System and method for signaling a weather alert condition to a residential environment

• US 6,747,557 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2000
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hunt Techonologies Incorporated (Landis+Gyr Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Statsignal Systems Incorporated (Statsignal)
• Inventors: Petite, Zachary Thomas, Petite, Thomas D.
• Primary Examiner(s): La, Anh V.
• Application Number:
  US09/702,450
• Time in Patent Office: 1,316 Days
• Field of Search: 360/540, 360/628, 360/630, 360/631, 360/632, 360/521, 360/522, 360/601, 360/286.05, 360/287, 360/531, 360/539.26, 360/905, 360/7.48, 379/43, 379/48
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25198 Brouter: transfers data from wireless to wired networks, router: wired to wired
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/007 Details of data content structure of message packets; data protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/085 specially adapted for interworking of IP-based networks with other networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

As system and method are provided for communicating weather conditions to remote locations, such as inside of residential homes, offices, or businesses. In accordance with one embodiment, a modified smoke detector is provided having an integrated RF receiver for receiving message packets containing information that may be conveyed through its speaker, buzzer, or other sound-emanating device. In accordance with another embodiment, a system is provided. The system which may include a mechanism for detecting a weather condition, a wireless transmitter in communication with the mechanism for detecting a weather condition, wherein the wireless transmitter configured to receive a signal from the means for detecting a weather condition and transmit a corresponding signal via electromagnetic waves. The system may also include a receiver remotely located from the wireless transmitter, the receiver configured to receive the electromagnetic signal transmitted from the smoke detector. Finally, the system may include a sound-emanating device, and a sound control mechanism for controlling the sound-emanating device, wherein the sound control mechanism is responsive to the electromagnetic signal received by the receiver. In yet another embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes steps of: (1) determining that a weather condition (e.g., severe weather condition) exists, (2) transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal containing information about the weather condition, (3) receiving the RF signal with a RF receiver disposed in a smoke detector (or other device), and (4) sounding a buzzer (or other sound emanating device) in response to receiving the RF signal.

Claims

1. A severe weather alert system comprising:

a severe weather detector configured to detect a severe weather condition;

a radio frequency (RF) transmitter in communication with the severe weather detector, the RF transmitter configured to transmit a signal in response to a signal received from the severe weather detector via RF electromagnetic waves;

a smoke detector having an RF receiver configured to receive the RF signal transmitted from the RF transmitter, the smoke detector further including circuitry to control a sound emanating device to emit a unique sound to indicate a severe weather condition;

discriminator circuitry configured to determine whether the received RF signal is destined for the smoke detector; and

an RF transmitter within the smoke detector, wherein the RF transmitter of the smoke detector is configured to relay the received RF signal if the discriminator circuitry determines that the received RF signal is not destined for the smoke detector.

2. The severe weather alert system of claim 1, wherein the severe weather detector is a meteorological weather center.

3. The severe weather alert system of claim 1, wherein the severe weather detector is a human.

4. The severe weather alert system of claim 1, wherein the severe weather detector is a weather gauge.

5. The severe weather alert system of claim 1, wherein the RF transmitter is in communication with the severe weather detector via a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

6. The severe weather alert system of claim 1, wherein the RF transmitter is in communication with the severe weather detector via a wide area computer network.

7. The severe weather alert system of claim 1, wherein the RF transmitter is in communication with the severe weather detector via a cellular link.

8. The severe weather alert system of claim 1, wherein the RF transmitter is in communication with the severe weather detector via a RF link.

9. The severe weather alert system of claim 1, wherein the smoke detector further includes a sound control mechanism configured to control the sound emitted from the sound emanating device.

10. The severe weather alert system of claim 9, wherein the sound control mechanism is configured to control the sound emanating device to emit a sound that is distinct from the sound emitted from the smoke detector when signaling a smoke detector.

11. The severe weather alert system of claim 9, further including a second sound emanating device, wherein the second sound emanating device is controlled by conventional smoke detector circuitry.

12. The severe weather alert system of claim 1, wherein the sound emanating device is a piezoelectric buzzer.

13. A method for signaling a severe weather condition comprising the steps of:

determining that a severe weather condition exists;

transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal containing information about the severe weather condition;

receiving the RF signal with a RF receiver disposed in a smoke detector;

determining whether the smoke detector is a destination detector for the RF signal; and

sounding a buzzer of the smoke detector in response to receiving the RF signal, if it is determined that the smoke detector is a destination detector for the RF signal; and

relaying the received RF signal to another smoke detector, if it is determined that the smoke detector is not a destination detector for the RF signal.

14. The method of claim 13, further including the step of communicating a signal indicative of a severe weather condition to the RF transmitter.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of communicating a signal includes communicating the signal across a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of communicating a signal includes communicating the signal across a cellular link.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of communicating a signal includes communicating the signal across a wide area computer network.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of sounding the buzzer sounds the buzzer to emit a sound different than the buzzer emits when sounding a smoke detector.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of determining that a severe weather condition exists includes forecasting a severe weather condition.

20. A method for signaling a weather condition comprising the steps of:

determining that a weather condition exists;

transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal containing information about the weather condition;

receiving the RF signal with a RF receiver disposed in a smoke detector;

determining whether the smoke detector is a destination detector for the RF signal; and

causing a device to emit an audible sound in response to receiving the RF signal, if it is determined that the smoke detector is a destination detector for the RF signal; and

relaying the received RF signal to another smoke detector, if it is determined that the smoke detector is not a destination detector for the RF signal.

21. A system for signaling a weather condition comprising:

means for detecting a weather condition;

a wireless transmitter in communication with the means for detecting a weather condition, the wireless transmitter configured to transmit a signal in response to a detected weather condition via electromagnetic waves;

a receiver remotely located from the wireless transmitter, the receiver configured to receive the electromagnetic signal transmitted from the wireless transmitter;

a sound emanating device;

discriminator circuitry configured to determine whether the received wireless signal is destined for the receiver;

an RF transmitter coupled to the receiver, wherein the RF transmitter is configured to relay the received signal if the discriminator circuitry determines that the received wireless signal is not destined for the receiver; and

sound control means for controlling the sound emanating device, the sound control means being responsive to the electromagnetic signal received by the receiver, if the discriminator circuitry determines that the received wireless signal is destined for the receiver.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the receiver is disposed inside a smoke detector.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the sound control means includes circuitry configured to output a signal that is input to the sound emanating device.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the wireless transmitter is an RF transmitter.