USOO8018337B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Jones et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,018,337 B2
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`(54) EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION DEVICE AND
`SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventors: Russell K. Jones, Palo Alto, CA (US);
`Jean-Marc Patenaude, Sunnyvale, CA
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Fireear Inc., Mountain View, CA (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 630 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/121,677
`
`(22) Filed:
`(65)
`
`May 15, 2008
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2009/0033505 A1
`Feb. 5, 2009
`O
`O
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/953,740, filed on Aug.
`3, 2007.
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G08B I/08
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................... 340/539.14; 340/584; 340/657;
`340/636.19; 340/500
`(58) Field of Classification Search ........................ None
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,060,803 A 1 1/1977 Ashworth, Jr.
`4,851,823. A
`7, 1989 Mori
`5,400,011 A * 3/1995 Sutton ........................... 340,566
`
`9, 1998 Cohen
`5,812,054 A
`7/2000 Cohen
`6,094,134 A
`6,215,404 B1 * 4/2001 Morales ........................ 340,577
`6,658,091 B1* 12/2003 Naidoo et al. .................. 379,37
`6,658,123 B1
`12/2003 Crutcher
`6,850,601 B2 * 2/2005 Jones et al. ..................... 379/45
`7,010,097 B2
`3/2006 Zellner et al.
`7,126,467 B2 10/2006 Albert et al.
`7,129,833 B2 10/2006 Albert
`7,148,797 B2 12/2006 Albert
`2:29: E: 58. Air et al.
`2006/0205384 A1
`9/2006 Chang
`2007/0024451 A1
`2/2007 Albert ........................ 340,573.1
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner — Travis Hunnings
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Daniels Patent Law PLLC;
`Scott A. Daniels
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An audio warning monitoring device, system and method
`including an audio detector, one or more audio screens to
`determine if monitored Sound is an alarm, a processor or logic
`device to potentially analyze sound data and then instruct a
`transmitter to send a message with the monitoring device
`identification and signals representing Sound detected by the
`audio detector to a server. The computer server analyzes the
`message and authenticates the audio detector, looks up user
`data associated with the detector, and contacts a user from
`previously stored user data in order to notify of the alert and
`then relay the audio signals in an audio file. At the user's
`option, the server may contact a staffed or automated moni
`toring center. Here a human operator may listen to the signals
`in the audio file and take appropriate action, Such as calling
`the location of the alarm for verification or contacting a pro
`fessional first responder(s).
`
`43 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
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`11
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`PWR
`MGMT
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`Aja
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`RJ11
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`SOUND
`EVEL
`FILTER
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`TONE
`RANGE
`FTER
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`MEM
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`PROC.
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`POWER
`MONITOR
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`DTMF
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`BAT
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`RJ11
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`SERVER
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`9C
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`Y.
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`S-56
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`Exhibit 1010
`Page 01 of 09
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 13, 2011
`Sep. 13, 2011
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`Sheet 1 of 3
`Sheet 1 of 3
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`US 8,018,337 B2
`US 8,018,337 B2
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`HI/MED/LO
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`Exhibit 1010
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`Page 02 of 09
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`Exhibit 1010
`Page 02 of 09
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 13, 2011
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`Sheet 2 of 3
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`US 8,018,337 B2
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`MONITOR
`SOUND
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`SOUND
`EXCEEDS
`THRESHOLD?
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`SOUND
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`TONE WITHIN G.
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`PROCESSOR
`ANALYZE
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`112
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`SEND
`FAILURE
`NOTICE
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`Y
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`TRANSMIT TO
`SERVER
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`WARNING
`MONITOR
`AUTHENTICATED?
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`USER DATA
`RETRIEVAL
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`SEND ALERT
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`ALERT
`CONFIRMED?
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`SEND TO
`STAFFEDMONTOR
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`1
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`118
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`CONTACT
`USER
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`CONTACT
`FIRST RESPONDER
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`122
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`Fig. 3
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`Exhibit 1010
`Page 03 of 09
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 13, 2011
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`Sheet 3 of 3
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`US 8,018,337 B2
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`AUDO
`CENTRAL
`DETECTION - - - - - - - - -
`UNIT
`UNIT
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`REMOTE
`SERVER
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`Fig. 4
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`Exhibit 1010
`Page 04 of 09
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`US 8,018,337 B2
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`1.
`EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION DEVICE AND
`SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
`application No. 60/953,740, filed Aug. 3, 2007.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to emergency detection and
`warning equipment, and more specifically remote emergency
`or warning notification devices.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`In an emergency it is important to rapidly and accurately
`alert both authorities and property owner about the existence
`of the emergency situation. Rapid notification may make the
`difference between containment of an emergency situation,
`Such as a fire, and total loss of properties or building(s). In
`extreme cases, this may make the difference between life and
`death. If the emergency situation is a robbery or other security
`breach, rapid communication of the emergency situation and
`information relating to the emergency situation may allow for
`apprehending a Suspect, rather than loss of property or poten
`tial injury to inhabitants.
`Fire danger provides a Substantial risk to property and
`lives. According to National Fire Protection Association 2005
`statistics, in that year 1,600,000 fires were reported nationally
`resulted in 17,925 civilian injuries, 3,675 civilian deaths, and
`over 10 billion dollars in damage. More rapid notification
`could result in mitigation of these losses.
`Current building codes in many areas require certain safety
`devices. For example, in many urban areas a Smoke detector
`is required in every bedroom, kitchen and living room of a
`residential structure. This can reduce risk of loss of life during
`a fire. Such detectors can sense Smoke, heat and/or carbon
`monoxide. If one or more of these are detected, an audio alert
`is sounded to provide inhabitants an indication that they need
`to evacuate the structure. However such static detectors have
`a number of limitations. These include:
`1. If the building does not have any people in it at the time
`of an emergency, then potentially no one will hear the alarm
`Sound. In the case of a fire, the emergency may only be noted
`once neighbors see flames or Smoke. By the time Smoke or
`flames are spotted, the structure may have experienced con
`siderable damage or total loss and could even pose a danger to
`Surrounding structures. At night, it is much less likely that
`neighbors will spot a fire until Substantial damage has
`occurred. For remote structures that do not have proximate
`neighbors or that are only occupied seasonally, the risk of
`total loss if uninhabited is significantly greater.
`2. Certain inhabitants within a structure may not respond to
`an alarm. Children are known to sleep especially deeply and
`are difficult to rouse, even if an alarm is sounding. Older
`adults may have hearing difficulties, may remove hearing aids
`at night, and may use sleep aids that result in these individuals
`being more difficult to rouse. In addition, pets, even if they
`hear an alarm, will not be able to escape a structure during an
`emergency.
`3. Some alarms, such as static motion detectors or sensors
`on windows or doors, Soundan alarm when motion is detected
`or a window or door is opened. However, for simple and
`inexpensive systems, such alarms are not otherwise con
`nected to outside parties. If the alarm is tripped, sound and/or
`
`2
`lights are used as the primary deterrent of a potential intruder.
`If a user wishes to upgrade Such a system generally requires
`replacement of the lower cost system, to a much higher cost
`integrated System.
`To address these problems, some devices have been
`designed to mitigate such problems. One Such device is
`described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,850,601. This device is a security
`detection system that includes a detection unit capable of
`detecting an emergency or warning condition, such as a break
`in. The unit is in communication with a remote central server.
`The detection unit may be connected to the server by a dial up
`modem and connected to a telephone seizure unit. If the
`emergency condition is detected, the detection unit blocks the
`telephone from communicating through a telephone line, but
`does allow this detection unit to send electronic data to the
`server. The unit may be able to do this even if the line from the
`phone to the unit is cut, or if the phone line is opened (as by
`actuating a handset to get a dial tone or lifting a phone from a
`base on older phones). Once information is sent to the server,
`a server database may send the information to one or more
`designated recipients, such as a public or private first
`responder or to a property owner. The server also monitors
`whether the designated recipient has responded to the infor
`mation. If there has been no response, the information is sent
`to a staffed or automated monitoring station. The designated
`party may send additional information to the detection unit
`via the server.
`It is an object of the invention to provide a low cost solution
`to property owners to allow remote monitoring of audio
`alarms and access to audio information.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The above and other objects are achieved with a method
`and system for audio monitoring of warning alarms. In one
`embodiment, this can be a device including an audio detec
`tion component, a processor or logic device, a transmission
`component and a downstream relay, Such as a server that can
`contact a decision maker who reviews an audio file from the
`audio detection component. The audio detection component
`allows detection of an alarm, which may be up to 100 feet or
`more away from the device. The processor or logic unit
`receives an alert, which is screened using various screening
`components. These screening components may be one or
`more of the following group: a sound level filter (which may
`include a switch allowing a user to set a threshold sound level
`for triggering the alarm), a tone range filter, and a Sound
`duration processor. If the processor determines that the
`screened audio data is a warning alarm, an associated trans
`mission component sends a message with audio information
`representing the audio data and contacts a server. A server
`may include, for example, any application or device that
`performs services for clients as part of a client-server archi
`tecture. During the transmission of the message an acknowl
`edgement signal from the server could be sent back. The
`message sent to the server at least includes a signal to identify
`the emergency notification device and optionally audio infor
`mation from the audio detection component with screened
`audio data, or a means to relay the audio information to the
`server. The signal to identify the emergency notification
`device is correlated to contact data known to be stored in the
`SeVe.
`An alternative characterization of the invention is a system
`including the device as above and a linked remote server. This
`linked remote server may be contacted by the device using a
`phone land line, a cellular phone connection, using a wireless
`transfer protocol such as IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi for example, or
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`US 8,018,337 B2
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`3
`by any other means of communication. The remote server
`identifies the emergency notification device, looks up associ
`ated contact data (Such as address where the device is located,
`and backup contact phone numbers, e-mail addresses, text
`message contact information, etc.) The server then transmits
`to at least one contact an automated message and optionally
`the audio file. If the user has instructed the server to a height
`ened security level or if the contact data does not result in a
`potential acknowledge signal (e.g., the message goes to
`voicemail), the server may transmit the audio file and alert
`data to a staffed monitoring center, potentially in the future an
`automated monitoring center that notifies authorities. Opera
`tors at the staffed monitoring center may then determine the
`nature of the information in the audio file that generated the
`alarm and the location where the alarm is sounding to attempt
`to reach the inhabitants and/or contact a first responder (e.g.,
`police, fire department, etc.).
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`POTS service, VoIP service or any other means of telecom
`munication including but not limited to wireless or cellular
`communications. If the service center is busy the processor
`may be instructed to either dial an alternative number and/or
`retry multiple times. Once connected to the server 52, the
`detector unit 8 transmits a unique identification sequence to
`the server 52. The identification may include the type of alarm
`that is being transmitted. The server 52, using automated
`database, identifies the specific detector unit which is trans
`mitting. The server 52 may send back a confirmation tone or
`tone sequence acknowledgment sent to confirm that the
`unique identification has either been accepted or rejected by
`the server. If the identification is rejected or a time interval
`passes (e.g., for example, 30 seconds or greater timeout) the
`emergency notification device terminates transmission and
`retries additional times before resetting.
`Upon authentication of the emergency detection device 8.
`the emergency detection device then either sends the audio
`file saved in a buffer memory or sends a direct audio data/
`track transmission from sound monitor 12 to server 52. This
`may be sent as uncompressed or compressed audio data,
`including but not limited to, for example, an MP3 audio data
`file. In the situation of the direct connection of microphone 12
`to server 52 on an open phone line, then near real time ambi
`ent sounds (filtered or not) are transmitted, representing
`Sounds occurring at the location Surrounding the emergency
`detection unit 8, and an audio file is created at the service
`Center.
`The server 52 may then take one of a number of actions. A
`call may be sent to a phone 54 associated with the unique
`identification of emergency detection unit 8. This may be a
`cellphone of property owners, a phone of a property caretaker
`or neighbor, or other designated party. This person reviews
`the audio file and decides what action should be taken, i.e.,
`whether the audio file represents a real or a false alarm.
`Optionally, server 52 could also send the alert data and
`optionally the audio file to staffed or automated monitoring
`center 56. This monitoring center 56 will allow the potential
`review of the audio file by an agent. The agent at the moni
`toring center 56 may call the property location in an attempt
`to verify an alert, call alternative numbers to verify the emer
`gency, or contact a third party, fire department, police depart
`ment, property manager, or other first responder after review
`of the audio file and determining that a true emergency situ
`ation exists.
`As shown in FIG. 1, the device may have a number of
`optional features. A plug 70 may be used to power the device.
`Alternatively (or in addition) a battery 22 may provide the
`unit power or auxiliary power. The power is fed through
`power management module 21 which provides power to the
`elements of the system. The phone line may also power the
`device.
`The phone jack 46 may also be linked to secondary phone
`jack32. A phone 30 may be plugged into phone jack32. The
`use of this two-jack system on the device 8 allows the device
`to be used without requiring a separate wall phone jack.
`Alternative configurations may allow the device 8 to commu
`nicate over a computer network or be a wireless device that
`communicates via cellular, wireless data networks to the
`server or directly with a personal computer, cell phone, or
`other wireless technology.
`The present embodiment can hear an audio detector alarm
`up to 100 feet or more away. In particular, it is able to detect
`standard approved Smoke detector.
`The basic components of the invention are adaptable to
`analog phone lines, VoIP phone lines, wireless cellular phone
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an overall diagram of an emergency detector and
`elements of an embodiment of the emergency detection
`device.
`FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of an emergency
`detector notification device that is plugged into a phone sys
`tem.
`FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the operation of one embodiment
`of the present system.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an audio
`detection unit configured to relay to a central unit.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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`With reference to FIG. 1 an emergency detector 10 may be
`a Smoke detector, aheat detector, a carbon monoxide detector,
`a burglar alarm, a motion sensor, a water detector to detect
`flooding, or any other similar emergency detection device
`either known or to be developed in the future. The one com
`mon feature of Such emergency alarm detectors is that they
`provide an audible indication of an emergency condition.
`This audio alert is detected by unit 8. On unit 8, a micro
`phone 12 which continually monitors ambient Sound detects
`the loud alarm Sound.
`An optional sound level switch (physical or embedded in
`electronic logic or software) 14 may set a threshold detection
`level. A “switch' includes any fixed or programmable device
`set by the user, allowing sensitivity control. Sound detection
`may be set at a certain sensitivity level. Sound exceeding this
`threshold triggers activation of the rest of the system.
`The audio signal passes through a sound level filter 16. If
`this signal meets or exceeds a pre-determined Volume level.
`the signal may be sent to a tone range filter 18 to be used to
`distinguish or filter out tones or background noise not within
`the normal audio alarm frequencies (e.g., dog barking, loud
`music, etc.). This may all be integrated through a processor 42
`(e.g., a microprocessor), or a logic controller component.
`Processor 42 may analyze the Sound level and tone range
`from sound level filter 16 and tone range filter 18 or directly
`from the microphone 12 and note the duration of the audio
`signal. If the duration exceeds a threshold, the processor 42
`considers this analarm condition and may store a recording of
`audio signal in memory 20. This signal may be either filtered
`or unfiltered sound.
`As soon as an alarm condition is identified by the processor
`42, a phone dialer 44 (operating through a phonejack 46 and
`connected to a household phonejack 50 by a wire) allows the
`unit 8 to contact server 52. This may be done using standard
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`communication, or any other type of data communication
`protocols including IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi protocols, Ethernet
`and others.
`The user can subscribe to various levels of protection. In
`one level of protection, a fully automated protection plan
`would be provided by the server 52. When the server 52
`detects an alarm, a transmission of notifications may be sent.
`These could be automated phone calls with a recorded mes
`sage and a recording of Sound from the microphone of the
`device. Alternatively, or in addition, the server 52 may send
`out an electronic message, such as email, SMS, MMS, text
`message, or other electronic notification to a secondary
`device.
`In another level of protection, a staffed or automated moni
`toring center could also respond to the alert.
`With reference to FIG. 2, the device is shown having a
`registered phone plug 72 attached by a wire to the body of the
`emergency detection device. An indicator light 70 allows
`indication that the device is working. This may be a very low
`power LED light. Buttons 74, 76 may be pressed to test and
`reset the device, respectively, or could be combined. Reset
`button 76 may be used for false alarms to reset the server 52
`of FIG.1. Test button 74 may serve two functions. First, this
`may be used to calibrate the server 52. In addition, it may also
`serve to ensure that the alarm is properly functioning.
`25
`With reference to FIG. 3, a flow chart shows operation of
`the basic system in which sound is continuously monitored
`(block 100). An initial filter determines if monitored sound
`exceeds a given threshold (block 102). A user may be able to
`set this threshold. The device may include a switch in which
`a user selects the Sound threshold (e.g., high, medium, low),
`setting device sensitivity. If the sound does not exceed the
`threshold the device simply continues to monitor the ambient
`sound (block 100). If the threshold is exceeded, the device
`determines if the tone measured is within a selected range
`(block 104). If the tone is consistent with an alarm, the sound
`data is sent to a processor. (The term “processor should be
`understood to mean either a microprocessor, a microcontrol
`ler or a logic device such as a PLD.) If not, the device con
`tinues to monitor the ambient sound (block 100). The proces
`40
`sor analyzes the sound data (block 106). This may include
`determining the duration of the sound signal for example, or
`any other type of alarm Sound signature, such as, for example,
`its cadence, its frequency or its sound envelope. If the Sound
`data is consistent with an alarm, the device will transmit the
`device identification and audio verification, potentially as a
`sound audio file (e.g., MP3 file, wav file, audio data or other
`digital or analog electronic audio information with signals
`representing sounds captured by the microphone and filtered
`by the processor, to the server. Blocks 100-108 may occur at
`the audio detection device or in a central unit. At the server,
`the server device attempts to authenticate the detection device
`ID (block 110). If the device is not authenticated a failure
`notice is sent (block 112) to the audio transmission device,
`which would attempt again to contact the server (block 108).
`If the device is authenticated, the device either unpacks the
`audio file in a message sent by the transmission component or
`creates an audio file with Sounds captured by the microphone
`in the case of a direct connection to the microphone. The
`server then looks up in a database the user contact data (block
`111), and then send an alert to using the contact data (block
`114). Most commonly, this will be a replay of the captured
`audio and a created or recorded message to one or more phone
`numbers. The property owner may request to have a number
`of phones or mobile devices contacted by the server at the
`same time. The user who receives the alert may determine
`whether the sound is a false alarm and then may have the
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`option of Summoning a responder (by calling the police
`department, fire department, 911, etc.). Alternatively, the user
`may be able to simply reset the alarm. (return to block 100).
`If a higher class of service is set up the audio file and alert data
`would be sent to a staffed or automated monitoring center
`(block 118). Here an operator could listen to the audio data
`and take an appropriate action, Such as calling the phone
`number of the address where the alarm is located (block 120)
`or calling a first responder (block 122).
`One of skill in the art will understand that the various
`embodiments could be characterized in different ways. In
`addition, various Substitutions and alterations are possible. A
`single audio monitoring device could monitor a number of
`different household alarms, such as a fire alarm, water detec
`tion alarm, motion detector, and burglar alarms. If these
`alarms produce a different tone, the audio monitoring device
`could distinguish each tone and the server could correspond
`ingly be programmed to respond to each tone with a custom
`ized message and potentially different alerts. The transmis
`sion device may be a phone land line, a cellular phone
`connection, an internet data connection (including cable, sat
`ellite, DSL, etc.), a wireless data communication protocol
`(such as Bluetooth R, IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi 802.16 WiMax and
`others), wireline data communication protocols such as Eth
`ernet, a networked device, etc. The processor may have pro
`gramming or components that allow the processor to perform
`a number of the screening functions, including Sound and
`tone screening, length of alarm screening, or other audio
`screening. Alternatively these may be performed by compo
`nents other than a processor. The alarm detector may, in
`addition to the audio Sound, send a signal to the monitoring
`device, via a transmission method such as a wireless connec
`tion.
`The monitoring device may in some embodiments, be
`manufactured as part of an audio warning device. Such as a
`Smoke detector having this component integrated into the
`detector.
`The audio alarm device may include a number of additional
`features. In the illustrated embodiment, the audio detection
`component 8 is shown linked by wires to a telephone input
`and output. The device could also be configured to have a
`wireless communication transmitter, Such that the communi
`cation component is a wireless link that communicates to a
`network. This could use any of a number of wireless commu
`nication protocols.
`The processor 42 and/or the configuration of the filters
`could be configured to allow a training mode. In the training
`mode the device could “learn to recognize both an alarm, and
`a number of background noises. For example, if a “train'
`button/function were activated and then an emergency alarm
`activated, the sound level filters and tone range filters and/or
`the processor could adjust to ensure that the alarm could be
`detected. Such adjustment could include, but are not limited
`to, adjustment as to tones detected, recognition of patterns,
`adjustment of gain settings, and other setting adjustments. In
`addition or alternatively, a training mode could be used to
`recognize background noises, either with or without the addi
`tional audio contribution from the alarm.
`Another feature could be a translator. For the purposes of
`this document, “translate” means to convert an audio Sound
`into any different sort of data that is more easily sent over a
`telephone line. Any component which is a “translator is one
`able to translate, as defined herein. Translating a signal could
`be detecting an alarm, and having the frequency altered so
`that the signal could be sent over a bandwidth-limited phone
`line. Alternatively, the translation could be converting the
`detected alarm into a different signal. Such as a voice simu
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`Exhibit 1010
`Page 07 of 09
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`US 8,018,337 B2
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`lation of the time and/or location and/or duration of the alarm.
`Alternatively, the translator could produce a tone signal, rec
`ognized by a server as indicative of the alarm. In FIG. 1, the
`translator 17 received the audio signal from the sound level
`filter and passes the sound signal to the tone level filter.
`Alternative configurations are possible, as all configurations
`illustrated are exemplary.
`Another feature that may be added is a temperature sensor,
`such as element 11 in FIG. 1. This temperature sensor could
`allow the system to be activated if the temperature exceeds or
`falls below a threshold. Low temperature could indicate a
`broken furnace or loss of structure integrity during cold
`weather. High temperature could indicate a fire, and be used
`in addition to the audio monitoring to provide additional
`information during an emergency event. Temperature sensor
`11 may be connected to the processor to allow production of
`a signal indicating that the temperature has moved above or
`below a high or low threshold.
`In addition a power monitoring feature could be included,
`as shown with element 23 on device 8 in FIG.1. This could
`monitor the power to the alarm detection unit itself from any
`power source, including the power line, the phone line or the
`battery, or it could be wired to detect powerinterruption to the
`building. This could be just a simple plug, allowing commu
`nication through a phone line (which would remain working
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`during a blackout) that power to a structure has been inter
`rupted. The audio detector could also be configured to detect
`the “chirp' or other audio indicator from an audio alarm that
`sound to note that a battery is low. This could be detected and
`transmitted to the server.
`The audio detection unit may be a single, stand-alone unit.
`Alternatively, the audio detection unit could be one of a
`plurality of independent or linked units. Some structures have
`multiple rooms separated by both distance and Sound obstruc
`tions (such as doors, elevation changes, corners and other
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`structural features that reduce sound travel). A number of
`audio detection units may be used in Such a structure. These
`could either each be linked to a communication component
`that communicates with a server, or could all be linked (either
`through hard wiring or could have wireless communication)
`with a central unit. This is shown in FIG. 4. The method to link
`the units can include, as an example, powerline networking or
`wireless technologies. In FIG.4, the audio detection unit 300
`sends signal to a central unit 310. Central unit 310 is config
`ured to receive monitoring signals from any one of the audio
`detection units. If any of the audio detection units relay a
`signal indicative of an alarm sounding or other detection of an
`emergency condition, a signal is sent (through either wireless
`or telephone or other wired signal sending means) to the
`Server 312.
`An "emergency condition alarm' may be either a device
`within a structure that produces an audio signal if a condition
`exists (e.g., water detector, Smoke detector, burglar alarm,
`temperature detector, carbon monoxide detector, heat detec
`tor, etc.). In addition, the emergency condition alarm can also
`be a whistle or tone generator activated by an individual in an
`emergency situation. For example, if a fall occurs and an
`occupant is unable to get up, a tone generator worn about the
`neck can be used to provide a signaling tone to alert the
`system that help is required.
`We claim:
`1. An emergency notification device for use with an emer
`gency condition alarm comprising:
`an audio detection component that is configured to monitor
`Sound from an emergency condition alarm; and
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`a communication component linked to said detection com
`ponent and configured to transmit information to a
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`remote server, either through an intermediary device or
`directly, said transmitted information including a device
`identification signal and ambient sound information,
`wherein said device identification signal is associated
`with server data, and said server data including at least
`one user contact information.
`2. The device of claim 1, wherein the audio detection
`component has a sound level threshold filter.
`3. The device of claim 2, wherein said sound level thresh
`old filter includes a switch allowing a user to set a threshold
`volume sensitivity level.
`4. The device of claim 1, wherein the audio detection
`component has a tone range filter.
`5. The device of claim 1, wherein the audio detection
`component has means for screening audio signals including a
`timer configured to activate said transmission component
`only if a detected audio alarm Sound is detected for longer
`than a preset time interval.
`6. The device of claim 1, wherein the emergency notifica
`tion device further includes a communication telephone jack
`and a pass-through telephone jack.
`7. The device of claim 1, wherein the emergency notifica
`tion device further includes a reset actuator, wherein actua
`tion of said reset actuator allows communication to said
`server to terminate notification.
`8. The device of claim 1, wherein the communication com
`ponent is configured to receive an acknowledgement from a
`server and failure in acknowledgement instructs the device in
`further action.
`9. The device of claim 1, wherein the audio detection
`component is configured to learn a sound signature of the
`emergency condition alarm, via a training mode.
`10. The device of claim 1, wherein the audio detection
`component is configured to discriminate a learned Sound
`signature from other background noises.
`11. The device of claim 1 additionally comprising an ambi
`ent temperature sensing unit linked to the communication
`component and configured to allow a sensed temperature to
`be transmitted to said remote server.
`12. The device of claim 11, wherein said temperature sens
`ing unit has a device configured to