Smoke alarm

• US 6,384,724 B1
• Filed: 12/22/1999
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andre M. Landais
• Original Assignee: Andre M. Landais
• Inventors: Landais, Andre M
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/471,068
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/531, 340/540, 340/691.1, 340/691.6, 340/7.6, 340/7.58, 340/7.61, 340/825.19, 340/331, 340/332, 340/407.1, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 340/531
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip

Abstract

An alarm system for alerting persons within a monitored area as to an emergency situation. The alarm system includes a monitoring unit strategically placed within said monitored area, a vibrating unit and alighting system. The monitoring unit includes a sensor for sensing conditions within the monitored area and generating a sensor signal, a processor for analyzing the sensor signal to determine if an emergency situation exists and a transmitter for transmitting an emergency signal upon a determination that an emergency situation exists by the microprocessor The vibration unit is retained by a person within the monitored area including a receiver for receiving the emergency signal and a vibrator activated by the receiver for causing the vibrating unit to vibrate thereby alerting the person retaining the vibrating unit as to the emergency situation. The light system is positioned within the monitored area for receiving the emergency signal and illuminating a path to safety for persons within the monitored area. The monitoring unit can also include an audible alarm generator for generating an audible alarm signal and an LED connected to said microprocessor for generating a visual alarm signal upon a determination by the microprocessor that an emergency situation exists.

Claims

1. An alarm system for alerting persons within a monitored area as to an emergency situation, said alarm system comprising:

a) a monitoring unit strategically placed within said monitored area, said monitoring unit including;

i) a sensor for sensing conditions within the monitored area and generating a sensor signal;

ii) a microprocessor for analyzing said sensor signal to determine if an emergency situation exists; and

iii) a transmitter for transmitting an emergency signal upon a determination that an emergency situation exists by said microprocessor;

b) a vibration unit to be retained by a person within the monitored area for receiving said emergency signal and causing said vibrating unit to vibrate thereby alerting the person retaining the vibrating unit as to the emergency situation; and

c) a light system positioned within the monitored area for receiving said emergency signal and illuminating a path to safety for persons within the monitored area.

2. The alarm system as recited in claim 1, wherein said monitoring unit further includes an audible alarm generator connected to said microprocessor for generating an audible alarm signal upon a determination by said microprocessor that an emergency situation exists.

3. The alarm system as recited in claim 2, wherein said monitoring unit further includes an LED connected to said microprocessor for generating a visual alarm signal upon a determination by said microprocessor that an emergency situation exists.

4. The alarm system as recited in claim 3, wherein said monitoring unit further includes a reset button connected to reset said microprocessor upon determining that a detected emergency situation is either a false signal or under control and no longer a threat.

5. The alarm system as recited in claim 4, wherein activation of said reset button causes said audible alarm to cease generation of said audible alarm signal and turns off said LED.

6. The alarm system as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor senses for at least one of smoke, fire, motion, and gas.

7. The alarm system as recited in claim 6, wherein said emergency signal includes a data indicative of the type of emergency detected.

8. The alarm system as recited in claim 1, wherein said vibrating unit further includes a display screen for displaying said data signal for informing a person viewing the display screen as to the type of emergency detected.

9. The alarm system as recited in claim 8, wherein said vibrating unit further includes a reset button connected to cease vibration of the vibrating unit upon determining that a detected emergency situation is either a false signal or under control and no longer a threat.

10. The alarm system as recited in claim 9, wherein said vibrating unit further includes an internal power source and a power indicator LED for indicating a low power level for said power source.

11. The alarm system as recited in claim 1, wherein said light system further includes a reset button connected to deactivate the lights of the light system upon determining that a detected emergency situation is either a false signal or under control and no longer a threat.

12. An alarm system for alerting persons within a monitored area as to an emergency situation, said alarm system comprising:

b) a monitoring unit strategically placed within said monitored area, said monitoring unit including;

iv) a sensor for sensing conditions within the monitored area and generating a sensor signal;

v) a microprocessor for analyzing said sensor signal to determine if an emergency situation exists; and

vi) a transmitter for transmitting an emergency signal upon a determination that an emergency situation exists by said microprocessor;

b) a vibration unit to be retained by a person within the monitored area for receiving said emergency signal and causing said vibrating unit to vibrate thereby alerting the person retaining the vibrating unit as to the emergency situation; and

c) a light system positioned within the monitored area for receiving said emergency signal and illuminating a path to safety for persons within the monitored area.

13. The alarm system as recited in claim 12, wherein said light system further includes a reset button connected to deactivate the lights of the light system upon determining that a detected emergency situation is either a false signal or under control and no longer a threat.

14. The alarm system as recited in claim 12, wherein said monitoring unit further includes an audible alarm generator connected to said microprocessor for generating an audible alarm signal upon a determination by said microprocessor that an emergency situation exists.

15. The alarm system as recited in claim 14, wherein said monitoring unit further includes an LED connected to said microprocessor for generating a visual alarm signal upon a determination by said microprocessor that an emergency situation exists.

16. The alarm system as recited in claim 15, wherein said monitoring unit further includes a reset button connected to reset said microprocessor upon determining that a detected emergency situation is either a false signal or under control and no longer a threat.

17. The alarm system as recited in claim 16, wherein activation of said reset button causes said audible alarm to cease generation of said audible alarm signal and turns off said LED.

18. The alarm system as recited in claim 12, wherein said sensor senses for at least one of smoke, fire, motion, and gas.

19. The alarm system as recited in claim 18, wherein said emergency signal includes a data indicative of the type of emergency detected.

20. The alarm system as recited in claim 12, wherein said vibrating unit further includes a display screen for displaying said data signal for informing a person viewing the display screen as to the type of emergency detected.

21. The alarm system as recited in claim 20, wherein said vibrating unit further includes a reset button connected to cease vibration of the vibrating unit upon determining that a detected emergency situation is either a false signal or under control and no longer a threat.

22. The alarm system as recited in claim 21, wherein said vibrating unit further includes an internal power source and a power indicator LED for indicating a low power level for said power source.