Personal alert device

• US 6,411,207 B2
• Filed: 10/01/1999
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avaya Technology Corporation Miami Lakes FLA US
• Inventors: Shaffer, Karl Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/411,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20010050612A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 340/521, 340/539, 340/692, 340/691.1, 340/691.6, 340/331, 340/573.1
• US Class Current: 340/521
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/16 Combustible gas alarms
• 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

A personal alert device for a user includes a portable housing to be carried by the user, a processor in the housing, and at least one sensor connected to the processor for detecting a possible physical threat to the user. The processor generates an alert message relating to a recommended course of action for the user to avoid the possible physical threat. The alert message may be an audible speech message, and a visual message displayed on a display connected to the processor. Since a person can be exposed to a variety of physical threats on any given day, the personal alert device carried by the user provides reliable detection of a possible physical threat, and by generating an alert message the user receives a recommended course of action to avoid the possible physical threat.

Claims

1. A personal alert device for a user comprising:

a portable housing to be carried by the user;

a processor in said portable housing;

a plurality of sensors connected to said processor for detecting different types of possible physical threats to the user in a local environment of the user, the different types of possible physical threats capable of causing different types of physical harm or injury to the user; and

said processor generating at least one local alert message relating to at least one recommended course of action for the user to thereby avoid physical harm or injury in response to the different types of detected possible physical threats from the local environment of the user.

2. A personal alert device according to claim 1, wherein the alert message is an audible speech message.

3. A personal alert device according to claim 1, further comprising a visual display;

and wherein the alert message is a visual message on said display.

4. A personal alert device according to claim 3, further comprising at least one of an audible and tactile transducer for notifying the user to view said display.

5. A personal alert device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises an air pressure sensor.

6. A personal alert device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises a noxious gas sensor.

7. A personal alert device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises a temperature sensor.

8. A personal alert device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises a radiation sensor.

9. A personal alert device according to a claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises an accelerometer.

10. A personal alert device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises an electrostatic sensor.

11. A personal alert device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors are selectably activated.

12. A personal alert device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery contained within said portable housing for powering said processor and said plurality of sensors.

13. A personal alert device according to claim 1, further comprising a transceiver for communicating with a nearby personal alert device.

14. A personal alert device according to claim 1, further comprising a microphone connected to said processor;

and wherein said processor analyzes a user'"'"'s speech pattern for stress.

15. A personal alert device for a user comprising:

a portable housing to be carried by the user;

a processor in said portable housing;

a plurality of sensors connected to said processor for detecting different types of possible physical threats to the user in a local environment of the user, the different types of possible physical threats capable of causing different types of physical harm or injury to the user; and

a visual display connected to said processor;

said processor generating at least one local alert message relating to at least one recommended course of action for the user to thereby avoid physical harm or injury in response to the different types of detected possible physical threats from the local environment of the user, the alert message being an audible speech message and a visual message on said display.

16. A personal alert device according to claim 15, further comprising at least one of an audible and tactile transducer for notifying the user to view said display.

17. A personal alert device according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises an air pressure sensor.

18. A personal alert device according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises a noxious gas sensor.

19. A personal alert device according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises a temperature sensor.

20. A personal alert device according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises a radiation sensor.

21. A personal alert device according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises an accelerometer.

22. A personal alert device according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises an electrostatic sensor.

23. A personal alert device according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of sensors are selectably activated.

24. A personal alert device according to claim 15, further comprising a battery contained within said portable housing for powering said processor, said plurality of sensors and said display.

25. A personal alert device according to claim 15, further comprising a transceiver for communicating with a nearby personal alert device.

26. A personal alert device according to claim 15, further comprising a microphone connected said processor;

and wherein said processor analyzes a user'"'"'s speech pattern for stress.

27. A personal alert device for a user comprising:

a portable housing to be carried by the user;

a processor in said portable housing;

a plurality of sensors connected to said processor for detecting different types of possible physical threats to the user in a local environment of the user, the different types of possible physical threats capable of causing different types of physical harm or injury to the user;

a display connected to said processor;

said processor generating at least one local alert message relating to at least one recommended course of action for the user to thereby avoid physical harm or injury in response to the possible physical threats from the local environment of the user, the alert message being a visual message on said display; and

at least one of an audible and tactile transducer for notifying the user to view said display.

28. A personal alert device according to claim 27, wherein the alert message is an audible speech message.

29. A personal alert device according to claim 27, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises an air pressure sensor.

30. A personal alert device according to claim 27, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises a noxious gas sensor.

31. A personal alert device according to claim 27, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises a temperature sensor.

32. A personal alert device according to claim 27, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises a radiation sensor.

33. A personal alert device according to claim 27, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises an accelerometer.

34. A personal alert device according to claim 27, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises an electrostatic sensor.

35. A personal alert device according to claim 27, wherein said plurality of sensors are selectably activated.

36. A personal alert device according to claim 27, further comprising a battery contained within said portable housing for powering said processor, said plurality of sensors and said display.

37. A personal alert device according to claim 27, further comprising a transceiver for communicating with a nearby personal alert device.

38. A personal alert device according to claim 27, further comprising a microphone connected to said processor;

and wherein said processor analyzes a user'"'"'s speech pattern for stress.