Sound generating device

• US 7,692,554 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2006
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DLP Limited
• Original Assignee: DLP Limited
• Inventors: Stimpson, Robert William
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/814,099
• Publication Number:
  US 20080048871A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,510 Days
• Field of Search: 340/691.1, 340/686.1, 340/686.6, 340/573.1, 340/573.4
• US Class Current: 340/691.1
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/006 using audible presentation of the information

Abstract

A sound generating device for invalid apparatus as herein defined comprises a monitoring circuit and an audible output device for outputting an audible indication corresponding to the status and/or relative proximity of the in use apparatus monitored by the monitoring circuit. Body soaking apparatus, a seat, a handle, and invalid apparatus having such a sound generating device are also provided.

Claims

1. An invalid apparatus, comprising a sound generating device including a monitoring circuit and an audible output device for outputting an audible indication corresponding to status/condition of one or more parts of the apparatus and/or relative proximity of the apparatus to a user thereof, monitored by the monitoring circuit, the monitoring circuit of the sound generating device having means for determining position and/or the status/condition of one or more parts of the apparatus, wherein the sound generating device outputs an audible indication corresponding to a relative position and/or status/condition of the or each part, the audible indication being outputted upon detection of an approach towards the apparatus before the status/condition of the or each part changes and upon detection of a change in the status/condition of the or each part of the apparatus.

2. The invalid apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a different audible indication is outputted from the audible output device dependent upon a specific status of the apparatus monitored by the monitoring circuit.

3. The invalid apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audible indication is a voice message.

4. The invalid apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring circuit includes a proximity sensor for determining the position of a user relative to the apparatus.

5. The invalid apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring circuit includes a water temperature sensor, a flow rate sensor, a water pressure sensor, a water depth sensor, and/or a power supply sensor.

6. The invalid apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring circuit includes means for determining the position of one or more movable parts of the apparatus.