Multi-purpose attachable alarm

• US 8,253,554 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2009
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC (Allied Inventors Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC (Allied Inventors Management, LLC)
• Inventors: Wang, Ying, Li, Dianxin
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US12/538,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20110037585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A multi-purpose alarm operates in a motion-detected alarm mode and a motion-expected alarm mode. In the motion-detected alarm mode, when the multi-purpose alarm is touched or moved, an alarm is issued. In the motion-expected alarm mode, when the multi-purpose alarm has not been touched or moved for a period of time, an alarm is issued. The multi-purpose alarm employs an accelerometer to sense the presence or absence of movement and is attachable to an object being monitored through various attachment means including a spring clamp, an adhesive, and a magnet.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose alarm device having first and second modes of operation, comprising:

an alarm generating unit;

an accelerometer;

a first input element operable to adjust a first threshold;

a second input element operable to adjust a second threshold;

a third input element operable to adjust a predetermined period of time;

a processor configured to determine an alarm condition based on an output from the accelerometer and issue a control signal to the alarm generating unit to generate an alarm;

a casing in which the alarm generating unit, the accelerometer, and the processor are housed, wherein the casing has an attachment portion by which the casing is attached to an object, and the attachment portion includes at least one of an adhesive portion, a magnetic portion, and a clamp portion; and

a mode-selector coupled with the alarm generating unit, the accelerometer, and the processor, the mode-selector being configured to switch the multi-purpose alarm device'"'"'s operation between the first and second modes of operation,

wherein, in the first mode of operation, the processor is programmed to issue the control signal if the output exceeds the first threshold, and in the second mode of operation, the processor is programmed to issue the control signal if the output has not exceeded the second threshold for the predetermined period of time.

2. The multi-purpose alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm generating unit is an acousto-optic alarm module that generates an acousto-optic alarm.

3. The multi-purpose alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm generating unit is an audio module that generates a voice prompt.

4. The multi-purpose alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm generating unit is a buzzer module that causes the device to vibrate.

5. The multi-purpose alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm generating unit is a wireless transmission module that wirelessly transmits an alarm signal to a base station.

6. A device operable in a first mode and a second mode, comprising:

a mode selector configured to make a mode selection to switch the device'"'"'s operation between the first mode and the second mode;

an alarm generating unit;

a first input element operable to adjust a first threshold;

a second input element operable to adjust a second threshold;

a third input element operable to adjust a predetermined period of time;

an accelerometer;

a processor configured to determine an alarm condition based on an output from the accelerometer and the mode selection, and issue a control signal to the alarm generating unit to generate an alarm; and

a casing in which the alarm generating unit, the accelerometer, and the processor are housed, and the mode selector is mounted on an exterior of the casing to be accessible for selection.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein, in the first mode, the processor is programmed to issue the control signal if the output exceeds the first threshold, and in the second mode, the processor is programmed to issue the control signal if the output has not exceeded the second threshold for the predetermined period of time.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the casing has an attachment portion that includes at least one of an adhesive portion, a magnetic portion, and a clamp portion.

9. An alarm system comprising:

a control module for attachment to an object that is operable in a first mode and a second mode,

the control module having an accelerometer and a wireless transmission module, wherein the wireless transmission module transmits an alarm signal when the accelerometer senses that the object has been moved while the control module is operating in the first mode or when the accelerometer senses no object movement for a predetermined period of time while the control module is operating in the second mode,

the control module having an input element operable to adjust the predetermined period of time, and

the control module further having a mode-selector configured to switch the control module'"'"'s operation between the first mode and the second mode; and

an alarm module configured to receive the transmitted alarm signal from the control module and issue an alarm upon receipt of the transmitted alarm signal.

10. The alarm system according to claim 9, wherein the control module further includes a casing in which the accelerometer and the wireless transmission module are housed, and the casing has an attachment portion that includes at least one of an adhesive portion, a magnetic portion, and a clamp portion.

11. The alarm system according to claim 9, wherein the alarm module includes at least one of an acousto-optic alarm, an audio module, and a buzzer module for issuing the alarm.