U.S. patent application number 09/682804 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-24 for portable alarm system that interfaces with an individual's personal radio.
Invention is credited to Roberts, Michael K..
Application Number | 20030076226 09/682804 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24741198 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030076226 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roberts, Michael K. |
April 24, 2003 |
Portable alarm system that interfaces with an individual's personal
radio
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a personal, portable alarm
system that interfaces with an individual's portable radio and
remote speaker/microphone to provide the individual with an audible
indication that a radio signal has been received from a remote
sensor that is indicative of an event being detected adjacent to
the location of the remote sensor.
Inventors: |
Roberts, Michael K.;
(Brighton, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTOPHER J. KULISH, ESQ
HOLLAND & HART LLP
P. O. BOX 8749
DENVER
CO
80201-8749
US
|
Family ID: |
24741198 |
Appl. No.: |
09/682804 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/539.1 ;
340/540 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 1/08 20130101; G08B
25/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/539 ;
340/540 |
International
Class: |
G08B 001/08 |
Claims
1. A personal, portable alarm system comprising: a housing; a first
interface, operatively associated with said housing, for providing
connections to speaker and microphone channels of an individual's
portable radio; a second interface, operatively associated with
said housing, for providing connections to an individual's remote
speaker and a remote microphone; a communication channel, located
within said housing, that connects said first interface with said
second interface so that when the individual's portable radio is
active, the individual is able to hear communications received by
the portable radio on the individual's remote speaker and to have
oral communications that are spoken into the individual's remote
microphone conveyed to the portable radio for transmission; and
alarm processing means, substantially located within said housing,
for receiving a sensor radio signal from a remote sensor that
indicates that an event has occurred adjacent to the location of
the remote sensor, processing said sensor radio signal, and
interjecting an alarm signal into said communication channel for
transmission to an individual's remote speaker to audibly inform
the individual that an event has occurred adjacent to the location
of the remote sensor.
2. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 1,
wherein: said alarm processing means also interjects said alarm
signal into said communication channel for transmission to the
microphone channel of the individual's portable radio for broadcast
to other radios that are tuned to receive signals from the
individual's portable radio.
3. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 1,
wherein: said alarm processing means includes means for detecting
if a signal initiating from one of an individual's remote
microphone and an individual's portable radio is being conveyed
over said communication channel.
4. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 3,
wherein: said alarm processing means includes means for storing an
alarm signal if said means for detecting has detected a signal
being conveyed over said communication channel.
5. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 4,
wherein: said alarm processing means includes means for causing
alarm signal information retained in said means for storing to be
interjected into said communication channel after said means for
detecting no longer detects a signal on said communication
channel.
6. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 1,
wherein: said alarm processing means includes means stopping the
interjection of an alarm signal into said communication channel if
said mean for detecting identifies a signal that is being received
at either said first interface or said second interface.
7. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 1,
wherein: said alarm processing means includes means for allowing an
individual to record an alarm message for a particular sensor.
8. A personal, portable alarm system comprising: a housing; a first
interface, operatively associated with said housing, for connecting
to a speaker channel of an individual's portable radio; a second
interface, operatively associated with said housing, for connecting
to an individual's remote speaker; a speaker channel, located
within said housing, that connects said first interface with said
second interface so that when the individual's portable radio is
active, the individual is able to hear communications received by
the individual's portable radio on the individual's remote speaker;
and alarm processing means, substantially located within said
housing, for receiving a sensor radio signal from a remote sensor
that indicates that an event has occurred adjacent to the location
of the remote sensor, processing said sensor radio signal, and
interjecting a signal into said speaker channel for transmission to
the individual individual's remote speaker to audibly inform the
individual that an event has occurred adjacent to the location of
the remote sensor.
9. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 8,
wherein: said housing is about 3.8" long, about 2.4" wide, and 1"
thick.
10. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 8,
wherein: said housing and any elements contained in said housing
weigh than about 200 gm.
11. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 8,
further comprising: a portable, trip wire sensor.
12. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 11,
wherein: said portable, trip wire sensor is a portable,
electromagnetic trip wire sensor.
13. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 11,
wherein: said portable, trip wire sensor weighs less than about 250
gm.
14. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 8,
further comprising: a portable motion sensor.
15. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 14,
wherein: said portable motion sensor is about 1.5" wide, about 4"
long, and about 1" thick.
16. A personal, portable alarm system, as claimed in claim 15,
wherein: said portable motion sensor weighs less than about 4 gm.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a portable alarm system
and, in particular, to an alarm system that interfaces with an
individual's personal radio and remote speaker/microphone.
[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A typical alarm system includes a sensor and an alarm
indicator. The sensor operates to detect an event and produce a
signal that is representative of the event having occurred. The
alarm indicator receives the signal and, in response, causes an
alarm to be produced that informs someone or something that the
event has occurred. For example, one type of alarm system employs a
sensor to detect the breaking of a glass window and to produce an
electrical signal indicative of the breaking of the glass window.
An alarm indicator processes the electrical signal in any number of
ways. For instance, the electrical signal can be used to cause an
audible alarm to sound, to telephone a police or security service
and provide the relevant information, or to provide a visual
indication on a computer/video monitor.
[0004] In one type of alarm system, the sensor operates to detect
an event and if the event is detected, transmit a radio signal
indicative of the event having occurred. A receiver that is tuned
to the frequency of the signal produced by the transmitter operates
to receive and process the signal to produced the desired
alarm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to a personal, portable
alarm system that interfaces with an individual's portable radio
and at least a remote speaker, which is typically connected to the
portable radio and takes the form of a headset or lapel/epaulet
attachment, to provide the individual with an audible indication
that a radio signal has been received from a remote sensor
indicating that an event, such as motion, has been detected at the
location of the sensor. Among the applications for the system are
military applications that involve the establishment of defensive
perimeters. The system is also useful in SWAT team applications
where rooms in buildings are "cleared" by SWAT team members and
there is a need to monitor the "cleared" rooms to determine if
someone thereafter enters the rooms.
[0006] In many situations, individuals carry a portable radio that
has a speaker interface that allows a remote speaker (i.e., a
speaker that is spaced from the radio or not integrated into the
radio housing) to be connected to the speaker channel of the radio.
For example, many police and military forces employ a radio that
includes a speaker jack receptacle for connecting the radio to a
remote speaker device. The remote speaker device includes a speaker
that is either in a headset that is positioned adjacent the
individual's ear or attached to a piece of clothing that is
adjacent the individual's ear. In addition, the remote speaker
device includes a speaker jack that is adapted to mate with the
speaker jack receptacle of the radio to connect the remote speaker
device and the radio. When the remote speaker device and radio are
connected to one another, via the speaker jack and speaker jack
receptacle, the individual can hear communications that have been
received by the radio in the remote speaker. In many cases, the
remote speaker device is used in conjunction with a remote
microphone that is positioned adjacent an individual's mouth and
operates to convert the individual's oral communications into
electrical signals for processing into a radio transmission.
[0007] The present invention is directed to a personal, portable
alarm system that comprises a first interface for connecting to the
speaker channel of a personal, portable radio, and a second
interface for connecting to a remote speaker. Consequently, the
system is positioned between the radio and the remote speaker. A
speaker channel connects the first interface with the second
interface. As such, when the system is connected to the radio and
to the remote speaker, the individual is able to hear
communications that have been received by their radio. The system
further includes an alarm processing device that receives a sensor
radio signal from a remotely located sensor that indicates that an
event, such as motion, has been detected at the location of the
sensor. It should be appreciated that the sensor radio signal is
sufficiently different from the radio signals that the individual's
personal, portable radio is designed to process so as not to
interfere with the operation of the radio. The alarm processing
device, in response to the sensor radio signal, produces an alarm
signal that is interjected into the speaker channel for
transmission to the remote speaker and informs the individual that
a signal has been received from the remote sensor.
[0008] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a
personal, portable alarm system that includes a first interface for
connecting to the speaker and microphone channels of an
individual's portable radio, and a second interface for connecting
to the individual's remote speaker-microphone. A communication
channel connects the first and second interfaces. As such, when the
system is connected to an individual's personal, portable radio and
the remote speaker-microphone, the individual is able to hear
communications that have been received by the radio and to have
their oral communications conveyed to the radio for transmission.
An alarm processing device operates to receive a sensor radio
signal from a remotely located sensor, process the signal, and
produce an alarm signal that is interjected into the communication
channel for transmission to the remote speaker and informs the
individual that a signal has been received from the remote
sensor.
[0009] A further embodiment of the invention employs a processing
device that not only interjects the alarm signal into the
communication channel for transmission to the individual's remote
speaker but also interjects the alarm signal into the communication
channel for transmission to the microphone channel of the
individual's personal, portable radio. Consequently, the alarm
signal is not only heard by the individual with the system attached
to their personal, portable radio but is also broadcast for others
to hear. This allows the system to be attached to one individual's
portable radio rather than having a system attached to the portable
radios of all the individuals in a group that may need or want to
be informed that a remote sensor had detected an event, such as
motion.
[0010] Yet another embodiment of the invention includes a sensing
device for detecting whether or not the speaker or communication
channel is being utilized to convey a signal received by the
individual's personal, portable radio or to convey a signal
produced by the individual utilizing their remote microphone.
Stated differently, the sensing device detects whether the radio
and remote speaker or microphone are being utilized for
communication with other radios. If the radio is being used to
communicate, the sensing device produces a "hold" signal that is
used by the processing device to hold any alarm signals that have
not yet been interjected into the speaker or communication channel
and any alarm signals that are received while the radio
communication is occurring until the channel is clear, i.e., not
otherwise being used to communicate over the radio.
[0011] In another embodiment, the "hold" signal serves as an
interrupt signal to which the processing device responds by
terminating any ongoing interjection of an alarm signal or signals
into the speaker or communication channel. In addition, the
processing device causes the alarm signals to be saved for later
interjection into the speaker or communication channel.
[0012] Yet another embodiment of the invention allows the
individual to define the content of the alarm signals. In one
embodiment, the system is put in a mode that allows the individual
to use a microphone associated with the individual's portable radio
to enter a voice recording that is correlated to the remote sensor.
Consequently, when the sensor radio signal is received by the
system, the processing device causes the voice recording to be
interjected into the speaker or communication channel. For example,
the voice recording might be "motion at doorway #3" or simply
"doorway #3". If several sensors are to be employed, the system is
able to accommodate several such pre-recorded alarm messages.
[0013] In another embodiment, the processing device is capable of
processing signals from several different sensors and interjecting
a signal that is related to each sensor into the speaker or
communication channel. To elaborate, in many applications, it is
desirable to utilize a plurality of sensors, each at a different
location. In this situation, the sensors each transmit a
distinguishable or individualized signal. The processing device is
capable of distinguishing these individualized signals from one
another and then causing a signal to be interjected into the
speaker or communication channel that identifies which one of the
plurality of remote sensors has detected an event, such as
motion.
[0014] Yet other embodiments of the system include remote sensors.
One such remote sensor is a portable "trip wire" sensor that
transmits a radio signal when someone or something passes between
two, separated points that are connected by a "trip wire". In one
embodiment, a portable, electromagnetic trip wire sensor is
utilized that produces a radio signal when an electromagnetic beam,
typically invisible, extending between an emitter and detector is
broken by the passage of a person or object. Another portable
remote sensor is a portable motion sensor that transmits a radio
signal when motion is detected within a particular area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a portable
alarm system that interfaces with an individual's personal,
portable radio;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the portion of the portable
alarm system that interfaces with an individual's personal,
portable radio;
[0017] FIG. 3 is block diagram of a portable, motion sensor;
and
[0018] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a portable, optical "trip wire"
sensor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a personal, portable
alarm system 10 that interfaces with an individual's portable radio
12 and remote speaker-microphone setup, which takes the form of a
headset 14. Before describing the system 10, the portable radio 12
and the headset 14 are described.
[0020] The portable radio 12 is of a size and weight that allows an
individual to carry it on their person. Exemplary of this type of
portable radio are the tactical radios utilized by police, security
and military forces and commonly seen attached to a belt or
bandolier. Typically, the portable radio 12 has an integrated
speaker 18 for listening to communications received by the radio
and an integrated microphone 20 that converts an individual's oral
communications into electrical signals that contain information
that is embodied in a radio signal transmitted by the radio 12. The
radio 12 includes a remote interface 22 that allows a remote
speaker-microphone setup, such as the headset 14, to be attached to
the radio 12. The remote interface 22 commonly takes the form of a
pair of jack receptacles, one jack receptacle for connecting to the
speaker channel within the radio 12 and the other jack receptacle
for connecting to the microphone channel within the radio 12. Other
forms of interfaces are feasible. When a remote speaker-microphone
set up is connected to the remote interface 22 of the radio 12, the
operation of the integrated speaker 18 and the integrated
microphone 20 are disabled in favor the remote speaker-microphone
to prevent feedback problems. The radio 12 also typically includes
other operator interface features (not shown) such as a "key" that
allows the individual to place the radio in a transmit or receive
mode of operation, a volume control, and a channel selector.
[0021] The headset 14 includes a remote speaker 26 and remote
microphone 28. A structure 30 serves to respectively position the
remote speaker and microphone 26, 28 adjacent an individual's ear
and mouth when the headset 14 is in use. A headset plug 32 provides
the mating interface to the remote interface 22. For instance, if
the remote interface 22 is a pair of jack receptacles, the headset
plug 32 includes two jacks that are suitable for insertion in the
jack receptacles. Other types of interface structures that require
a different type of plug are feasible. A cord 34 (commonly, a
telephone cord) provides the electrical connections between the
remote speaker and microphone 26, 28 and the plug 32. It should be
appreciated that there are several types of remote
speaker-microphone structures, of which the headset 14 is only one
example. Consequently, the invention is not restricted to use with
any particular remote speaker-microphone setup or the interfaces
used to connect such a setup to a radio.
[0022] Having described a typical portable radio and remote
speaker-microphone setup, an embodiment of the system 10 is now
described. Generally, the system 10 includes a portable receiver 38
that is capable of (a) interfacing with an individual's portable
radio (such as radio 12) and remote speaker-microphone setup so as
to have at least access to the communication channel to an
individual's remote speaker and, in the illustrated embodiment, to
the microphone channel within the radio; (b) receiving a radio
signal from a remote sensor that is indicative of an event (e.g.,
motion) having occurred adjacent to the remote sensor; and (c)
processing the radio signal such that an alarm signal is
interjected into the communication channel going to the
individual's remote speaker and, in the illustrated embodiment,
into the microphone channel of the radio for broadcast to other
radios.
[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the system 10 further
includes a portable remote sensor 42A that is of a size and weight
that allows an individual to carry it on their person. Generally,
the portable remote sensor is capable of sensing an event (such as
motion) and after sensing the event, producing a radio signal for
reception by the portable receiver 38 that is indicative of the
occurrence of the event. In many applications, additional portable
remote sensors 42B-42N are employed. It should be appreciated that
the portable receiver 38 is also capable of being used in (a) an
alarm system in which none of the remote sensors are considered to
be portable, i.e., not of a size and weight that allows an
individual to carry it on their person, and (b) an alarm system
that employs a combination of portable and non-portable remote
sensors. Further, while the portable sensors disclosed herein
utilize electromagnetic motion detectors and electromagnetic (e.g.,
optical) "trip wires", it should be appreciated that other types of
detectors or detection schemes can be employed in the sensors. For
instance, temperature and pressure detectors are feasible, if
required for a particular application. Detection schemes that
utilize mechanical switches, such "foot" switches that are actuated
when stepped on and "gate" switches that are actuated when a "gate"
is moved one way or another by contact with a moving object, are
also feasible.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the portable
receiver 38 is described. The receiver 38 includes a housing 46. A
plug 48 and cord 50 form an interface for establishing a connection
with the radio 12 via the remote interface 22. When the plug 48 is
connected to the remote interface 22, the receiver 38 has access to
the speaker and microphone channels of the radio 12. A remote
interface 52 is provided for establishing a connection with the
individual's remote speaker-microphone setup, which is the headset
14 in the illustrated embodiment. An antenna 54 is provided for
receiving radio signals from one or more remote sensors. While the
antenna 52 is shown as extending from the housing 46, antennas that
are located with the housing 46 or form part of the housing 46 are
also feasible. A battery charger socket 56 is provided for charging
an internal battery 58. An on/off switch 60 allows an individual to
control the application of power from the internal battery 58 to
other components of the receiver 38.
[0025] With continuing reference to FIG. 2, a communication channel
62 connects the interface formed by the plug 48 and cord 50 with
the remote interface 52. Consequently, when the radio 12 and the
headset 14 are both connected to the receiver 38, the communication
channel 62 provides a path for communications received by the radio
12 to be conveyed to the remote speaker 26 and for an electrical
signal representative of an oral communication made into the remote
microphone 28 to be conveyed to the radio 12 for processing into a
radio transmission. The communication channel 62 includes speaker
path 64 and a microphone path 66. Associated with the speaker path
64 is a speaker signal detector 68. A microphone "key" detector 70
is associated with the microphone path 64. The speaker signal
detector 68 and microphone "key" detector 70 collectively operate
to determine if the radio 12 is in use. The speaker signal detector
68 operates to determine if a communication received by the radio
12 is being conveyed to the remote speaker 26 and if such a
communication is detected, output a signal indicative thereof
(e.g., a "hold"/"interrupt" signal). After the communication
terminates, the speaker signal detector 68 outputs a signal
indicative thereof (e.g., removes a "hold"/"interrupt" signal). The
microphone "key" detector 68 operates to determine if the "key"
signals that are indicative of the period of time during which an
individual is using the remote microphone 28 to cause an electrical
signal to be conveyed to the radio 12 for processing into a
transmission are present. Specifically, if the "key" signal that
represents the beginning of an individuals use of the remote
microphone 28 is detected, the microphone "key" detector 68 outputs
a signal indicative thereof (e.g., a "hold"/"interrupt" signal).
When the "key" signal that represents the end of the individual's
use of the remote microphone 28 is detected, the microphone "key"
detector 68 outputs a signal indicative thereof (e.g., removes a
"hold"/"interrupt" signal). As an alternative to the microphone
"key" detector 68, a microphone signal detector can be utilized
that detects the presence of an electrical signal in the microphone
path that is representative of an oral communication made into the
remote microphone 28.
[0026] Also associated with the communication channel 62 is an
interjection interface 72 that allows an alarm signal that is
representative of an event at a remote sensor to be interjected
onto the speaker path 64 for transmission to the remote speaker 26.
The interjection interface 72 also allows an alarm signal to be
interjected onto the microphone path 66 for conveyance to the radio
12 for broadcast. By interjecting the alarm signal onto the
microphone path 66 for broadcast by the radio 12, it is only
necessary for one member of a team to have the portable receiver
38. It should also be appreciated that it is feasible to interject
the alarm signal only onto the speaker path 62. Such an embodiment
would be adequate in applications when: (a) only one individual
needs to hear an alarm signal, or (b) each member of a team has a
portable receiver, thereby making the need to broadcast
unnecessary.
[0027] A voice chip 74 is capable of retaining at least one alarm
signal or message that is associated with the occurrence of an
event at a remote sensor and interjecting the alarm signal into the
communication channel 62 for transmission to the remote speaker 26
and for broadcasting by the radio 12. More typically, the voice
chip 74 is capable of retaining multiple alarm signals or messages,
each of which is associated with a different remote sensor and each
capable of being selectively interjected into the communication
channel 62. For instance, the voice chip 74 may contain the
messages "sensor 1" and "sensor 2." When a radio signal is received
from, for example, remote sensor 2, the voice chip 74 is instructed
to provide the "sensor 2" message to the interjection interface 72.
A voice activated microphone keyer 76 is disposed between the voice
chip 74 and the portion of the interjection interface 72 that
serves to interject any message onto the microphone path 74. The
keyer 76 operates to produce "key" signals before and after the
message has been interjected into the microphone path 64 that are
interpreted by the radio 12 to switch the radio between transmit
and receive modes, just as if the "key" on the radio 12 had been
actuated. To elaborate, the keyer 76 interjects a "key" signal into
the microphone path 66 that instructs the radio 12 to enter a
transmit mode so that an alarm signal or message from the voice
chip 74 that is to follow can be transmitted by the radio. After
the alarm signal or message has been interjected into the
microphone path 66, the keyer 76 interjects another "key" signal
into the microphone path 66 that instructs the radio 12 to enter a
receive mode so that communications from other radios can be
received. As an alternative to the use of the keyer 76, a
controller can be used to interject "key" signals in to the
microphone path 66. For instance, the controller 82, which is
described hereinbelow, is capable of being adapted to interject the
noted "key" signals and thereby eliminate the need for the keyer
76.
[0028] With continuing reference to FIG. 2, the receiver further
includes a sensor radio receiver 78 that detects and demodulates a
radio signal that has been transmitted by a remote sensor and
received by the antenna 54. The demodulated signal produced by the
sensor radio receiver 78 is provided to a decoder 78 that
determines a digital identification code that was carried by the
radio signal from the remote sensor and identifies the remote
sensor. It should be appreciated that if there is only a single
remote sensor or if there are multiple remote sensors that each
transmit the same signal, there is only a need to detect the signal
received by the antenna 54. Further, if an identification code is
needed, the identification code is not restricted to a digital code
or any particular method or combination of methods for establishing
the code.
[0029] The receiver 38 also includes a controller 82 that generally
operates to: (a) not cause any alarm signals to be interjected into
the communication channel 62; or (b) to cause alarm signals to be
interjected into the communication channel 62 in response to a
radio signal from a remote sensor that is indicative of an event
occurring adjacent to the remote sensor. To elaborate, when the
on/off switch 60 is in the "off" state, the controller 82 does not
cause any alarm signals or messages stored in the voice chip 74 to
be interjected into the communication channel 62. When the on/off
switch 60 is in the "on" state, the controller 82 generally
operates to use the decoded digital signal that identifies the
remote sensor that transmitted the radio signal and received by the
antenna 54 to instruct the voice chip 74 to interject an alarm
signal into the communication channel 62. However, the point in
time at which the controller 82 instructs the voice chip 74 to
interject an alarm signal depends upon the outputs of the speaker
signal detector 68 and microphone "key" detector 70, which the
controller 82 monitors. The controller 82 operates so as to give a
preference to communications on the communication channel 62 that
are from the radio 12 or as a result of the use of the remote
microphone 28. Consequently, if the speaker signal detector 68 is
not detecting any communications on the speaker path 64 from the
radio 12 and the microphone "key" detector 70 is not detecting any
"key" signals on the microphone path 66, the controller 82 operates
to instruct the voice chip 74 to interject alarm signals or
messages into the communication channel 62 for transmission to the
individual's remote speaker 26 and for transmission to the radio 12
for broadcast. If either the speaker signal detector 68 detects a
communication or the microphone "key" detector 70 detects a "key"
signal indicative of the use or likely use of the microphone path
66, the response of the controller 82 depends upon whether or not
the voice chip 74 is in the process of interjecting an alarm signal
or message into the communication channel 62 or not. If the voice
chip 74 is not interjecting an alarm signal into the communication
channel 62 when either the speaker signal detector 68 detects a
communication or the microphone "key" detector 70 detects a "key"
signal indicative of the use or likely use of the microphone path
66, the controller 82 stores the information needed to cause any
alarm signal or message that would have otherwise been interjected
to be sent when the communication channel 62 clears. If several
radio signals are received before the communication channel 62
clears, the controller 82 queues the information needed to cause
the alarm signals or messages to be sent when the communication
channel 62. If the voice chip 74 is interjecting an alarm signal or
message into the communication channel 62 when either the speaker
signal detector 68 or microphone "key" detector 70 makes a
detection, the controller 82 operates to store the information
needed to cause whatever alarm message was interrupted to be
retransmitted after the channel clears. In addition, if other radio
signals are received while the communication channel 62 is being
used, the controller 82 queues the information needed to cause
these alarm messages to be interjected into the communication
channel 62 after the channel clears.
[0030] With continuing reference to FIG. 2, the receiver 38 also
includes a record switch 142 that allows an individual to record a
particular alarm signal or message in the voice chip 74 for a
sensor via the remote microphone 28. The switch 142 includes a
selector switch that can be set at an "off" position or at any one
of a number of "on" positions, with each of the "on" positions
corresponding to a separate sensor. The switch 142 also includes a
default button/switch that if actuated when the selector switch is
in one of the "on" positions, causes a default alarm signal or
message stored in the voice chip 74 to be selected or preferred
over any alarm signal or message that was previously recorded via
the remote microphone 28. When the selector switch of the switch
142 is in an "on" position corresponding to a particular sensor and
the default button/switch is not actuated, a recording input
circuit 144 is activated that receives the alarm signal or message
that an individual wants to record from the microphone path 66,
which the alarm signal or message being established by the
individual speaking into the remote microphone 28. The recording
input circuit 144 communicates with the controller 82 to establish
the "preferred" alarm signal or message in the voice chip 74 and
establish the preferred alarm signal or message as the message that
will be interjected into the communication channel 62 when a radio
signal is received from the remote sensor to which the signal or
message relates. One possible use of the preferred alarm signal or
message is to provide information as to the specific location of
the sensor with which the alarm or message is associated, while the
default alarm signal or message does not include any such
information. For example, if the default message is "sensor 3", a
preferred alarm or message for sensor 3 could be "sensor at
upstairs window".
[0031] In one embodiment, the housing of the portable receiver 38
is approximately 3.8" long, 2.4" wide, and 1" thick and the
receiver 38 weighs approximately 6.75 ounces or 191.5 gm. Other
implementations of the portable receiver may have different
dimensions and/or a different weight and still be considered
portable, i.e., be of a size and weight that allows an individual
to carry it on their person.
[0032] It should be appreciated that the portable receiver 38 could
be integrated, if desired, into a portable radio, such as radio 12.
In such an embodiment the remote interface 52 would replace the
remote interface 22 and the connection interface formed by remote
interface 22 and plug 48 would replaced by electrical conductors or
otherwise rendered unnecessary.
[0033] With reference to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a portable motion
sensor 86 that is suitable for use in the system 10 is described.
The portable motion sensor 86 includes a hermetically sealed
housing or package 88. A battery charger input 90 is provided for
charging an internal battery 92. An on/off switch 94 allows an
individual to control the application of power from the internal
battery 92 to other components of the sensor 86. A microwave
proximity/motion detection circuit/antenna 96 operates to emit
microwaves in an area surrounding the sensor and receive the
reflected microwaves from objects in the area or that enter the
area. An amplifier/detector/A-to-D converter circuit 98 operates to
detect a reflected signal, amplify any reflected microwave signals,
and convert the amplified signal into a digital signal. A
controller 100 operates to receive any digital signal produced by
the circuit 98 and analyze the digital signal to determine if there
is a Doppler shift in the signal that is indicative of someone or
something having moved in the area surrounding the sensor. If the
controller 100 determines that no motion is occurring in the area,
no further action takes place. If, however, the controller 100
determines that motion has occurred in the area of the sensor, the
controller 100 activates a radio transmitter 102 and encoder 104.
The encoder 104 outputs a signal that identifies the sensor and
modulates the carrier signal output by the transmitter 102.
Consequently, the transmitter 102 outputs a radio signal that both
indicates that a "motion" event has occurred in the area adjacent
to the sensor and identifies the sensor. If the application does
not require that an id be associated with the sensor, the encoder
104 can be eliminated or by-passed. The signal produced by the
transmitter 104 is applied to an antenna 106 that extends from the
housing 88. Antennas that are internal to or part of the housing 88
are feasible.
[0034] The portable motion sensor 86 is approximately 1.5" wide, 4"
long and 1"-1.4" thick, depending on the type of internal battery
employed. The sensor 86 weighs approximately 0.13 ounces or 3.7 gm.
Other implementations of a portable motion sensor may have
different dimensions and/or a different weight and still be
considered portable, i.e., be of a size and weight that allows an
individual to carry it on their person.
[0035] With reference to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a portable,
electromagnetic "trip wire" sensor 108 that is suitable for use in
the system 10 is described. Generally, a "trip wire" sensor serves
to indicate whether someone or something has crossed a specific
line. The line typically extends across a doorway or path but can
also be arbitrary. The sensor 108 includes a transmitter 110 for
producing a beam of light and a receiver 112 for receiving the beam
of light and if an interruption is detected in the beam of light
that is indicative of someone or something having passed through a
line extending between transmitter 110 and receiver 112, cause a
radio signal to be generated. The transmitter 110 includes battery
charger input 114 for charging an internal battery 116. An on/off
switch 118 allows an individual to control the application of power
from the internal battery 116 to other components of the
transmitter 110. An optical transmitter driver 120 produces a
signal when the transmitter is active that causes an optical
transmitter circuit 122 to produce a beam of light. Typically, a
relatively wide beam of light is produced to simplify alignment of
the transmitter 110 with the receiver 112.
[0036] The receiver 112 includes battery charger input 126 for
charging an internal battery 128. An on/off switch 130 allows an
individual to control the application of power from the internal
battery 128 to other components of the receiver 112. An optical
receiver circuit 132 operates to produce an electrical signal that
is representative of whatever optical signal is received.
Consequently, if the optical receiver circuit 132 receives the
light beam output by the transmitter 110, the circuit 132 produces
a representative electrical signal. If the light beam produced by
the transmitter 110 does not reach the receiver 112, due to the
passage of someone or something between the transmitter 110 and the
receiver 112, the circuit 132 produces a representative electrical
signal that is distinguishable from the signal produced when the
light beam produced by the transmitter 110 is received. An
amplifier/detector/A-to-D converter circuit 132 operates to detect
the signal output by the circuit 1321, amplify any detected signal,
and convert the amplified signal into a digital signal. A
controller 136 operates to receive any digital signal produced by
the circuit 134 and analyze the digital signal to determine if the
signal indicates that someone or something passed between the
transmitter 110 and receiver 112. If the controller 136 determines
that no such passage has occurred, no further action takes place.
If, however, the controller 136 determines that such a passage has
occurred, the controller 136 activates a radio transmitter 136 and
encoder 138. The encoder 138 outputs a signal that identifies the
sensor and modulates the carrier signal output by the transmitter
136. Consequently, the transmitter 136 outputs a radio signal that
both indicates that a "passage" event has occurred and identifies
the sensor. If the application does not require that an id be
associated with the sensor, the encoder 138 can be eliminated or
bypassed. The signal produced by the transmitter 136 is applied to
an antenna 138 that extends from a housing 140. Antennas that are
internal to or part of the housing 140 are feasible.
[0037] The transmitter 110 and receiver 112 of the portable,
electromagnetic "trip wire" sensor 108 are each approximately
1.375" wide, 2.125" long and 0.625" thick. The total weight of the
portable, optical "trip wire" sensor 108 is approximately 7.9 oz.
or 224.3 gm. Other implementations of a portable, electromagnetic
"trip wire" sensor may have transmitters and receivers with
different dimensions and/or a different weights and still be
considered portable, i.e., be of a size and weight that allows an
individual to carry it on their person.
[0038] The operation of the system 10 is now described regardless
of the type of remote sensor employed and assuming that multiple
remote sensors that each produce a radio signal when an event of
some type has been detected have been deployed. The portable
receiver 38 is attached to the individual's portable radio 12 using
the remote interface 22 of the radio 12 and the plug 48 or other
interface that mates with the remote interface 22. The portable
receiver 38 is also attached to the remote speaker-microphone setup
using the remote interface 52 of the receiver 38 and the plug 32 or
other interface that mates with the remote interface 52. With the
on/off switch 60 of the receiver 38 in the "off" position, an
individual is able to hear communication received by the radio 12
via the remote speaker 26 and to use the remote microphone 28 to
transmit communications via the radio 12. When the on/off switch 60
of the receiver 38 is placed in the "on" position, an individual is
able to conduct the same communications as when the on/off switch
60 was in the "off" position. Additionally, however, the individual
is able to hear, via the remote speaker 26, any alarm signal or
message produced by the receiver 38 when a radio signal from a
remote sensor is received. The alarm signal or message is also
conveyed to the radio 12 for broadcasting to other radios. The
interjection of alarm signals or messages into the communication
channel 62 for conveyance to the remote speaker 26 and to the radio
12 is delayed by the receiver 38 if the communication channel 62 is
otherwise being used. Further, the interjection of alarm signals or
messages into the communication channel 62 is interrupted when the
signals initiating from the radio 12 or the remote microphone 28
are detected. Information relating to the interrupted alarm signal
is stored so that the alarm signal or message, in its entirety, can
be interjected into the communication channel when the channel
becomes clear. If additional radio signals are received when an
alarm message is delayed or interrupted, the information necessary
to produce each of the relevant alarm signal or message is queued
and used to generate the alarm signals or messages for interjection
into the communication channel 62 after the channel 62 clears.
[0039] Typically, the receiver 38 is used in conjunction with
multiple remote sensors that each produce a radio signal when an
event has been detected that contains information which identifies
the sensor. The receiver 38 recovers this information from the
received radio signal and uses this information to produce an alarm
signal that is unique to the sensor that transmitted the radio
signal. For instance, the receiver 28 may interject a signal into
the communication channel that is heard on the remote speaker 26
as, for example, "sensor 2." Typically, the individual hearing this
message on their remote speaker 26 correlates the message with the
known position of sensor 2 and can take appropriate action.
[0040] The embodiment described hereinabove is intended to explain
the best mode known of practicing the invention and to enable
others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.
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