Selectable Alarm Pitch for Ambient Condition Detectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ambient condition detectors often emit tonal patterns with a fixed average tone pitch of 3 kHz, which may not be optimally heard by all users, particularly the elderly, and can be masked by ambient noise, limiting their effectiveness in alerting individuals to sensed conditions.
Innovation Solution
The integration of control electronics with audio pitch control capabilities allows for the selection and emission of tonal patterns with varying pitch tones and temporal spacings, enabling users to choose from different pitch options, including low, medium, and high frequencies, and incorporating verbal outputs to provide condition-specific information, thereby enhancing auditory detection in noisy environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed average tone pitch of 3 kHz is used, then the alarm tone can be emitted with a standard frequency, but it may not be optimally heard by all users particularly the elderly and can be masked by ambient noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pitch selection by allowing the alarm tone frequency to be adjusted between different preset values (e.g., 2.5 kHz, 3 kHz, 3.5 kHz) based on user preference or ambient conditions. The control electronics dynamically switch between different oscillator frequencies to optimize alarm detectability for different user groups, particularly addressing the needs of elderly users with high-frequency hearing deficits.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the frequency parameter of the alarm tone by providing multiple selectable pitch options. The system allows modification of the tone frequency parameter to match different hearing sensitivities, enabling users to select from a range of frequencies rather than being constrained to a fixed 3 kHz pitch.
2Reliability
If a fixed 3 kHz tone pitch is emitted, then the alarm system is simple to manufacture, but it limits effectiveness in alerting individuals to sensed conditions due to ambient noise masking
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic frequency selection capability through programmable control electronics that can switch between multiple oscillator frequencies. This dynamic adjustment mechanism, while adding some manufacturing complexity, significantly improves alarm reliability by allowing optimization of tone frequency against ambient noise conditions and user hearing characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pitch tones are included in tonal patterns, then the alarm can be optimized for different users and ambient conditions, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pitch selection by allowing the alarm tone frequency to be adjusted between different preset values (e.g., 2.5 kHz, 3 kHz, 3.5 kHz) based on user preference or ambient conditions. The control electronics dynamically switch between different oscillator frequencies to optimize alarm detectability for different user groups, particularly addressing the needs of elderly users with high-frequency hearing deficits.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the frequency parameter of the alarm tone by providing multiple selectable pitch options. The system allows modification of the tone frequency parameter to match different hearing sensitivities, enabling users to select from a range of frequencies rather than being constrained to a fixed 3 kHz pitch.
Data Source
AI summary
The pitch of tones within tonal patterns emitted by ambient condition detector units and systems in the alarm or testing state is not always optimum to be heard by a wide range of users. An ambient condition detector outputs an alarm comprising a tonal pattern whereby a user can select at least one pitch tone emitted within a tonal pattern alarm when the detector senses an ambient condition. Options include verbal output.