Enhanced fire, safety, security, and health monitoring and alarm response method, system and device
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring a region for a predetermined audible alarm signal generated by a pre-existing alarm device using a personal computer, comprising:
- operating a specialized sound monitoring program in a personal computer having conventional system software and hardware including a microphone and communications port, wherein the specialized sound monitoring program is a screen saver program, initiated only during periods of computer user inactivity regarding input to the personal computer, and is compatible with the conventional hardware and system software; and
by operating the specialized sound monitoring program, detecting from sounds received by the microphone of the personal computer when alarm conditions exist and in response thereto generating and sending response signals out the communications port of the personal computer.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method, system and device useful with conventional personal computers respond automatically to an identified alarm sound by sending a notification signal via the Internet only when a special sound monitoring program is active. Additionally, bedside detection of acoustic alarms is combined with enhanced waking devices to insure the waking of a child or hearing impaired person in response to an emergency. Home safety and security are provided using a bedside unit to monitor audible safety and security alarms and send notification signals to the appropriate communication site. A health monitoring method and system utilizes the bedside device to monitor breathing patterns and other health measuring signals and communicate these patterns and signals to a medical monitoring station.
150 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring a region for a predetermined audible alarm signal generated by a pre-existing alarm device using a personal computer, comprising:
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operating a specialized sound monitoring program in a personal computer having conventional system software and hardware including a microphone and communications port, wherein the specialized sound monitoring program is a screen saver program, initiated only during periods of computer user inactivity regarding input to the personal computer, and is compatible with the conventional hardware and system software; and by operating the specialized sound monitoring program, detecting from sounds received by the microphone of the personal computer when alarm conditions exist and in response thereto generating and sending response signals out the communications port of the personal computer. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method for monitoring a region for a predetermined audible alarm signal generated by a pre-existing alarm device using a personal computer, comprising:
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operating a specialized sound monitoring program as a background activity of a personal computer having conventional system software and hardware including a microphone and communications port, wherein the specialized sound monitoring program is compatible with the conventional hardware and system software; and by operating the specialized sound monitoring program, detecting from sounds received by the microphone of the personal computer when alarm conditions exist and in response thereto generating and sending response signals out the communications port of the personal computer.
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4. A method for detecting an audible alarm generated by a pre-existing alarm device by monitoring sound with a personal computer, comprising:
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running a specialized sound monitoring program in the personal computer as a screen saver only during a computer input inactivity period; using the running sound monitoring program, detecting sound received by a microphone of the personal computer and determining if detected sound represents an alarm from a pre-existing alarm device requiring a response; and using the running sound monitoring program, providing a response when a response is required. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for detecting an audible alarm generated by a pre-existing alann device by monitoring sound with a personal computer, comprising:
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running a specialized sound monitoring program in the personal computer; using the running sound monitoring program, detecting sound received by a microphone of the personal computer and determining if detected sound represents an alarm from a pre-existing alarm device requiring a response using the sound monitoring program to close or override other running application programs in the personal computer when an alarm condition is determined; and using the running sound monitoring program, providing a response when a response is required.
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18. A method for detecting an audible alarm generated by a pre-existing alarm device by monitoring sound with a personal computer, comprising:
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running a specialized sound monitoring program in the personal computer; using the running sound monitoring program, detecting sound received by a microphone of the personal computer and determining if detected sound represents an alarm from a pre-existing alarm device requiring a response; and using the running sound monitoring program, providing a response when a response is required, wherein providing a response includes generating and sending alarm indicating signals to an Internet site having an Internet address encoded within the sound monitoring program. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification