Patent CA-2270814-A1 (CA)
Inventor: GILLIARD DARRELL
IPC: G08B25/08
Filed: 1999-04-27
Abstract: The purpose of this card is to create an inexpensive maintenance free fire and burglary alarm system that will warn of danger and give audio commands for dealing with various situations while telephoning for help. The card is specifically designed to be installed in any conventional computer. No service fees for monitoring are required once the card is installed to provide the protection that the consumer needs. The card is specifically designed to be used in vacant properties, businesses and residential homes. In the event that the locator detects fire it will automatically dial the fire department, your neighbor or whomever else you have designated during software setup. If the alarm card peripherals pick up the sound of the smoke detector it can distinguish it and will automatically call the fire department or other designate. Addresses and phone numbers will be prompted during software set up of the card. In the event that the owners are not in the house or building or are injured when a fire breaks out the Alarm Card will automatically respond dialing the fire department via the computers modem. This will reduce the amount of time the fire will have to expand thus saving people from being hurt or killed. This card installed in an older computer would be ideal for cabins or garages or storage facilities where the computer can remain on for long periods while using very little energy. I would also design this system with optional additional hardware that can be purchased separately. This system would have the capacity to use batteries for portability as well as Page 2 of 12 plug in adapters. Another item which I would install as an option would be a call forwarding system so that in the event no phone lines are available for the modem then via microwaves a system could be developed to call forward through to any phone lines within a given radius. This would make it even more mobile and versatile. The card would have a sensitive sound system to pick up the beep of original smoke detectors if they went off near the detectors. This system is well within our capacity to build and would save countless lives if installed in hotels, high rises and old age homes. It will also reduce the amount of property damage individuals will incur which would be a benefit to the owner and the insurance companies. Finally it will reduce the amount of time a fire has to expand thus reducing the risk to firefighters. Because the projected cost of the card and software is between $50 and $100.00 dollars and is projected to reduce as volume sales increase the card will be an attractive supplement to more expensive existing alarm and fire systems. In addition persons or businesses which cannot afford existing fire and burglary systems will benefit by being able to purchase this device. This will provide additional assistance and support and will supplement their present smoke detectors Software: Will be provided and phone numbers can be inputted so that the appropriate persons are called if an alarm is triggered I.E. relatives or neighbors or the fire department (if your fire or police department will set up a separate phone system to take incoming calls). Multiple numbers can be inputted. The card will be as easy to install as any conventional card such as a video card. The software will interact with the Page 3 of 12 individual hardware of each computer system it is installed in, therefore making it as complex or simple as the system is capable of or as the user requires. In this regards it will use existing modems, speakers and so forth as well as the supplemental systems which are provided with the card such as the exit speakers and smoke and sound detection devices attached to the computer. Benefits: Benefits should include reduced insurance rates and better advance warning systems in the event of an emergency for both occupants and police and fire departments. Additional benefits are from system speaker devices, which are attached to the door exits. These will assist the occupants to the exits in cases of extremely poor visibility due to smoke. The florescent exit speakers will inform the occupants of the proper procedures to follow such as crawling along the floor to find better quality air and feeling doors for heat and so forth. In a darkened smoke filled corridor these audio beacons will guide trapped occupants to safety at the door exits. This system is not designed to replace smoke detectors and is designed to work in conjunction with them. In this regard individuals who purchase this device will be prompted via the installation instructions to purchase smoke detectors if they don't already own them. This will indirectly provide another benefit, which is the increased purchase of smoke detectors and upgrading of present systems. If the individual or business does not purchase smoke detectors as suggested then the system is still automated and self sufficient enough to detect the smoke via its own detectors and to perform the required rescue and assistance tasks, however new or additional smoke detector purchases are highly recommended.