Electronic door stop remote broadcast device, silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop, and sound-activated remote release electronic door stop

Electronic door stop devices and an electronic door stop remote broadcast device are disclosed. The electronic door stop devices include a sound-activated remote release electronic door stop that automatically detects a particular sound and closes a propped open door and a silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop that provides automatic closing of propped open doors, by both silent broadcast signal and particular sound detection. The electronic door stop remote broadcast device broadcasts a wireless data signal to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops to automatically and concurrently close any doors propped open by the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops. The sound-activated remote release electronic door stop is activated by an emergency alarm sound that a receiver of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop can distinguish from other sounds and release the door automatically to achieve closure for fire integrity and intruder prevention.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the invention described in this specification relate generally to door stops, and more particularly, to an electronic door stop remote broadcast device, a silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop, and a sound-activated remote release electronic door stop.

As part of a fire-rated assembly, a door needs to remain shut during a fire to provide integrity in impeding fire and smoke passage. However, people often like to have doors left open or propped open. Thus, when desired, a door is propped open by means of any object that impedes the swing of the door (e.g., door stop, etc.). This presents a problem in terms of fire safety and other emergency situations because leaving the door open during an emergency event allows access to other rooms/areas. In particular, propping a door open allows fire and smoke to access other rooms/areas during a fire and allows intruders access to other rooms/areas during an intruder emergency.

While a person may be able to distinguish the sound of a fire alarm or other alarm and take appropriate action (closing the propped open door to prevent further access), there is no guarantee such a person will be anywhere near such a propped open door in time to close it. Furthermore, expecting a person to close any/all propped open doors limits and/or delays other important and significant actions that should reasonably be performed.

Therefore, what is needed is a remote detection device that gets mounted on a propped open door or elsewhere in the vicinity of a door, such that a receiver of the remote detection device can detect an alarm and release the door automatically to achieve closure for fire integrity and intruder prevention, and which includes separate channel detection for “silent-release” operation on a broadcast basis as may be triggered by an electronic door stop remote broadcast device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Novel electronic door stop devices and a novel electronic door stop remote broadcast device are disclosed. The electronic door stop devices include (i) a sound-activated remote release electronic door stop that automatically detects a particular sound and closes a propped open door and (ii) a silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop that provides automatic closing of propped open doors, by both silent broadcast signal and particular sound detection. The electronic door stop remote broadcast device broadcasts a wireless data signal to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops to automatically and concurrently close any doors propped open by the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops.

In some embodiments, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop that automatically detects a particular sound and closes a propped open door is activated by an emergency alarm sound that a receiver of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop can distinguish the emergency alarm sound from other sounds and release the door automatically to achieve closure for fire integrity and intruder prevention.

In some embodiments, the electronic door stop remote broadcast device that broadcasts a wireless data signal to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops to automatically and concurrently close any doors propped open by the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops is activated when a human operator presses a button on the electronic door stop remote broadcast device. Once activated, the electronic door stop remote broadcast device of some embodiments broadcasts a wireless data signal to the multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops, as well as any wireless signal routers and signal repeaters deployed in a coverage area of a personal area network (PAN). In some embodiments, activation of the electronic door stop remote broadcast device releases all of the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops in a building, thereby automatically and silently causing all of the doors in the building to concurrently close.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments of the invention include novel electronic door stop devices and a novel electronic door stop remote broadcast device. The electronic door stop devices include (i) a sound-activated remote release electronic door stop that automatically detects a particular sound and closes a propped open door and (ii) a silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop that provides automatic closing of propped open doors, by both silent broadcast signal and particular sound detection. The electronic door stop remote broadcast device broadcasts a wireless data signal to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops to automatically and concurrently close any doors propped open by the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops.

In some embodiments, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop that automatically detects a particular sound and closes a propped open door is activated by an emergency alarm sound that a receiver of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop can distinguish the emergency alarm sound from other sounds and release the door automatically to achieve closure for fire integrity and intruder prevention.

In some embodiments, the electronic door stop remote broadcast device that broadcasts a wireless data signal to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops to automatically and concurrently close any doors propped open by the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops is activated when a human operator presses a button on the electronic door stop remote broadcast device. Once activated, the electronic door stop remote broadcast device of some embodiments broadcasts a wireless data signal to the multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops, as well as any wireless signal routers and signal repeaters deployed in a coverage area of a personal area network (PAN). In some embodiments, activation of the electronic door stop remote broadcast device releases all of the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops in a building, thereby automatically and silently causing all of the doors in the building to concurrently close.

As stated above, as part of a fire-rated assembly, a door needs to remain shut during a fire to provide integrity in impeding fire and smoke passage. In addition, educators and education administrators need ways to effectively lock down when intruders or other dangers emerge in and around a school. Embodiments of the electronic door stop remote broadcast device and the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop described in this specification solve such problems by allowing the door to remain open by a person (or “user”) while being able to detect a specific sound (i.e., a fire alarm) or trigger a silently broadcast alarm to automatically release the door stop to close the door upon fire danger, intruder danger, or other dangers.

I. Sound-Activated Remote Release Electronic Door Stop

Embodiments of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop described in this specification differ from and improve upon currently existing options. In particular, there are no automatic door release devices in existence which can detect a fire alarm and release a door that has been left open by a user. In fact, none of the conventional door stop devices are capable of detecting an event to release a door. In contrast, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop of the present disclosure uses a remote detection device mounted on the propped open door or elsewhere, thereby allowing a receiver to distinguish a fire or emergency alarm sound from other sounds and identify the fire or emergency alarm sound as emanating from an alarm and release the door automatically to achieve closure for fire integrity and intruder prevention.

The sound-activated remote release electronic door stop of the present disclosure may be comprised of the following elements. This list of possible constituent elements is intended to be exemplary only and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop.

1. Threaded cylinder body end cap

2. Extruded cylinder body

3. End cap contact spring

5. Negative circuit conductor

6. Positive circuit conductor

7. Component printed circuit board (PCB)

8. Potentiometer for a drive unit control

10. Lithium battery cell holder

13. Drive unit

14. Main drive gear

15. Secondary drive gear

16. Engagement axle gear

17. Engagement axle shaft

20. Sealed cylinder body end cap

21. Remote transceiver body

24. Manual test push button

28. Lithium battery cell holder

29. RGB LED indicator

30. Remote assembly cover

31. Adhesive cog floor patch

The various elements of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop of the present disclosure may be related in the following exemplary fashion. It is not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements and the following examples are presented as illustrative examples only. By way of example,FIG. 1conceptually illustrates a perspective view of a sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10during use in connection with a propped open door14. In addition to the door14, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10works in connection with an emergency alarm11and an electronic door stop alarm detector12. As shown in this figure, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10is positioned on a floor16at the bottom of the door14and manages to keep the door14open until the electronic door stop alarm detector12detects an alarm sound from the emergency alarm11.

Turning to a more detailed example,FIG. 2conceptually illustrates a detailed perspective view of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10at rest while propping the door14open. As shown in this detailed view, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10comprises a body18, a pair of cogs20, and a pair of slots22for the cogs20. In some embodiments, the cogs20have a rounded semi-circle or crescent shape which allows for easy closing into and opening out of the pair of slots22(as shown in this figure by the dashed arc arrows). In some embodiments, the body18is a cylinder-shaped body for the rounded shape of the cogs20to fit snug inside the pair of slots22while closed. Thus, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10is able to prop the door14open by letting the cogs20out to touch the floor16. When the door14applies pressure to close, the cogs20are pushed slightly downward into the floor16to prevent the door14from closing.

Releasing the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10during an emergency (such as a fire) to close the door14is demonstrated inFIG. 3, which conceptually illustrates a detailed perspective view of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10while detecting an emergency alarm and automatically releasing the electronic door stop10to close the open door14. As shown in this figure, when the emergency alarm11sounds an audible alarm warning11a(e.g., a fire alarm), an electronic door stop alarm detector sensor12aof the electronic door stop alarm detector12senses the sounding audible alarm warning (i.e., captures sound waves of the audible alarm warning). An electronic door stop alarm detector transmitter12bthen transmits an electronic door stop alarm detector signal12cto the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10positioned at the bottom of the door14near the floor16. When the electronic door stop alarm detector signal12cis received, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10automatically rotates the cogs20back into the cog slots22(shown by dashed-line arrows) within the body18of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10, thereby freeing the door14to close.

By way of example, and referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, the opening and closing of the cogs20demonstrates how the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10is able to prop the door14open in a safe way that ensures the door14automatically closes when an emergency alarm sounds. In particular,FIG. 4conceptually illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10taken along line4-4ofFIG. 2at rest and propping the door14open. As shown in this figure, the cogs20touch the floor16in a fully open configuration to prop the door14open. An engagement axle shaft24(also referred to as pivot rod24) resides in an extruded slot formed into the body18of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10. At either end of the engagement axle shaft24(pivot rod24) are affixed the cogs20. The engagement axle shaft24holds the cogs20in position in relation to the body18and the cog slots22of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10. While the engagement axle shaft24allows the cogs20to rotate into and out of the slots22, the body18prevents the cogs20from rotating beyond a point at which engagement with the floor16is made.

By contrast,FIG. 5conceptually illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10, taken along line5-5ofFIG. 3, in a fully closed configuration to release and close the door14in line with emergency requirements, such as fire safety. As shown in this figure, the cogs20rest inside the body18of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10by pivoting off the floor16, via the engagement axle shaft24, and into the cog slots22. Thus, when the cogs20are off the floor16and resting inside the body18, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10is cleared from the floor16(free space with no engagement with the floor16), thereby allowing the door14to automatically close by its own pressure mechanism.

Now turning to another example,FIG. 6conceptually illustrates a top plan view of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10with parts shown in cross-section. As shown in this figure, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10has a cylinder body18that houses several electrical and mechanical components. The cylinder body18is closed off at both ends by end caps, including a first end cap26and a second end cap28. In some embodiments, the first end cap26is a removable threaded cylinder cap26where two batteries30are inserted and held in place as a battery stack. In some embodiments, the batteries are D-cell batteries. In some embodiments, the positive end of the battery stack contacts a positive circuit conductor inside the cylinder body18, and a negative end of the battery stack contacts an end cap contact spring disposed to an inner side of the first end cap26and is affixed to a negative circuit conductor. The battery stack provides power to the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10by way wires that connect the two circuit conductors to a first printed circuit board32(the first “PCB”32). In some embodiments, the battery stack provides 5vdc to the first PCB32for operation of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10. Mounted on the first PCB32are several components, including a potentiometer for drive unit control50, a micro-processor for logic storage52, a lithium battery cell holder54to provide back-up power at end-of-life, an OPEN capacitor56to provide power upon load, and a CLOSE capacitor58to provide power upon load. A drive unit34is securely fastened at the distal end of the first PCB32. A gear train36extends off a drive unit shaft66. The gear train36includes a main drive gear60, a secondary drive gear62, and an engagement axle gear64. The main drive gear60extends directly off the drive unit shaft66and interfaces with a secondary drive gear62. The secondary drive gear62meshes to the engagement axle gear64which is embossed into the engagement axle shaft24(pivot rod24). The engagement axle shaft24resides in an extruded slot formed into the body18of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10. The cogs20are disposed onto the two ends of the engagement axle shaft24. Specifically, one cog20is affixed at the proximal end of the engagement axle shaft24and the other cog20is affixed at the distal end of the engagement axle shaft24.

In some embodiments, a pair of adhesive floor patches are included with the entire packaged sound-activated remote release electronic door stop assembly, which will be affixed to solid-surface floors to provide a positive interface for the cogs of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop to intercept and secure anchorage. In some embodiments, a desired standby function of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop works by way of an EDS unit that is placed at a bottom location of an opened door, with the cogs deployed to interlock the door from closing via automatic door closer devices.

By way of example,FIG. 7conceptually illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10with an exemplary adhesive floor patch48placed at a bottom location of an opened door14so that a cog20engages with the adhesive floor patch48when propping the door14open.

In some embodiments, a desired active function of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10works by way of the electronic door stop alarm detector12which includes the remote transceiver (or the transmitter12b). As a functional unit, the electronic door stop alarm detector12includes a remote transceiver printed circuit board, which detects a fire alarm siren, whistle, or klaxon pulse and issues a “Close” or “Release” signal to the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10. By way of example,FIG. 8conceptually illustrates a plan view of a remote transceiver printed circuit board38of a sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10. As shown in this figure, the remote transceiver printed circuit board38is a separate assembly comprising a printed circuit board68foundation. On the printed circuit board68is a pickup microphone40, a microprocessor unit70, a manual test button42, a first transistor bank72, second transistor bank74, and a third transistor bank76. All of these components are interconnected to the printed circuit board68, and are powered by a lithium battery44. An LED indicator46is positioned on the printed circuit board68to present operational status of the assembly, e.g., GREEN for ready, RED for active, and BLUE for fault. In some embodiments, the remote transceiver printed circuit board38is entirely protected by a cover housing39that snaps onto the printed circuit board68foundation.

In view of the examples described above by reference toFIGS. 1-8, then, a person would use the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10with a door assembly that is equipped with an automatic closer. The door can be fully opened by the person, and then propped open by releasing the cogs from the cog slots of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10. When the cogs20engage with the floor16or with adhesive floor patches48on the floor16, the door14would be securely propped open, ready to be released when an alarm sounds. As the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10is equipped with two D-cell batteries30and a lithium battery44, there is ample power to operate the unit.

When ready for operation, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10can be commanded to OPEN status by the remote transceiver printed circuit board38operating in close proximity (e.g., within 20 lineal feet). The sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10will deploy the cogs20by rotating them on the engagement axle shaft24housed within the body18. In some embodiments, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10can be affixed to the bottom of the door as a permanent fixture or semi-permanent installation. In some embodiments, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10can be used as desired, being added to the door when needed and removed when no longer in use. When the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10is used as desired, the user will place body of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10at the base of the opened door, with the cogs20deployed. An alarm and remote detection unit should be present and nearby (as noted above, within about 20 lineal feet). During such usage, the two cogs20will engage the floor (carpeted or with adhesive patch) with a single tooth to prevent the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10from rolling by the force of the door opener. In the case of smooth floor surface, the user will affix the adhesive floor patches48to the floor in alignment with the cogs20to provide for a positive interface between the floor and the cogs20. In this state, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10remains in place for as long as desired by the user, and the door is held open.

In the event of a fire alarm, the remote transceiver printed circuit board38picks up the harmonic sound vibrations with the pickup microphone40and compares to the data stored in the microprocessor unit70. If the sound resembles the prescribed parameters of an alarm state, the microprocessor unit70broadcast the ACTIVE command signal. The sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10receives the signal via the first printed circuit board32and the signal is then interpreted by the microprocessor unit70. Upon confirmation of the signal parameters, the microprocessor unit70closes the circuitry to the close capacitor58, the potentiometer50, and the drive unit34. The drive unit34is powered positively to turn the main drive gear60, which interfaces to the secondary drive gear62, which interfaces to the engagement axle gear64thereby rotating the engagement axle shaft24in such fashion to retract the two engagement cogs20.

In some embodiments, the body18of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10presents as a smooth round cylinder which poses no resistance for the automatic door closer to operate. Thus, when the door begins to swing closed, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10rolls along at the bottom. The door continues to roll toward complete closure, while rolling the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10out of the way. The action completes with the door swinging completely closed, fully-engaging with the door hardware to provide a locked or unlocked condition as predetermined by the user of the space.

In some embodiments, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10utilizes a two-tiered power source. Primary power, as provided by the D-cell batteries30, is first sampled, and if adequate within set parameters, then the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10is configured for operation. When the primary power (as sampled) is not adequate or becomes inadequate due to prolonged use, then the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10is integrally de-activated and the cogs20will not extend. If they were already engaged to the floor in an extended position, then a secondary power (of the two-tiered power source) is supplied by the lithium battery44cell, thereby allowing the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10to retract the cogs.

In some embodiments, a signal transmits from remote sensor to main unit, and micro-processor begins sub-routine for cog deployment. The drive unit is energized for a set period of time, and the cogs20rotate out of the slots22of the cylinder body18. The potentiometer50allows for speed adjustment factory-settings. Upon time-out, the processor closes sub-routine. The cogs20are held in position by drive unit resistance.

To make the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10of the present disclosure, the cylinder body may be manufactured by an extrusion process in which the extruded body would have slots inside the body for placement of various components during later assembly. After the extrusion process, the body would be precisely cut at two locations to fashion slots for the engagement cogs to extend through. The cylinder body would have an enlarged receiver recessed into the body at one of the body (e.g., having size of 0.125″) to tightly fit to the sealed cylinder body end cap (i.e., the first end cap26) after component assembly, while the other end of the body would be internally threaded (e.g., having size of 0.375″) to receive the threaded cylinder body end cap (i.e., the second end cap28) after complete device assembly.

The component printed circuit board (i.e., the first printed circuit board32) may be manufactured as a complete assembly with all the assembly components permanently residing on it (i.e., the potentiometer for drive unit control50, the micro-processor for logic storage52, the lithium battery cell holder54to provide back-up power at end-of-life when D-cell battery power is drained, the OPEN capacitor56, the CLOSE capacitor58, and the drive unit34). This sub-assembly may be manufactured separately as a completed device designed specifically for the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10, and would be fully inserted into the designated slots inside the cylinder body18from the end of the body18that is covered by the second threaded end cap28. A negative circuit conductor is a rigid bus component that may be inserted from the end of the body18that is covered by the first threaded end cap26.

Additional circuitry and logic may be included to supplement the original detection and operation of an emergency event. For example, a different frequency reception may be incorporated to command the device to operate similarly but as a result of a completely different protocol. Instead of detection and operation during a fire alarm event, a separate frequency detection could operate the device as result of an intrusion detection, an active-shooter event, or other crowd-control measures. Furthermore, the internal devices may be rearranged in differing positions relative to each other within the housing assembly. The engagement cogs may take different shapes, but with the intent to make a positive and resistive engagement to the adjacent floor is requisite.

To use the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10of the present disclosure, a person may install two D-cell batteries30through the end of the body18covered by the first end cap26. After new battery insertion, an occupant of a room or space equipped with a self-closing door would active the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10to extend the engagement cogs20out of the body18housing through the cog slots22. Then, the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10would be placed at the interface of the open door14relative to the floor16in such a fashion as to prop the door14open by engagement of the cogs20with the floor16. If the floor16is a hard or slippery surface, placement of the optional adhesive patch48onto the cleaned floor would provide a positive engagement surface for the cogs20to resist the door-closing pressure. The second piece of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10assembly is the remote receiver (i.e., the remote transceiver printed circuit board38), which the person may activate with a new power cell. The person would place the remote receiver adjacent to and within approximately ten-twenty feet of the door frame. A simple test-cycle of the receiver would confirm the receipt of a release signal from the receiver to the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10, resulting in the door self-closing as designed.

II. Electronic Door Stop Remote Broadcast Device and Silent Broadcast Signal-Activated Electronic Door Stop

In some embodiments, the electronic door stop remote broadcast device that broadcasts a wireless data signal to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops to automatically and concurrently close any doors propped open by the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops is activated when a human operator presses a button on the electronic door stop remote broadcast device. Once activated, the electronic door stop remote broadcast device of some embodiments broadcasts a wireless data signal to the multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops, as well as any wireless signal routers and signal repeaters deployed in a coverage area of a personal area network (PAN). In some embodiments, activation of the electronic door stop remote broadcast device releases all of the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops in a building, thereby automatically and silently causing all of the doors in the building to concurrently close.

By way of example,FIGS. 9-12conceptually illustrate different views of an electronic door stop (EDS) remote broadcast device. In some embodiments, the EDS remote broadcast device broadcasts a signal for all electronic door stops in a defined personal area network (PAN). In some embodiments, the EDS remote broadcast device includes a transmitter that broadcasts the signal in at least one of three frequency bands defined by IEEE 802.15.4. The three frequency bands defined by IEEE 802.15.4 include 868 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2.4 GHz. In some embodiments, the PAN operates in one of three network topologies including peer-to-peer, mesh network, and star network. The peer-to-peer topology is a modified mesh network configuration in which no wireless signal repeater device is deployed. Instead, the electronic door stops all include transceivers that both receive and transmit signals over the PAN. In contrast, the mesh network includes wireless signal repeater devices that are deployed at strategic locations to ensure complete broadcast coverage over an entire building or facility, such as a school. The star network includes a coordinator device with a high powered transceiver that receives signals from any of the EDS remote broadcast devices and broadcasts the signal out to all of the electronic door stops.

Turning first toFIG. 9, which conceptually illustrates a plan view of an EDS remote broadcast device80. As shown in this figure, the EDS remote broadcast device80includes a push button82, a device enclosure84, and a power cord86that includes a cord with a plug and a cord support clip. Now in relation toFIG. 10, which conceptually illustrates a side view of the EDS remote broadcast device80, an adhesive backing88is shown. The adhesive backing88allows the EDS remote broadcast device80to be mounted to a surface, such as a wall.

By way of another example,FIG. 11conceptually illustrates a plan view of a printed circuit board90that is internally present in the EDS remote broadcast device80. As shown in this figure, the device enclosure84of the EDS remote broadcast device80has been removed to show an internal view that clearly demonstrates the printed circuit board90. The printed circuit board90includes the push button82, several circuit board components92, a programmable micro-processor94, a power transformer96, and a wireless RF transceiver98. By way of reference,FIG. 12conceptually illustrates a side view of the printed circuit board90of the EDS remote broadcast device80when the device enclosure84is removed, and the adhesive backing88present.

Now turning to another example,FIG. 13conceptually illustrates a top plan view of a silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100that provides both silent broadcast signal-activated remote release of cogs20and sound-activated remote release of cogs20(as in the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10described above by reference toFIGS. 1-8). As shown in this figure, the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100has a cylinder body18that is closed off at both ends by a first end cap26and a second end cap28and which houses several electrical and mechanical components, which are powered by battery power, such as the two batteries30shown in this figure (i.e., a battery stack of two D-cell batteries). The battery stack provides power to the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100by way of wires that connect to a second printed circuit board102(the second “PCB”102). The second PCB102differs from the first PCB32, described above by reference toFIG. 6, in that the second PCB102includes a wireless RF transceiver98. Specifically, the wireless RF transceiver98includes an RF antenna and is connected to the micro-processor52. The wireless RF transceiver98can be connected as an embedded component of the micro-processor52to form a system-on-chip (SoC) for wireless logic processing and micro-control according to the IEEE 802.15.4 wireless communication specification. Alternatively, the wireless RF transceiver98can be connected to a shield board that provides an interface to the micro-processor52. For example, a shield interface board allows connection and communication between the wireless RF transceiver98and the micro-processor52when the wireless RF transceiver98is an XBee transceiver that implements the Zigbee protocol stack (Zigbee application layer, Zigbee network layer, 802.15.4 MAC layer, and 802.15.4 physical layer) and when the micro-processor52is an Arduino micro-processor. In yet another configuration, the wireless RF transceiver98can be connected directly to the second PCB102with embedded communication wires to the micro-processor52.

Similar to the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop10described above by reference toFIG. 6, the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100includes several other components mounted on the second PCB102, including the potentiometer for drive unit control50, the lithium battery cell holder54to provide back-up power at end-of-life, the OPEN capacitor56to provide power upon load, and the CLOSE capacitor58to provide power upon load. The drive unit34is securely fastened at the distal end of the second PCB102. The gear train36extends off a drive unit shaft66and includes a main drive gear60, a secondary drive gear62, and an engagement axle gear64. The main drive gear60extends directly off the drive unit shaft66and interfaces with a secondary drive gear62. The secondary drive gear62meshes to the engagement axle gear64which is embossed into the engagement axle shaft24(pivot rod24). The engagement axle shaft24resides in an extruded slot formed into the body18of the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100. The cogs20are disposed onto the two ends of the engagement axle shaft24. Specifically, one cog20is affixed at the proximal end of the engagement axle shaft24and the other cog20is affixed at the distal end of the engagement axle shaft24.

In some embodiments, the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100can be configured as an end device that only receives wireless data from transmitting devices or as a fully-functional device that both sends and receives wireless data to and from other devices in any personal area network (PAN) of which the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100is a member. For example, the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100can be configured as an end device with limited communication in a PAN with a star network topology in which a single coordinator device sends data to all the other devices in the PAN. In another example, the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100can be configured as a fully-functional device in a PAN with a mesh network topology in which the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100can receive data from a coordinator device in the PAN or from other fully-functional devices in the PAN and can send data to both end devices and other fully-functional devices in the PAN. In yet another example, the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100can be configured as a fully-functional device in a PAN that employs peer-to-peer communication between multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100(e.g., a modified mesh network in which there are no repeater/router devices or few repeater/router devices to simply pass on data to other end devices).

Several examples of different network configurations of different deployments of EDS remote broadcast devices and silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops are described in the next section, including an example of a peer-to-peer configured personal area network, a mesh network deployment, and a star network configuration, as well as an alternative version of the EDS remote broadcast device.

III. Exemplary Network Configurations for the EDS Remote Broadcast Device and the Silent Broadcast Signal-Activated Electronic Door Stop

By way of example,FIGS. 14-17conceptually illustrate a peer-to-peer configuration of the EDS remote broadcast device shown in four stages in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops that automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school.

Referring first toFIG. 14, which conceptually illustrates a first peer-to-peer stage110in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops that automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school. As shown in this figure, the first peer-to-peer stage110includes a school104, several open doors14, several silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100which prop open the doors14, several emergency alarms11and electronic door stop alarm detectors12(used in connection with the sound-activated electronic door stop10described above by reference toFIGS. 1-8, and also functionally capable of use in connection with the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100described above by reference toFIG. 13), several EDS remote broadcast devices80mounted on walls in several classrooms or office rooms that each have propped open doors14, an unauthorized intruder106, and authorized school personnel108a,108b,108c, and108d.

The several open doors14include doors14at exterior double door entries, interior doors14, and interior double doors14such as those leading into and out of a school cafeteria, which itself has two sets of exterior double door entries, each with a door propped open by a silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100(but not shown due to the angle of viewing perspective shown inFIGS. 14-25).

The authorized school personnel108a,108b,108c, and108dare each shown in a classroom or office. The authorized school personnel108a,108b,108c, and108dmay be teachers, administrators, school board personnel, teaching assistants, school security personnel, or other individuals authorized to be in the school104and to trigger any of the EDS remote broadcast devices80when a dangerous situation occurs or is suspected, such as an unauthorized intruder106entering the school104, or a student or another authorized school personnel individual is engaged in violence or harm to people or property at the school104.

In this first peer-to-peer stage110, the unauthorized intruder106is outside of the school104with all doors14propped open by silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100. Also, all of the authorized school personnel108a,108b,108c, and108dare engaged in routine school work in their respective classrooms or offices, such as teaching students (students not shown in any of theFIGS. 14-25so as not to overburden, needlessly complicate, and/or obscure the representational depictions in the drawings of these figures) or performing routine administrative work. In essence, none of the authorized school personnel108a,108b,108c, and108dare aware of (or would be aware of) any lurking danger of the unauthorized intruder106.

However, such routine work changes into an awareness of a potential dangerous situation in the next example demonstrated inFIG. 15, which conceptually illustrates a second peer-to-peer stage120in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops that automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school. Specifically, as the unauthorized intruder106walks into the front double door entryway of the school104and walks down the hall, authorized school personnel108anotices the unauthorized intruder106and becomes aware of a potential dangerous situation, or suspects a dangerous situation. For example, the unauthorized intruder106may be carrying a gun or a knife, which would visibly indicate the potential danger to authorized school personnel108a. In response to the awareness of the potential danger, the authorized school personnel108aproceeds to press the push button82of the EDS remote broadcast device80that is mounted on the wall in the room of authorized school personnel108a.

Now referring toFIG. 16, which conceptually illustrates a third peer-to-peer stage130in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops that automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school. As shown in this figure, the third peer-to-peer stage130demonstrates the silent nature of the signal that is transmitted to all of the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100when authorized school personnel108apresses the push button82of the EDS remote broadcast device80. Specifically, a wireless signal is immediately transmitted by the wireless RF transceiver98of the EDS remote broadcast device80to a first silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100. The wireless signal is broadcast by the EDS remote broadcast device80in one of three frequency bands defined by IEEE 802.15.4, including 868 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2.4 GHz. The first silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100then re-transmits the signal (re-broadcasts the signal), such that a second silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100receives the signal, and so on and so forth, until all of the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100have received the signal. The transmission rate of the wireless RF signal is almost instantaneous. Therefore, all of the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100receive the signal within an amount of time generally undetectable to a human observer, such as the unauthorized intruder106or any of the authorized school personnel108a,108b,108c, and108d. Furthermore, the signal is completely silent to any human observer. Thus, the unauthorized intruder106has no awareness that a lockdown at the school104has been triggered by the authorized school personnel108apressing the push button82of the EDS remote broadcast device80. Indeed, none of the other authorized school personnel108b,108c, and108d, or anyone else in the school104would be aware that lockdown has just be triggered due to a dangerous situation or suspected dangerous situation brought about by the unauthorized intruder106entering the open school104. The ability to silently trigger the lockdown protocol of closing all the school doors14is key, so as to ensure maximum safety of all students and school personnel without needlessly alerting those dangerous individuals, such as unauthorized intruder106.

Finally referring, in relation to this peer-to-peer example, toFIG. 17, which conceptually illustrates a fourth peer-to-peer stage140in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops that automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school. As shown in this figure, the fourth peer-to-peer stage140demonstrates the lockdown procedure being carried out after the alert signal was propagated to all of the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100, causing them to concurrently release in order to automatically and concurrently close all of the open doors14of the school104. In this case, the unauthorized intruder106remains in the school106, but is unable to enter classrooms, offices, or the cafeteria. Furthermore, if the unauthorized intruder106had been seen outside and nearby the school104by one of the authorized school personnel108a,108b,108c, or108dbefore entering the school104, the EDS remote broadcast device80in the room of the respective authorized school personnel108a,108b,108c, or108dcould have been activated to trigger the lockdown procedure of nearly immediately closing all the doors14of the school104, including closing all of the exterior doors14to prevent the unauthorized intruder106from entering the school104in the first place.

Now turning to another example,FIGS. 18-21conceptually illustrate a mesh network configuration of the EDS remote broadcast device shown in four stages in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to one or more signal routers and to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops which automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school.

Referring first toFIG. 18, which conceptually illustrates a first mesh network stage210in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to one or more signal routers and to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops which automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school. As shown in this figure, the first mesh network stage210includes three signal router devices112(hereinafter referred to as “signal routers112”, “routers112”, “signal repeaters112”, or “repeaters112”). In some embodiments, the signal routers112allow the personal area network (PAN) to be defined over a larger area. For example, if the school104was particularly long or spacious, or included multiple floors, signal routers112would allow the PAN to effectively cover the greater area over which wireless RF signals would be transmitted. An example of a signal router that could be deployed is a Zigbee router or Zigbee repeater, or another routing device that adheres to the wireless communication standard specified under IEEE 802.15.4 and is a capable of capturing broadcast signals and re-broadcasting the signals in at least one of three supported wireless RF frequency bands, including 868 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2.4 GHz.

Similar to the first peer-to-peer stage110described above by reference toFIG. 14, the first mesh network stage210demonstrates the unauthorized intruder106outside the school104with all doors14of the school open and the authorized school personnel108ain the office with the EDS remote broadcast device80mounted on the wall, and a signal router112mounted somewhere nearby the EDS remote broadcast device80.

Referring next toFIG. 19, which conceptually illustrates a second mesh network stage220in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to one or more signal routers and to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops which automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school. As shown in this figure, the second mesh network stage220demonstrates the authorized school personnel108apressing the push button82of the EDS remote broadcast device80after detecting the dangerous situation brought about by the unauthorized intruder106entering into the school104through the open doors14at the front.

Now referring toFIG. 20, which conceptually illustrates a third mesh network stage230in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to one or more signal routers and to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops which automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school. One of the key features of configuring the personal area network (PAN) defined for an 802.15.4 or Zigbee wireless network is that a mesh network can be set in which fully-functional devices in the PAN broadcast signal and receive signals from another other devices. In some cases, this allows individual devices in the PAN, such as the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100and/or the EDS remote broadcast devices80to be spaced sufficiently close so as to render signal routers112unnecessary. In a certain amount of cases, even lower powered devices in the PAN or devices which lose power or wireless connectivity, can be supplemented by the wireless RF signal broadcasting of one or more of the other devices that are members of the PAN. Thus, while the mesh network configuration in this example includes signal routers112, a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the wireless communication demonstrated in this figure could apply to personal area networks that do not include any signal router112members, so long as there is signal coverage and sufficient redundancy of coverage to cover all devices in the PAN when at full power (all devices) or under-powered (e.g., one or more devices low powered or without power).

Taken in this example, the third mesh network stage230demonstrates signal propagation via both signal routers112and the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100when the authorized school personnel108atriggers the EDS remote broadcast device80by pressing the push button82. In this case, the wireless RF transceiver98of the EDS remote broadcast device80transmits the signal to the nearby signal router112. The signal router112in the room of the authorized school personnel108athen broadcasts the signal to all PAN member devices in its wireless RF signal transmission range. Thus, at least one other signal router112receives the broadcast signal from the signal router112in the room of the authorized school personnel108a, as well as three of the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100. At least one of the three silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100re-broadcasts the signal to another silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop100which is across the school hallway and (in this example) out of range of the signal router112in the room of the authorized school personnel108a. The signal router112in the school hallway also re-broadcasts the signal to other PAN member devices which are within its own wireless RF signal transmission range, including four of the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100and the last remaining signal router112shown in the cafeteria. The cafeteria signal router112thereafter re-broadcasts the signal to the remaining silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100. In this way, the mesh network configuration of the personal area network (PAN) allows the alert signal to be broadcast to all of the devices that are defined as members of the PAN, no matter how large or spacious the overall PAN coverage area may be.

Finally referring, in relation to this mesh network example, toFIG. 21, which conceptually illustrates a fourth mesh network stage240in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to one or more signal routers and to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops which automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school. As shown in this figure, the doors14of the school104have automatically shut due to the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100all releasing at approximately the same time. This leaves the unauthorized intruder106out of the reach of students or school personnel who remain in classrooms and offices with the doors14closed in conformity with the lockdown procedures of the school104.

By way of example,FIGS. 22-25conceptually illustrate a star network configuration of the EDS remote broadcast device shown in four stages in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to a network coordinator router device that passes the signal on other routers and to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops which automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school.

Referring first toFIG. 22, which conceptually illustrates a first star network stage310in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to a network coordinator router device that passes the signal on other routers and to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops which automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school. In contrast to the mesh network configuration, described above by reference toFIGS. 18-21, a star network configuration is possible for personal area networks (PAN) that conform to the wireless network standards of IEEE 802.15.4 or Zigbee networks. A star network configuration is demonstrated in this example. Thus, as shown in this figure, one of the signal routers112of the mesh network configuration example is now shown as network coordinator router device114. Although any 802.15.4 or Zigbee network defines a personal area network (PAN) to have a network coordinator device, the mesh network configuration example described above by reference toFIGS. 18-21, and the peer-to-peer configuration described above by reference toFIGS. 14-17, did not include description of such a network coordinator device, in order to focus on the method of signal transmission and propagation when an emergency signal is broadcast by a triggered EDS remote broadcast device80. However, it should be understood that in defining and configuring the PANs of the mesh network configuration and the peer-to-peer configuration, any one of the PAN member devices can (and would) be defined as the network coordinator device. This would neither limit or enhance the capabilities of the PAN member device defined as the network coordinator device, but would be required under the IEEE 802.15.4 and Zigbee specifications.

Nevertheless, in the star network configuration example described by reference toFIGS. 22-25, a network coordinator router device114is shown in order to demonstrate the method of signal broadcasting that occurs with a star network configuration. Specifically, the network coordinator router device114is a central device in a coverage area the approximately in the middle of the school104.

Referring next toFIG. 23, which conceptually illustrates a second star network stage320in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to a network coordinator router device that passes the signal on other routers and to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops which automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school. As shown in this figure, the second star network stage320demonstrates the authorized school personnel108atriggering the emergency alert signal by depressing the push button82of the EDS remote broadcast device80in the office room when the unauthorized intruder106has entered the school104and is walking through the hallway of the school104.

Now referring toFIG. 24, which conceptually illustrates a third star network stage330in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to a network coordinator router device that passes the signal on other routers and to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops which automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school. Thus, the third star network stage330demonstrates signal propagation from the EDS remote broadcast device80in the office room to the nearby signal router112in the office room. The nearby signal router112in the office room then transmits the signal to the network coordinator router device114, which acts as a central hub device in the star network configuration. In other words, all of the other PAN member devices communicate to and from the network coordinate router device114. Thus, the network coordinator router device114re-broadcasts the emergency signal to all of the PAN member devices over the entire coverage area of the PAN in the school104. As in all the examples described by reference toFIGS. 14-25(and those described below, by reference toFIGS. 26-29), the signal broadcast to and from PAN member devices is undetectable to the unauthorized intruder106or to any human. Thus, the unauthorized intruder106and the remaining authorized school personnel108b,108c, and108dmay not have any awareness that lockdown procedure has been triggered by the authorized school personnel108apressing the push button82on the EDS remote broadcast device80.

Finally referring, in relation to this star network example, toFIG. 25, which conceptually illustrates a fourth star network stage340in which the EDS remote broadcast device triggers a signal to a network coordinator router device that passes the signal on other routers and to multiple silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops which automatically release to concurrently close all doors of a school during lockdown when an unauthorized intruder enters the school. As shown in this figure, the fourth star network stage340demonstrates the automatic closing of all the doors14of the school104by the automatic and concurrent releasing of the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100defined as members of this star network PAN.

Now turning to an example of an alternative EDS remote broadcast device,FIGS. 26-29conceptually illustrate four stages of an unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device being activated by a teacher on a desk to automatically release silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops at all doors in a nearby hallway of a school when an intruder is detected in the hallway.

First turning toFIG. 26, which conceptually illustrates a first mobile EDS remote broadcast device stage350. As shown in this figure, an unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116is freely disposed on a desk of a room which includes an open door14that leads to a hallway in which several other rooms have open doors14, and all of the doors14are propped open by silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100. An unauthorized intruder106is walking through the hallway. A signal router112/network coordinator router device114is mounted to an inner wall in the room of the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116. In this example, the hallway may be a hallway in a school which has lockdown procedures for dangerous situations and requires that all doors in the school be closed when a dangerous or emergency situation arises.

Similar to the wall-mounted EDS remote broadcast device80described above by reference toFIGS. 9-12 and 14-25, the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116demonstrated in the first mobile EDS remote broadcast device stage350is inactive until a human operator, such as a teacher or another authorized school personnel presses the push button to trigger an alert signal and start lockdown procedures. However, the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116demonstrated in the first mobile EDS remote broadcast device stage350may include an internal battery power source (not shown) instead of a cord and plug that allows the EDS remote broadcast device80to be powered. Battery power may include a battery stack with two D-cell batteries or may include a lithium battery or other type of battery that provides direct DC power to the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116. In this way, the transformer96which is included in the EDS remote broadcast device116is obviated. However, in some versions of the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116, both battery power and cord/plug power are provided. When both battery power and cord/plug power are included as power sources of the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116, the end-user of the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116is ensured that an emergency signal can be broadcast, even when power to the school is cut out or lost. Furthermore, providing a battery power source allows the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116to be a mobile device which can be moved from one location to another location and still broadcast an alert signal, so long as the location remains within a wireless RF signal transmission range to reach the signal router112/network coordinator router device114or other devices that are members of the personal area network (PAN) of which the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116is a member.

By way of example,FIG. 27conceptually illustrates a second mobile EDS remote broadcast device stage360. As demonstrated in the second mobile EDS remote broadcast device stage360, the unauthorized intruder106has continued walking through the hallway, passing the open door14of the room in which the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116resides. A teacher118at the desk becomes aware of the unauthorized intruder106, and in accordance with rules for handling dangerous situations, presses the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116to trigger an emergency broadcast signal that automatically causes all the doors14to close. The emergency broadcast signal is silent to any human, so the unauthorized intruder106is not alerted to the start of the lockdown process about to ensue.

Now turning to another view,FIG. 28conceptually illustrates a third mobile EDS remote broadcast device stage370. As shown in the third mobile EDS remote broadcast device stage370, the teacher118has pressed the push button of the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116down, which triggers an emergency alert signal to be transmitted to the signal router112/network coordinator router device114. After receiving the emergency alert signal, the signal router112/network coordinator router device114broadcasts the signal to all the other PAN member devices, namely, all of the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100which are presently propping open all of the doors14.

As the teacher118releases the push button of the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116, the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stops100automatically release to close the doors14, which is shown next by reference toFIG. 29, which conceptually illustrates a fourth mobile EDS remote broadcast device stage380. As shown in the fourth mobile EDS remote broadcast device stage380, all the doors14concurrently close and the unauthorized intruder106remains out in the hallway, with the teacher118in the room and all other students and school personnel safe in their respective rooms.

The unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116described above by reference toFIGS. 26-29is exemplary and not to be construed as limiting of all embodiments of the unmounted mobile EDS remote broadcast device. For example, the unmounted mobile EDS remote broadcast device can take a form of a handheld mobile device that is powered by lithium battery power. Another variation would be a desktop-type device, such as the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device116described above by reference toFIGS. 26-29, but powered by cord and plug, such as the EDS remote broadcast device80described above by reference toFIGS. 9-12. Furthermore, a person skilled in the relevant art would understand there to be other types of forms which can embody other EDS remote broadcast devices and which can provide the functional aspects described herein. Therefore, the above-described embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

IV. Electronic System

FIG. 30conceptually illustrates an electronic system400with which some embodiments of the invention are implemented. The electronic system400may be an embedded programmable CPU, micro-processor, or micro-controller, and may relate directly or indirectly to additional computing devices used in configuring and setting operational modes of any or all of the sound-activated remote release electronic door stop, the silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop, and the electronic door stop remote broadcast device. Such additional computing devices include, without limitation, computers (desktop, server, and/or laptop), tablet computing devices, smartphone mobile devices, or any other sorts of electronic devices which may be used to configure any or all of the devices or to receive notifications of lockdown protocols being carried out during emergencies in schools, offices, or any other building or facility that may intend to benefit from the functions described herein by deployment of any or all of the devices. Furthermore, an electronic system400, whether an embedded electronic system or not, includes various types of computer readable media and interfaces for various other types of computer readable media. Electronic system400may include, without limitation, a bus405, processing unit(s)410, a system memory415, a read-only420, a permanent storage device425, input devices430, output devices435, and a network440(such as a personal area network that is configured according to the 802.15.4 specification and/or by Zigbee specification).

The bus405collectively represents all system, peripheral, and chipset buses that communicatively connect the numerous internal devices of the electronic system400. For instance, the bus405communicatively connects the processing unit(s)410with the read-only420, the system memory415, and the permanent storage device425.

The read-only-memory (ROM)420stores static data and instructions that are needed by the processing unit(s)410and other modules of the electronic system. The permanent storage device425, on the other hand, is a read-and-write memory device. This device is a non-volatile memory unit that stores instructions and data even when the electronic system400is off. Some embodiments of the invention use a mass-storage device (such as a magnetic or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive) as the permanent storage device425.

Other embodiments use a removable storage device (such as a flash drive) as the permanent storage device425. Like the permanent storage device425, the system memory415is a read-and-write memory device. However, unlike storage device425, the system memory415is a volatile read-and-write memory, such as a random access memory. The system memory415stores some of the instructions and data that the processor needs at runtime. In some embodiments, the invention's processes are stored in the system memory415, the permanent storage device425, and/or the read-only420. For example, the various memory units include instructions for processing signal communication between different sound-activated remote release electronic door stop devices, silent broadcast signal-activated electronic door stop devices, electronic door stop remote broadcast devices, and/or signal routers or signal repeaters deployed in the coverage area of the defined personal area network (PAN) and configured in accordance with one of the network architectures (i.e., peer-to-peer, mesh network, star network) and configured in accordance with IEEE 802.15.4/Zigbee-specified devices, including limited function end devices, fully-functional end devices, fully-functional signal router/repeater devices, and always at least one fully-functional coordinator device in each PAN. From these various memory units, the processing unit(s)410retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order to execute the processes of some embodiments.

The bus405also connects to the input and output devices430and435. The input devices enable the user to communicate information and select commands to the electronic system. The input devices430include push buttons to activate a silent broadcast signal over a defined personal area network (PAN), and may also include alphanumeric keyboards and pointing devices (also called “cursor control devices”) used in connection with configuring, setting up, and deploying devices in the PAN. The output devices435may include transceivers that transmit silent signals to other devices and cause the electronic door stops to concurrently close in the event that a broadcast signal was triggered by a human operator depressing the push button on the EDS remote broadcast device described in this specification, and may also include textual log data generated by the electronic system400when a broadcast alert is triggered. The output devices435include transceivers, printers, display devices, audible devices, phones, etc. Some embodiments include telephony devices such as embedded and/or switch-operated phones that automatically call a list of emergency responder numbers when a broadcast alert is triggered by the EDS remote broadcast device and lockdown protocol is started in a school, office, or other such facility. Other output devices may include touchscreens of mobile smartphones or tablet computing devices used to configure devices or PAN settings, or used by new devices in joining existing PANs and configure the new device types (i.e., end device, router, repeater, coordinator).

Finally, as shown inFIG. 4, bus405also couples electronic system400to a network440through a network adapter (not shown). In this manner, the computer can be a part of a network of computers (such as a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), or an intranet), or a network of networks (such as the Internet). Any or all components of electronic system400may be used in conjunction with the invention. While the descriptions above pertain to alternative networking specified under 802.15.4 or as a Zigbee network, some embodiments concurrently support the network adapter connection to LAN, WAN, etc. For instance, a voice-over-IP (VOIP) application can be triggered when the EDS remote broadcast device starts a school lockdown by causing all the doors in the school to automatically and simultaneously close when the push button on the EDS remote broadcast device is depressed. With such a VOIP application, a particular list of emergency responders can be automatically dialed and informed of the lockdown at the school and the potential emergency/intruder situation at hand, so that appropriate emergency response can be quickly engaged.

These functions described above can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in computer software, firmware, or hardware. The techniques can be implemented using one or more computer program products. Programmable processors and computers can be packaged or included in mobile devices, such as the unmounted battery-powered mobile EDS remote broadcast device described above by reference toFIGS. 26-29. The processes may be performed by one or more programmable processors and by one or more set of programmable logic circuitry. General and special purpose computing and storage devices can be interconnected through communication networks.

The above-described embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. While these embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.