US4612535A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Add-on alert system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-11-01
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Granted: 1986-09-16
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Expires: 2004-11-01
Abstract
Abstract An add-on alarm system for use in conjunction with an audio detector. The system includes an indoor unit that is audibly coupled to the detector and an outdoor unit containing an independent power supply that communicates with the indoor unit to provide an alert signal for directing rescue operations. The outdoor unit includes a relay which is energized by a signal from the indoor unit to close a contact in an alarm circuit and thus generate an alert signal. The relay is held energized by the outdoor power supply so that the alert signal persists in the event the detector or the indoor unit becomes disabled.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Sequin
- 👤 Edward F. Burke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:25
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B7/00; G08B7/06; G08B7/064; G08B25/00; G08B25/01; G08B25/016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
In a signaling system of the type having at least one detector for monitoring a zone within a building and producing an audible signal when an emergency condition is sensed, an add-on apparatus for use in conjunction with the detector that includes an indoor unit located in the zone monitored by the detector and at least one outdoor unit located adjacent the monitored zone on the outside of the building, said indoor unit including a microphone mounted in close proximity with the detector for energizing a light emitting element of an optical isolator when the detector produces an audible signal, said optical isolator also having a light-sensitive element, means coupled to the light-sensitive element of the optical isolator for closing a contact when the optical isolator is energized and a radio transmitter connected to a power supply by the contact for providing a radio for broadcasting a radio frequency signal when the contact is closed, and said at least one outdoor unit including a radio receiver for receiving said radio frequency signal from the transmitter and applying an enabling potential from a power supply to an alarm circuit whereby an alarm is energized and a holding circuit for maintaining the alarm energized once the alarm circuit is enabled whereby the alarm persists after the transmitter stops broadcasting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a signaling system of the type having at least one detector for monitoring a zone within a building and producing an audible signal when an emergency condition is sensed, an add-on apparatus for use in conjunction with the detector that includes an indoor unit located in the zone monitored by the detector and at least one outdoor unit located adjacent the monitored zone on the outside of the building, said indoor unit including a microphone mounted in close proximity with the detector for energizing a light emitting element of an optical isolator when the detector produces an audible signal, said optical isolator also having a light-sensitive element, means coupled to the light-sensitive element of the optical isolator for closing a contact when the optical isolator is energized and a radio transmitter connected to a power supply by the contact for providing a radio for broadcasting a radio frequency signal when the contact is closed, and said at least one outdoor unit including a radio receiver for receiving said radio frequency signal from the transmitter and applying an enabling potential from a power supply to an alarm circuit whereby an alarm is energized and a holding circuit for maintaining the alarm energized once the alarm circuit is enabled whereby the alarm persists after the transmitter stops broadcasting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 that further includes discriminating means associated with said microphone for discerning said audible and applying an amplified signal to the optical isolation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the radio transmitter includes tuning means for adjusting the frequency of the broadcasted signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the radio receiver has means for tuning the receiver to the frequency of the broadcast signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the power supply of said outdoor unit is a battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the indoor unit contains a voltage regulator connected to the optical isolator for holding the optical isolator at a potential below its threshold potential and an adjusting means for setting the output of the voltage regulator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the alarm of at least one outdoor unit includes an audio alarm and a light which are both enabled when the alarm circuit is energized.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 7 wherein a plurality of outdoor units are located outside the building and wherein the lights associated with the units are color coded to indicate the location of different zones inside the building.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 that further includes manual means for opening said contact.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
In an emergency signaling system that includes a detector located inside a building for generating an audible signal when an emergency condition is sensed, an audio pick-up means located in close proximity with the detector inside the building for energizing an optical isolator when an audible signal is generated, a relay means connected to the optical isolator for closing a contact in an alarm circuit located outside the building when the optical isolator is energized, said alarm circuit having an independent power supply connected to an alarm means through said contact whereby the alarm means is enabled when the contact is closed, and holding means for maintaining the alarm means enabled once the contact is closed even if the detector and audio pick-up means are destroyed during said emergency condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
130 words
In an emergency signaling system that includes a detector located inside a building for generating an audible signal when an emergency condition is sensed, an audio pick-up means located in close proximity with the detector inside the building for energizing an optical isolator when an audible signal is generated, a relay means connected to the optical isolator for closing a contact in an alarm circuit located outside the building when the optical isolator is energized, said alarm circuit having an independent power supply connected to an alarm means through said contact whereby the alarm means is enabled when the contact is closed, and holding means for maintaining the alarm means enabled once the contact is closed even if the detector and audio pick-up means are destroyed during said emergency condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 10 that includes a current sensing relay for holding the contact closed after the relay is energized.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the alarm means includes both a visual and an audible alarm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said alarm circuit contains a plurality of alarms located at spaced apart locations outside the building.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the said spaced apart alarms contain lighting means that are color coded to indicate various zones inside the building.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-15 | 1990-03-17 | 1990-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-15 | 1994-03-17 | 1994-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-15 | 1998-03-17 | 1998-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |