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US3810097A
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Method and system for visually conveying alarm information
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-02-28
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Granted: 1974-05-07
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Expires: 1993-02-28
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a method and a system for conveying alarm information wherein a visual alarm signal is transmitted from a first location in response to the occurrence of a preselected event thereabout. A preselected observer at a different location observes the visual alarm signal and relays notice of the receipt of the signal to proper authorities for response. A plurality of transmitters is utilized, each at a different location, and each transmitter encodes its signal with information indicating its location and further information indicative of which one of a group of preselected events has occurred. The observer, upon visually observing a signal, focuses a receiving device on the source of the signal. The receiving device decodes the signal to extract the coded information therefrom and furthermore rejects improperly coded or noncoded signals.
Inventors
- 👤 G Muir
- 👤 C Scherer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:36
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B5/00; G08B5/22; G08B5/36; G08B7/00; G08B7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for conveying alarm information comprising the steps of: providing high intensity omni-directional visual alarm signal generating devices in a plurality of different alarm locations; activating said signal generating means to produce an omnidirectional visual alarm signal at a first location of said plurality in response to a preselected event; encoding said visual alarm signal to indicate the position of said first location; positioning in a receiver location remote from said plurality of alarm locations a directional receiver for producing an encoded electrical output signal representing said encoded visual alarm signal; directing said directional receiver at said first location; and decoding said electrical output signal to determine the position of said first location.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for conveying alarm information comprising the steps of: providing high intensity omni-directional visual alarm signal generating devices in a plurality of different alarm locations; activating said signal generating means to produce an omnidirectional visual alarm signal at a first location of said plurality in response to a preselected event; encoding said visual alarm signal to indicate the position of said first location; positioning in a receiver location remote from said plurality of alarm locations a directional receiver for producing an encoded electrical output signal representing said encoded visual alarm signal; directing said directional receiver at said first location; and decoding said electrical output signal to determine the position of said first location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said activating step comprises manually energizing said signalling device in response to the occurrence of said preselected event near said first location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said activating step comprises automatically energizing said signalling device in response to the occurrence of said preselected event near said first location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said energizing step comprises the step of automatically responding to a fire alarm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said energizing step comprises the step of automatiCally responding to a burglar alarm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said directing step comprises visually observing the visual alarm signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said step of visually observing the alarm signal comprises visually observing the alarm signal from an elevated position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said step of visually observing the alarm signal comprises a step of visually observing the alarm signal from an ircraft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said decoding step comprises rejecting improperly coded and noncoded alarm signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said observing step comprises observing the alarm signal at an intermediate location and visually relaying the alarm signal for observation at the different location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said step of observing the alarm signal comprises a step of visually observing the alarm signal by the preselected observer from an aircraft.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for conveying alarm information and comprising: signalling means for producing high intensity omnidirectional visual alarm signals at any of a plurality of locations in response to the occurrence of a preselected event thereat; encoding means for uniquely encoding the visual alarm signal at each said location; mobile directional receiving means for producing encoded electrical output signals in response to the visual alarm signals received from any of said locations; and decoding means for decoding said electrical output signals to indicate the position of the location at which the corresponding visual signal originated.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for conveying alarm information and comprising: signalling means for producing high intensity omnidirectional visual alarm signals at any of a plurality of locations in response to the occurrence of a preselected event thereat; encoding means for uniquely encoding the visual alarm signal at each said location; mobile directional receiving means for producing encoded electrical output signals in response to the visual alarm signals received from any of said locations; and decoding means for decoding said electrical output signals to indicate the position of the location at which the corresponding visual signal originated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein said signalling means comprises a high intensity strobe light.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 13 wherein said signalling means comprises automatic actuator means for automatically activating said signalling means upon the occurrence of the preselected event.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 14 wherein said automatic actuator means comprises a burglar alarm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 14 wherein said automatic actuator means comprises a fire alarm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein said decoding means further comprises selective means for rendering said receiving means nonresponsive to improperly coded and noncoded alarm signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 17 wherein said receiving means comprises focus means for providing directional sensitivity in said receiving means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein said receiving means comprises a manually orientable, directional receiving portion that can be selectively aligned with any of said plurality of locations.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 19 wherein said receiving portion comprises aiming means for facilitating proper orientation thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 20 wherein each of said signalling means comprises high power master light means for providing high intensity visual signals to aid in operation of said aiming means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-06 | 1977-11-05 | 1978-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-06 | 1981-11-05 | 1982-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-06 | 1985-11-05 | 1986-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |