Public distress beacon and method of use thereof

• US 7,982,605 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2008
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allan P. Freebody, Kevin J. Freebody
• Original Assignee: Allan P. Freebody, Kevin J. Freebody
• Inventors: Freebody, Kevin J., Freebody, Allan P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/157,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20090309723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 340/545.1, 340/539.1, 340/531, 340/533, 340/506, 340/539.16, 340/539.26, 340/5.2, 340/825.62, 340/825.69, 340/539.17, 340/539.14, 340/526
• US Class Current: 340/545.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/10 by pressure on floors, floor coverings, stair treads, counters, or tills
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/043 detecting an emergency event, e.g. a fall
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0461 integrated or attached to an item closely associated with the person but not worn by the person, e.g. chair, walking stick, bed sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0469 Presence detectors to detect unsafe condition, e.g. infrared sensor, microphone G08B21/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/064 indicating houses needing emergency help, e.g. with a flashing light or sound

Abstract

An automatic alerting apparatus and method, is herein disclosed, which audibly signals neighbors when a house or building door has not been opened in the previous twenty-four (24) hours. The system comprises a plurality of contacts aligned in a parallel connection on the exterior doors of a residence. The contacts are connected to a resettable twenty-four (24) hour timer. In use, if the timer is not rest in a twenty-four (24) hour period then power is supplied to an audible horn or beacon which alerts others to a potential emergency situation. It is envisioned that the device apparatus would have a back-up battery system for use during power failures and an override button for periods where no one will be in the residence for more than twenty-four (24) hours.

Claims

1. An automatic alerting system for incapacitated individuals, comprising:

an audible alerting device located on an exterior surface of a dwelling;

a visual alerting device located on said exterior surface of said dwelling;

a base unit located on an interior surface of said dwelling in electrical communication therewith said audible alerting device and said visual alerting device;

a power cable electrically connecting a power outlet thereto said base unit to provide electrical power to said base unit;

at least one (1) door sensor located on an exterior door of said dwelling in electrical communication therewith said base unit;

at least one (1) pressure sensor pad located at a fixed floor location of said dwelling in electrical communication therewith said base unit;

at least one (1) motion sensor located in a central location of said dwelling in electrical communication therewith said base unit;

a charge controller located inside said base unit powered by electrical power from said power outlet through said power cable;

a rechargeable battery located inside said base unit powered by electrical power routed through said charge controller, wherein said rechargeable battery ensures adequate power is available for said automatic alerting system in the event of a power failure; and

,

a timing relay located inside said base unit powered by electrical power routed through said charge controller by a first path and a second path;

wherein said first path is direct and provides power for operation of said timing relay and provides power for any other components of said automatic alerting system;

wherein said second path first travels through a vacation interrupt switch and allows said vacation interrupt switch to be turned off when not needed;

wherein said door sensor, said pressure sensor pad, and said motion sensor are electrically connected in a series, wherein activation of only one of either said door sensor, said pressure sensor pad, or said motion sensor is required for a timing cycle on said timing relay to be reset, thus ensuring said audible alerting device and said visual alerting device will not be activated; and

,

wherein said audible alerting device and said visual alerting device are operated by an output of said timing relay, wherein said audible alerting device and said visual alerting device are activated by said timing relay if any of said door sensor, said pressure sensor pad, or said motion sensor are not activated in a pre-determined time.

2. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said automatic alerting system further comprises an auxiliary relay which is used to generate a dry contact to signal other systems such as a central alarm system, a paging system, an automatic dialer system, or similar system.

3. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said vacation interrupt switch is a single-pole, single-throw switch which serves to mimic operation of said door sensor, said pressure sensor pad, and said motion sensor by stimulation continuous action thereby eliminating any possibility of any activation of said automatic alerting system.

4. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said automatic alerting system is electrically connected by a plurality of low voltage wires.

5. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said automatic alerting system is electrically connected by a wireless radio frequency signal.

6. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said automatic alerting system further comprises:

at least one (1) door sensor is located on said exterior door of said dwelling that is accessed by a user at least one (1) time per day;

at least one (1) pressure sensor pad is located at said fixed floor location of said dwelling that is likely to see foot traffic by said user at least one (1) time per day; and

,

at least one (1) motion sensor is located in a central location of said dwelling likely to see motion of said user at least (1) time per day;

wherein said door sensor, said pressure sensor pad, and said motion sensor are individually positioned in said dwelling to determine movement and motion of said user living in said dwelling at least one (1) time during said pre-determined time.

7. The automatic alerting system of claim 6, wherein said pre-determined time is a twenty-four (24) hour period.

8. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said motion sensor is an infrared detector.

9. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said motion sensor is an ultrasonic detector.

10. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said base unit is mounted on a table in said dwelling.

11. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said base unit is mounted on a wall of said dwelling.

12. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said automatic alerting system is provided for a single family home, an apartment, a multi-family home, a mobile home, a travel trailer, a condominium, or a similar dwelling.

13. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said automatic alerting system further comprises at least one (1) power indication light in electrical communication therewith said base unit.

14. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said automatic alerting system further comprises at least one (1) status light in electrical communication therewith said base unit.

15. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said automatic alerting system further comprises at least one (1) pre-alarm indicator in electrical communication therewith said base unit.

16. The automatic alerting system of claim 1, wherein said automatic alerting system further comprises a direction connection to a cellular or other wireless network.

17. An automatic alerting system for incapacitated individuals, comprising:

an audible alerting device located on an exterior surface of a dwelling;

a visual alerting device located on said exterior surface of said dwelling;

a base unit located on an interior surface of said dwelling in electrical communication therewith said audible alerting device and said visual alerting device;

a power cable electrically connecting a power outlet thereto said base unit to provide electrical power to said base unit;

at least one (1) door sensor located on an exterior door of said dwelling in electrical communication therewith said base unit;

at least one (1) pressure sensor pad located at a fixed floor location of said dwelling in electrical communication therewith said base unit;

at least one (1) motion sensor located in a central location of said dwelling in electrical communication therewith said base unit;

a charge controller located inside said base unit that is powered by electrical power from said power outlet through said power cable;

a rechargeable battery located inside said base unit that is powered by electrical power routed through said charge controller, wherein said rechargeable battery ensures adequate power is available for said automatic alerting system in the event of a power failure; and

,

a timing relay located inside said base unit powered by electrical power routed through said charge controller by a first path and a second path;

wherein said first path is direct and provides power for operation of said timing relay and provides power for any other components of said automatic alerting system;

wherein said second path first travels through a vacation interrupt switch and allows said vacation interrupt switch to be turned off when not needed;

wherein said door sensor, said pressure sensor pad, and said motion sensor are electrically connected in a series, wherein activation of only one of either said door sensor, said pressure sensor pad, or said motion sensor is required for a timing cycle on said timing relay to be reset, thus ensuring said audible alerting device and said visual alerting device will not be activated; and

,

wherein said audible alerting device and said visual alerting device are operated by an output of said timing relay wherein said audible alerting device and said visual alerting device are activated by said timing relay if any of said door sensor, said pressure sensor pad, or said motion sensor are not activated in a twenty-four (24) hour period.

18. The automatic alerting system of claim 17, wherein said automatic alerting system further comprises an auxiliary relay which is used to generate a dry contact to signal other systems such as a central alarm system, a paging system, an automatic dialer system, or similar system.

19. The automatic alerting system of claim 18, wherein said vacation interrupt switch is a single-pole, single-throw switch which serves to mimic operation of said door sensor, said pressure sensor pad, and said motion sensor by stimulation continuous action thereby eliminating any possibility of any activation of said automatic alerting system.