Systems and methods for coordinating and administering self tests of smart home devices having audible outputs

• US 9,454,893 B1
• Filed: 05/20/2015
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Heyl, Lawrence Frederick, Clark, Steven, Deluliis, Julia, Moore, Tyler, Manuto, Ben, Warren, Daniel Adam, Satterthwaite, Edwin H. Jr., Goldenson, Andrew W., Ho, Dietrich, Webb, Nicholas Unger
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Akki, Munear
• Application Number:
  US14/717,706
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 340/516, 340/514, 340/309.15, 340/515, 340/628, 340/629, 381/58, 169/46, 169/61, 169 67- 70, 280/372
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/10 Monitoring of the annunciator circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/126 of annunciator circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/001 for loudspeakers H04R29/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones

Abstract

Systems and methods for self-administering a sound test to verify operation of a speaker and/or alarm within a hazard detection system are described herein. The sound test can verify that the audible sources such as the alarm and speaker operate at the requisite loudness and frequencies. In addition, the sound test can be self-administered in that it does not require the presence of a person to initiate or verify that the audible sources are functioning properly.

Claims

1. A method for self-checking a loud sounder in a hazard detection system, the system comprising the loud sounder, a microphone, and a motion sensor, the method comprising:

determining a non-invasive time frame to perform a sound check of the loud sounder based at least in part on data acquired by the motion sensor, wherein determining the non-invasive time frame is further based at least in part on a schedule of acceptable time of day to perform the sound check; and

self-administering a sound test of the loud sounder at the determined non-invasive time frame, wherein executing the sound check comprises;

temporarily activating the loud sounder;

monitoring the microphone for an audio signal during the temporary activation of the buzzer; and

determining whether the audio signal satisfies sound check criteria; and

reporting a result of whether the audio signal satisfied sound check criteria.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the non-invasive time frame is further based at least in part on user preferences of when to perform the sound test.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-invasive time frame is a time frame in which no occupants are present in a structure comprising the hazard detection system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sound check is executed automatically without any direct user input to the hazard detection system.