MULTI-PURPOSE ATTACHABLE ALARM

• US 20110037585A1
• Filed: 08/11/2009
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC (Allied Inventors Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Rong Zhi Xin Science and Technology Development (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: LI, DIANXIN, WANG, YING
• Granted Patent: US 8,253,554 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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; and

a processor for determining an alarm condition based on an output from the accelerometer and issuing a control signal to the alarm generating unit to generate an alarm,

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

2. The multi-purpose alarm device according to claim 1, further comprising a mode-selector by which the mode of operation is changed between the first mode and the second mode.

3. 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.

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

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

6. 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.

7. The multi-purpose alarm device according to claim 1, further comprising a casing in which the alarm generating unit, the accelerometer, and the processor are housed, wherein the casing has an adhesive portion by which the casing is attached to an object.

8. The multi-purpose alarm device according to claim 1, further comprising a casing in which the alarm generating unit, the accelerometer, and the processor are housed, wherein the casing has a magnetic portion by which the casing is attached to an object.

9. The multi-purpose alarm device according to claim 1, further comprising a casing in which the alarm generating unit, the accelerometer, and the processor are housed, wherein the casing has a clamp portion by which the casing is attached to an object.

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

a mode selector by which a mode selection is made;

an alarm generating unit;

an accelerometer; and

a processor for determining an alarm condition based on an output from the accelerometer and the mode selection, and issuing a control signal to the alarm generating unit to generate an alarm.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein, in the first mode, the processor is programmed to issue the control signal if the output exceeds a first threshold, and in the second mode, the processor is programmed to issue the control signal if the output has not exceeded a second threshold for a predetermined period of time.

12. The device according to claim 11, further comprising an input element for adjusting the first threshold.

13. The device according to claim 11, further comprising an input element for adjusting the second threshold.

14. The device according to claim 10, further comprising 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.

15. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a casing in which the alarm generating unit, the accelerometer, and the processor 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.

16. 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; and

an alarm module for receiving the transmitted alarm signal from the control module and issuing an alarm upon receipt of the transmitted alarm signal.

17. The alarm system according to claim 16, wherein the control module further includes a mode-selector by which the operating mode of the control module is changed between the first mode and the second mode.

18. The alarm system according to claim 16, 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.

19. The alarm system according to claim 16, wherein the control module further includes an input element for adjusting the predetermined period of time.

20. The alarm system according to claim 16, wherein the alarm module includes at least one of an acousto-optic alarm, an audio module, and a buzzer module for issuing the alarm.