Warning system for giving verbal instruction during fire and method of operating the warning system

• US 5,663,714 A
• Filed: 05/01/1995
• Issued: 09/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SMART SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.
• Original Assignee: Eddie Lee Fray
• Inventors: Fray, Eddie Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/432,516
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 340/692, 340/691, 340/693, 340/628-630, 340/584, 340/326
• US Class Current: 340/692
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

An alarm system, comprising a smoke detector, a smoke detector output relay, a recording switch, a microphone, a digital recording and a play back device, a timer/pulse generator, a pulse counter, a number of speakers, an amplifier and an alarm tone generator, and the method of operation of the alarm system are presented. The smoke detector output relay activates a printed circuit that is powered off the smoke detector at two different points. The recording switch, when activated, allows a voice message to be recorded through the microphone on a digital recording and play back device. The timer/pulse generator starts when activated by the smoke detector output relay. The timer/pulse generator then sends timed pulses to the pulse counter that controls output of the digital recording and play back device, i.e. a verbal message, and of the alarm tone generator. The controlled output of the digital recording and play back device and of the alarm tone generator is then sent to the amplifier. Then, the output of the amplifier is sent to the number of speakers which send messages and tones, alerting by standing individuals of presence of fire or smoke. The messages and tones may be repeated until the alarm system is reset.

Claims

1. A warning system capable of providing verbal instructions in cases of emergency situations, comprising fire or smoke hazards, said warning system having an alarm system for guiding individuals caught in emergency situations away from hazards, said alarm system comprising:

a. a smoke detector connected to a first point of a powered source and to a second point of said powered source;

b. a printed circuit connected to the smoke detector;

c. a smoke detector output relay connected to the printed circuit from a side which is easily exposable to smoke upon commencement of and during emergency situations;

d. a recording switch connected to the printed circuit at a point that is easily reachable by an individual for changing verbal instructions of the alarm system used for emergency situations;

e. a microphone connected to the printed circuit;

f. a digital recording and a play back device located close to the recording switch and to the microphone;

g. a timer/pulse generator located adjacent to the digital recording and the play back device;

h. a pulse counter located proximate to the timer/pulse generator in order to minimize time delay between sending of pulses by the timer/pulse generator and receipt of pulses by the pulse counter;

i. an alarm tone generator for generating alarm tones and being located proximate to the pulse counter;

j. an amplifier located adjacent to the timer/pulse generator axial to the digital recording and the play back device such that controlled output of the digital recording and the play back device and of the alarm tone generator is sent to the amplifier; and

k. a number of speakers which are capable of emitting clear, high-pitched loud acoustical signals and verbal messages, said number of speakers located adjacent to the amplifier such that the output of the amplifier is sent to the number of speakers;

wherein sound waves produced by the number of speakers are intended to be louder than high ambient sound levels that surround individuals in emergency situations.

2. The warning system capable of providing verbal instructions in cases of emergency situations as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output of the amplifier is approximately 20 watts.

3. The warning system capable of providing verbal instructions in cases of emergency situations as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alarm tone generator generates a pattern comprising a number of tones and alarms, followed by a verbal message, followed by an equivalent number of tones, said pattern being capable of being adjusted and changed prior to, during and following emergency situations.

4. The warning system capable of providing verbal instructions in cases of emergency situations as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microphone, the digital recording and play back device, the number of speakers, the amplifier, the smoke detector and the smoke detector output relay, the pulse counter and the timer/pulse generator are sized and arranged to form a portable enclosure of approximately 71/2 in. in length, approximately 71/2 in. in width and approximately 71/2 in. in depth.

5. The warning system capable of providing verbal instructions in cases of emergency situations as claimed in claim 1, wherein the warning system is attached to a surface of a wall, such that messages and tones are heard clearly during emergency situations.

6. The warning system capable of providing verbal instructions in cases of emergency situations as claimed in claim 1, wherein the warning system also includes a flashlight comprising:

a. a number of parallel light emitting diodes placed in series with the number of speakers;

b. a battery compartment connected to the number of parallel light emitting diodes; and

c. integral flashing electronic circuitry comprising a cable to transmit alarm signals to a physical location, with the flashlight being positioned on any selected part of an enclosure including components of the alarm system, depending upon the position of the enclosure of the components of the alarm system in a room;

such that each speaker emits verbal messages followed by pulsed, alerting tones repetitively and is turned on automatically and immediately when the light emitting diodes are turned on.

7. The warning system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flashlight has a high intensity light bulb.

8. The warning system as claimed in claim 6, wherein batteries of the battery compartment are connected to the integral flashing electronic circuitry in series, have a voltage ranging from about 6 Vdc to about 24 Vdc and are controlled by voltage controllers.

9. A method of operating a warning system capable of providing verbal instructions in cases of emergency situations, including fire or smoke hazards, said method comprising:

a. detecting smoke using a smoke detector;

b. activating a printed circuit that is powered off the smoke detector at a first point of a powered source and at a second point of said powered source, said first point and said second point ranging from approximately 6 Vdc to approximately 24 Vdc, using a smoke detector output relay;

c. allowing a voice message to be recorded when a recording switch connected to the printed circuit is activated;

d. magnifying the voice message using a microphone;

e. recording the voice message using a digital recording and a play back device;

f. activating a timer/pulse generator by the smoke detector output relay;

g. sending timed pulses to a pulse counter by the timer/pulse generator, said pulse counter simultaneously controlling output of the digital recording and play back device, said controlled output comprising verbal messages;

h. controlling by the pulse counter the controlled output of an alarm tone generator;

i. receiving the controlled output of the digital recording and play back device and of the alarm tone generator by an amplifier; and

j. sending messages and tones by a number of speakers which receive the controlled output of said amplifier in order to alert by standing individuals of presence of emergency situations;

such that the messages and tones sent by the number of speakers are repeated and are presented in a pattern until the alarm system is reset.

10. The method of operating the warning system capable of providing verbal instructions in cases of emergency situations as claimed in claim 9, wherein a resetter is used to reset the timer/pulse generator.

11. The method of operating the warning system capable of providing verbal instructions in cases of emergency situations as claimed in claim 9, wherein a number of voltage controllers are used to control voltage of any batteries which are available for operating the warning system.

12. The method of operating the warning system capable of providing verbal instructions in cases of emergency situations as claimed in claim 9, wherein the voice message that is recorded using the digital recording and the play back device is changed regularly.

13. The method of operating the warning system capable of providing verbal instructions in cases of emergency situations as claimed in claim 9, wherein the microphone is switched on and off by the recording switch.

14. The method of operating the warning system capable of providing verbal instructions in cases of emergency situations as claimed in claim 9, wherein a flashlight is used which provides a visual alarm that is activated whenever the number of speakers is activated to alert individuals of emergency situations.