US5652566A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alarm system
Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
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Filing: 1995-12-15
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Granted: 1997-07-29
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Expires: 2015-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A redundant alarm system including a central controller that interfaces with a first alarm, a second alarm, a visual indicator and an acoustic sensor. When an alarm condition exists, the controller activates the primary alarm causing the primary alarm to generate an audible first alarm signal. The audible first alarm signal is transmitted from the primary alarm to the acoustical sensor. The acoustical sensor detects the audible first alarm signal and transduces the audible first alarm signal into a first feedback signal that is relayed to the controller. If the controller does not receive the first feedback signal from the acoustical sensor within a predetermined time after activating the primary alarm, the controller activates the secondary alarm and the visual indicator.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott Anthony Lambert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:16
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B29/00; G08B29/16; G08B29/02; G08B29/10; H; H04; H04R; H04R29/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A redundant alarm system comprising: a controller; a primary alarm that interfaces with the controller, the primary alarm being adapted for transmitting an audible first alarm signal upon receipt of a first power-on signal from the controller; a secondary alarm that interfaces with the controller, the secondary alarm being adapted for transmitting a second alarm signal upon receipt of a second power-on signal from the controller; and an acoustical sensor that interfaces with the controller, the acoustical sensor being adapted for detecting the audible first alarm signal and transmitting a first feedback signal to the controller upon detection of the audible first alarm signal, wherein if the controller does not receive the first feedback signal from the acoustical sensor within a predetermined time after transmitting the first power-on signal to the primary alarm, the controller transmits the second power-on signal to the secondary alarm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A redundant alarm system comprising: a controller; a primary alarm that interfaces with the controller, the primary alarm being adapted for transmitting an audible first alarm signal upon receipt of a first power-on signal from the controller; a secondary alarm that interfaces with the controller, the secondary alarm being adapted for transmitting a second alarm signal upon receipt of a second power-on signal from the controller; and an acoustical sensor that interfaces with the controller, the acoustical sensor being adapted for detecting the audible first alarm signal and transmitting a first feedback signal to the controller upon detection of the audible first alarm signal, wherein if the controller does not receive the first feedback signal from the acoustical sensor within a predetermined time after transmitting the first power-on signal to the primary alarm, the controller transmits the second power-on signal to the secondary alarm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The redundant alarm of claim 1, wherein the second alarm signal is audible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
The redundant alarm system of claim 2, further including a visual indicator that interfaces with the controller, the visual indicator being adapted for transmitting a visual alarm signal upon activation by the controller, wherein if the controller does not receive the first feedback signal from the acoustical sensor in a predetermined time after transmitting the first power-on signal to the primary alarm, the controller concurrently activates the visual indicator and transmits the second power-on signal to the secondary alarm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The redundant alarm system of claim 3, wherein if the controller receives the first feedback signal from the acoustical sensor and the first power-on signal has not been previously sent to the primary alarm, the controller activates the visual indicator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The redundant alarm of claim 1, wherein the acoustical sensor comprises a microphone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
181 words
A medical monitoring device comprising: a controller; a physiologic sensor that interfaces with the controller, the physiologic sensor being adapted for detecting a physiologic alarm condition in a patient and transmitting a physiologic alarm condition signal to the controller upon detection of the physiologic alarm condition; a primary alarm that interfaces with the controller, the primary alarm being adapted for transmitting an audible first alarm signal upon receipt of a first power-on signal from the controller; a secondary alarm that interfaces with the controller, the secondary alarm being adapted for transmitting a second alarm signal upon receipt of a second power-on signal from the controller; and an acoustical sensor for detecting the audible first alarm signal and transmitting a first feedback signal to the controller upon detection of the audible first alarm signal, wherein if the controller does not receive the first feedback signal from the first acoustical sensor within a predetermined time after transmitting the first power-on signal to the primary alarm, the controller transmits the second power-on signal to the secondary alarm such that the secondary alarm is activated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
181 words
A medical monitoring device comprising: a controller; a physiologic sensor that interfaces with the controller, the physiologic sensor being adapted for detecting a physiologic alarm condition in a patient and transmitting a physiologic alarm condition signal to the controller upon detection of the physiologic alarm condition; a primary alarm that interfaces with the controller, the primary alarm being adapted for transmitting an audible first alarm signal upon receipt of a first power-on signal from the controller; a secondary alarm that interfaces with the controller, the secondary alarm being adapted for transmitting a second alarm signal upon receipt of a second power-on signal from the controller; and an acoustical sensor for detecting the audible first alarm signal and transmitting a first feedback signal to the controller upon detection of the audible first alarm signal, wherein if the controller does not receive the first feedback signal from the first acoustical sensor within a predetermined time after transmitting the first power-on signal to the primary alarm, the controller transmits the second power-on signal to the secondary alarm such that the secondary alarm is activated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The medical monitor of claim 6, wherein the second alarm signal is audible.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
The redundant alarm system of claim 7, further including a visual indicator that interfaces with the controller, the visual indicator being adapted for transmitting a visual alarm signal upon activation by the controller, wherein if the controller does not receive the first feedback signal from the acoustical sensor in a predetermined time after transmitting the first power-on signal to the primary alarm, the controller concurrently activates the visual indicator and transmits the second power-on signal to the secondary alarm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The redundant alarm system of claim 8, wherein if the controller receives the first feedback signal from the acoustical sensor and the first power-on signal has not been previously sent to the primary alarm, the controller concurrently activates the visual indicator.
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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) | 2000-07-28 | 2001-01-27 | 2001-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-28 | 2005-01-27 | 2005-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-28 | 2009-01-27 | 2009-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |