Personal alarm apparatus

• US 5,512,881 A
• Filed: 08/27/1993
• Issued: 04/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alerticall Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alertcall Incorporated, MKM Electronics Inc.
• Inventors: Majmudar, Kashyap
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/113,650
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 340/574, 340/573, 340/546, 340/384.4, 340/384.6, 340/326, 340/331, 340/691, 340/521, 340/571, 340/311.1, 340/825.44, 340/825.49, 379/38, 379/40, 367/197-199, 381/56, 375/309-310
• US Class Current: 340/574
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0297 Robbery alarms, e.g. hold-up alarms, bag snatching alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

Alarm apparatus which generates a repetitive sound wave having at least two pulses of predetermined frequencies within a predetermined interval of time. A resonator generates the clock frequency therefor. The resonator may have a low tolerance of less than about 0.1 percent so that at least two pulses may be detected by a receiver having a similarly low tolerance so that false triggering of the receiver by other transmitters or background noise may be prevented. A plug is inserted into the alarm housing to maintain circuitry for initiating operation thereof open. Pulling of the plug from the housing allows the circuitry to close to initiate operation of the alarm. A push button is provided on the end of the plug to close the circuitry for initiating operation of the alarm while the plug is inserted into the apparatus. Once the alarm has been initiated, the circuitry is such that the alarm cannot be inactivated except by removal of the internal power source.

Claims

1. Alarm apparatus comprising electrical circuit means including controller means for generating a variable frequency repetitive sound wave having at least two different predetermined frequencies which occur within a predetermined interval of time, and a resonator for generating a predetermined clock frequency for the sound wave.

2. Alarm apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said resonator has a tolerance of less than about 0.1 percent.

3. Alarm apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said resonator is a ceramic resonator.

4. Alarm apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising power supply means, said controller means having at least a first port and a second port, means for applying power to said first port to initiate operation of said controller means, and means free of switches for connecting said power supply means to said second port for applying power thereto so that, after initiation of said controller means by application of power to said first port, said controller means continues to operate until the application of power to said second port is ceased.

5. Alarm apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit means further includes an alarm means, the apparatus further comprising strobe light means and means for operating said strobe light means alternately with said alarm means.

6. Alarm apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising means for supplying electrical power to said strobe light means for operation independently of said alarm means.

7. Alarm apparatus comprising electrical circuit means including controller means for generating a variable frequency repetitive sound wave having at least two different predetermined frequencies which occur within a predetermined interval of time, a resonator for generating a predetermined clock frequency for the sound wave, means for receiving the sound wave including means for detecting said at least two predetermined frequencies within said predetermined interval of time, and means responsive to the detecting of said at least two predetermined frequencies within said predetermined interval of time for initiating a predetermined action.

8. Alarm apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each of said resonator and said detecting means has a tolerance of less than about 0.1 percent.

9. Alarm apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said resonator is a ceramic resonator.

10. Alarm apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising power supply means, said controller means having at least a first port and a second port, means for applying power to said first port to initiate operation of said controller means, and means free of switches for connecting said power supply means to said second port for applying power thereto so that, after initiation of said controller means by application of power to said first port, said controller means continues to operate until the application of power to said second port is ceased.

11. Alarm apparatus according to claim 7 where said electrical circuit means further includes an alarm means, the apparatus further comprising strobe light means and means for operating said strobe light means alternately with said alarm means.

12. Alarm apparatus comprising a housing, electrical circuit means including controller means within said housing for generating a sound wave and having means defining a first port and a second port, a power supply means within said housing, first circuit means for applying power to said first port to initiate operation of said controller means, second circuit means for applying power from said power supply means to said second port after operation of said controller means is initiated for continued operation of said controller means, said controller means continuing to operate after operation thereof is initiated as long as power is applied by said second circuit means to said second port, said second circuit means being free of switches between said power supply means and said second port, and plug means adapted to be inserted into said housing for opening said first circuit means whereby pulling said plug means from said housing closes said first circuit means to apply power to said first port for initiating operation of said controller means after which said controller means continues to operate until the application of power to said second port is ceased, the apparatus further comprising switch means connected to said plug means, said plug means comprising a first circuit portion and a second circuit portion insulated from said first circuit portion, means for disconnecting said power supply means from said first port and for connecting said first circuit portion to said power supply means and said second circuit portion to said first port during a period of time when said plug means is inserted into said housing, said switch means including means for connecting said first circuit portion to said second circuit portion for applying power from said power supply means to said first port during a period of time when said plug means is inserted into said housing.

13. Alarm apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said switch means is a push button.

14. Alarm apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said electrical circuit means generates a variable frequency repetitive sound wave having at least two different predetermined frequencies which occur within a predetermined interval of time, the apparatus further comprising a resonator for generating a predetermined clock frequency for the sound wave.

15. Alarm apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said resonator has a tolerance of less than about 0.1 percent.

16. Alarm apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising means for protectively covering said switch means to prevent accidental operation thereof.

17. Alarm apparatus comprising a housing, electrical circuit means including controller means within said housing for generating a sound wave and having means defining a first port and a second port, a power supply means within said housing, first circuit means for applying power to said first port to initiate operation of said controller means, second circuit means for applying power from said power supply means to said second port after operation of said controller means is initiated for continued operation of said controller means, said controller means continuing to operate after operation thereof is initiated as long as power is applied by said second circuit means to said second port, said second circuit means being free of switches between said power supply means and said second port, and plug means adapted to be inserted into said housing for opening said first circuit means whereby pulling said plug means from said housing closes said first circuit means to apply power to said first port for initiating operation of said controller means after which said controller means continues to operate until the application of power to said second port is ceased.

18. Alarm apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said electrical circuit means generates a variable frequency repetitive sound wave having at least two different predetermined frequencies which occur within a predetermined interval of time, the apparatus further comprising a resonator for generating a predetermined clock frequency for the sound wave.

19. Alarm apparatus comprising a housing, electrical circuit means including controller means within said housing for generating a sound wave and having means defining a first port and a second port, a power supply means within said housing, first circuit means for applying power to said first port to initiate operation of said controller means, second circuit means for applying power from said power supply means to said second port after operation of said controller means is initiated for continued operation of said controller means, said controller means continuing to operate after operation thereof is initiated as long as power is applied by said second circuit means to said second port, said second circuit means being free of switches between said power supply means and said second port, and plug means adapted to be inserted into said housing for opening said first circuit means whereby pulling said plug means from said housing closes said first circuit means to apply power to said first port for initiating operation of said controller means after which said controller means continues to operate until the application of power to said second port is ceased, the apparatus further comprising switch means connected to said plug means for closing said first circuit means during a period of time in which said plug means is inserted into said housing.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising means for protectively covering said switch means to prevent accidental operation thereof.