Alarm device
First Claim
1. A device for monitoring the movement of a person or article, comprising:
- a first means for providing a magnetic field;
a second means for detecting changes in the magnetic field provided by the first means due to any changes in the position of the first means relative to the second means and for generating an electrical signal varying in magnitude in proportion of the amount of change in the magnetic field which is detected;
a third means for moving the first means relative to the second means in response to movements of the person or article in any direction;
an alarm means for producing an alarm signal when the alarm means is energized;
a circuit means having an adjustable sensitivity, connected between the second means and the alarm means, for processing the electrical signal generated by the second means and for energizing the alarm means when the processed electrical signal meets predetermined conditions;
a means for housing the first means, second means, third means, alarm means, and circuit means to form a selfcontained unit; and
a means for attaching the unit to the person or article.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An alarm device for monitoring the movements of a person is disclosed. The device is designed to be attached to a person'"'"'s clothing and is particularly suitable for use by an emergency worker, such as a fireman. The device comprises a motion sensor, a signal processing circuit on a printed circuit board, and an alarm, all contained within a housing. The motion sensor includes a permanent magnet attached to one end of a spring located within an induction coil wound on a bobbin. The other end of the spring is attached to the printed circuit board so that a voltage is induced across the coil due to vibrations of the magnet relative to the coil in response to movements of the housing of the device. The signal processing circuit activates the alarm to generate an alarm signal if the person is immobile, for example, as the result of an injury, for a predetermined period of time.
56 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A device for monitoring the movement of a person or article, comprising:
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a first means for providing a magnetic field; a second means for detecting changes in the magnetic field provided by the first means due to any changes in the position of the first means relative to the second means and for generating an electrical signal varying in magnitude in proportion of the amount of change in the magnetic field which is detected; a third means for moving the first means relative to the second means in response to movements of the person or article in any direction; an alarm means for producing an alarm signal when the alarm means is energized; a circuit means having an adjustable sensitivity, connected between the second means and the alarm means, for processing the electrical signal generated by the second means and for energizing the alarm means when the processed electrical signal meets predetermined conditions; a means for housing the first means, second means, third means, alarm means, and circuit means to form a selfcontained unit; and a means for attaching the unit to the person or article. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A device for monitoring the movement of a person or article, comprising:
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a motion sensing means having a magnetic field sensor for detecting changes in a magnetic field which correspond to movements of the person or article in any direction and for generating a first electrical signal when the person or article is moving and a different, second electrical signal when the person or article is not moving; an alarm means for producing an alarm signal when the alarm means is energized; a signal processing means having an adjustable sensitivity, connected between the motion sensing means and the alarm means, for energizing the alarm means in response to one of the electrical signals generated by the motion sensing means and for preventing or terminating energization of the alarm means in response to the other one of the electrical signals generated by the motion sensing means; a means for housing the motion sensing means, the alarm means, and the signal processing means to form a selfcontained unit; and a means for attaching the unit to the person or article. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An alarm device for monitoring the movement of a person or article comprising:
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a first means having a magnetic field, suspended for movement in any direction in response to movement of the person or article in any direction; a second means positioned in proximity to the first means to generate electrical pulses in response to any relative change in the magnetic field resulting from movement of the first means; an electrical sensing and signal generating circuit with an adjustable sensitivity connected to the second means to detect pulse changes created in response to movement of the magnetic field and to create a first signal when the magnetic field does not substantially change and a different second signal upon change in the magnetic field; an alarm device for producing a detectable warning signal; a signal processing circuit connected between the signal generating circuit and the alarm device to energize the alarm device in response to the first signal and to prevent or terminate energization of the alarm device in response to the second signal; and housing means, adapted for mounting on the person or article, containing the first means, the second means, the motion sensing and signal generating circuit, the signal processing circuit, and the alarm device.
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Specification