Self-configuring emergency event alarm system having connection to a public safety answering point

• US 7,889,066 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2008
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knapp Investment Company Limited
• Original Assignee: SelfLink LLC (Vulano Group, LLC)
• Inventors: McKenna, Daniel Bernard, Graziano, James Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US12/165,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20080309486A1
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 340/506, 340/540, 34053916-53919, 340/870.03, 340/870.16, 340/521, 700/108
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/003 Address allocation methods and details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/006 Alarm destination chosen according to type of event, e.g. in case of fire phone the fire service, in case of medical emergency phone the ambulance
• 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: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

The present Self-Configuring Alarm System uses a decentralized (ad hoc or mesh) architecture where any node is capable of autonomously reporting the alarm event directly to all other nodes in the ad hoc network independent of where the alarm event occurred. In addition, the Self-Configuring Alarm System includes a plurality of autonomous output devices which function to provide an audible alarm that directs the occupants to the location of the hazard and/or provides an indication of the nature of the detected hazard or whether an indication of the hazard has been received at a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) that serves the dwelling or locale. The alarm networks and output networks may not be coextensive in their coverage areas.

Claims

1. A self-configuring emergency event alarm system, comprising:

a plurality of alarm network devices, each of which comprises;

a processor for communicating with said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices to dynamically establish a network of said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices;

at least one sensor for detecting the presence of a hazard condition, and

an alarm output for generating at least one alarm indication in response to detection of said presence of a hazard condition;

wherein said processor is responsive to a hazard detected by said at least one sensor for communicating via said network of said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices to relay said hazard detection to said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices; and

network access for interconnecting said self-configuring alarm network to at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

2. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 1 wherein said network access comprises:

an emergency reporting device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor, for forwarding said hazard detection to said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

3. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 2 wherein said network access comprises:

a bidirectional communication link for implementing bidirectional communications between said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency and at least one of said plurality of alarm network devices.

4. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 3 wherein said network access further comprises:

an authentication device, responsive to receipt of communications from at least one of said Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and said emergency response agency, for verifying an identity of said at least one said Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and said emergency response agency.

5. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 3 wherein said network access further comprises:

a response distribution device, responsive to receipt of communications from at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency, for distributing said communications to at least one of said alarm network devices for broadcast in human sensible form by said alarm output device.

6. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 5 wherein said alarm output device comprises:

alarm indication generation for generating at least one alarm indication comprising one of;

an audible output of predetermined volume, duration, and pattern, a visual indication of predetermined intensity, duration, and pattern, and audible communication received from at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

7. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 3 wherein said processor further comprises:

a location for storing data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed; and

a location propagation device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor for communicating via said network of said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices to relay said data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed to said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices.

8. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 7 wherein said network access comprises:

an emergency reporting device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor, for forwarding said hazard detection and said data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed to said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

9. A self-configuring emergency event alarm network, comprising:

a plurality of cooperatively operative alarm network devices wherein each of said alarm network devices comprises;

a network for exchanging messages with one or more of said plurality of alarm network devices;

a processor for communicating with at least one of said plurality of alarm network devices via said network to establish a network of said plurality of alarm network devices;

at least one sensor for detecting the presence of a hazard; and

an alarm output device for generating one or more human sensible alarm indications in response to detection of said presence of a hazard condition;

wherein said processor is responsive to a hazard detected by said at least one sensor for communicating with at least one of said plurality of alarm network devices to relay said hazard detection to said at least one of said plurality of alarm network devices; and

network access for interconnecting said self-configuring alarm network to at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

10. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 9 wherein said network access comprises:

an emergency reporting device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor, for forwarding said hazard detection to said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

11. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 10 wherein said network access comprises:

a bidirectional communication link for implementing bidirectional communications between said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency and at least one of said plurality of alarm network devices.

12. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 11 wherein said network access further comprises:

an authentication process, responsive to receipt of communications from at least one of said Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and said emergency response agency, for verifying an identity of said at least one said Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and said emergency response agency.

13. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 11 wherein said network access further comprises:

a response distribution device, responsive to receipt of communications from at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency, for distributing said communications to at least one of said alarm network devices for broadcast in human sensible form by said alarm output device.

14. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 13 wherein said alarm output device comprises:

an alarm indication generation device for generating at least one alarm indication comprising one of;

an audible output of predetermined volume, duration, and pattern, a visual indication of predetermined intensity, duration, and pattern, and audible communication received from at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

15. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 11 wherein said processor further comprises:

a location for storing data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed; and

a location propagation device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor for communicating via said network of said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices to relay said data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed to said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices.

16. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 15 wherein said network access comprises:

an emergency reporting device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor, for forwarding said hazard detection and said data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed to said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

17. A self-configuring alarm system, comprising:

an alarm device network comprising a plurality of cooperatively operative alarm devices wherein each of said alarm devices comprises;

at least one sensor for detecting the presence of a hazard; and

a processor responsive to a hazard detected by said at least one sensor for communicating with said at least one of said plurality of alarm devices to communicate a hazard detection indication to said at least one of said plurality of alarm devices;

an output device network communicatively connected to said alarm device network and containing a plurality of output devices, wherein each of said output devices comprises;

a receiver for receiving said hazard detection indication;

an output device, responsive to said received hazard detection indication, for generating one or more human sensible alarm indications; and

network access for interconnecting said self-configuring alarm network to at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

18. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 17 wherein said network access comprises:

an emergency reporting device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor, for forwarding said hazard detection to said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

19. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 18 wherein said network access comprises:

a bidirectional communication link for implementing bidirectional communications between said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency and at least one of said plurality of alarm network devices.

20. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 19 wherein said network access further comprises:

an authentication process, responsive to receipt of communications from at least one of said Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and said emergency response agency, for verifying an identity of said at least one said Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and said emergency response agency.

21. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 19 wherein said network access further comprises:

a response distribution device, responsive to receipt of communications from at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency, for distributing said communications to at least one of said alarm network devices for broadcast in human sensible form by said alarm output device.

22. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 21 wherein said alarm output device comprises:

an alarm indication generation device for generating at least one alarm indication comprising one of;

an audible output of predetermined volume, duration, and pattern, a visual indication of predetermined intensity, duration, and pattern, and audible communication received from at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

23. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 19 wherein said processor further comprises:

a location for storing data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed; and

a location propagation device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor for communicating via said network of said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices to relay said data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed to said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices.

24. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 23 wherein said network access comprises:

an emergency reporting process, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor, for forwarding said hazard detection and said data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed to said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

25. A self-configuring alarm system, comprising:

at least one alarm device network, wherein each of said at least one alarm device networks comprises a plurality of cooperatively operative alarm devices wherein each of said alarm devices in an alarm device network comprises;

at least one sensor for detecting the presence of a hazard; and

a processor responsive to a hazard detected by said at least one sensor for communicating with said at least one of said plurality of alarm devices in said alarm device to communicate a hazard detection indication to said at least one of said plurality of alarm devices in said alarm device network;

at least one output device network, wherein each of said at least one output device networks are communicatively connected to at least one of said at least one alarm device network and containing a plurality of output devices, wherein each of said output devices in an output device network comprises;

a receiver for receiving said hazard detection indication;

an output device, responsive to said received hazard detection indication, for generating one or more human sensible alarm indications; and

network access for interconnecting said self-configuring alarm network to at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

26. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 25 wherein said network access comprises:

an emergency reporting device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor, for forwarding said hazard detection to said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

27. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 26 wherein said network access comprises:

a bidirectional communication link for implementing bidirectional communications between said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency and at least one of said plurality of alarm network devices.

28. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 27 wherein said network access further comprises:

an authentication process, responsive to receipt of communications from at least one of said Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and said emergency response agency, for verifying an identity of said at least one said Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and said emergency response agency.

29. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 27 wherein said network access further comprises:

a response distribution device, responsive to receipt of communications from at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency, for distributing said communications to at least one of said alarm network devices for broadcast in human sensible form by said alarm output device.

30. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 29 wherein said alarm output device comprises:

an alarm indication generation device for generating at least one alarm indication comprising one of;

an audible output of predetermined volume, duration, and pattern, a visual indication of predetermined intensity, duration, and pattern, and audible communication received from at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

31. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 27 wherein said processor further comprises:

a location for storing data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed; and

a location propagation device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor for communicating via said network of said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices to relay said data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed to said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices.

32. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 31 wherein said network access comprises:

an emergency reporting device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor, for forwarding said hazard detection and said data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed to said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

33. A self-configuring alarm system, comprising:

an alarm device network comprising a plurality of cooperatively operative alarm devices wherein at least one of said alarm devices comprises;

an autonomous network configuring device for communicating with at least one of said plurality of alarm devices to autonomously establish a network of said plurality of alarm devices;

an output device network containing a plurality of output devices, wherein each of said output devices is responsive to a received alarm indication, for generating one or more human sensible alarm indications;

a communication medium connected to said alarm device network and said output device network for exchanging communications signals therebetween; and

network access for interconnecting said alarm network to at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

34. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 33 wherein said network access comprises:

an emergency reporting device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor, for forwarding said hazard detection to said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

35. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 34 wherein said network access comprises:

a bidirectional communication link for implementing bidirectional communications between said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency and at least one of said plurality of alarm network devices.

36. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 35 wherein said network access further comprises:

an authentication process, responsive to receipt of communications from at least one of said Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and said emergency response agency, for verifying an identity of said at least one said Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and said emergency response agency.

37. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 35 wherein said network access further comprises:

a response distribution process, responsive to receipt of communications from at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency, for distributing said communications to at least one of said alarm network devices for broadcast in human sensible form by said alarm output device.

38. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 37 wherein said alarm output device comprises:

an alarm indication generation device for generating at least one alarm indication comprising one of;

an audible output of predetermined volume, duration, and pattern, a visual indication of predetermined intensity, duration, and pattern, and audible communication received from at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.

39. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 35 wherein said processor further comprises:

a location for storing data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed; and

a location propagation device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor for communicating via said network of said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices to relay said data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed to said plurality of self-configuring emergency event alarm network devices.

40. The self-configuring alarm system of claim 39 wherein said network access comprises:

an emergency reporting device, responsive to said hazard detected by said at least one sensor, for forwarding said hazard detection and said data indicative of a definable location in which said alarm device is installed to said at least one of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an emergency response agency.