Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2001-12-17
2004-06-29
Goins, Davetta W. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S539100, C340S539130, C340S539210, C340S539230, C340S870030, C342S458000, C701S207000, C455S069000, C455S456100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06756901
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a small, multi-function electronic personal monitor and radio telemetry cell system under the control of a microcomputer.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a personal communicator and monitor with communications consisting of duplex spread spectrum radio telemetry, underwater sonar, acoustic ranging and signaling, infrared communications and visible light communications.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PATENTS
My companion Design application Ser. No. 29/145,071, filed on Jul. 17, 2001, entitled A SMALL PERSONAL COMMUNICATOR, discloses the external casing configuration for the present invention.
My U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,623 patented Apr. 10, 2001 entitled GLOW AND FLASH BATON discloses a resilient watertight light baton is disclosed having multicolored light source and power source mounted therein. The light sources are in electrical communication with the power source via interior electronics and solid state light sources. The exterior walls of the light baton are machined to effectively transmit light from the light source. The baton is extremely easy to use with only one hand and is controlled with a single button.
Additionally, my U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,305 patented May 31, 1994, entitled PERSONAL ALARM DEVICE WITH VIBRATING ACCELEROMETER MOTION DETECTOR AND PLANAR PIEZOELECTRIC HI-LEVEL SOUND GENERATOR, discloses an alarm and lights which include a vibrating accelerator for motion detectors and a planar, low profile sealed, piezo hi-level sound generating transducer structurally and functionally coordinated with a resonating chamber casing structure to provide a hi-level audio alarm.
These inventions are hereinafter incorporated by reference thereto.
2. The Prior Art
The purpose of a small, lightweight personal alert safety system (hereinafter referred to by the acronym PASS) is to sound a loud, highly discernible audio alarm if a distressful situation should occur. A PASS alarm can be activated either manually or automatically. When using a PASS alarm in the automatic mode of operation, the alarm will sense the absence of motion if the wearer should become immobilized for a predetermined (25 second) time period. The alarm will then sound a loud, easily recognized audio alarm that will not turn itself off unless it is manually reset.
This sound serves as an audio beacon that aids others in finding the downed person, such as a fireman, police or other emergency personnel. PASS alarms may also be manually activated to summon help. The devices are normally attached to a SCBA harness, a turnout coat or other protective clothing. A PASS alarm can be a lifesaving device when used properly by personnel involved in hazardous occupations such as firefighting, police, other emergency/rescue type professionals.
PASS devices must be highly reliable and easy to operate. The demand for lighter, smaller and more reliable PASS devices and equipment is an ever-pressing issue. Features that must be considered are size, shape and weight; sound intensity and type of sound; motion detectors; signal processing; temperature alarms; visual indicators; manual and automatic switching; and attachments.
The PASS should have a small, lightweight, low profile shape with no sharp corners. Generally, smaller physical size is more desirable, provided there is no reduction in sound output.
PASS devices that are currently available range in weight from 7 ounces to 13 ounces and exhibit sound intensities that range from 95 dBA through 101 dBA (dBA—unit of sound pressure related to loudness) at ten feet.
The primary objective of a PASS device is to provide a loud, highly discernible sound that is easily heard and recognized under high ambient noise conditions. Two important parameters of sound that must be considered are sound loudness (intensity) measured in dBA and sound discernability (the ability to recognize a particular sound in a high background noise environment).
Some of the earlier PASS devices had a loud sound output (high dBA), but it was difficult to distinguish the source of the sound, and thus it was easily confused with smoke alarm sounds or other coherent sound sources. Present day PASS devices have overcome the problem of locating the source from which the sound signal is originating by modulating a pure tone or generating a sound that consists of several intermittent tones.
Another, and possibly the most desirable audio sound, is that of a sweep frequency (most discernible). This type of sound will generate multiple tones that sweep from two thousand cycles through six thousand cycles. It is not easily masked by background noise. The actual sound generators are usually of the piezoelectric type and are considered the best means for generating high sound levels.
Manufacturers of PASS devices provide features as defined by the NFPA standard 1982, 1988 edition. This standard defines the minimum requirements and specifications for electronic and mechanical characteristics as well as environmental specifications.
The sensor that permits a PASS device to operate when in the automatic mode (responsive to motion or lack of it) is called a motion detector. These motion detectors are an extremely important part of a PASS device. If the sensor is not sensitive enough to sense random motion, the PASS alarm will constantly be going into a pre-alert condition, becoming an irritation to the wearer of the device. The ideal sensor is one that only requires normal motion to keep the PASS inhibited, yet will be sensitive enough to immediately sense lack of motion when a person is motionless.
Some motion sensors that are currently used by manufacturers of PASS devices are mechanical types that depend on movement of a small metal ball to sense motion. This random motion of the ball is then converted into an electrical signal as long as motion exists. Another popular method of sensing motion is accomplished by the closing of a mercury filled switch with respect to motion.
A third and possibly more progressive method involves a solid-state accelerometer device that can sense a broad range of motion and is not position sensitive.
For the system circuitry, most PASS manufacturers use either a custom micro-chip or a micro-processor chip. Some chip functions are timing, automatic low battery sensing alarm, motion signal processing and sound generation. A quartz crystal is sometimes used to insure accurate timing.
Added features in PASS devices, not covered by the NFPA mandate are: high temperature sensing and alarms; visual indicators; switches; and attachment devices.
Heat sensing alarms that are an integrated part of a PASS device, sound an audio alarm, different from the automatic PASS alarm sound, when life threatening temperatures are encountered. Those PASS devices equipped with temperature sensing alarms should only be regarded as a relative indicator that life threatening temperatures may exist, and are not to be interpreted as an absolute indicator. Temperature sensing PASS devices typically operate on an integrated time versus temperature scheme, and are dependent upon the thermal inertia of the PASS device type of heat sensor used, and the logistics at the fire scene. Accuracy at temperatures that the heat alarm will sound can vary.
Most PASS devices are provided with a flashing LED indicator. This indicator provides the user with a visual beacon, but perhaps more important, it can serve as an indicator that the PASS electronics are functioning properly. Most manufacturers provide a visual indicator. The most common indicator is a blinking LED or a combination of LED's that are programmed to flash in a wig-wag fashion for ease of recognition.
Some manufactures utilize a mechanical switch to activate their PASS devices. These switches must be reliable and easy to manipulate, even with a gloved hand. A more recent improvement in switching is used in the present invention and is the all-electronic switch (no moving parts).
Attachment devices vary with different PASS manufacturers. Captive clip
Dorsey Daniel K.
Goins Davetta W.
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