Patent Publication Number: US-7719407-B2

Title: Voice alarm system

Description:
FIELD 
   The invention pertains to voice alarm systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to such systems which can be activated by a displaced, wireless control unit. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Known voice alarm systems require an emergency responder to be physically located in certain positions in an installation in order to use the alarm system. This means that information needs to be relayed from the field back to the voice alarm station and then the individual at the voice alarm station needs to decide on a course of action. 
   It would be desirable to be able to provide first responders with more flexible access to such systems. Preferably a first responder would be able to access a voice alarm system from almost anywhere in the respective region. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system which embodies the present invention; and 
       FIG. 2  is a wireless paging device which embodies aspects of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
   Systems which embody the present invention provide a remote wireless feed into a voice alarm station. This can result in faster, more accurate response to emergency events. 
   A wireless device which a first responder could carry on their person, whether it would be their own or issued at a location in a facility provides flexible access to a voice alarm system. This device communicates with receivers, for example, resonant frequency (RF) devices, located throughout the facility. 
   The first responder would carry the device with him when investigating an emergency. If access to the voice system was needed, a button (or combination of buttons) on the device would be pressed to activate the device and gain access to the paging function of the voice alarm system. The first responder could then page individuals to his location, initiate an evacuation, or perform any other voice command which may apply to his situation. The device could also be voice responsive. 
   The wireless device could be battery powered and could include an RF transceiver, a microcontroller which would communicate with the voice alarm system via the transceiver, a keypad with a user interface, a microphone input, and a CODEC to translate the microphone input into a digital signal. A charger dock for the device can maintain the battery charge and initiate a trouble signal to the fire alarm system in case of battery failure. 
   The RF system interface could include an RF transceiver, a microcontroller, and an interface to the voice system. The microcontroller would translate the signal received from the wireless device into a format usable by the voice system. It would also be capable of transmitting data such as system status to the wireless device. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a system  10  which embodies the present invention. System  10  incorporates an ambient condition monitoring system indicated generally at  12  which might be implemented, for example, as a fire monitoring system which could include a common control element or control panel  14   a  as well as a related plurality of ambient condition detectors  14   b . System  12  maintains conditions in a region R. 
   The detectors  14   b  could include, for example, smoke detectors, fire detectors, gas detectors and the like, all without limitation as would be understood by those of skill in the art. Detectors  14   b  are coupled to control circuitry  14   a  by a wired or wireless medium  16 . 
   Associated with system  12  is a voice alarm system  20 . System  20  could be a dedicated system associated with the alarm system  12  and serve no other purpose. Alternately, system  20  could include some or all of a general public address system which could be used to distribute voice or verbal information throughout the region R being monitored. The exact details in this regard are not limitations of the present invention. 
   System  20  includes at least one node or interface  22  which is in communication with the alarm system  12 . Node  22  is also in bi-directional communication with a plurality of wireless, RF for example, interfaces  24 . The members of the plurality  24 , for example,  24   a ,  24   b  . . .  24   n  can be distributed throughout the region R and can but need not be substantially identical. 
   Interface  24   b , for example, can include local control circuitry such as a local programmable processor and associated software  26   a ,  26   b . The control circuitry  26   a  is in turn coupled to a radio frequency transceiver  28   c . Transceiver  28   c  radiates RF and receives RF signals via antenna  28   d.    
   Members of the plurality  24  communicate with node  22  via a wired or wireless communication bus  30 . As those of skill in the art will understand, communication on the bus  30  is preferably but need not be bi-directional. 
   Node  22  is also coupled to an audio output node or interface circuitry  32 . A plurality of verbal or audio output transducers, such as speakers  34  can be distributed throughout the region R so as to provide a way to transmit verbal messages throughout the respective region as needed. Those of skill in the art will understand that the members of the plurality  34  can in part be driven by members of a plurality  36  of audio amplifiers. 
   As noted previously, the members of the plurality  34  can be used to transmit messages selectively or throughout the region R either in connection with an alarm condition which has been detected by control circuits  14   a  or as part of a normal, non-alarm, verbal communication of a general matter for which public address systems would be routinely used. 
   Those of skill in the art will also understand that the members of the plurality  36  could be controllable on a zone-by-zone basis if desired. Alternately, each of the members of the plurality  34  could be independently controllable. 
   A wireless paging device indicated generally at  40  which is configured to be portable such that a first responder could carry or wear the device  40  can be used so as to enable first responders to communicate, via members of the plurality  34 , with one or more areas or zones of the region R. The first responder could carry the device  40  when entering the region R to investigate an emergency condition. 
   Where access to the voice alarm system  20  is desirable and necessary, the first responder can use the wireless device  40  and one or more interfaces to obtain access to the functions, particularly the paging function, of the voice alarm system  20 . The first responder could then page one or more individuals to his location, initiate an evacuation, or issue other voice commands which are appropriate for the situation. 
   Unit  40  includes control circuitry  42   a  which could be implemented as a programmable processor  42   b  which operates in conjunction with executable control software  42   c . Audio compression software  42   d  can also be included. 
   Inputs to the control circuitry  42   a  include signals from a user keypad  44   a , best seen in  FIG. 2 , and associated interface  44   b . A microphone  46   a , and associated coding/digitizing circuitry  46   b  provide verbal input signals from a first responder or other person using the device  40  to the control circuits  42   a.    
   The signals from the keypad  44   a  as well as the audio received via microphone  46   a  can be processed by control circuitry  42   a  prior to being coupled to an RF transceiver  48   a  and an associated antenna  48   b . It will be understood that the unit  40  could be implemented with a transmitter only as opposed to the transceiver  48   a  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Optionally, a verbal output device, such as a loudspeaker could also be incorporated into the unit  40  providing the user bi-directional audio communications. Unit  40  can be contained in a portable, wearable housing  40 - 1 . 
   Using the unit  40  a first responder can output verbal messages via some or all of the members of the plurality  34 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the keypad  42   a  can include a key  50   a  to activate all members of the plurality  34 . It can include a key  50   b  to activate members of the plurality  34  in the areas where control circuits  40   a  have called for an evacuation. Keypad  44   a  can also include a key  50   c  to activate members of the plurality  34  in those areas of the region R where the control circuits  14   a  have issued an alert. Unit  40  can include a key  50   d  to make it possible for the first responder or other user of the device  40  to activate and communicate through those members of the plurality  34  in non-alarmed or inactive areas of the region R. Finally, a local paging function can be activated via key  50   e  to enable a first responder to communicate through those members of the plurality  34  which are relatively close to the unit  40 . Status information received via the respective system interface such as  24   i  can be indicated by visual output devices, such as light emitting diodes  52 . 
   Those of skill will understand that the keypad  44   a  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is exemplary only. Other configurations and keys could be incorporated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Speech recognition software, included in control software  42   c  can provide hands free control or the user. Similarly, additional visual output devices can be provided on the unit  40 . 
   In summary, a first responder, using a portable unit such as unit  40  can activate some or all of the members of the plurality  34  and communicate wirelessly and verbally into one or more selected areas of the region R. Such communication can be facilitated by information received from the alarm system control circuits  14   a  as to which portions of the region R have gone into alarm or, for example, have been evacuated. 
   From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.