Abstract:
A method and apparatus for alerting an individual that an appliance has completed a specified event. This invention consists of assigning distinct audio signals to events performed by an appliance and distributing the distinct audio signals throughout a local area network upon the occurrence of an event. Each device would then selectively emit the distinct audio signal received. The devices may communicate which each other over conventional connections such as a home&#39;s existing electrical system, radio frequencies, intra red light, local area network wiring, or any combination of connections. The invention may incorporate the use of a device that is specifically placed or carried by a user resulting in the user being informed of all events occurring within the network. The transmission of the signal may be directly from device to device or may incorporate a distribution device to monitor events and control which devices emit the signal. The distribution device may also redirect the signal from one communication medium to another, such as from radio frequencies to a home&#39;s existing electrical wiring.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to networking of household appliances and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Presently, as shown in FIG. 1, households may contain many different electrical appliances including, but not limited to, televisions, fire alarms, computers, telephones, microwaves, washing machines and dryers. Commonly, these appliances are distinct entities that operate without any communication with each other. 
     Companies are currently developing home local area networks (“home LANs”) which are designed to allow control of electrical devices connected to the network through a personal computer or some other type of micro-controller with an input device for interfacing with the network, such as a touch-pad. An example of current home LAN technology is IBM&#39;s Home Director System. These systems are directed at controlling and monitoring appliances from central locations, and are limited to visual feedback through a computer monitor or LCD display. 
     Other companies are working on developing earcons. Earcons are icons for the ear. An earcon is a distinct audio signal which corresponds to the occurrence of a specific event. For example, after finishing a wash cycle, a washing machine emits a distinctive sound that would conjure up the image of a washing machine in the mind of a user and a microwave would emit a similarly distinct sound after finishing a cooking cycle. Audio signals have the advantage of being emitted and perceived from any direction, allowing an operator to focus on other tasks and only shift attention when the appropriate signal is perceived. The same benefit cannot be obtained in a visual indicator environment because an operator has to repeatedly focus attention on a device to look for an indication of a completed task. Also, visual indicators are rendered useless once the operator leaves the room containing the indicator. 
     Another benefit of assigning distinct audio signals to different devices is that it eliminates confusion when the operator of the device has multiple devices running at the same time or is in a different room than the device that is signaling. However, in order for the devices to be heard in different rooms or even on different floors of a home, it is necessary for an audio signal emitted from a device to be sufficiently loud so that it may be perceived when an individual is remote to the device, or there is a competing level of noise in the environment such as a vacuum cleaner. The required decibel level for an audio indicator to be heard throughout a wide area could be impractical or even dangerous. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention proposes a novel method and apparatus for alerting an individual that a device has performed a designated event. The present invention alerts individuals by assigning distinct audio sounds to represent events executed by a device and distributing the distinct audio signals throughout a local area network to select devices. By distributing the distinct audio signals to select devices connected to the local area network, each selected device can simultaneously emit the same audio signal, whereby the decibel level of the emitted audio signals can be reduced while still providing more comprehensive coverage throughout the environment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art home containing electrical devices. 
     FIG. 2 is a diagram of a home containing electrical devices in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram of communication circuitry in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of alternative communication circuitry in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a central control box in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides improved convenience and safety by interconnecting devices having distinct audio signals to form a network. Within the network, each task that a device performs, for which monitoring is desired, is assigned a distinct audio signal which is generated upon the occurrence of a specified event. Upon the occurrence of a specified event, the generated signal is emitted from other devices on the network. 
     Referring more specifically to the drawings, FIG. 2 depicts a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Home  10 , contains telephone  22 , television  24 , computer  26 , microwave  28 , washer/dryer  30 , and fire alarm  32 . The items depicted in home  10  are representative of the types of devices that may be found in a traditional home, however, the type and number of devices are for illustrative purposes only and are neither required nor restrictive. Table 1 shows examples of distinct signals that may be assigned to specific events that devices perform. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Device 
                 Event 
                 Signal 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Telephone 22 
                 Incoming Call 
                 Signal 1 
               
               
                   
                 Television 24 
                 Cable Disconnect 
                 Signal 2 
               
               
                   
                 Computer 26 
                 Printing Complete 
                 Signal 3 
               
               
                   
                   
                 E-Mail Received 
                 Signal 4 
               
               
                   
                 Microwave 28 
                 Food Ready 
                 Signal 5 
               
               
                   
                 Washer/Dryer 30 
                 Cycle Complete 
                 Signal 6 
               
               
                   
                 Fire Alarm 32 
                 Fire 
                 Signal 7 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     When a device performs an event, that device generates a signal which is unique to that device. For example, if fire alarm  32  detects a fire, fire alarm  32  generates signal  7 . Signal  7  is a signal that represents that fire alarm  32  has detected a fire and is emitted by fire alarm  32 . An electrical representation of signal  7  is also transmitted to telephone  22 , television  24 , computer  26 , microwave  28  and washer/dryer  30  where each device interprets the electrical signal and emits a representation of signal  7 , indicating that fire alarm  32  detected a fire. The audio signal emitted from each device may or may not be identical at each device on the network for a given event. For example, computer  26  may emit a certain audio signal to indicate that printing is complete in response to signal  3  and a different audio signal to indicate that an e-mail has been received in response to signal  4 , however, television  24  and microwave  28  may emit an audio signal which is a generic representation of a computer  26  in response to either signal  3  or signal  4 . Alternatively, all devices may emit the same audio signal in response to a signal representing a given event. 
     The generated electrical and audio signals can be transmitted and emitted via any practical means. Presently, there are devices which allow information to be sent over electrical lines. For example, there are intercoms and speaker systems which plug into electrical outlets and transfer information over conventional wiring to any other outlet within the same building. The electrical signals may also be transmitted and received via radio frequencies or infra red light, or a combination of different methods. The audio signals may be emitted via speakers, bells, buzzers, whistles, or chimes. For illustrative purposes only, an exemplary system is discussed below using radio frequency signals for transmitting signals between devices and using speakers to emit the signals at the designated devices. Many other manners of transmitting signals amongst the various devices and emitting the signals at the various devices are well known in the prior art. 
     FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3, microwave  50  and fire alarm  60  contain networking circuits  51  and  61 , respectively. Networking circuit  51  contains an antenna  52 , detector/transmitter  54 , CODEC  55 , DSP  56 , digital-to-analog converter  57 , and speaker  58 . Similarly, networking circuit  61  contains an antenna  62 , detector/transmitter  64 , CODEC  65 , DSP  66 , digital-to-analog converter  67 , and speaker  68 . In the event of a fire, DSP  66  receives a signal from fire detector  63 . DSP  66  outputs a signal which is emitted from fire alarm  60  through speaker  68  after digital to analog conversion by digital-to-analog converter  67 . 
     In addition, DSP  66  also generates a signal for transmission to other devices such as microwave  50 . The digital signal out of DSP  66  is converted to analog by CODEC  65 . After conversion to analog, the analog signal enters detector/transmitter  64  and is sent out of fire alarm  60  via antennae  62 . The transmitted signal then enters microwave  50  via antennae  52  where it is detected by detector/transmitter  54 . The detected signal is then converted to digital by CODEC  55  and interpreted by DSP  56 . DSP  56  then sends a signal to be emitted by microwave  50  through speaker  58  after digital to analog conversion by digital-to-analog converter  57 . The signal transmission and audio emission described above would be equally applicable to a signal originated by microwave interface circuit  53 , and emitted by microwave  50  and fire alarm  60 . 
     In another embodiment of the invention, DSP  56  and DSP  66  perform the additional function of determining if a received signal should be emitted. For example, it may be desirable to have telephone  22  in the bedroom ignore signal  5  from microwave  28  in the kitchen. However, signal  7  from fire alarm  32  should be emitted from every device. This could be accomplished by assigning different status levels to emitted signals. For example, signal  7  from fire alarm  32  could emit a status  1  signal which would be emitted from every device on the network. Other devices could be assigned different status levels and a threshold status level that would have to be met in order for another device&#39;s signal to be transmitted from that device. The DSP in each device could readily be programmed to implement such a scheme. Alternatively, the DSP of each device could be individually programmed to set which audio signals the corresponding device will emit and which it will not. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 4, a central control box  90  is utilized as a means for receiving and distributing signals throughout the network. The central control box  90  is designed to receive signals from each device within the network and distribute the signal to select devices on the network. 
     In FIG. 4, microwave  70  and fire alarm  80  contain networking circuits  71  and  81 , respectively. Networking circuit  71  contains an antenna  72 , detector/transmitter  74 , CODEC  75 , DSP  76 , digital-to-analog converter  77 , and speaker  78 . Similarly, networking circuit  81  contains an antenna  82 , detector/transmitter  84 , CODEC  85 , DSP  86 , digital-to-analog converter  87 , and speaker  88 . In the event of a fire, DSP  86  receives a signal from fire detector  83 . DSP  86  then outputs a signal which is emitted from fire alarm  80  through speaker  88  after digital to analog conversion by digital-to-analog converter  87 . 
     In addition, DSP  86  also generates a signal for transmission to central control box  90 . The digital signal out of DSP  86  is converted to analog by CODEC  85 . After conversion to analog, the analog signal enters detector/transmitter  84  and is sent out of fire alarm  80  via antennae  82 . 
     The transmitted signal then enters central control box  90  via antennae  92  where it is detected by detector/transmitter  94 . The signal is then converted to digital by CODEC  95  to prepare the signal for processing by DSP  96 . DSP  96  processes the signal using predefined instructions which can be updated by a user through input device  97 . The DSP  96  can transmit the signal to all devices on the network or act as a signal clearing house which determines which signals should be emitted by which devices. Optionally, central control box  90  may contain digital-to-analog converter  93  and speaker  98  for emitting an audio signal at the central control box  90 . Due to the flexibility obtained from using DSP  96 , the manner in which the emission of certain signals from certain devices is controlled can be performed in many different ways. For example, each device on the network could be assigned a unique address. DSP  96  could then instruct which devices should emit the signal by attaching the unique addresses to the signal, where the DSPs of the different devices interpret the signal and only emit the signal if their unique address is attached. DSP  96  could readily be programmed to implement such a scheme. 
     The processed signal is then converted back to analog by CODEC  95  and transmitted by detector/transmitter  94  via antennae  92 . The signal transmitted by central control box  90  enters microwave  70  via antennae  72  where it will be detected by detector/transmitter  74 . The detected signal will then be converted to digital by CODEC  75  and interpreted by DSP  76 . DSP  76  will then send a signal to be emitted from microwave  70  by speaker  78 , after digital to analog conversion by digital-to-analog converter  77 . The signal transmission and emission described above would be equally applicable to a signal originated by microwave interface  73 , and emitted by microwave  70 , fire alarm  80 , and optionally central control box  90 . 
     Central control box  90  may contain different methods of receiving and transmitting the signals, such as A/C wiring, radio frequency, infra red light, telephone lines, and/or local area network lines. By utilizing multiple receiving and transmitting mediums, and directing transmit signals to the appropriate mediums, increased system flexibility is achieved. For example referring back to FIG. 2, portable device  42  is capable of communicating with central control box  20  via radio frequencies. Portable unit  42  is carried or placed in a desirable location for the convenience of user  40 , allowing user  40  to monitor all events occurring on the network as long as unit  42  is within communication distance of central control box  20 . Additionally, a radio frequency signal from fire alarm  32  could be emitted from a device connected to central control box  20  solely though a home&#39;s existing AC wiring such as washer/dryer  30 . 
     The use of different means of transmitting and receiving signals results in different components for circuits  51 ,  61 ,  71 ,  81  and  91 . For example, if the devices in FIG. 3 were connected via a hard wired local area network, the signals could be sent digitally from DSP  66  to DSP  56 . Thus, antennae  52  and  62 , detector/transmitter  54  and  64 , and CODEC  55  and  65  would no longer be needed. Similar modifications are readily apparent depending on the manner of transmission desired. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the many different communication mediums available for use by central control box  100 . Central control box  100  contains a DSP  102  which interfaces with the home environment through input device  104 , AC wiring connection  108 , LAN connection  110 , antenna  112 , photo-detector  118 , photo-transmitter  120 , and speaker  124 . The DSP  102  may also contain appropriate circuitry for conditioning signals for use in a variety of mediums such as buffer  106 , detector/transmitter  114 , CODEC  116 , and digital-to-analog converter  122 . The precise details for generating and receiving signals in the variety of mediums are well known within the art. The DSP  102  of central control box  100  allows signals to be manipulated such that a signal can be received in one medium and transmitted in one or more selected mediums. For example, central control box  100  could receive a signal from a fire alarm through antennae  112  and send a signal to a microwave through AC wiring connection  108  and to a computer through LAN connection  110 . The types of mediums shown in FIG. 5 are for illustrative purposes only. The mediums used to practice the invention can be through any medium which may include additional methods of communication or may utilize fewer methods of communication. 
     Having thus described a few particular embodiments of the invention, various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications and improvements as are made obvious by this disclosure are intended to be part of this description though not expressly stated herein, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only, and not limiting. The invention is limited only as defined in the following claims and equivalents thereto.