Swimming pool drowning prevention system

• US 6,064,309 A
• Filed: 09/28/1998
• Issued: 05/16/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward C. Frieberg, Sellers, Scott D.
• Original Assignee: Edward C. Frieberg, Sellers, Scott D.
• Inventors: Sellers, Scott D., Frieberg, Edward C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/162,211
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.6, 340/573.1, 340/541, 340/539, 340/604, 340/566, 340/628, 623/24, 128/781
• US Class Current: 340/573.6
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/086 by monitoring a perimeter outside the body of the water
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/088 by monitoring a device worn by the person, e.g. a bracelet attached to the swimmer

Abstract

A swimming pool drowning prevention safety system. The swimming pool drowning prevention safety system comprises: an article wearable by a person, a radio frequency transmitting device coupled to the article for transmitting a radio frequency signal, a microprocessor controlled radio frequency receiving station for receiving the radio frequency signal from the radio frequency transmitting device when the radio frequency transmitting device is within a user adjustable radio reception range of the radio frequency receiving station, and an alert signaling device coupled to the radio frequency receiving station for signaling when the person wearing the article has come within the user adjustable radio reception range of the radio frequency receiving station. The swimming pool drowning prevention safety system is further comprised of an adjustable gain control for varying the RF sensitivity of the radio frequency receiving station, and an RF sensitivity trigger circuit coupled to an audio messaging system for broadcasting at least one selected alert message. The swimming pool drowning prevention safety system further comprises telephone circuitry connection equipment for automatically connecting to a telephone system and transmitting the selected alert message. The swimming pool drowning prevention safety system further comprises a microprocessor that controls and integrates operation of the radio frequency receiving station.

Claims

1. A swimming pool drowning prevention safety system, comprising, in combination:

an article wearable by a person;

radio frequency transmitting device means coupled to said article for transmitting a radio frequency signal;

radio frequency receiving station means for receiving said radio frequency signal from said radio frequency transmitting device means when said radio frequency transmitting device means is within a user adjustable radio reception range of said radio frequency receiving station means; and

means for signaling coupled to said radio frequency receiving station means for signaling when said person wearing said article has come within said user adjustable radio reception range of said radio frequency receiving station means;

wherein said means for signaling further comprises means for providing a lower alert level signal when said person wearing said article enters said user adjustable radio reception range of said radio frequency receiving station means and a higher alert level signal when said person continues to remain within said user adjustable radio reception range.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a battery power means coupled to said radio frequency transmitting device means for supplying operating power for said radio frequency transmitting device means; and

a low-battery indicator coupled to said battery power means.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said low-battery indicator is selected from the group consisting of LEDs, Liquid Crystal Displays and incandescent bulbs.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said low-battery indicator is selected from the group consisting of electro-mechanical buzzers and piezo-electric sound alerts.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said low-battery indicator is a vibrator means for causing a physical vibration by said article.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said article further comprises a transmitter-in-operation indicator.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said transmitter-in-operation indicator is selected from the group consisting of LEDs, Liquid Crystal Displays and incandescent bulbs.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said radio frequency receiving station means is detachably coupled to a substantially permanently mounted base.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said base and said radio frequency receiving station means further comprise a locking means for detachably securing said radio frequency receiving station means to said base.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said radio frequency receiving station means has an adjustable gain control for varying the RF sensitivity of said radio frequency receiving station means.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising ground fault interruption protection circuitry.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising battery back-up means for supplying power to said radio frequency receiving station means.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said article comprises an ornament for wear upon said person.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said ornament comprises a pendent for wear upon said person.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein said ornament comprises a bracelet for wear upon said person.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein said lower alert signal comprises an audio message.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said radio frequency receiving station further comprises means for:

automatically connecting to a telephone system;

dialing at least one telephone number; and

transmitting at least one selected telephone alert message.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said higher alert signal comprises said at least one selected telephone alert message.