Supplemental alert generation device for retrofit applications
First Claim
1. A retrofitted detector/alert system, comprising:
- a detector/alert device capable of generating an audible alert signal in response to detecting at least one of smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide, the detector/alert device mounted to a ceiling and connected to an AC power source; and
a battery-powered supplemental alert generation device mounted to the ceiling within four feet of the detector/alert device, said supplemental alert generation device configured to monitor a detected sound level while operating in a relatively low power mode, and configured to transition into a higher power analysis mode when the detected sound level exceeds a threshold sound level, said higher power analysis mode being a mode in which the supplemental alert generation device analyzes at least a pattern of a received audio signal to determine whether an audible alert signal having a temporal-three pulse pattern or a temporal-four pulse pattern is heard, said supplemental alert generation device responsive to detection of a temporal-three audible alert signal by generating and outputting a relatively low frequency supplemental alert signal having a temporal-three pulse pattern that is synchronized in time with the temporal-three pulse pattern of the detected temporal-three audible alert signal, said supplemental alert generation device responsive to detection of a temporal-four audible alert signal by generating and outputting a relatively low frequency supplemental alert signal having a temporal-four pulse pattern that is synchronized in time with the temporal-four pulse pattern of the detected temporal-four audible alert signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery-powered supplemental alert generator is disclosed that is adapted to be mounted in close proximity to, such as within 3 or 4 feet of, a conventional smoke, heat and/or fire detector/alert device. The supplemental alert generator operates in a relatively low power mode while listening for the nearby detector/alert device to generate a standard audible alert signal. Upon detecting that a monitored sound level has reached a particular threshold, the supplemental alert generator enters into a higher power analysis mode in which it analyzes the detected signal to assess whether it is an audible alert signal. If an audible alert signal is detected, the supplemental alert generator generates one or more supplemental alert signals, such as a 520 Hz audible square wave signal. The supplemental alert generator may be used to retrofit a house, hotel, or other building to comply with new standards or to otherwise increase the effectiveness of the existing detection/alert system.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A retrofitted detector/alert system, comprising:
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a detector/alert device capable of generating an audible alert signal in response to detecting at least one of smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide, the detector/alert device mounted to a ceiling and connected to an AC power source; and a battery-powered supplemental alert generation device mounted to the ceiling within four feet of the detector/alert device, said supplemental alert generation device configured to monitor a detected sound level while operating in a relatively low power mode, and configured to transition into a higher power analysis mode when the detected sound level exceeds a threshold sound level, said higher power analysis mode being a mode in which the supplemental alert generation device analyzes at least a pattern of a received audio signal to determine whether an audible alert signal having a temporal-three pulse pattern or a temporal-four pulse pattern is heard, said supplemental alert generation device responsive to detection of a temporal-three audible alert signal by generating and outputting a relatively low frequency supplemental alert signal having a temporal-three pulse pattern that is synchronized in time with the temporal-three pulse pattern of the detected temporal-three audible alert signal, said supplemental alert generation device responsive to detection of a temporal-four audible alert signal by generating and outputting a relatively low frequency supplemental alert signal having a temporal-four pulse pattern that is synchronized in time with the temporal-four pulse pattern of the detected temporal-four audible alert signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A battery-powered supplemental alert generation device, comprising:
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a threshold sound level detector operative to generate a notification signal when a monitored sound level exceeds a threshold sound level; and a controller that is responsive to the notification signal by transitioning out of a sleep mode into a signal analysis mode in which the controller analyzes a received audio signal to determine, at least, whether the received audio signal is a temporal-three or temporal-four alert signal, said controller responsive to detection of a temporal-three alert signal by causing the supplemental alert generation device to output a relatively low frequency temporal-three supplemental alert signal having a temporal-three pattern that is synchronized in time with a temporal-three pattern of the detected temporal-three alert signal, said controller additionally responsive to detection of a temporal-four alert signal by causing the supplemental alert generation device to output a relatively low frequency temporal-four supplemental alert signal having a temporal-four pattern that is synchronized in time with a temporal-four pattern of the detected temporal-four alert signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification