Verbal warning systems and other audible warning systems for use with various types of devices, containers, products and other things

• US 7,772,986 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2007
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vesstech Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Vesstech Incorporated
• Inventors: Olson, Marty, Olson, Josiah N.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US11/855,990
• Publication Number:
  US 20080111685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/540, 340/545.6, 340/550, 340/686.1, 340/687, 340/691.1, 340/691.2, 340/691.3, 340/691.6, 340/692, 340/568.1, 340/686.6
• US Class Current: 340/692
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/12 Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means B65D51/248, B65D55/028, B65D79/02 and B65D81/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/028 initial opening or unauthorised access being indicated by the presence or absence of an audible or electrical signal
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/003 Indicating devices, e.g. user warnings or inclinators
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 21/00 Speech or voice signal processing techniques to produce another audible or non-audible signal, e.g. visual or tactile, in order to modify its quality or its intelligibility G10L19/00 takes precedence

Abstract

Verbal warning labels and other audible warning systems for use with different devices, containers, products and other things in various environments are disclosed herein. An audible warning system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a device having a standardized textual warning associated therewith, and a sound playback system operably coupled to the device. The sound playback device can be configured to audibly output a verbal warning corresponding to the textual warning. The verbal warning can be provided by at least one of a manufacturer, supplier, distributor or retail vendor of the device, and the verbal warning can supplement or replace the standardized textual warning.

Claims

1. A verbal warning system, the verbal warning system comprising:

a device having a standardized textual warning associated with use of the device; and

a sound playback system operably coupled to the device and configured to audibly output a verbal warning corresponding to the textual warning before use of the device, wherein the verbal warning is provided by at least one of a manufacturer, supplier, distributor or retail vendor of the device, and wherein the verbal warning supplements or replaces the standardized textual warning.

2. The verbal warning system of claim 1 wherein the sound playback system includes:

a sensor for activating the sound playback system in response to a predetermined input;

a processor operably coupled to the sensor,

a data storage medium operably coupled to the processor, the data storage medium containing the verbal warning; and

a speaker operably coupled to the processor, wherein the processor causes the speaker to broadcast the verbal warning in response to a signal from the sensor associated with the predetermined input.

3. The verbal warning system of claim 2 wherein the verbal warning is a first verbal warning in English and the data storage medium contains a second verbal warning in a language other than English, and wherein the processor causes the speaker to broadcast the first and second verbal warnings in response to the signal from the sensor.

4. The verbal warning system of claim 2 wherein the data storage medium includes one or more non-verbal sounds and the processor causes the speaker to broadcast the non-verbal sounds in response to the signal from the sensor.

5. The verbal warning system of claim 2 wherein the verbal warning is a first verbal warning and the sound playback system contains a second verbal warning related to use of the device different from the first verbal warning, wherein the sound playback system is configured to announce one of the first and second verbal warnings in response to the signal from the sensor.

6. The verbal warning system of claim 1 wherein the verbal warning is a prerecorded message that is unalterable by a user of the device.

7. The verbal warning system of claim 1 wherein the audible warning system is configured to announce the verbal warning a predetermined number of times.

8. A warning label comprising:

a body configured to be carried by a device, the body having a display area for presenting standardized safety information associated with use of the device, wherein the standardized safety information includes at least one of textual or graphical content, and wherein the standardized safety information is supplied by one or more of a manufacturer, supplier, distributor or retail vendor; and

an audible warning system carried by the body and configured to audibly output a verbal warning corresponding to at least a portion of the standardized safety information.

9. The warning label of claim 8 wherein the audible warning system includes:

a processor;

a power source operably coupled to the processor;

a memory operably coupled to the processor, the memory containing the verbal warning;

a sensor operably coupled to the power source; and

a speaker operably coupled to the processor, wherein the processor causes the speaker to audibly output the verbal warning in response to an indication from the sensor.

10. The warning label of claim 8 wherein the verbal warning is a prerecorded standardized warning supplied by at least one of a manufacturer, supplier, distributor or retail vendor of the label.

11. A verbal warning system comprising:

a device having an exterior surface;

a warning label carried by the exterior surface, wherein the warning label displays a standardized warning corresponding to use of the device in a textual format; and

a sound playback system coupled to the device, wherein the sound playback system is configured to audibly output a verbal warning reciting at least a portion of the textual warning.

12. The verbal warning system of claim 11 wherein the sound playback system is configured to audibly output the verbal warning before use of the device.

13. The verbal warning system of claim 11 wherein the sound playback system is carried by the warning label.

14. The verbal warning system of claim 11 wherein the warning label is attached to the exterior surface.