Reconfigurable alarm apparatus

• US 20080129497A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jon Woodard, Noel Woodard
• Original Assignee: Jon Woodard, Noel Woodard
• Inventors: Woodard, Jon, Woodard, Noel
• Application Number:
  US11/980,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20080129497A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/003 Address allocation methods and details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/085 using central distribution transmission lines
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A reconfigurable alarm apparatus for sensing a hazardous condition, and automatically transmitting emergency information and alerting occupants. In one aspect, the alarm apparatus may comprise a sensor and alarm controller interfaced with a software-defined radio module that is programmable from a remote information server to operate over a plurality of radio communication networks.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable alarm apparatus, comprising:

a sensor for detecting a hazardous condition;

a alarm controller, in communication with the sensor, the controller configured to generate a alarm signal in response to the sensor detecting the condition;

a software-defined radio communication and positioning module in communication with the controller, the module having one or more integrated memory, RF signal processor, and controller, wherein a first memory comprises at least one of a programmable communication and positioning specification, configured to communicate with at least one of a communication and positioning network;

wherein a second memory comprises a stored emergency identification information, comprising at least a geographic location of the reconfigurable alarm apparatus;

wherein the module is configured to automatically and contemporaneously transmit the emergency identification information upon receiving the alarm signal from the alarm controller.

2. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication and positioning network comprises at least one of a cellular radio communication network means, a wireless packet-switched communication network means, a global positioning satellite system means, and a broadcast television system means.

3. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the geographic location of the reconfigurable alarm apparatus is determined by at least one of a cellular radio communication network means, a wireless packet-switched communication network means, a global positioning satellite system means, and a broadcast television system means.

4. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the software-defined radio module is programmable from a remote information server over a communication network.

5. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 4, wherein the communication network comprises a radio communication network.

6. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication and positioning specification comprise one or more radio communication standards.

7. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 6, wherein the radio communication standards comprise at least one of a cellular radio communication network communication standard, a wireless packet-switched communication network communication standard, a global positioning satellite system communication standard, and a broadcast television system communication standard.

8. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a global positioning satellite system receiver means, in communication with the software-defined radio module, a cellular transceiver means in communication with the software-defined radio module, a wireless packet switched network transceiver means in communication with the software-defined radio module, a broadcast television system receiver means in communication with the software-defined radio module.

9. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the software-defined radio module comprises a field programmable gate array means.

10. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory further comprises a wireless enhanced 911 feature.

11. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a visual radio frequency signal verification feature.

12. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, and a heat sensor.

13. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, and a valve tamper sensor in a fire protection/suppression system.

14. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alarm controller is coupled to a audible alarm means that activates when a signal is received from the sensor.

15. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alarm controller is coupled to a visual alarm means that activates when a signal is received from the sensor.

16. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alarm controller is coupled to a reconfigurable audio alarm component means for emitting at least a programmable audio alarm tone.

17. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 16, wherein the programmable audio alarm tone is at least a synthesized human voice configured to communicate in a plurality of human languages.

18. The reconfigurable alarm apparatus of claim 16, wherein the reconfigurable alarm component is programmable from a remote location.

19. A method and system for reconfiguring a radio communication specification is a software-defined radio alarm apparatus, comprising the steps of:

accessing a remote information server component with stored radio communication specifications, wherein the user or entity accessing the server may utilize a user interface means to view a list of one or more radio communication specifications that are stored in a server storage means;

sending a radio communications specification, wherein the server sends one or more radio communication specifications over a communication network in communication with the software-defined radio alarm apparatus;

receiving one or more radio communication specifications, wherein the software-defined radio alarm apparatus receives one or more radio communication specifications and is reconfigured to communicate over a radio communication system.

20. A system for remotely monitoring fire and life safety regulation compliance in building structures, comprising:

at least one of a remote alarm device means, confined within a building structure;

at least one of a remote alarm system means, confined within a building structure;

a supervised central monitoring unit means in communication with the alarm devices and alarm systems;

a external information resource means, in communication with the central monitoring unit, configured to store, process, and update at least one of a fire regulation, a life safety regulation, a building regulation, and a person with special needs regulation;

a proprietary information resource means, in communication with the central monitoring unit and external information resource;

wherein the central monitoring unit monitors if the building structures are in compliance with the fire, life safety, building, and persons with special needs regulations.