Alarm systems
First Claim
1. An alarm system for an aircraft having a conventional radio/telecommunication (CR/T) system controlled by an radio telephony (R/T switch, said alarm system comprising first timer means operable, in use, to produce an electrical output signal on timing out, visual alarm means responsive to said output signal from said first timer means, second timer means responsive to said output signal from said first timer means to initiate its operation and operable to produce an electrical output signal on timing out for energising audio alarm means, and rest means associated with said first timer means, whereby first a visual alarm is provided followed by an audio alarm unless said first timer means is rest prior to said second timer means timing out, said reset means comprising switch means actuated by actuation of said R/T switch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alarm system to keep an aircraft pilot or a vehicle operator alert utilizes a first timer to activate visual alarm. The first timer is reset by actuation of the aircraft communications press-to-talk button. If the pilot fails to reset the first timer within a predetermined time, a second timer triggers an audio alarm. Once the audio alarm is triggered, it remains triggered and not resettable for a predetermined period of time. During normal operation of an aircraft during landings and takeoffs, the communications press-to-talk button is actuated as part of normal cockpit operations at intervals shorter than the time for the first timer to complete its timing cycle. Accordingly, an alarm is not generated during such landings and takeoffs, but is effective during cruise flight when the danger of drowsiness is greatest.
26 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. An alarm system for an aircraft having a conventional radio/telecommunication (CR/T) system controlled by an radio telephony (R/T switch, said alarm system comprising first timer means operable, in use, to produce an electrical output signal on timing out, visual alarm means responsive to said output signal from said first timer means, second timer means responsive to said output signal from said first timer means to initiate its operation and operable to produce an electrical output signal on timing out for energising audio alarm means, and rest means associated with said first timer means, whereby first a visual alarm is provided followed by an audio alarm unless said first timer means is rest prior to said second timer means timing out, said reset means comprising switch means actuated by actuation of said R/T switch.
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10. An alarm system for an operator-operable transportation device comprising:
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first timer means operable to produce a first electrical output signal on timing out; visual alarm means responsive to said first electrical output signal from said first timer means; second timer means responsive to said first electrical output signal from said first timer means to initiate its operation and operable to produce a second electrical output signal on timing out for energising audio alarm means; reset means associated with said first timer means; means to help said operator to stay awake for a pre-determined amount of time once the had been awaken by said audio alarm means, said means including a third timer means rendered operative only when said audio alarm means are initially activated, said third timer means activating said audio alarm means at preselected intervals until said third timer means times out; and means for preventing resetting of any timer means until said third means times out. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification