting means and to said switch means, for controlling said switch means to electrically disconnect said output means from said program source and to electrically connect said output means to said sound detecting means when a sound having a magnitude in excess of a predetermined level is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A program-interrupting, sound notification system comprising:
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a sound receiver; a switch means; a notification signal generator, connected to said sound receiver and to said switch means, for generating electrical notification signals from sounds received by said sound receiver; a program source means having an output providing electrical signals representing perceivable information connected to said switch means; an audio output member connected to said switch means; and a sound level detector means, connected to said sound receiver and to said switch means, for controlling said switch means to disconnect said output member from the output of said program source and to connect said output member to said notification signal generator when a sound having a magnitude not less than a predetermined level is detected. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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8. An earphone alarm apparatus for notifying a person listening to an audio program of the existence of a sound external to said audio program but in the vicinity of said person, comprising:
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sound transducer means for converting a received sound wave into an electrical signal; sound level detector means, connected to said sound transducer means, for determining when said electrical signal exceeds a predetermined level and for providing a timing signal having a predetermined duration when said electrical signal exceeds said predetermined level; notification signal generator means connected to said sound transducer means; an audio program source; switch means having a first input connected to said sound level detector means for receiving said timing signal therefrom, a second input connected to said notification signal generator means, a third input connected to said audio program source, and an output switchable between said second and third inputs, said output being switched to said second input when said timing signal is provided by said sound level detector means; and an earphone connected to said switch output.
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15. An alarm apparatus for notifying a person listening to an audio program of the existence of a sound external to said audio program but in the vicinity of said person, comprising:
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a microphone for converting received sound waves into electrical signals; amplification means, connected to said microphone, for amplifying said electrical signals; a first operational amplifier having an input connected to said amplification means and having a first gain adjustment control for variably setting a predetermined level which said electrical signals must exceed before said alarm apparatus notifies the person; timer means, responsive to said first operational amplifier, for providing a timing signal; a second operational amplifier having an input connected to said amplification means and having a second gain adjustment control for variably setting the magnitude of said electrical signals; an audio program source; an audio speaker; and a relay, responsive to said timer means, including; switch plate means having an output terminal connected to said audio speaker, a first switch contact connected to said second operational amplifier, and a second switch contact connected to said audio program source; and an inductor means, connected to said timer means, for operating said switch plate means to connect the output terminal to the first switch contact when said timer means provides the timing signal and for operating said switch plate means to connect the output terminal to the second switch contact when no timing signal is provided.
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Specification