Communication alert system for accidental or unauthorized pool entry

Abstract

A communication alert system for accidental or unauthorized pool entry includes a detection system for detecting unauthorized pool ingress; and an alert system to notify neighbors proximal to a pool being monitored by the detection system. The alert system may include a pool safety system for receiving an alert or an alarm from the detection system and forwarding the alert or the alarm to the neighbors. A method for providing pool safety against accidental or unauthorized pool entry includes utilizing the communication alert system.

Description

Attorney Docket 2833-7 PCTTITLE: COMMUNICATION ALERT SYSTEM FOR ACCIDENTAL OR UNAUTHORIZED POOL ENTRYCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 18 / 950,653, filed November 18, 2024, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to a communication alert system for accidental or unauthorized pool entry. In particular, the present invention is directed to a phone alert system notifying individuals, such as neighbors, proximal to a location of the pool for possible unauthorized entry into the pool.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Accidental or unauthorized entry into a pool may be by an adult, a teenager, an infant, and the like. Such unauthorized entry may require prompt action to avoid possible harm. For example, if an infant enters a pool without proximal supervision, the infant may be struggling against drowning.

[0004] Prompt action, on the order of minutes, may be necessary to avoid harm to the unauthorized individual in the pool. For example, a child may suffer brain damage within two to three minutes of breathing loss. Thus, prompt action is desirous to avoid undue injury from, for example, drowning.

[0005] Thus, there is a need in the art for promptly addressing accidental or unauthorized pool entry.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is directed to an alert system for promptly addressing accidental or unauthorized pool entry. Local neighbors may be alerted for accidental or unauthorized pool entry, and such neighbors may promptly enter the pool area, typically in less time than required by local emergency services, such as police.

[0007] The neighbors will be able to respond faster than authorities, including local authorities or local emergency services. For example, relying on local authorities or local emergency services would typically require an alarm event being sent to a central monitoringAttorney Docket 2833-7 PCTstation, who then calls or contacts local police dispatch and then who dispatches a message to a hopefully somewhat local patrol car. After all of these events, one hopes the police car is less than three minutes away to avoid injury from, for example, breathing loss for an individual unconscious in a pool. It is highly improbable that local police may be alerted and be onsite at the pool area as compared to neighbors being alerted and onsite for the same event.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a communication alert system for accidental or unauthorized pool entry is provided. The communication alert system may include a detection system for detecting accidental or unauthorized pool ingress, and an alert system to notify neighbors proximal to a pool being monitored by the detection system. The system may further include a pool safety alert system for receiving an alert or an alarm from the detection system and forwarding the alert or the alarm to the neighbors. The pool safety alert system may further forward the alert or the alarm to a local emergency service, a central monitoring service, or a home owner of the pool.

[0009] The detection system may be activated when pool supervision is required, such as when there is no personal supervisory presence at or near the pool. The system, including the detection system, may be manually activated or may be remotely activated.

[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a community, including neighbors, a notification, such as an alert or alarm, against accidental or unauthorized pool entry is provided. The method may provide immediate or substantially immediate notification. The method is a community-based application for alerting against unauthorized pool entry and acts as a fail-safe method or system. The method includes monitoring a pool for accidental or unauthorized entry and upon detecting accidental or unauthorized entry, alerting an entity of unauthorized pool entry. The entity may be a neighbor or a group of neighbors proximal to a location of the pool. The method may further include alerting a local emergency service of accidental or unauthorized pool entry, such as local police, local ambulance service, local emergency medical service, and combinations thereof. The method may further include alerting a central monitoring service of accidental or unauthorized pool entry, such as a local security service or a home security monitoring service.Attorney Docket 2833-7 PCT

[0011] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. Corresponding reference element numbers or characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the communication alert system for accidental or unauthorized pool entry according to the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the communication alert system for accidental or unauthorized pool entry according to the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating hardware and software components capable of being utilized to implement the communication alert system.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] FIG. l is a schematic illustration of the communication, such as a phone, alert system 10 for accidental or unauthorized pool entry according to the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 1, the communication alert system 10 includes an accidental or unauthorized pool entry detection system 16 for monitoring entry into pool 12 and / or for monitoring ingress to deck portions 14 proximal to the pool 12. The detection system 16 may be remote from the pool 12 as depicted in FIG. 1. Such a remote detection system 16 may be a motion detector or other device capable of detecting accidental or unauthorized ingress to the pool 12 or even accidental unauthorized ingress to proximal deck portions 14 by remote signaling 15. The detection system 16 may include, but not limited to, a vision system, such as a camera system, including a security camera system, a sonar system, a sound system, a lighting system, and the like. The detection system 16 may also include computer systems, including artificial intelligence (Al) systems, for monitoring and analyzing events.

[0016] The present invention, however, is not limited to a detection system that is remote from the pool, and a detection system directly associated with the pool and / or directly contained within, about, or above the pool may be used. For example, detection systems for unauthorized pool entry described in U.S. Patent Nos. 10,810,857; 11,348,435; and11,531,136, whose contents are incorporated herein by reference, including incorporated by reference in their entirety, may be used to detect unauthorized ingress with the communication alert system 10 of the present invention. Such systems may include, forAttorney Docket 2833-7 PCTexample, an array of arrays of sensors proximally disposed at the pool to detect unauthorized pool entry.

[0017] The detection system 16 communicates with a pool safety alert system 18 via wireless signal 17 that unauthorized entry into the pool 12 and / or into the proximal deck portions 14 has been detected. The pool safety alert system 18 then alerts neighbors or even neighborhood watch personnel of such accidental or unauthorized entry. For example, the pool safety alert system 18 may alert a neighbor or neighbors via wireless signal 19 to a telephone 20 that is registered with the pool safety alert system 18 for the particular neighbor or neighbors. As neighbors are general close in proximity to the property having the pool 12, the neighbors could likely go to the pool 12 very quickly, typically well before other central authorities are able to go the property having the pool 12. Such timing could be critical in saving a person in distress from, for example, drowning, who has entered the pool 12.

[0018] Where a plurality of neighbors or a plurality of neighborhood watch personnel are to be contacted, the pool safety alert system 18 may alert these pluralities concurrently or sequentially. For example, the alert may be forwarded all individuals or parties at the same or at substantially the same time, desirably in a substantially simultaneous manner.Alternatively, one party or individual or a small subset of the parties or individuals may be first contacted, desirably in a substantially simultaneous manner, followed by contacting the remaining parties or individuals. The pool safety alert system 18 may have a hierarchy associated with the contact list of parties agreeing to be included in the pool safety alert system 18. The parties closer to the location of the pool may be first contacted followed by contacting parties more remote from the location of the pool. The pool safety alert system 18 may also have an alert acknowledgement to ascertain if a party contacted has affirmatively acknowledged receipt of the alert. Such acknowledgement may also include whether the party may or may not be able to access the pool location in a reasonable time. For example, if a contacted individual is not present at a normal proximal location to the pool, such as away from home for shopping, etc., then that individual may so inform the pool safety alert system 18 so that priority contact may be given to other proximal individuals.

[0019] The pool safety alert system 18 may also notify a central monitoring service 22 via a wireless signal or alert 21 and / or may also notify local emergency services 24 via a wireless signal or alert 23. The wireless signal 19 to a neighbor or neighbors may be any convenient electronic device, for example a telephone 20 as depicted. The present inventionAttorney Docket 2833-7 PCTis not limited to any particular type of phone or phone service. For example, telephones may include traditional landlines (both analog and digital), mobile phones, smartphones, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phones, etc. The present invention is also not limited to contacting a neighbor or neighbors by telephone, and contacting with other devices may also be used in addition to telephone contact. For example, contact to be to a computer, tablet, pager, and the like.

[0020] The same holds for the central monitoring service 22 and / or the local emergency services 24, i.e., the contact may be via telephone or other devices. Local emergency services 24 may include local police, local ambulance service, local emergency medical services (EMS), and the like. The central monitoring service 22 may include local security services, home security monitoring services, and the like. Contact for these later services may be useful in providing further emergency care, if needed, to the distressed individual who has entered the pool 12.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the phone alert system 10 for accidental or unauthorized pool entry according to the present invention. At step 40, if the alert system 10 is not active, then no monitoring is required at step 42. For example, if pool supervision is present by, for example a responsible adult, at the pool 12, then activation of the detection system 16 will likely not be required. If, however, no pool supervision is present, then the detection system 16 may be activated. The activation (not shown) may be manual by a responsible adult, such as a home owner, a renter, or even a visitor, for example by an activation switch, or even by remote signaling.

[0022] With the detection system 16 activated, when the detection system 16 detects unauthorized entry into the pool 12 at step 44, the detection system 16 may send an alarm or alert to neighbors at step 48. As described above, such an alarm or alert is desirably sent simultaneously or substantially simultaneously the neighbors. As described above such signaling is typically via the pool safety alert system 18. As depicted in step 46, the alarm or alert may also be sent simultaneously or substantially simultaneously to central monitoring and / or local emergency services. The alarm or alert may include a text message, a voice message, a sound alarm, an image or video, including from the camera system, and the like.

[0023] At step 50, neighbors may access or view the pool area. Neighbors may physically visit the pool area to access the potential accidental or unauthorized access. TheAttorney Docket 2833-7 PCTneighbors may remotely view the pool area, such as through use of a camera or vision system. Such remote viewing may be, for example, a video associated with the alert or alarm. In other words, the neighbors may view the alarm video transmission of the accidental or unauthorized entry event. Such remote video reviewing may also be available personnel at the central monitoring service 22 and / or the local emergency services 24. If the neighbors do not see or witness an accidental or unauthorized entry into the pool 12 and / or an individual in distress, then at step 52, no safety action is required and the detection system 16 may be returned from the alarm mode to the normal detection mode or back to step 44.

[0024] If safety action is required at step 52, the neighbors and / or local authorities, such as police or EMS, may so provide action as needed. The neighbors may also communicate with the local authorities, such as police or EMS, at step 54 as necessary.

[0025] At step 56, after the safety situation is addressed, then the detection system 16 may be returned from an alarm mode to normal detection mode or back to step 44.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating hardware and software components capable of being utilized to implement the pool safety system 18. The system 18 can include a communications bus 38, a storage device 26, pool safety code or program 28, an unauthorized pool entry detection system 16, a central processing unit (CPU) 30, an alarm module 32, a network interface 34, and one or more input devices 36 including, but not limited to, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.

[0027] The storage device 26 could comprise any suitable, computer-readable storage medium such as disk, non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), eraseable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically-eraseable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.).

[0028] The functionality provided by the system 18 of the present disclosure could be provided by the pool safety program 28, which could be embodied as computer-readable program code stored on the storage device 26 and executed by the CPU 30 using any suitable, high or low level computing language, such as Python, Java, C, C++, C#, .NET, MATLAB, etc. Accordingly, execution of the pool safety program 28 is configured to control operation of the unauthorized pool entry detection system 16, and the alarm module 32. The alarm module 32 generates an alarm message that can be transmitted to one or more of a remoteAttorney Docket 2833-7 PCTdevice of a neighbor or neighbors, central monitoring services, local emergency services, a general user (home owner or renter), a home alarm system and the like.

[0029] The network interface 34 could include an Ethernet network interface device, a wireless network interface device, or any other suitable device which permits the system 18 to communicate via a network to a remote device of the user including, but not limited to, a personal computer, a server, a smart phone, tablet computer etc. The CPU 30 could include any suitable single-core or multiple-core microprocessor of any suitable architecture that is capable of implementing and running the pool safety program 28 (e.g., Intel processor).

[0030] While various embodiments of the present invention are specifically illustrated and / or described herein, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the present invention may be effected by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention. Further, any of the embodiments or aspects of the invention as described in the claims or in the specification may be used with one and another without limitation.

Claims

Attorney Docket 2833-7 PCTWHAT IS CLAIMED IS1. A communication alert system for accidental or unauthorized pool entry for use with a detection system for detecting accidental or unauthorized pool ingress, comprising:an alert system to notify neighbors proximal to a pool being monitored by the detection system.

2. The system of claim 1, comprising the detection system for detecting accidental or unauthorized pool ingress.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a communication system configured for receiving an alert or an alarm from the detection system and configured for forwarding the alert or the alarm to the neighbors.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the communication system is configured to further forward the alert or the alarm to a local emergency service.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the communication system is configured to forward the alert or the alarm to a central monitoring service.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the communication system is configured to forward the alert or the alarm to a home owner of the pool.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection system is configured to be activated when pool supervision is required.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the pool supervision is required when there is no personal supervisory presence at or near the pool.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the detection system is configured to be manually activated.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the detection system is configured to be remotely activated.Attorney Docket 2833-7 PCT11. A method for alerting against accidental or unauthorized pool entry, comprising:monitoring a pool for accidental or unauthorized entry; andupon detecting unauthorized entry, simultaneously or substantially simultaneously alerting an entity of unauthorized pool entry.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the entity is a neighbor or a group of neighbors proximal to a location of the pool.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:alerting a local emergency service of accidental or unauthorized pool entry.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the local emergency service includes local police, local ambulance service, local emergency medical service, and combinations thereof.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:alerting a central monitoring service of accidental or unauthorized pool entry.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the local emergency service includes a local security service, a home security monitoring service, and combinations thereof.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of alerting the entity of accidental or unauthorized pool entry further includes sending an alarm or an alert which includes a text message, a voice message, a sound alarm, an image or video, and the like.

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