Apparatus and method for locatable encoding alarms

• US 5,949,328 A
• Filed: 03/03/1995
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James A. Latty
• Original Assignee: James A. Latty
• Inventors: Latty, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US08/397,982
• Time in Patent Office: 1,649 Days
• Field of Search: 340/326, 340/321, 340/309.15, 340/309.3, 340/573, 340/691, 340/568, 340/825.49, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/326
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

Apparatus and method for locatable alarms which increase the awareness of and locatability of objects, even for sight or hearing impaired individuals. The apparatus emits preferably a plurality of intermittent complex multiple frequency encoded noises at ear intensities less than 150 dbA, when measured at 10 cm from the source, which enhance listeners'"'"' conscious or subconscious abilities to estimate both the distance to the object from the listeners and at least two relative angles between the listeners and the object. The plurality of intermittent complex multiple frequency encoded noises include noise having at least in part primary frequency less than about 1.1 KHz and noise having primary frequency in the range of from about 4 KHz through about 12 KHz. Additionally, the apparatus provides encoded light, preferably an encoded, near monochromatic, coherent, pulsed light of less than 5 milliwatt intensity having primary output wavelengths in the range of from about 380 nanometers through about 780 nanometers, the light emitted by the object being encoded with balanced and selected saturation purity, interference, chromaticity, pulse duration, luminous flux and coherence that enhance viewers'"'"' ability to consciously or subconsciously estimate both the distance to the object and at least two angles between the viewers and the object, resulting in heightened alarm, awareness, and locatability for a large percentage of human beings.

Claims

1. Apparatus for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual, said apparatus comprising:

(a) means for causing light visual stimuli encoding modification;

(b) said means for causing light visual stimuli encoding modification providing light visual stimuli substantially in the wavelength range of approximately 380 nanometers through 780 nanometers;

(c) said means for causing light visual stimuli encoding modification providing light visual stimuli from which said individual may consciously and subconsciously estimate the relative distance between said individual and said object;

(d) said means for causing light visual stimuli encoding modification providing light visual stimuli from which said individual may consciously and subconsciously estimate at least two relative angles between said individual and said object;

(e) means for causing encoding light modification that modifies light in at least one or more temporal and spatial variations which include high intensity durations and low intensity durations;

(f) said encoding light visual stimuli modification means providing high intensity durations substantially in the range of 0.0001 second through 0.1 second; and

(g) said encoding light means providing low intensity durations substantially in the range of 0.01 second through 45 seconds.

2. Apparatus comprising an encoding aural stimuli controlling and providing circuit for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual, wherein the circuit comprises:

(a) a counter/timer frequencies regenerator encoder circuit;

(b) a reset sub-circuit;

(c) a state sequence counter/enabler circuit;

(d) an aural amplifier circuit;

(e) an encodable annunciator circuit;

(f) a switch circuit;

(g) a power source; and

(h) a switch controller comparator circuit.

5. Apparatus for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual as described in claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises the step of combining said apparatus with the object.

3. Apparatus comprising an encoding visual stimuli providing circuit for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual, wherein the circuit comprises:

(a) a counter/timer frequencies generator encoder circuit;

(b) a reset sub-circuit;

(c) a state sequence counter/enabler circuit

(d) a visual amplifier circuit;

(e) an encodable light visual stimuli circuit;

(f) a switch circuit;

(g) a power source; and

(h) a switch controller comparator circuit.

6. Apparatus for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual as described in claim 3, wherein the apparatus further comprises combining said apparatus with the object.

4. Apparatus comprising an aural and visual stimuli providing circuit for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual, wherein the aural and visual stimuli providing circuit comprises:

(a) a counter/timer, frequencies generator encoder circuit comprising a plurality of counter flip-flops to generate;

a clock signal CLK within the counter/timer frequencies generator encoder circuit;

a clock signal CLK1 to a switch controller/comparator circuit;

a clock signal CLK2 to a state sequence counter/enabler circuit;

a clock signal CLK3 to a state sequence counter/enabler circuit;

a clock signal CLK4 to a state sequence counter/enabler circuit;

a clock signal CLK5 to a state sequence counter/enabler circuit;

a visual switch control signal VISUAL to a visual amplifier and switch circuit; and

an aural switch control signal NOISE to an aural amplifier and switch circuit;

(b) a reset sub-circuit generating a reset signal RESET to clear a state of a state sequence counter/enabler circuit;

(c) a switch circuit generating a reset signal RST to clear a state of a switch controller/comparator circuit and a state of a counter/timer, frequencies generator encoder circuit;

(d) a state sequence counter/enabler circuit comprising a plurality of counter flip-flops generating an enable signal ENABLE A to the aural amplifier and switch circuit to enable the aural amplifier and switch circuit, and an enable signal ENABLE V to the visual amplifier and switch circuit to enable the visual amplifier and switch circuit;

(e) said switch controller/comparator circuit generating a clear signal CLEAR to initialize said state sequence counter/enabler circuit;

(f) said aural amplifier and switch circuit comprising an encodable annunciator circuit;

(g) said aural amplifier and switch circuit generating an aural driver signal AURAL AMP to the encodable annunciator circuit;

(h) said encodable annunciator circuit producing complex encoded audible noise aural stimuli;

(i) said visual amplifier and switch circuit comprising an encodable light visual stimuli;

(j) said visual amplifier and switch circuit generating a visual driver signal VISUAL AMP to the encodable light visual stimuli circuit;

(k) said encodable light circuit producing visible encoded light visual stimuli; and

(l) a power source.

7. Apparatus for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual as described in claim 4 wherein the apparatus further comprises combining said apparatus with the object.

8. Method for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual, said method comprising the steps:

(a) providing light visual stimuli encoding modification;

(b) providing said light visual stimuli substantially in the wavelength range of 380 through 780 nanometers;

(c) providing said light visual stimuli from which said individual may consciously and subconsciously estimate the relative distance between said individual and said object;

(d) providing said light visual stimuli from which said individual may consciously and subconsciously estimate at least two relative angles between said individual and said object;

(e) causing encoding light modification in at least one or more temporal and spatial variations which include high intensity durations and low intensity durations;

(f) causing encoding light visual stimuli modification in high intensity durations substantially in the range from 0.0001 second through 0.1 second; and

(g) causing low intensity durations substantially in the range from 0.01 second through 45 seconds.

10. Method for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual according to claim 8, wherein said method of producing intermittent encoded light visual stimuli further comprises the steps of:

(a) providing said intermittent encoded light visual stimuli primarily in the visible wavelength range that individuals substantially perceive as having high lumen sight efficiency;

(b) providing said light visual stimuli with a high light visual stimuli source efficiency;

(c) balancing said light visual stimuli substantially between saturation and brightness to produce high brightness sensation and high light visual stimuli source power efficiency;

(d) providing said light visual stimuli with mostly balanced primary light visual stimuli properties of luminous flux, chromaticity and saturation purity to produce high ocular response and recognizability; and

(e) providing said light visual stimuli in near monochromatic mostly coherent light.

12. Method for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual according to claim 10, wherein the method of providing encoded light visual stimuli further comprises the step of splitting at least a portion of said light visual stimuli whereby said light visual stimuli output is apparent from a plurality of locations relative to the apparatus and wherein producing at least a partial light visual stimuli interference pattern.

13. Method for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual as described in claim 8, wherein the method further comprises the step of combining said method with said object.

9. Method for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing intermittent encoded noise aural stimuli;

(b) providing said intermittent encoded noise aural stimuli from which said individual may consciously and subconsciously estimate the relative distance between said individual and said object;

(c) providing said intermittent encoded noise aural stimuli from which said individual may consciously and subconsciously estimate at least two relative angles between said individual and said object;

(d) providing said intermittent encoded noise aural stimuli at primary frequencies in the range of less than 15 kHz;

(e) providing intermittent encoded light visual stimuli;

(f) providing intermittent encoded light visual stimuli substantially in the wavelength range of less than 780 nanometers;

(g) providing intermittent encoded light visual stimuli from which said individual may consciously and subconsciously estimate the relative distance between said individual and said object;

(h) providing intermittent encoded light visual stimuli from which said individual may consciously and subconsciously estimate at least two relative angles between said individuals and said object;

(i) providing at least two ear-perceivable frequencies;

(j) said frequencies being distinct and substantially different from one another;

(k) providing at least a portion of said high ear intensity level complex encoded noise aural stimuli at primary frequencies in the range of 740 Hz at high ear intensity levels in the range of 88 dbA measured at 10 cm from the source of said complex encoded noise aural stimuli;

(l) providing at least a portion of said high ear intensity level complex encoded noise aural stimuli at primary frequencies in the range of 6.4 kHz at high ear intensity levels in the range of 95 dbA measured at 10 cm from the source of said noise aural stimuli;

(m) providing at least a portion of intermittent durations of said noise aural stimuli at primary frequencies in the range of said 740 Hz and in the range of said 6.4 kHz;

(n) providing durations of said intermittent high ear intensity level complex encoded noise aural stimuli in the range of 0.01 second through 0.6 second;

(o) providing low ear intensity level noise at ear intensity levels less than 50 dbA measured at 10 cm from the source of said low ear intensity level noise;

(p) providing at least a portion of durations of said low ear intensity level noise between said durations of said high ear intensity level intermittent complex encoded noise aural stimuli which are initially for the first 4 minutes of operation in the range of 16 seconds;

(q) providing at least a portion of durations of said low ear intensity level noise between said durations of said high ear intensity level intermittent complex encoded noise aural stimuli which after the first 4 minutes of operation are in the range of 4 seconds;

(r) providing at least a portion of said low and high ear intensity level noise from an apparent plurality of locations;

(s) providing at least a portion of said low and high ear intensity level noise from an encodable annunciator circuit having an RC time constant in the range of 0.1 through 1.0 millisecond; and

(t) providing at least a portion of said high ear intensity level complex encoded noise durations in the range of 0.23 second.

11. Method for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing intermittent encoded noise aural stimuli;

(b) providing intermittent encoded light visual stimuli;

(c) providing said intermittent encoded light visual stimuli primarily in the visible wavelength range that individuals substantially perceive as having high lumen sight efficiency that stimulates a heightened perception of brightness for the actual light perceived;

(d) providing said intermittent encoded light visual stimuli with a high light visual stimuli source power use efficiency;

(e) providing said intermittent encoded light visual stimuli balanced substantially between saturation and brightness to produce high brightness sensation for said individual and high light visual stimuli source power use efficiency;

(f) providing said intermittent encoded light visual stimuli with mostly balanced primary light visual stimuli properties of luminous flux, chromaticity and saturation purity to produce high ocular response and recognizability; and

(g) providing at least a portion of said intermittent encoded light visual stimuli as near monochromatic light substantially in the primary wavelength range of from about 555 nanometers through approximately 595 nanometers.

14. Method for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing intermittent encoded noise aural stimuli;

(b) providing intermittent encoded light visual stimuli;

(c) said intermittent encoded noise aural stimuli method providing at least two ear perceivable frequencies;

(d) providing said intermittent encoded noise aural stimuli at said two frequencies distinct and substantially different from one another;

(e) providing at least a portion of said intermittent high ear intensity level complex encoded noise aural stimuli at primary frequencies substantially in the range of 740 kHz and at high ear intensity levels substantially in the range of 88 dbA, measured at about 10 cm from the source of said complex encoded noise aural stimuli;

(f) providing at least a portion of said high ear intensity level complex encoded noise aural stimuli at primary frequencies substantially in the range of 6.4 kHz at high ear intensity levels substantially in the range of 95 dbA, measured at about 10 cm from the source of said noise aural stimuli;

(g) providing durations of said intermittent high ear intensity level complex encoded noise aural stimuli substantially in the range of from approximately 0.01 second through approximately 0.6 second;

(h) providing low ear intensity level noise at ear intensity levels less than approximately 50 dbA, measured at about 10 cm from the source of said low ear intensity level noise;

(i) providing durations of said low ear intensity level noise, between said durations of said high ear intensity level intermittent complex encoded noise aural stimuli, which are initially and substantially for the first 4 minutes of operation substantially in the range of 16 seconds;

(j) providing durations of said low ear intensity level noise, between said durations of said high ear intensity level intermittent complex encoded noise aural stimuli, which after approximately the first 4 minutes of operation are substantially in the range of 4 seconds;

(k) providing at least a portion of said low and high ear intensity level noise from an encodable annunciator circuit having an RC time constant substantially in the range of from approximately 0.1 through 1.0 millisecond; and

(l) providing at least a portion of said high ear intensity level complex encoded noise durations substantially in the range of about 0.23 second.

15. Method for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual comprising providing encoded aural stimuli from a circuit, wherein the method of providing stimuli from the circuit comprises the steps of:

(a) modifying and producing encoded aural stimuli;

(b) providing a counter/timer frequencies generator encoder circuit;

(c) including a reset sub-circuit;

(d) providing a state sequence counter/enabler circuit;

(e) including an aural amplifier circuit;

(f) providing an encodable annunciator circuit;

(g) including a switch;

(h) providing a power source; and

(i) including a switch controller comparator circuit.

16. Method for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual comprising providing encoded visual stimuli from a circuit, wherein the method of providing stimuli from the circuit comprises the steps of:

(a) modifying and producing encoded visual stimuli;

(b) providing a counter/timer frequencies generator encoder circuit;

(c) including a reset sub-circuit;

(d) providing a state sequence counter/enabler circuit;

(e) including a visual amplifier circuit;

(f) providing an encodable light circuit;

(g) including a switch;

(h) providing a power source; and

(i) including a switch controller comparator circuit.

17. Method for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual comprising providing encoded aural and visual stimuli from a circuit, wherein said method of providing the aural and visual stimuli circuit comprises the steps of:

(a) providing a counter/timer, frequencies generator encoder circuit comprising using a plurality of counter flip-flops to generate;

a clock signal CLK within the counter/timer, frequencies generator encoder circuit;

a clock signal CLK1 to a switch controller/comparator circuit;

a clock signal CLK2 to a state sequence controller/enabler circuit;

a clock signal CLK3 to a state sequence counter/enabler circuit;

a clock signal CLK4 to a state sequence controller/enabler circuit;

a clock signal CLK5 to a state sequence counter/enabler circuit;

a visual switch control signal VISUAL to a visual amplifier and switch circuit; and

an aural switch control signal NOISE to an aural amplifier and switch circuit;

(b) using a reset sub-circuit to provide a reset signal RESET to clear a state of a state sequence counter/enabler circuit;

(c) using a switch circuit to generate a reset signal RST to clear a state of a switch controller/comparator circuit and a state of a counter/timer, frequencies generator encoder circuit;

(d) using a state sequence counter/enabler circuit comprising using a plurality of counter flip-flops to generate an enable signal ENABLE A to the aural amplifier and switch circuit to enable the aural amplifier and switch circuit and an enable signal ENABLE V to the visual amplifier and switch circuit to enable the visual amplifier and switch circuit;

(e) using the switch controller/comparator circuit to generate a clear signal CLEAR to initialize a state sequence counter/enabler circuit;

(f) using said aural amplifier and switch circuit comprising an encodable annunciator circuit;

(g) using said aural amplifier and switch circuit to generate an aural driver signal AURAL AMP to the encodable annunciator circuit;

(h) using said encodable annunciator circuit to produce complex encoded audible noise aural stimuli;

(i) using said visual amplifier and switch circuit comprising an encodable light visual stimuli circuit;

(j) using said visual amplifiers and switch circuit to generate a visual driver signal VISUAL AMP to the encodable light visual stimuli circuit;

(k) using said encodable light circuit to produce visible encoded light visual stimuli; and

(l) using a power source.

18. Method for increasing alarm, awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual, said method comprising;

(a) providing at least a portion of two ear perceivable encoded noise aural stimuli in at least two distinct frequencies;

(b) providing at least a portion of said ear perceivable encoded noise aural stimuli as distinct pulsed durations;

(c) providing at least a portion of said ear perceivable encoded noise aural stimuli as high ear intensity level complex encoded noise aural stimuli;

(d) providing at least a portion of said ear perceivable durations as periods of low ear intensity level noise, which are substantially in the range of from approximately one tenth second through approximately sixty seconds;

(e) providing at least a portion of said high ear intensity level complex noise aural stimuli as durations of rapid low to high ear intensity rise time encoded complex noise aural stimuli substantially in the high ear intensity range of approximately 50 to 150 dbA as measured at 10 cm from the source;

(f) providing said rapid rise time high ear intensity encoded complex noise aural stimuli intervals substantially in the primary frequency range of less than approximately 15 kHz; and

(g) providing said rapid rise time high and low ear intensity perceived encoded noise aural stimuli durations at substantially duplicated primary frequency and ear perceived intensity so as to enhance both an individual'"'"'s perceptions of relative distance to and change in relative distance from said object.

22. Method for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual as described in claim 18, wherein the method further comprises the step of combining said method with said object.

19. Apparatus for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual, said apparatus comprising:

(a) means for providing at least a portion of two ear perceivable encoded noise aural stimuli in at least two distinct frequencies;

(b) means for providing at least a portion of said ear perceivable encoded noise aural stimuli as distinct pulsed durations;

(c) means for providing at least a portion of said ear perceivable encoded noise aural stimuli as high ear intensity level complex encoded noise aural stimuli;

(d) means for providing at least a portion of said ear perceivable durations as periods of low ear intensity level noise, which are substantially in the range of from approximately one tenth second through approximately sixty seconds;

(e) means for providing at least a portion of said high ear intensity level complex noise aural stimuli as durations of rapid low-to-high ear intensity rise time encoded complex noise aural stimuli substantially in the high ear intensity range of approximately 50 to 150 dbA as measured at 10 cm from the source;

(f) means for providing said rapid use time high ear intensity encoded complex noise aural stimuli intervals substantially in the primary frequency range of less than approximately 15 kHz; and

(g) means for providing said rapid rise time high and low ear intensity perceived encoded noise aural stimuli durations at substantially duplicated primary frequency and ear perceived intensity so as to enhance both an individual'"'"'s perceptions of relative distance to and change in relative distance from said object.

23. Apparatus for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual as described in claim 19, wherein the apparatus further comprises the step of combining said apparatus with the object.

20. Method for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing light visual stimuli encoding modification;

(b) providing at least a portion of said light visual stimuli encoding modification substantially in the wavelength range of less than 780 nanometers;

(c) providing at least a portion of said light visual stimuli encoding modification substantially in at least one or more temporal and spatial variations;

(d) providing at least a portion of said light visual stimuli encoding modification as low intensity durations that are substantially intermittent;

(e) providing at least a portion of said light visual stimuli encoding modification in two or more wavelength ranges that are distinct and substantially different from one another;

(f) providing at least a portion of said light visual stimuli encoding modification in at least two or more intensities that are distinct and substantially different from one another; and

(g) providing at least a portion of said light visual stimuli encoding modification as substantially duplicated distinct pulsed durations that enhance both an individual'"'"'s conscious and subconscious perceptions of relative distance to and change in relative distance from said object.

24. Method for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual as described in claim 20, wherein the method further comprises the step of combining said method with said object.

21. Apparatus for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual, said apparatus comprising:

(a) means for causing light visual stimuli encoding modification;

(b) said means providing at least a portion of light visual stimuli substantially in the wavelength range of less than 780 nanometers;

(c) said means providing at least a portion of said light visual stimuli encoding modification substantially in at least one or more temporal and spatial variations;

(d) said means providing at least a portion of said light visual stimuli as low intensity durations that are substantially intermittent;

(e) said means providing at least a portion of said light visual stimuli encoding modification in two or more wavelength ranges that are distinct and substantially different from one another;

(f) said means providing at least a portion of said light visual stimuli encoding modification in at least two or more intensities that are distinct and substantially different from one another; and

(g) said means providing at least a portion of said light visual stimuli encoding modification as substantially duplicated distinct pulsed durations that enhance both an individual'"'"'s conscious and subconscious perceptions of relative distance to and change in relative distance from said object.

25. Apparatus for increasing awareness of and locatability of an object by an individual as described in claim 21, wherein the apparatus further comprises the step of combining said apparatus with the object.