Patent Publication Number: US-9852656-B2

Title: Alarm monitoring system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to the field of devices supporting those with hearing difficulties to monitor and relay information not readily discernable to those that are deaf and/or hard of hearing. Those users with hearing difficulties maybe completely deaf or partial deaf and would benefit from an alarm system to provide alerts. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     There are many designs of systems for alerting those with hearing impairments, including those that are deaf or hard of hearing and those individuals with multisensory needs, to conditions that they would normally not be aware of. Some systems are very limited such as those that merely add a flasher to the doorbell. Other systems require the user to replace existing hardware for the system to function properly. While there are many systems for alerting those with hearing impairments well known in the art, considerable room for improvement remains. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of the preferred embodiment of an apparatus for alarm monitoring according to the present application; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a controller according to the present application; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a controller according to the present application; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a door sensor according to the present application; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a bed shaker according to the present application; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of as alarm monitoring system according to the present application. 
     
    
    
     While the assembly of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the apparatus for alarm monitoring are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with assembly-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  in the drawings, a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for alarm monitoring  101  according to the present application is illustrated. The alarm monitoring system  101  is comprised of a controller  111 , sensors  131 , and signaling devices  151 . Controller  111  monitors sensors  131  for certain conditions and then generates output to signaling devices  151 . 
     In the preferred embodiment sensors  131  provide conditional information  135  related to the conditions of the sensors  131  to the controller  111 . Typically this conditional information could be a varying voltage, current, impedance, resistance, and/or, digital signal that allows the controller  111  to recognize the conditions of the sensors  131 . Additionally the controller typically provides power  137  and information  139  to the sensors  131 . While it is shown that the sensors  131  are provided power  137 , it should be apparent that sensors  131  could have their own power supplies. The communications lines to and from the controller  111  and sensors  131  are preferably wireless such as radio controlled, Pulse Coded Modulated over radio frequency, Bluetooth, or Wifi. Because users of the system have hearing impairments the typical sensor is an acoustic sensor tuned for a specific frequency range. The sensor may be tuned to pick up a knock, a shout, a cry, an alarm, or other environmental noises. The sensors may be tuned to pick up very specific ranges of frequencies that indicate a very specific alarm such as the output of a permanent door bell, a temporary doorbell, carbon monoxide alarm, general environmental noise, the sound of running water, children screaming, a weather radio, a fire alarm, a security alarm, and/or some other device that emits sound to alert users to changed conditions. The controller  111  can monitor the variety of sensors concurrently. For example it can sense if a fire alarm and if a water alarm was sounding at the same time. Those sensors with batteries are able to provide the controller  111  with status of the batteries such that if the sensor cannot likely communicate in the near future because the battery level is approaching such a diminished level to prevent further communications, the controller  111  indicates to the user that a particular sensor has a low battery. The user then can change the battery and see that controller  111  does not indicate a low battery in that particular sensor. In some instances the sensors are hard wired from the controller  111  to the sensors  131 . 
     In the preferred embodiment the signaling devices  151  provide a variety of alerts to users. The alerts could be the conditions of the sensors  131  or timers. Typically, the alerts would take the form of flashing lights, audible alarms, vibrations, or a combination of all these types of signals. Signaling devices  151  are typically wired  155  to the controller due to the critical nature of the alerts however it should be apparent that the signaling devices  151  could be wirelessly interfaced with the controller  111  through such channels such as radio controlled, Pulse Coded Modulated over radio frequency, Bluetooth, or Wifi. In an alternative embodiment the controller  111  can be integrated into a larger system where the controller sends and receives information via the global internet and by data transmissions over cellular networks, both cellular data networks and cellular voice networks along with cellular text messaging networks. In order to increase the reliability of the system  101  the signaling devices  151  provide feedback  157  to the controller  111 . The feedback for example would be separate confirmation that the lights were illuminated by a light measuring sensor. Or the feedback  157  might be an imbedded microphone in the speaker that listens for the audible alert. Typically the signaling devices  151  would be powered by the controller  111  but in alternative embodiments the signaling devices  151  could have redundant power systems such as wired power  159  from the controller  111  and a battery pack or alternative power supply. Those signaling devices with batteries are able to provide the controller  111  with status of the batteries such that if the signaling devices  151  cannot likely communicate in the near future because the battery level is approaching such a diminished level to prevent further communications, the controller  111  indicates to the user that a particular signaling device has a low battery. The user then can change the battery and see that controller  111  does not indicate a low battery in that particular signaling device. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 2  in the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a controller  205  according to the present application is illustrated. Controller  205  has a display  215 , a light  221 , illuminators  229 , input devices  237 , a bed shaker, a radio, an alarm clock, and a speaker. The user of controller  205  would typically locate the controller  205  where ever the user typically is. For example controller  205  would normally be located on a bed side table to indicate to the user the conditions in other rooms. Typically, the bed shaker connects to the controller  205  by a 3.5 mm male pin located on the bed shaker side of the electrical coupling. Because the controller  205  provides power to the shaker by the wired connection, the controller side of the electrical coupling is a female port the wiring from the bed shaker plugs into. Having the female port on the controller  205  decreases the chance of electrical injury to the user. 
     Display  215  displays messages to the user related to the conditions of the sensors. For example if the sensor that registers someone was at the door indicated that the there was movement at the door, the display  215  would indicate the word “DOOR” across the display  215  to allow the user to know that there was likely someone at the door. Alternatively, the display  215  would display “TELE” to indicate that the phone was ringing. In the preferred embodiment the display is an array of light emitting diodes “LED”, however it should be apparent that the display  215  could be made of liquid crystal or similar technology that allows the controller  205  to provide messages to the user. Alternative embodiments of display  215  indicate illustrations to the user of the alarm. For example, if the fire alarm was sounding, the display would show an image of a fire. Furthermore, the user is able to add a background image to the display tied to the position of the sensor that is added to the display. Therefore the image of the fire is overlaid the user&#39;s image of the room with the sensor in it. This provides the user a quick way to determine where the fire is located. Illuminators  229  are typically a row of LED&#39;s to alert the user to the conditions of the sensors, controller  205 , and signaling devices. While LED&#39;s are the preferred indicator it should be apparent that other devices such as light bulbs could be used to indicate the conditions of the system. In case the distance between the sensor and the controller  205  is so great that controller  205  is unable to communicate with the sensor, a repeater is used to relay information between the sensor and the controller  205  over great distances. In order that multiple controllers can be located in close proximity, such as a hotel, each controller is paired with each sensor such that only paired sensors can indicate alarms to the controller. Located in controller  205  is a set of dip switches (Not shown). Located in the various input devices  237  are similar dip switches. User configures the sets of dip switches in both items to pair the input device  237  to the controller  205 . Paring is accomplished by matching the dip switches in the controller  205  to that in the input device  237 . Different users could have different dip switch setting to reduce interference between systems. 
     In order for controller  205  to be able to display when the phone is ringing the controller has a dual jack phone interface. Phone interface allows a phone to be connected to controller and the controller connected to a phone jack. Controller  205  senses the phone ringing and alerts the user to the ringing phone. While the preferred phone device is a standard telephone is should be apparent that the controller  205  works with a video phone to alert a user that the video phone is ringing. Additionally the controller  205  is able to ring the coupled phone to alert the users to changed conditions of the sensors. Controller  205  also has a standard telephone line that keeps the standard phone working in addition to the phone for the hearing impaired. Standard telephone line would allow those without hearing impairments to hear the ringing phone. 
     Light  221  is used by the controller  205  to indicate to the user that the condition of something that the controller  205  is monitoring has changed condition. Preferably the light  221  changes from un-illuminated to illuminated when the controller senses the change in conditions such as motion at a door, a ringing phone, or smoke alarm going off. Once the light  221  is illuminated the user can see from display  215  what the controller  205  is sensing. Light  221  functions as a night light to allow the users to see around the controller  205 . Similar to the light, a bed shaker electrical coupled to the controller  205  provides tactile sensation to the user to alert them. Typically, bed shaker vibrates for a short amount of time and then turn off automatically. Having a combination of illuminated alerts, tactile alerts, and audible alerts provides alerting capabilities to those users who suffer with multisensory impairment, for example those individuals with both reduced eyesight and reduced hearing. 
     Input devices  237  allow a user to adjust the conditions of the controller. Input devices are typically momentary switches however flip switches are also used to set residual settings. When the controller  205  is not alerting a user to a changed condition the controller could act as a clock and have a digital clock on display  215 . Input device  237  allows the user to set the time, timer, and time based alarms. One use of the input devices  237  forces the controller  205  to generate test alerts to all signaling devices so that the user can be assured that light bulbs have not burned out and speakers are set to appropriate high levels of volume. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 3  in the drawings, an alternative embodiment of a controller  305  according to the present application is illustrated. Controller  305  is similar to controller  205  in that controller has a display system  315 , light system  321 , input device  337 , indicators  339 , and a speaker  355 . Controller  305  also called a multisensory device or a multisensory alert device produces a variety of alerts for those individuals that have difficulties sensing standard alerts. For example those users with sensory neural integration issues can process the flashing lights, the high decibel sounding alarm, and/or the tactile motion of the shaker depending upon the user&#39;s conditions. Whereas controller  205  is typically a convenience device suitable for a bedside to alert users to a knocking door or a phone call, controller  305  is an emergency alerting device designed to provide users with critical alerts. Speaker  355  emits a loud alarm of greater than one hundred and twenty decibels. 
     Controller  305  is a more emergency dedicated unit than controller  205 , controller  305  preferably plugs into a standard wall outlet for power however controller  305  also has a local power supply such as batteries to enable controller  305  to operate if the preferred power source fails. In the preferred embodiment controller  305  does recharge the batteries located inside the controller  305  however it should be apparent that other embodiments include the controller  305  not recharging the internal batteries. 
     Display  315  displays messages to the user related to the conditions of the sensors. For example if the sensor that registers someone was at the door indicated that the there was movement at the door, the display  315  would indicate the light next to the word “DOOR” across the display  315  to allow the user to know that there was likely someone at the door. Alternatively, the display  315  would indicate the light next to the word “TELE” to indicate that the phone was ringing. In the preferred embodiment the display is an array of light emitting diodes “LED”. Illuminators  339  are typically a row of LED&#39;s to alert the user to the conditions of the sensors, controller  305 , and signaling devices. While LED&#39;s are the preferred indicator it should be apparent that other devices such as light bulbs could be used to indicate the conditions of the system. In alternative embodiments the display  315  indicates: “BABY” in response to a signal from a paired baby sensor; “PANIC” in response to a signal from a paired waterproof panic alarm; “WATER” in response to a signal from a paired water sensor; or “CH 1 ” “CH 2 ” from those devices that may be reconfigured with an identifiable name. An important aspect of controller  305  is the emergency nature of the controller. While controller  205  is configured for convenience or environmental use, controller  305  is designed for emergency notification. Controller  305  typically monitors fewer sensors than controller  205 . Controller  305  is configured such that a sensor can be connected directly to a fire alarm system. The connection to fire alarm system in the preferred embodiment would be acoustically connected, for example the fire alarm system generates an audible fire alarm sound that the sensor picks up and relays to the controller  305 . In an alternative embodiment the connection is electrical, for example the fire alarm generates a voltage in response to a fire alarm that the sensor can measure and therefore alert the user that a fire alarm is sounding. This allows the controller  305  to monitor for fire alarms that typically would generate audible fire alarms. Therefore the controller can flash a light and shake the bed in response to the close circuit fire alarm alert and or to the audible fire alarm. 
     Light  321  is used by the controller  305  to indicate to the user that the condition of something that the controller  305  is monitoring has changed condition. Preferably the light  321  changes from un-illuminated to illuminated when the controller senses the change in conditions such as a smoke alarm going off. Once the light  321  is illuminated the user can see from display  315  what the controller  305  is sensing. Light  321  is capable of blinking in a variety of patterns to indicate conditional information. Light  321  is for providing a high intensity emergency visual alert to the user. Typically, the light output from the light  321  is greater than one hundred and seventy seven candelas. 
     Input device  337  allows a user to adjust the conditions of the controller  305 . Input device  337  is typically momentary switch however flip switches are also used to set residual settings. Additional switches can be used to set conditions of the controller  305  in addition to the input device  337 . Typically, the controller  305  is paired with the sensors by depressing a pairing button on both the controller  305  and the sensor such that they electronically recognize each other. 
     In order for controller  305  to be used in conjunction with a bed shaker, the bed shaker would have its own controller. Configuring the bed shaker to be a controller allows the bed shaker to receive alerts from sensors without controller  305 . This also increases reliability in case the controller  305  doesn&#39;t function, the bed shaker would still provide tactile alerts in cases of emergency. The separate bed shaker continues to vibrate continuously until reset at the bed shaker controller. Therefore if a fire burns up the sensor and fire alarm while the user is asleep, the vibrating pad of the bed shaker would continue to try and wake up the user until reset by the user. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 4  in the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a door sensor  465  according to the present application is illustrated. Door sensor  465  is mounted to the door  471 . Typically the door sensor  465  picks up motion from the door such as someone knocking on it and relays that information to controller  205 . This is useful because those users that are hearing impaired would not likely hear someone banging or even knocking on the door  471 . Preferably door sensor  465  uses a microphone to pick up the vibrations of the door knocking. Filtering the microphone so to limit the amount of vibrations the door sensor  465  picks up is typical. Alternative methods for door sensor  465  to pick up the vibrations include accelerometers, strain gages, potentiometers, and piezo-electric material. It should be apparent that door sensor  465  while typically inside a home could be located outside such that a visitor could press a button  475  to indicate someone was at the door. The interface between the door sensor  465  and the controller  205  is preferably wireless. So that interference with other systems can be reduced, the door sensor  465  preferably has several wireless channels that can be used by the door sensor  465  in communications with the controller  205 . Door sensor  465  provides controller  205  with the status of the door knocking, as well as, the condition of the battery that the door sensor  465  relies on. Door sensor  465  is able to register a door knock and a doorbell. Alternatively, door sensor  465  could function as a door bell and allow someone to depress a button on the door sensor  465  to alert the controller  205 . Controller  205  is able to receive a test message from the door sensor  465  to test the communications and insure the door sensor  465  is operating properly. The test message is important so that users do not have to constantly test the door sensor  465  to insure that knocking on the door is registered by the controller  205 . 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 5  in the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a bed shaker  573  according to the present application is illustrated. Bed shaker  573  includes a shaker puck  575  and a shaker receiver  577 . Shaker puck  575  generates vibrations in response to signals from the shaker receiver  577 . Shaker puck  575  typically is located adjacent to a bed mattress such that when the shaker puck  575  vibrates a user on the bed would feel the vibrations emanate from the shaker puck  575  and be alerted to an alert from the controller  205 . Bed shaker  573  is in communication from the controller  205  by shaker receiver  577 . Typically bed shaker  573  is wired directly to controller for both power and communications. A local power supply such as a battery may be located in the shaker receiver  577  so that if power from the controller is lost the bed shaker  573  can still function. Controller  205  is able to send a test message to bed shaker  573  to test the communications and insure the bed shaker  573  is operating properly. The test message is important so that users do not have to constantly test the bed shaker  573  to insure that the controller  205  can move the bed shaker  573 . Bed shaker  573  uses various patterns of shaking to indicate different alerts to the user. The preferred pattern of shaking is a constant continuous shaking so long as the alert is present that can only be stopped by resetting the controller  205 . Bed shaker  573  has a thermal fuse to prevent the bed shaker  573  from overheating in those instances where the bed shaking is not stopped by resetting the controller. In an alternative embodiment the bed shaker  573  operates as a controller thereby directly receiving signals from the paired sensors. Therefore the bed shaker  573  would have a rest button allowing the user to stop the bed shaking. 
     An alternative embodiment of bed shaker  573  includes the ability of the user to adjust the duration, intensity, and the pattern of the vibration. Furthermore, the user is able to program the bed shaker  573  with a specific pattern in response to a specific alert. For example, the user would typically set the shaker to max intensity, duration, and an abrupt on-off pattern repeating indefinitely for a fire alarm. The user would then reduce the intensity and duration and make the pattern less abrupt for alerting them that a visitor was at a door knocking. Additionally, the system is able to pattern vibratory patterns based upon musical notes or other patterns. For example, the system can convert a digital music file from an audible form into a sensory form. This process converts the frequencies of the audible file from their high frequencies, such as 500 Hz-20,000, into low frequencies, such as 1-500 Hz. Therefore, the user can feel the pattern of the song as opposed to hear it. Additionally, the system is able to utilize a feedback loop to determine how best to wake a user based upon their sleep cycle. The system utilizes a variety of sensors to measure the sleep pattern of the user. Typically, the system measures the user&#39;s restlessness with motion sensors, potentiometers, accelerometers, strain gages, and the temperature of the user with thermocouples. This also provides the system with the ability to check if the user if awakening in response to the vibrations. The system can modify the vibrations intensity to awaken the user if a lower setting doesn&#39;t appear to be working after a period of time. Typically, the system is programmed via a smartphone or tablet by way of a computer based software application. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 6  in the drawings, an alternative embodiment of an alarm monitoring system  601  according to the present application is illustrated. Alarm monitoring system  601  includes a controller  605 , a panic button or switch, a door sensor, an alarm sensor, a baby monitor, a bed shaker  673 , a telephone  681 , and a lamp  685 . The lamp  658  preferably is electrically coupled to the controller  605  by a relay. The relay allows the controller  605  to turn on and off the lamp  658  in response to changing conditions of the sensors. 
     Typically the controller  605  of the alarm monitoring system  601  monitors and/or constantly checks the condition of the door sensor, the alarm sensor, and the telephone. As the conditions of the door sensor, the alarm sensor, and the telephone vary the controller  605  indicates to the user that conditions have changed. For example as a visitor approaches the door and knocks on it the door sensor sends a signal to the controller  605 . Controller  605  then flashes the integrated light, flashes the bed lamp  685 , activates the bed shaker  673 , and indicates the message “DOOR” on the display. Controller  605  registers that the fire alarm has been activated by the alarm sensor located adjacent to the fire alarm. Depending how the DIP switches of controller  605  are set, allows the controller  605  to flash the integrated light, flash the bed lamp  685 , activate the bed shaker  673 , and reveal the message “FIRE” on the display of the controller. Fire sensor typically is physically coupled to the existing fire alarms but is not electrical connected. It should be apparent that fire sensor could be integrated directly into fire alarms thereby preventing the need to retrofit fire alarms with alarm sensors. The user would see the flashing lights or feel the vibrations and be alerted to the controller  605  to see what the message is. Controller  605  monitors a panic button worn by a user. Panic button would allow the controller  605  to indicate “PANIC” for example if an elderly spouse fell in the garage and depressed the panic switch. A hearing impaired user might not hear the yelling from the fallen spouse but could see the flashing lights and such from the controller  605 . 
     Controller  605  is able to be coupled to a weather alert radio. Typically, if the weather alert radio generates an alarm tone the sensor picks up the alarm tone and relays the alert to the controller  605 . The controller  605  then alerts the user that the weather alert has been sounded. In this embodiment, sensor is electrical coupled to the headphone plug of the weather radio and picks up electrical changes resulting from the weather radio alert. It is also contemplated that the sensor could listen for the tone by being in close proximity to the weather radio&#39;s speaker. Similarly controller  605  is capable of being configured to monitor for alerts from devices that generate audio signals either from speaker or headphone plugs. Typically these devices include cell phones, baby monitors, tablets, computers, video phones, alarm clocks, doorbells, and high water alarms. Sensor measures the electrical output of the headphone plug of the device and relays the alert to the controller  605  if the device starts generating a tone from the headphone plug. 
     In an alternative embodiment the controller  605  is in wireless communication with a tactile pager worn by the user that may be located outside the vicinity of the controller  605  and not see the flashing lights or feel the vibrations. The pager has a display similar to that of the controller  605  and indicates messages to the user in the same way. Such the when the door sensor is activated the pager would indicate the word “DOOR”. The pager has a high decibel speaker along with a vibration generator to aid in alerting the user. In an alternative embodiment the tactile pager could be a controller and receive signals directly from the sensors. In those embodiments where the pager is the controller the pager is configured to receive two different sensors. For example the door sensor could be channel  1  and the fire alarm could be channel  2 . 
     For some users that do not require a display or want a large housing for the controller  605 , the controller  605  is packaged in a housing that would forgo the integral lights and the display and allow the controller  605  to controller the power to an electrical coupled lamp. Typically, the user would understand that if the lamp is flashing in a predetermined pattern that a particular sensor is being activated such as some one at the door. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the controller  605  is in the form of a clock it should be apparent that the form of the controller  605  in an alternative embodiment is a tablet or smart phone in communications with a base station. Base station would contain the interfaces between the sensors and the signaling devices along with integral lighting. Phone plugs and network plugs allow the base station to signal the user, along with allowing base station to communicate with other devices. Communications between the base station and the tablet would be a combination of wired and wireless depending on the location of the tablet relative to the base station. Because the screen of the tablet would be touch sensitive it would reduce the number of buttons on the controller. Furthermore, the functionality and the layout of the display can be reprogrammed easier than reconfiguring buttons and LED&#39;s. Because of the critical nature of displaying information to the user some instances of the display feature Eink display because of the high contrast for ease of viewing from a wide variety of viewing angles. 
     Having the controller take the form of a tablet and base station would allow the user to easily move the tablet around the home or business and remain aware of the conditions of the sensors. The tablet is in communications with computers, phones, pagers so that alerts that would normally be seen only by a local user could be relayed to a remote user such as a relative located a few miles away. Preferably the user is able to provide permission to remote users to be alerted to the sensors of the user&#39;s house. For example if the fire sensor was triggered by a fire alarm the controller flashes the attached lamps, and sends a text messages to a pre-programmed list of concerned users. There are other ways of tablet communicating with the user and others that the user has selected to receive information from the tablet. For example, the tablet can send an emergency message comprised of audio, video, and textual information related to the emergency. The emergency message could be broadcast to multiple units across an enterprise such as a hospital, hotel, school, or jail. Allowing the tablet to send information to others, allows a user the freedom to live alone knowing that someone is around to watch over them in case of an emergency. Alternate embodiments of controller include a smartphone, a smart watch, a smart television, and a smart appliance. The alternate embodiments of controllers need to be able to interface with sensors, provide alerts to those with sensory loss, and allow users to control how the alerts are provided. 
     It is apparent that an assembly with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.