Abstract:
A blanket with integral vibrating mechanisms for awakening a sleeper during an emergency. A control box receives information and based on an array of user settings, the control box will either actuate the vibrating mechanisms or produce a sound capable of being heard with the human ear. The control box receives information through its antenna from various authority agencies. The control box may be limited in who it may communicate with, what language it may produce sounds in, or at what distance it is allowed to communicate.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention is a Continuation in Part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/783,302, filed on Feb. 23, 2004 now abandoned and incorporated by reference fully as if rewritten herein. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to alerting devices, and, more particularly, to a system for providing notice to sleeping individuals 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   As any home owner will attest, security is an area of primary concern. Due to the fact that people tend to place a high value on their property and personal safety, the marketplace has responded with a variety of products that are intended to protect one&#39;s life and property. Perhaps the most common of these products is the smoke alarm. Such alarms have undoubtedly saved countless lives since their use began. However, even if these smoke alarms are provided with flashing strobe lights, those who are deaf or hard of hearing are left completely unprotected while sleeping. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,377,177 discloses a baby blanket with baby monitoring system. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,939 discloses a method and device for detection of a blanket or the like being kicked off the body of a sleeping person. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,034 discloses a blanket device with alarm. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,105 discloses a wireless alarm system. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,624 discloses an infant&#39;s sleep time monitor. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,289 discloses a smoke detector wrist kidnapper alarm. 
   And, U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,287 discloses a fire and absence detection and alarm system for bed occupants 
   Consequently, there is a need for a means by which those who are deaf or hard of hearing can be protected from the threat of fire while sleeping thus ensuring their safety. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved sleep safety alarm. 
   It is a feature of the present invention to provide a sound activated alarm blanket. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a control box is capable of receiving information from the local authorities. Based on that information and based on the settings of the user, a control box and blanket will notify a sleeping individual of the current situation. The control box has the capability of vibrating a blanket and sending messages through a speaker to allow an individual to assess the current situation. 
   The use of the present invention provides a means of safely awakening even the soundest sleeper in the event of an emergency, allowing them adequate time to safely evacuate. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an overall pictorial representation of the sound activated alarm blanket  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the control box  35 , as used with the sound activated alarm blanket  10 ; and 
       FIG. 3  is a cutaway view of the vibrating blanket  20 , depicting vibrating modules  25 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a pictorial representation of the sound activated alarm blanket  10  is depicted, according the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A conventional bed  15  (or other suitable sleeping surface, such as a floor, inflatable mattress or couch, for example), is provided with a vibrating blanket  20 , which covers the sleeping occupant of the conventional bed  15  during use, as would be conventionally expected. While the conventional bed  15  is shown as a double bed and appropriately sized blanket, it should be noted that the size of the conventional bed  15  and vibrating blanket  20  is not limited to any particular size, and as such, should not be a limiting factor of the present invention. A plurality of vibrating modules  25 , are imbedded in the layers of the vibrating blanket  20 . Said vibrating modules  25  are arranged in a grid pattern such that a quantity of twenty-four (24) vibrating modules  25  provide coverage for the individual sleeper. This quantity will provide a grid pattern with dimensions of approximately ten (10) to twelve (12) inches on center. This pattern will ensure that even though not all of the vibrating modules  25  will be in contact with the sleeping occupant of the conventional bed  15 , multiple contacts about the torso and leg area will be made, no matter what position the occupant may be lying in. A total quantity of forty-eight (48) are shown in  FIG. 1 , due to the fact that a double bed is depicted, and as such, two people may be sleeping. The vibrating modules  25  are interconnected by imbedded cabling similar to that used in an electric heating blanket. Preferably, an interconnecting cable  30  carries low voltage electrical power from a control box  35  to the vibrating blanket  20 . The control box  35  receives input signals from external audible and/or electrical stimuli, and generates a voltage that activates the vibrating feature of all vibrating modules  25 . However, it is possible for the control box  35  to control the blanket  10  wirelessly, preferably up to 100 feet. Such vibration is intended to awaken the sleeping occupant of the conventional bed  15  and to provide alerting functions to possible danger. Further definition of the vibrating modules  25  and the control box  35  will be provided herein below. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 2 , a detailed isometric view of the control box  35  is disclosed. The control box  35  provides an enclosure  40 , envisioned to be made of plastic, and the approximate size of a common bed-side clock radio unit. As such, the control box  35  can sit on the floor near the conventional bed  15  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) or on a nearby bed-side table or night stand. The control box  35  preferably receives its power from a wall mounted power supply  45  and a power cord  50 , as is well-known in the art. However, it is possible to power the control box from any type of powering system, such as through battery power or solar power. Preferably, this battery power can be a battery pack  160  that operates in case of a power outage and is inserted into the battery receiving means  165 . The interconnecting cable  30 , which carries low-voltage power to the vibrating blanket  20  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) exits the opposite side of the enclosure  40  as shown. 
   A power dial  55  removes power supplied to the control box  35  during periods of non-use when placed in an off position. A power on indicator light  60  indicates the presence or absence of electrical power by illumination or non-illumination respectively. A speaker  65  functions to communicate audible information. The control box  35  receives information though its antenna  70 . A distance dial  75  allows the user to select the distance the control box can transmit. For instance, if the user only wanted to transmit with fire stations within one mile, then the user could select that from the distance dial  75 . An authorities selection switch  80  enables the user to select which authorities the control box  35  will communicate with. For instance, the user can select to correspond with neighborhood, local, city, county, state, regional, and national authorities. The authorities selection switch  80  could also be configured to select authority type, such a police, fire, and hospital. A emergency button  85  is available and when pressed, the control box  35  sends global position data to the selected authorities or sends the information automatically to ‘911’. 
   Blanket switch  90  and speaker switch  95  operate to regulate the control box  35  output. Toggling the blanket switch  90  on and off changes if the blanket will vibrate when appropriate information is received. Toggling the speaker switch  95  on and off changes if the speaker will output audible information. Additionally, a language dial  100  is capable of changing the language of the audible messages based on languages stored on a microchip inside the control box  35 . For example, a language chip could be configured to give messages in English, Russian, German, French, and Polish. However, any languages could be used. The control box  35  may also have at least one remote input terminal  105 . Shown connected to this remote input terminal  105  is a regulator box  110 . Though shown as a separate attachment, this regulator box  110  can have all of its features incorporated into the control box  35  itself. The regulator box  110  can override some or all of the other settings, and can select certain functions. For instance, the user could input into the keypad  115  on the regulator box  110  to have the blanket  10  vibrate when a signal is sent from a local authority, while the speaker  65  gives audio information from any other authority. The selection can be displayed on the computer screen  120 . Additionally, the control box  35  can be configured with a location dial  125 . A number of different locations can be selected, such as home, apartment, hotel, boat, or plane. Different settings can be preprogrammed based on the location. For example, the boat setting may have the control box send out location information to selected authorities at a specific time interval while the home setting will not since typically, homes do not move while boats do move. A test button  155  may be used to make sure the control box  35  is working. 
   All items referred to as dials, switches, buttons, keypads, and the like are all interchangeable and can be configured in the appropriate manner. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a cutaway view of the vibrating blanket  20 , depicting a vibrating module  25  is shown. The vibrating module  25  is held captive between two layers of fabric of which a lower fabric layer  130  is shown for purposes of clarity. The vibrating module  25  is held in place by two or more mounting flanges  135  which are sewn to the lower fabric layer  130  by use of thread  140 . The interior of the vibrating module  25  houses a simple direct current motor with an offset weight, which when activated, produces the vibrating effect. This procedure is well known in the art, and is used for vibrating mechanisms on wireless phones, pagers and the like. A set of bus wires  145  which carry the low-voltage direct current to all of the vibrating modules  25  in the vibrating blanket  20  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) are provided in a parallel arrangement as shown. A set of drop wires  150  in electrical contact with the bus wires  145  then carry the direct current to the vibrating module  25 . The parallel connection as shown allows the remaining vibrating module  25  to remain operational should one or more of the vibrating module  25  become non-functional. 
   It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After purchase or procurement of the sound activated alarm blanket  10 , the vibrating blanket  20  is laid out upon the conventional bed  15  in a conventional manner. It should be used right above the top sheet on the conventional bed  15 , such that additional blankets, comforters, quilts, bed spreads, and the like will not reduce the vibrating effect from the vibrating modules  25  upon the user&#39;s torso or leg area. Next. the user would plug the wall mounted power supply  45  into a suitable source of electrical power. Then the power dial  55  would be engaged and verified by illumination of the power on indicator light  60 . Finally, the user would test the operation of the sound activated alarm blanket  10  by pressing the test pushbufton  155  and verifying the vibration of the vibrating modules  25  on the vibrating blanket  20 . Should any external wiring such as from a weather alert radios, security alarm systems, fire alarm systems, and the like be required, it would be connected to the remote input terminals  105 . At this point the sound activated alarm blanket  10  is ready for use. 
   During the actual use of the sound activated alarm blanket  10  the user or sleeper would sleep in the conventional bed  15  and cover themselves with the vibrating blanket  20  in a normal and expected manner. During the night or while sleeping, should a smoke alarm, a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, a telephone, an alarm clock, activate, or the sound of a barking dog or breaking glass occur, the control box  35  will send an electrical signal along the interconnecting cable  30  to the vibrating blanket  20  causing all vibrating modules  25  to vibrate and awaken the user, who can then take appropriate action. 
   Also, local, state, and Federal authorities will govern the data that is sent to the control box  35  through the antenna  70 . The Federal authorities (national government) may have the power to override the system and be the only authorities able to send information to the control box  35 . If the authorities wanted to send information, they would send it to the control box  35 . The control box  35  would then send the message to the blanket  10  three times unless it is silenced by the user with switch  90 . Also, the audio message would be played. 
   For example, in a fire is detected in your home, the local authorities can send a message to the control box  35 . Additionally, the control box  35  can receive global positioning system data through the antenna  70  as to the distance of a dispatched fire truck. When this information is received, the blanket  10  will vibrate a specific pattern based on a fire and the speaker  65  will announce instructions based on the data in the language selected, such as “There is a fire, please exit the building along the north stairwell.” 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.