Abstract:
A system for generating a visual home exterior alert in response to a home alarm, typically audio, including a light switch override portion operationally connected to a light switch for controlling outside lighting, and a listening portion positioned to detect an alarm sound. Upon detection of a predetermined alarm sound, the listening portion is actuated to send an enabling signal to the light switch override portion. Upon receipt of the enabling signal, the light switch override portion sequentially energizes and deenergizes the outside lighting in a predetermined pattern.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/084,828, filed on Nov. 26, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/091,741, filed on Dec. 15, 2014. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present novel technology relates generally to the field of electrical devices, and, more particularly, to a device for detecting alarm sounds and initiating a visual response. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Most home alarm system sirens, whether alerting the homeowner to fire, break-in, intruders, or other emergencies, are located inside the home. The alarm, when sounded, is intended to alert the home&#39;s occupants to an emergency situation. The alarm is typically not intended to be heard outside the home. In the rare event that the alarm may be heard outside, it is not loud enough to be heard from the street or by the neighbors. Even if an emergency alarm is sounding inside the home, there is typically no way for anyone outside the house to become aware that there is anything wrong inside. Thus, neighbors and passersby are not early given the opportunity to provide aid and assistance as the emergency situation is first developing, at a time when many emergencies can be thwarted before a potential problem develops. 
         [0004]    While there are some alarm systems that produce external lights or noises, these inevitably require dedicated lighting that must be installed on the exterior of the home. Such systems, while helpful, are expensive to purchase and install, require their own independent lighting fixtures, and mar the outward appearance of the home. Thus, there remains a need for alerting those outside the home that an emergency situation has arisen and has triggered an alarm that does not require additional dedicated lighting installation. The present novel technology addresses this need. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a system for flashing exterior or interior lighting in response to the sounding of an interior alarm according to a first embodiment of the present novel technology. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a circuit for monitoring an alarm and communicating with the circuit of  FIG. 1 , including subcircuits. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a circuit for controlling a switch, including subcircuits, according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1   
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a back view of the circuit of  FIG. 2  connected to a light switch. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a side view of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates. 
         [0011]    As used herein, the phrase “transceiver” is typically a transmitting and receiving device, such as a two-way radio. But may also be solely a receiver or solely a transmitter. 
         [0012]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , the present novel technology relates to a system  10  for overriding a light switch in the on or off position to energize lights on that were previously turned off, as well as to control the lights to blink in a predetermined pattern, such as a Morse code SOS signal pattern. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the system includes an switch circuit portion  15 , a listening circuit portion  20 , and, typically, a user interface portion/remote control portion  25 , which may be part of the switch circuit portion  15  or the listening portion  20 , or may be a separate and independent unit. The switch circuit portion  15  includes an electric circuit  30  connectable to a switch  35 . The switch  35  may be a toggle switch, such as a standard on/off light switch, a photoelectric switch, or the like. In some embodiments, the switch circuit portion  15  is integrally connected to a switch  35 ; in other embodiments, the switch circuit portion  15  is separate but connectible to a switch  35 . The switch circuit portion  15  includes a switching circuit  30  and a transceiver  40  operationally connected thereto for radio or wireless communication with the listening circuit portion  20 . 
         [0014]    The listening circuit portion  20  typically includes a housing  50  with a listening circuit  55  disposed therein. The listening circuit  55  is operationally connected to a microphone  60 , and also is operationally connected to a transceiver  65  for radio or wireless communication with the switch transceiver  40 . 
         [0015]    The remote control portion  25  includes a user interface  70 , a radio circuit  75  connected thereto, and a transceiver  80  for communicating with the switch circuit portion  15  and/or the listening circuit portion  20 . 
         [0016]    The switch circuit portion  15  and the listening circuit portion  25  may include internal power supplies  85 , such as batteries, operationally connected thereto to provide power to the circuit, or, alternately, may be directly connected to the respective switch  35  and/or alarm device to draw power therefrom. 
         [0017]    The switch circuit  30  is configured to, upon receipt of an initializing signal from the listening circuit portion  25 , automatically override the switch  35  to energize and deenergize the connected load  90 , typically exterior or interior lighting, in a predetermined pattern. 
         [0018]    The listening circuit  55  monitors audio alarms, and is typically configured to respond to audio alarms playing at or above a consistent and predetermined volume by transmitting an enabling signal to the switching circuit  30 . The listening circuit  55  may likewise be configured to respond to alarms of predetermined frequencies and/or patterns and/or the like. The user interface/remote control portion  25  may be used to configure the listening circuit  55  as desired. 
         [0019]    A plurality of listening portions  20  may be positioned adjacent or close to respective alarm units positioned in different locations and/or for responding to different types of emergencies. Each listening portion  20  is configured to send an enabling signal to one or more switching portions  15  connected to a switch  35  controlling a respective light fixture or lighting system. 
         [0020]    Once enabled by receipt of the enabling signal, the switching circuit  30  overrides the manual switch  35  to alternately energize the light load  90  to flash a predetermined pattern, such as a Morse code SOS or the like, to get the attention of neighbors and/or passersby to alert them to the emergency so that help may be summoned. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the listening circuit  55  includes a microprocessor or SoC  95 , such as Nordic Semiconductor&#39;s NRF51822 smart chip, with node  100  electrically connected to pin eighteen  101 . A first switch  102  is electrically connected between node  100  and the fourteenth pin  103 . A second switch  104  is electrically connected between node  100  and the fifteenth pin  105 . A voltage source  85  is electrically connected to node  106 . Node  106  is electrically connected to a node  107  and a first (typically red) light emitting diode  108 . The diode  108  is connected in electric communication with a first resistor  109 , which is also electrically connected to the nineteenth pin  110 . A second (typically yellow) light emitting diode  111  is electrically connected between node  107  and the second resistor  112 , which is likewise electrically connected to the twentieth pin  113 . A third (typically green) light emitting diode  114  is also electrically connected between node  107  and third resistor  115 , which is electrically connected between the third diode  114  to the twenty-first pin  116 . 
         [0022]    A connector  117  is electrically connected to the twenty-third (SWDIO/RESET) pin  118 , node  119 , node  120 , node  121 , and voltage source  85 . A fourth resistor  130  is electrically connected between node  121  and ground. Node  121  is electrically connected to the twenty-fourth (SWDCLK) pin  122 . 
         [0023]    Node  131  is electrically connected between pin thirty-seven (XC 1 )  132  and a first capacitor  133 , which is connected between node  131  and node  134 . Node  135  is connected between node  134  and node  136  and is also connected to common  145  or ground. An oscillator IC chip  137  is electrically connected to node  131 , node  134 , node  136 , and node  138 . A second capacitor  139  is electrically connected between node  138  and the thirty-eighth (XC 2 ) pin  140 . 
         [0024]    Node  141  is electrically connected between pin thirty-five (AVDO)  142  and node  143 . A third capacitor  144  is electrically connected between node  143  and ground or common  145 . Node  146  is electrically connected to node  143 , and a fourth capacitor  147  is electrically connected between node  146  and common  145 . A first inductor  148  is electrically connected between node  146  and a second inductor  149 , which in turn is electrically connected to pin two (DCC)  150 . A fifth capacitor  151  is connected electrically between pin thirty-nine (DEC 1 )  152  and common  145 , and a sixth capacitor  153  is electrically connected between pin twenty-nine (DEC 2 )  154  and common  145 . 
         [0025]    Node  155  is electrically connected to pin forty-nine (VSS)  156 , node  157  is electrically connected to pin thirty-four (VSS)  158 , and node  159  is electrically connected to pin thirty-three (VSS)  160  and pin thirteen (VSS)  161 . Node  155 , node  157 , and node  159  are electrically connected to node  162 . Seventh capacitor  163  is electrically connected between node  162  and node  164 . Node  165  is electrically connected to node  164  and pin twelve (VDD)  166  and pin one (VDD)  167 . Node  164  is electrically connected to node  168 . Eighth capacitor  169  is electrically connected between node  168  and node  170 . Node  170  is electrically connected to common  145 . Coin cell  171  is electrically connected between node  172  (which is also electrically connected to node  168 ) and node  170 . Node  172  is electrically connected to voltage source  85 . 
         [0026]    A signal conditioning or harmonic filter IC chip  175  is electrically connected to antenna pin thirty-one  176  and antenna pin thirty-two  177 , and node  178 , node  179 , and node  180 . A ninth capacitor  181  is electrically connected between nodes  179  and node  180 , and a tenth capacitor  182  is electrically connected between node  178  and common  145 . An antenna  183  is electrically connected to node  180 . 
         [0027]    Node  184  is electrically connected to pin forty-five  185  and node  186  is electrically connected to pin forty-six  187 . An oscillator or piezoelectric crystal  188  is electrically connected between node  184  and node  186 . Node  189  is connected to common  145 , and eleventh and twelfth capacitors  190 ,  191  are connected between node  189  and respective node  184  and node  186 . 
         [0028]    The listening circuit  20  typically includes a microphone subcircuit  21  that typically includes a first MOSFET  200  electrically connected to a voltage source  85  and to node  201 . Capacitor  202  is connected in electric communication with node  201  and node  203 . Node  203  is electrically connected to common  145 . Digital microphone  204  is electrically connected to node  201 , node  203 , pin twenty-five  205  of chip  95 , pin twenty-two  206  of chip  95 , and common  145 . MOSFET  200  is likewise electrically connected to pin twenty-seven  207  of chip  95 . 
         [0029]    The listening circuit  20  also typically includes timer subcircuit  22 , which typically includes a timer chip  210  electrically connected to pin forty-one of chip  95 , node  212 , common  145  or ground, node  213 , and node  214 . Resistor  215  is electrically connected between node  212  and node  213 . Capacitor  216  is electrically connected between node  214  and common  145 . Node  213  is electrically connected to pin  206 . Node  214  is electrically connected to isolated voltage source  86 . Capacitor  217  is electrically connected between node  212  and common  145 . 
         [0030]    The listening circuit  20  also typically includes buffer subcircuit  23 , which typically includes a NOR gate chip  220  electrically connected to pin  206 , node  221  (which is electrically connected to pin  205 ), node  222 , pin eighteen  223  of chip  95 , and node  224 . Resistor  225  is electrically connected between node  221  and node  222 , capacitor  226  is electrically connected between node  222  and node  224 . Node  224  is electrically connected to common  145  or ground. Node  222  is also electrically connected to isolate voltage source  86 . 
         [0031]    The listening circuit  20  also typically includes a counter subcircuit  24  that typically includes a MOSFET  230  electrically connected to pin twenty-seven  231  of chip  95 , voltage source  85 , and node  232 . Node  232  is electrically connected to voltage source  86 , and capacitor  233 . Capacitor  233  is electrically connected to common or ground  145 . 12-bit asynchronous binary counter chip  235  is electrically connected to node  232 , node  233 , pin  223 , and pin  237  of chip  95 . 
         [0032]    The switching circuit  30  typically includes an SoC  299 , such as Nordic Semiconductor&#39;s NRF51822 smart chip, with node  300  electrically connected to pin eighteen  301 . A switch  302  is electrically connected between node  300  and the fourteenth pin  303 . A second switch  304  is electrically connected between node  300  and the fifteenth pin  305 . A low voltage source  87  is electrically connected to node  306 . Node  306  is electrically connected to a node  307  and diode  308 . The diode  308  is connected in electric communication with resistor  309 , which is also electrically connected to the nineteenth pin  310 . A second diode  311  is electrically connected between node  307  and the second resistor  312 , which is likewise electrically connected to the twentieth pin  313 . A third diode  314  is also electrically connected between node  307  and third resistor  115 , which is electrically connected between the third diode  314  to the twenty-first pin  316 . 
         [0033]    A connector  317  is electrically connected to the twenty-third pin  318 , node  321 , common  145 , and voltage source  87 . A resistor  330  is electrically connected between node  321  and common  145  or ground. 
         [0034]    Node  331  is electrically connected between pin thirty-seven  332  and capacitor  333 , which is connected between node  331  and node  334 . Node  335  is connected between node  334  and node  336  and is also connected to common  145  or ground. An oscillator IC chip  337  is electrically connected to node  331 , node  334 , node  336 , and node  338 . A second capacitor  339  is electrically connected between node  338  and the thirty-eighth pin  340 . 
         [0035]    Node  341  is electrically connected between pin thirty-five  342  and node  343 . A third capacitor  344  is electrically connected between node  343  and ground or common  145 . Node  346  is electrically connected to node  343 , and a fourth capacitor  347  is electrically connected between node  346  and common  145 . A first inductor  348  is electrically connected between node  346  and a second inductor  349 , which in turn is electrically connected to pin two  350 . A fifth capacitor  351  is connected electrically between pin thirty-nine  352  and common  145 , and a sixth capacitor  353  is electrically connected between pin twenty-nine  354  and common  145 . 
         [0036]    Node  355  is electrically connected to pin forty-nine  356 , node  357  is electrically connected to pin thirty-four  358 , and node  359  is electrically connected to pin thirty-three  360  and pin thirteen  361 . Node  355 , node  357 , and node  359  are electrically connected to node  362 . Seventh capacitor  363  is electrically connected between node  362  and node  364 . Node  365  is electrically connected to node  364  and pins twelve  366  and one  367 . Node  364  is electrically connected to node  368 . Eighth capacitor  369  is electrically connected between node  368  and node  370 . Node  370  is electrically connected to common  145 . 
         [0037]    A signal conditioning or harmonic filter IC chip  375  is electrically connected to antenna pin thirty-one  376  and antenna pin thirty-two  377 , and node  378 , node  379 , and node  380 . A ninth capacitor  381  is electrical connected between nodes  379  and node  380 , and a tenth capacitor  382  is electrically connected between node  378  and common  145 . An antenna  397  is electrically connected to node  380 . 
         [0038]    Node  384  is electrically connected to pin forty-five  385  and node  386  is electrically connected to pin forty-six  387 . An oscillator or piezoelectric crystal  388  is electrically connected between node  384  and node  386 . Node  389  is connected to common  145 , and eleventh and twelfth capacitors  390 ,  391  are connected between node  389  and respective node  384  and node  386 . 
         [0039]    Pin four  392  is electrically connected to wiring point  393  associated with a first light switch terminal, and pin five  394  is electrically connected to wiring point  395  associated with a second light switch terminal. Antenna  397  is electrically connected to node  380 . 
         [0040]    Switch circuit  30  typically includes AC-DC supply subcircuit  31  which typically includes node  400  electrically connected between wiring point  401  (associated with box hot) and resistor  402 . Node  403  is electrically connected to wiring point  404  (associated with box neutral). Varistor  405  is electrically connected between node  400  and node  403 . Resistor  402  is electrically connected between node  402  and node  406 . Capacitor  407  and resistor  408  are electrically connected in parallel between node  406  and node  409 . AC-DC subcircuit  31  typically provides a nominal output current of about 16 mA. 
         [0041]    Node  410  is electrically connected between node  409  and node  411 . Node  413  is electrically connected between node  403  and diode  414 . Zener diode  415  is electrically connected between node  410  and node  413 . Diode  414  is electrically connected between node  403  and node  416 . Capacitor  417  is electrically connected between node  411  and node  416 . Node  418  is electrically connected between node  418  and VIN pin  419  of voltage regulator IC  420 . SHDN pin  421  is electrically connected to node  418  and GND pin  422  is electrically connected to node  423 , which is likewise connected to node  416  and common  145 . Capacitor  425  is electrically connected between node  417  and node  423 . VOUT pin  425  is electrically connected to node  426 , which is also electrically connected between low voltage input  87  and capacitor  428 . Capacitor  428  is electrically connected between node  426  and common  145 . 
         [0042]    Switch circuit  30  typically includes light switching subcircuit  32  which typically includes a resistor  450  electrically connected between a low voltage source  87  and pin one  451  of an SCR output optocoupler chip  452 . A MOSFET  453  is electrically connected between pin two  454  and common  145 . Pin  455  is electrically connected to node  456 . Resistor  457  is electrically connected between node  456  and node  458 . Diac  459  is electrically connected between node  458  and node  460 . Node  458  is electrically connected to wiring point  463  (associated with light neutral) and node  460  is electrically connected with wiring point  464  (associated with box hot). 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the circuit elements have the following values: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 R109 
                 560 Ω 
                 R215 
                 560 Ω 
                 Antenna 397 
                 2.4 GHZ 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 meandering 
               
               
                 R112 
                 560 Ω 
                 C216 
                 100 nF 
                 C390 
                 15 pF 
               
               
                 R115 
                 560 Ω 
                 R225 
                 3.3K Ω 
                 C391 
                 15 pF 
               
               
                 R130 
                 12K Ω 
                 IC220 
                 74HC1G02 
                 Varistor 405 
                 CU3225K15062 
               
               
                 C133 
                 12 pF 
                 C226 
                 100 nF 
                 R402 
                 470 Ω 1 W HV 
               
               
                 C139 
                 12 pF 
                 MOSFET 
                 RZM001P02 
                 R408 
                 1M Ω HV 
               
               
                   
                   
                 230 
               
               
                 C144 
                 1 nF 
                 C233 
                 100 nF 
                 C407 
                 0.56 μF 
               
               
                 C147 
                 1 μF 
                 IC 235 
                 SN74HC4040P 
                 D415 
                 5 V 1¼ W 
               
               
                 L148 
                 15 nH 
                 R309 
                 470 Ω 
                 D414 
                 LL48 
               
               
                 L149 
                 10 μH 
                 R312 
                 470 Ω 
                 C417 
                 220 μF 
               
               
                 C151 
                 100 nF 
                 R315 
                 470 Ω 
                 C424 
                 1 μF 
               
               
                 C152 
                 47 nF 
                 R330 
                 12K Ω 
                 IC 428 
                 TC1014-3.6 
               
               
                 C163 
                 100 nF 
                 C333 
                 12 pF 
                 C428 
                 1 μF 
               
               
                 C169 
                 1 μF 
                 C329 
                 12 pF 
                 R430 
                 360 Ω 
               
               
                 C182 
                 2.2 nF 
                 C344 
                 1 nF 
                 MOSFET 453 
                 2N7002P 
               
               
                 C181 
                 0.8 pF 
                 C347 
                 1 μF 
                 SCR 452 
                 MOC3063SM 
               
               
                 C190 
                 15 pF 
                 L348 
                 15 nH 
                 R461 
                 150 Ω HV 
               
               
                 C191 
                 15 pF 
                 L349 
                 10 μH 
                 DIAC454 
                 BT136S-600 
               
               
                 IC 175 
                 BAL-NRF01D3 
                 C351 
                 100 nF 
                 R457 
                 150 Ω HV 
               
               
                 Antenna 183 
                 2.4 GHz 
                 C353 
                 47 nF 
               
               
                   
                 Meandering 
               
               
                 MOSFET 
                 RZM001P02 
                 C363 
                 100 nF 
               
               
                 200 
               
               
                 Mik 204 
                 SPM0423HM4H 
                 C369 
                 1 μF 
               
               
                 IC210 
                 LMC555C 
                 C381 
                 0.8 pF 
               
               
                 C217 
                 1 nF 
                 C382 
                 2.2 nF 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0044]    In operation, the switch portion  15  is operationally connected to an existing light switch  35  (toggle type, photocell, or the like) such that when the circuit  30  is not enabled by receipt of an enabling signal, the switch functions normally. One or more listening portions  20  are positioned to monitor the audio speaker elements of one or more emergency alarms, such as smoke detectors, burglar alarms, or the like. The listening portions  20  send an enabling signal to the switch portions  15  when they detect an audio signal meeting a predetermined set of criteria. Once enabled, the circuit  30  overrides and bypasses the switch  35  and sequentially energizes and deenergizes the lights normally controlled by the switch  35  in a predetermined distress or alert pattern. The distress pattern is typically enabled until the switch portion  15  receives a reset or cancellation signal input through the user interface  70 . In some embodiments, the enabling signal may be manually sent from the remote control  25 . 
         [0045]    In other embodiments, the switch portion  15  is provided already connected to a switch  35  for original installation. In some embodiments, the switch portion  15  may be connected directly to a power source, such as a standard 120V AC electrical outlet. In other embodiments, the user interface  25  may include a low battery indicator, on/off switch, signal strength indicator, and an on/off length of time feature after a signal is detected, an emergency call button, and/or a test button. In other embodiments, the user interface  25  is part of a mobile telephone app. The emergency call feature, when actuated, may signal the switch portion  15  to override the lighting to flash the predetermined emergency sequence, and may also initiate a predetermined emergency message via the 911 emergency system or the like. 
         [0046]    While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected.