Patent ID: 9189929
Filing Date: 2015-11-17
Classification: G08B

Abstract:
1. A method of retrofitting a building to enhance an alert capability of a plurality of existing detector/alert devices installed in the building, the method comprising: for each of the plurality of existing detector/alert devices, mounting a respective supplemental alert generation device to a ceiling within four feet of the existing detector/alert device, such that each supplemental alert generation device is paired with a respective detector/alert device, wherein each supplemental alert generation device is powered by a battery and is configured to operate without being connected to an AC power source of the building; for each supplemental alert generation device, placing the supplemental alert generation device in a learn mode, and activating an alarm of the respective detector/alert device with which the supplemental alert generation device is paired, causing the supplemental alert generation device to select at least a threshold sound level corresponding to the alarm of the respective detector/alert device, said threshold sound level used by the supplemental alert generation device to trigger an analysis of an audio signal to determine whether the audio signal represents said alarm signal; wherein each supplemental alert generation device is configured to monitor the respective detector/alert device, and to output a supplemental audible alarm in response to detecting that the respective detector/alert device is outputting the alarm.