Multi-hazard alarm system using selectable power-level transmission and localization

• US 8,149,112 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2006
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management)
• Original Assignee: Mosaid Technologies Incorporated (MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management))
• Inventors: Schlager, Dan, Baringer, William B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tang, Son M
• Application Number:
  US11/493,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20070030156A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,079 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/539.13, 3405731-574, 340/989, 340/990, 340/7.5, 340/7.58, 340/8.1, 342/126, 342/357, 342/450, 342/457
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/0005 by means of alarm devices for persons falling into the water, e.g. by signalling, by controlling the propulsion or manoeuvring means of the boat alarms responsive to presence of persons in a body of water in general G08B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/00 Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0255 System arrangements wherein the parent unit emits, i.e. the parent unit incorporates the emitter
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0283 via a telephone network, e.g. cellular GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0294 Display details on parent unit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/088 by monitoring a device worn by the person, e.g. a bracelet attached to the swimmer
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 26/007 Wireless interrogation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

A personal alarm system includes a monitoring base station and one or more remote sensing units in two-way radio communication. An electronic handshake between the base station and each remote unit is used to assure system reliability. The remote units transmit at selectable power levels. In the absence of an emergency, a remote unit transmits at a power-conserving low power level. Received field strength is measured to determine whether a remote unit has moved beyond a predetermined distance from the base station. If the distance is exceeded, the remote unit transmits at a higher power level. The remote unit includes sensors for common hazards including water emersion, smoke, excessive heat, excessive carbon monoxide concentration, and electrical shock. The base station periodically polls the remote units and displays the status of the environmental sensors. The system is useful in child monitoring, for use with invalids, and with employees involved in activities which expose them to environmental risk. Alternative embodiments include a panic button on the remote unit for summoning help, and an audible beacon on the remote unit which can be activated from the base station and useful for locating strayed children. In another embodiment, the remote unit includes a Global Positioning System receiver providing location information for display by the base station.

Claims

1. A personal alarm system, comprising:

a handheld-sized portable housing which is suitable to be worn or carried about a user'"'"'s person and including therein a remote unit including a radio transmitter and a navigational receiver, the remote unit providing the absolute latitude and longitude of the remote unit; and

the navigational receiver having a low power standby mode where with circuit elements are kept active and a normal operating mode, and the alarm system having a switch operable by a user carrying the unit on his or her person to activate switching from the standby mode of the navigational receiver to the normal operating mode; and

,

a transmitter for transmitting absolute latitude and longitude to a remote location periodically and a distress signal as required,

whereby the personal alarm system may be used by the user to summon help to the user'"'"'s location.

2. The personal alarm system as set forth in claim 1, further including a sensor for detecting a hazard and circuitry responsive to the sensor for causing the receiver to switch from the standby mode to the normal operating mode upon the detection of a hazard.

3. The personal alarm system as set forth in claim 1, further including a radio receiver and a switch causing the navigational receiver to switch from the standby mode to the normal operating mode upon receipt of a command via a radio link.

4. The personal alarm system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the remote unit is configured to receive a unique signal to cause transmission of remote unit location information.

5. The personal alarm system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the remote unit is a wireless telephone for operation within a cellular telephone network.

6. The personal alarm system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the remote unit is a wireless telephone for operation within a personal communications services telephone network.

7. The personal alarm system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the navigational receiver is adapted to switch between the low power standby mode and the normal operating mode upon command via a radio link.

8. The personal alarm system of claim 1, wherein the navigational receiver includes a GPS receiver.

9. A personal alarm system, comprising:

a handheld-sized portable housing which is suitable to be worn or carried about a user'"'"'s person and including therein a remote unit including a radio transmitter and a navigational receiver,

the remote unit providing the absolute latitude and longitude of the remote unit; and

the navigational receiver having a low power standby mode and a normal operating mode, and the alarm system having a switch operable by a user carrying the unit on his or her person to activate switching from the standby mode of the navigational receiver to the normal operating mode,

a transmitter for transmitting absolute latitude and longitude to a remote location periodically and a distress signal as required

whereby the personal alarm system is configured for the user to summon help to the user'"'"'s location.

10. The personal alarm system as set forth in claim 9, further including a sensor for detecting a hazard and circuitry responsive to the sensor for causing the receiver to switch from the standby mode to the normal operating mode upon the detection of a hazard.

11. The personal alarm system as set forth in claim 9, further including a radio receiver and a switch causing the navigational receiver to switch from the standby mode to the normal operating mode upon receipt of a command via a radio link.

12. The personal alarm system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the remote unit is configured to receive a unique signal to cause transmission of remote unit location information.

13. The personal alarm system as set forth in claim 12, wherein the remote unit is a wireless telephone for operation within a cellular telephone network.

14. The personal alarm system as set forth in claim 12, wherein the remote unit is a wireless telephone for operation within a personal communications services telephone network.

15. The personal alarm system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the navigational receiver is adapted to switch between the low power standby mode and the normal operating mode upon command via a radio link.

16. The personal alarm system of claim 9, wherein the navigational receiver includes a GPS receiver.