GB2459152A

GB2459152A - Fire alarm detector for the deaf

Info

Publication number: GB2459152A
Application number: GB0806929A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Dines
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-16
Filing date: 2008-04-16
Publication date: 2009-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-16
Also published as: GB0806929D0; GB2459152B

Abstract

A fire alarm apparatus, for use by the deaf or hard of hearing, comprises a main unit 1 provided with a strobe light 2 and a vibrating pad 3 that may be located with a users bed such as beneath a user's pillow or mattress. The apparatus may be activated by detecting an audible alarm signal from a fire or smoke sensor 6 with a microphone or by receiving a radio signal from a smoke detector 6 equipped with a short-range radio transmitter. The apparatus may be connected to an alarm clock, which can then operates the vibrating pad 3 to wake the user at a preselected time. Further lights 9, 10, 12 are provided on the main unit 1 to distinguish a fire alarm from an alarm clock alarm.

Description

FIRE ALARM DETECTOR FOR THE DEAF

The present invention relates to apparatus for alerting deaf persons or persons with restricted hearing. More particularly but not exclusively, it relates to apparatus for indicating to deaf or partially-deaf persons that a fire alarm or the like has been activated.

It is conventional for fire alarms and the like to use audible alarm signals, since they are generally the most effective means to alert those at risk. Complex fire alarm installations tend to use electric bells or klaxons; self-contained domestic smoke detectors generally emit * ** loud high-pitched beeps when set off. ***. * S ****

However, profoundly or substantially deaf persons, or those whose hearing may be restricted *5* : only to narrow frequency ranges, may be unable to hear such audio alarm signals. Thus, such * a person living independently might be unaware of a fire alarm or smoke detector going off.

*S.5.S * * Similarly, when staying in a hotel, halls of residence, hostel, boarding school or the like, such persons will equally be at risk of being caught in a fire, as they would be unable to respond to conventional fire alarms. They would be at particular risk when sleeping.

Other audio alarms, such as burglar alarms, would also be of limited use to such persons.

Any reference herein to fire alarm means should therefore be understood also to include other such audible alarm arrangements, as well as fire alarms and smoke alarms per Se.

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide apparatus to provide effective warning to persons who are deaf or of restricted hearing of the operation of fire alarm means, as defined herein.

According to the present invention, there is provided alarm apparatus to alert a person having restricted or no hearing to the activation of fire alarm means as defined herein, comprising receptor means adapted to detect operation of said fire alarm means and non-auditory alerting means so operatively connected to the receptor means as to be activatable in response to detection of said operation by the receptor means.

Preferably, said alerting means comprises vibratory alerting means. * ** ** S * I* **.* * * S...

Advantageously, the alerting means comprises a vibratable element disposable beneath a

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pillow, cushion, mattress or the like. *.. *

Said vibratable element may comprise substantially planar vibratable pad means.

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Additionally or alternatively, the alerting means may comprise optical alerting means.

The alerting means may then comprise lamp means, optionally lamp means illuminable with varying brightness, such as strobe light means.

In a first embodiment, said receptor means comprises microphone means adapted to pick up a sound alarm signal from conventional fire alarm means.

The receptor means then preferably comprises filter circuit means adapted to discriminate said sound alarm signal from ambient sounds.

In a second embodiment, the apparatus alternatively or additionally comprises fire alarm means provided with transmitter means adapted to emit signal means on operation of the fire alarm means and the receptor means comprises receiver means adapted to receive said signal means.

Preferably, said signal means comprises a radio-frequency signal, optionally a short range radio signal. * **

Said fire alarm means may comprise smoke detector means. S... * . *... S...

In either embodiment, the apparatus may be provided with user-operable reset means, operable to deactivate the alerting means thereof The apparatus may be provided with user-operable test means, operable to test the functioning of the alerting means thereof The apparatus may be activatably connectable to external input devices, such as timer means, including alarm clock means, external microphone means, and/or radio paging receivers.

The apparatus may be connectable to external output devices, such as radio paging transmitters and/or additional said alerting means.

The apparatus may comprise alarm clock means permanently operably linked to the alerting means.

Visual indicator means may be provided to distinguish time-based alarms from emergency alarms.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of components of an alarm system embodying the present invention. * ** * * * * ** * . ***.

Referring now to the Figure, a fire alarm system embodying the present invention comprises a main unit 1 which may conveniently located on a bedside cabinet or the like. A xenon strobe light 2 is mounted prominently atop a casing of the main unit 1. A vibratable pad 3 is connected to the main unit I by an elongate electrical cable 4, allowing the pad 3 to be **** .* * positioned as desired. Typically, the pad 3 would be positioned where vibrations therefrom would be likely to wake a user, for example beneath the user's pillow. The main unit 1 is powered primarily from a mains AC electrical supply, by means of an AC/DC power adaptor of conventional form (conveniently, an adaptor 5 providing a 12 volt DC output may be used). In case of power interruption, a rechargeable battery back-up is provided within the main unit 1; a conventional 9.6 volt DC on-board battery has been found to provide a thirty-six hour reserve power supply under typical conditions.

The particular alarm system shown is capable of being activated either by detecting an audio alarm signal (such as a smoke detector high-frequency bleep or a fire alarm electric bell or klaxon) or by receiving a radio signal from a smoke detector or the like equipped with a compatible radio transmitter.

A smoke detector 6, for use in the alarm system described, externally closely resembles a conventional smoke detector; internally, it may have any features of a conventional smoke detector, but in addition it contains a short-range radio transmitter, of a type not requiring special licensing approval. When the smoke detector 6 detects smoke, it may emit a conventional audio alarm signal for the benefit of hearing persons, but it also emits a radio signal, optionally coded, for reception by a corresponding radio receiver located within the main unit 1. * *I * * * * ** * *

The main unit I is also provided with an internal microphone (and/or may be cormected to an S...

external microphone, see below), which is linked to audio filter circuitry, which can S..

distinguish known audio alarm signals from ambient sounds.

* SSS.S * In response to the radio receiver picking up a signal from the smoke detector 6, or in response to the microphone picking up an audio alarm signal, the main unit I activates the strobe light 2 and the vibratable pad 3. This will alert the user, whether initially asleep or awake, that a fire alarm has been activated. The strobe 2 and pad 3 may operate for a fixed time, or until manually re-set by the user, as preferred.

The main unit I is provided with a series of visual indicators located along a fascia thereof to show various operating conditions. A green power light-emitting diode (LED) 7 is constantly illuminated when the mains power supply is connected and the unit I is switched on. Should the unit I be disconnected or the mains power be cut off, a red LED will flash, one second on, one second off, in the same position. (The unit I will then be powered from the back-up battery). Should the back-up battery run low, a second red LED 8 will flash on and off; up to this point, sufficient back-up power still remains to operate the strobe light 2 and the vibrating pad 3 for at least three minutes. As a further warning to the user, the strobe light 2 will be briefly activated every thirty minutes once the back-up power has become dangerously low. When the back-up battery is in the point of exhaustion, it will be switched off electronically to prevent damage thereto.

A third, red, high-intensity LED 9 is lit to indicate that an activation of the strobe light 2 and vibrating pad 3 was due to detection of an audio fire alarm. A fourth, red, high-intensity * ** LED 10 is lit to indicate that such an activation was due to a radio signal from the smoke **** * * **** detector 6. In each case, the LED 9,10 preferably flashes rather than being lit continuously. S...

S

A microphone port 11 is provided to allow sounds to reach the internal microphone of the main unit 1; alternatively, a socket to receive a jack of an external microphone may be *.. * .

located here.

The main unit I shown may also be connected to an alarm clock (not shown), which would pass an activating signal to activate the strobe light 2 and vibratable pad 3 when the clock indicated a preselected alarm time (alternatively, the alarm clock would only activate the vibratable pad 3, so as to distinguish a wake-up alarm from an emergency alarm). The main unit 1 detects whether such an alarm clock is plugged in, and a fifth, amber, high-intensity LED 12 is provided to indicate this. This amber LED 12 may flash to indicate a wake-up alarm from the alarm clock, in contrast to the red flashing LEDs 9, 10 to indicate fire alarms A resetlcancel button 1 3 is provided. Once the strobe light 2 and vibratable pad 3 are activated, the user must press and hold the reset button 13 for three seconds in order to de-activate them.

The reset button 13 is also used to operate a test function. When briefly pressed, the strobe light 2, vibratable pad 3 and the respective "sound" 9 and "radio" 10 LEDs briefly activate, to confirm their correct operation. The light 2, pad 3 and LEDs 9, 10 are also briefly activated when the main unit I is powered up.

To switch off the main unit I electronically, the adaptor 5 is removed from the mains power * ** *. supply, and the reset button 13 is then depressed and held for at least three seconds. The S... * S *..

entire main unit 1 is then electronically switched off (e.g. for storage or transport). ** * **.

S S..

The main unit 1 can also be connected to external devices, such as radio paging transmitters, or additional alarm devices, which will be activated at the same time as the strobe light 2 and S.....

* the vibrating pad 3.

The alarm system described thus allows a deaf person to be alerted either by a radio signal from a compatible smoke detector 6 or the like (e.g. in a specialist alarm system installed in their home) or by a conventional audible fire alarm (e.g. when away from the home in a hotel, halls of residence, residential school, etc, as well as in the home).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this product is dual function: (i) to detect a commercial fire alarm sounder in hotels, halls of residence ad residential schools, or smoke detector in a persons home; and (ii) to produce an alarm when signalled from a smoke detector fitted with a compatible transmitter. The alarm will be positioned at the bedside of a deaf person and will have a visual indicator (xenon strobe light) and a vibrating pad that is positioned under the pillow to disturb the user from sleep.

I. Acoustic activation by commercial fire alarm system klaxon or domestic smoke alarm.

A microphone or sound sensing device will identify operation of a commercial fire alarm klaxon or smoke detector sounder, ignoring ambient room sounds such as TV, radio, voices, S... * .

door banging, etc. When operation of the sounder has been filtered and positively identified *...

from other sounds, a control circuit will switch power to the strobe and vibrating pad to initiate operation. The alarm signal output will operate for a minimum of three minutes or : : until manually reset by the user. A labelled LED will light and flash intermittently to identify S.....

the source of operation, fire alarm.

2. Operation of alarm outputs by direct control from smoke alarm transmitter.

The alarm control will contain a radio receiver specifically programmed to accept and respond to control signals from a smoke detector fitted with a radio transmitter programmed specifically to activate the alarm outputs of the control receiver. When a valid signal is identified by the control receiver, source voltage will be applied to the xenon strobe light and vibrating pad to initiate operation. The alarm outputs will remain active for a period of no less than three minutes or until manually reset by the user. The alarm would be cancelled by pressing and holding in a reset button for a period of three seconds.

The alarm control receiver will be powered by an AC to DC mains power adaptor, provided with connectors to enable use in any country, providing sufficient power to operate the alarm receiver in all alarm conditions. The alarm control receiver will contain a battery backup to maintain operation in the event of a power failure from either the mains electricity supply or accidental removal of the power adaptor from the mains electricity supply by the user. In normal use, an LED clearly marked "power" and coloured green will light constantly when the alarm is turned on and mains power is present. Should a power failure situation arise, the green LED will change colour to red and will flash to warn the user of a power fault. The S...

power failure LED will continue to flash red until mains power is restored. While the alarm is in power failure mode, sufficient power will be provided by the backup battery to enable S..

operation from battery only for a period of no less than 36 hours. During and up to the limit *5 : of this period the alarm will be able to produce continuous operation of the xenon strobe light * and vibrating pad for a period of not less than three minutes. A further signal to warn the user will indicate that the backup battery is almost depleted. This will be provided by brief operation of the xenon strobe light at intervals of 30 minutes until either mains power is restored or the backup battery is electronically switched off to prevent damage to the battery. -10-

The alarm control will be fitted with a circuit test and reset button. A momentary press of the button will cause the alarm control to switch power to the alarm circuits to initiate operation of the xenon strobe and vibrating pad.

The alarm test button will also serve to switch off the alarm control electronically. This will be achieved by first removing the power adaptor from the mains electricity supply, then pressing and holding the reset switch for at least three seconds. Power to the entire circuitry will be electronically switched off An input circuit with connector may be included to enable a deaf person to connect external devices such as an alarm clock. An electronic circuit would detect the presence of an active input. A TTL input would be used to sense low or high change of state. An alarm time signal from an alarm clock would initiate operation of the xenon strobe light and vibrating pad. An LED clearly marked "clock" would illuminate and flash to indicate to the user the reason for the alarm. The alarm would be cancelled by pressing the reset switch. * ** * S S * S. *

An output socket will be provided for connection of external devices. Devices such as radio S *S* paging transmitters or additional alarm devices may be connected and controlled via the I. alarm control circuits. *0 * . * *.*

S.....

Claims

-Ii -CLAIMS1. Alarm apparatus to alert a person having restricted or no hearing to the activation of fire alarm means as defined herein, comprising receptor means adapted to detect operation of said fire alarm means and non-auditory alerting means so operatively connected to the receptor means as to be activatable in response to detection of said operation by the receptor means.
2. Alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said alerting means comprises vibratory alerting means.
3. Alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the alerting means comprises a vibratable element adapted to be disposed beneath a pillow, cushion, mattress or the like.
4. Alarm apparatus as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the vibratory alerting means comprises substantially planar vibratable pad means.
5. Alarm apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alerting *::..: means comprises optical alerting means. S... *S*.:.
6. Alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the alerting means comprises lamp : * * means illuminable with varying brightness, such as strobe light means. *.*.

S *... S *

-12 -
7. Alarm apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said receptor means comprises microphone means adapted to pick up a sound alarm signal from conventional fire alarm means.
8. Alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the receptor means comprises filter circuit means adapted to discriminate said sound alarm signal from ambient sounds.
9. Alarm apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus comprises fire alarm means provided with transmitter means adapted to emit signal means on operation of the fire alarm means and the receptor means comprises receiver means adapted to receive said signal means.
10. Alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 9. wherein said signal means comprises a radio-frequency signal, optionally a short range radio signal.
11. Alarm apparatus as claimed in either claim 9 or claim 10, wherein said fire alarm means comprises smoke detector means.
12. Alarm apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, provided with user- * operable reset means, operable to deactivate the alerting means thereof S... *.*.*:.
13. Alarm apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, provided with user- : ** operable test means, operable to test functioning of the alerting means thereof **S.

*..S.. * . -13-
14. Alarm apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, activatably connectable to external input devices, such as external microphone means, radio paging receiver means and/or timer means, including alarm clock means.
15. Alarm apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, connectable to external output devices, such as radio paging transmitters and/or additional said alerting means.
16. Alarm apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising alarm clock means permanently operably linked to the alerting means.
17. Alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 16, provided with visual indicator means adapted to distinguish time-based alarms from emergency alarms.
18. Alarm apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings. * * . *. . * * **I. * 1*s*I I..I * S. Se I **si I..., * *