Systems and methods for coordinating and administering self tests of smart home devices having audible outputs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9898922-B2
Application number	US-201615244949-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 23, 2016
Priority date	May 20, 2015
Publication date	Feb 20, 2018
Grant date	Feb 20, 2018

Abstract

Systems and methods for self-administering a sound test to verify operation of a speaker and/or alarm within a hazard detection system are described herein. The sound test can verify that the audible sources such as the alarm and speaker operate at the requisite loudness and frequencies. In addition, the sound test can be self-administered in that it does not require the presence of a person to initiate or verify that the audible sources are functioning properly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for self-checking a loud sounder in a hazard detection system, the system comprising the loud sounder, a microphone, and a motion sensor, the method comprising:
determining a non-invasive time frame to perform a sound check of the loud sounder based at least in part on data acquired by the motion sensor and based at least in part on a location of at least one mobile device associated with an account tied to the hazard detection system; and
self-administering a sound test of the loud sounder at the determined non-invasive time frame, wherein the non-invasive time frame is a time frame in which no occupants are present in a structure comprising the hazard detection system, wherein executing the sound check comprises:
temporarily activating the loud sounder;
monitoring the microphone for an audio signal during the temporary activation of the loud sounder;
determining whether the audio signal satisfies sound check criteria; and
reporting a result of whether the audio signal satisfied sound check criteria.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the non-invasive time frame is further based at least in part on user preferences of when to perform the sound test.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the non-invasive time frame is further based at least in part on a schedule of acceptable time of day to perform the sound check.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sound check is executed automatically without any direct user input to the hazard detection system.

5. A hazard detection system, comprising:
a loud sounder;
a microphone;
a motion detector; and
at least one processor operative to:
determine a non-invasive time frame to perform a sound check of the loud sounder based at least in part on data acquired by the motion detector and based at least in part on a location of at least one mobile device associated with an account tied to the hazard detection system; and
self-administer a sound test of the loud sounder at the determined non-invasive time frame, wherein the non-invasive time frame is a time frame in which no occupants are present in a structure comprising the hazard detection system, wherein during execution of the sound check, the at least one processor is operative to:
temporarily activate the loud sounder;
monitor the microphone for an audio signal during the temporary activation of the loud sounder;
determine whether the audio signal satisfies sound check criteria; and
report a result of whether the audio signal satisfied sound check criteria.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the non-invasive time frame is further based at least in part on user preferences of when to perform the sound test.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the non-invasive time frame is further based at least in part on a schedule of acceptable time of day to perform the sound check.

8. The system of claim 5 , wherein the non-invasive time is further based on times when it is known that the at least one mobile device is not located within the structure.

9. The system of claim 5 , wherein the non-invasive time frame is further based at least in part on a calendar and a time of day.

10. A method for self-checking a loud sounder in a hazard detection system, the system comprising the loud sounder, a microphone, and a motion sensor, the method comprising:
determining a non-invasive time frame to perform a sound check of the loud sounder based at least in part on data acquired by the motion sensor, wherein determining the non-invasive time frame is further based at least in part on a schedule of acceptable time of day to perform the sound check; and
self-administering a sound test of the loud sounder at the determined non-invasive time frame, wherein executing the sound check comprises:
temporarily activating the loud sounder;
monitoring the microphone for an audio signal during the temporary activation of the loud sounder; and
determining whether the audio signal satisfies sound check criteria; and

reporting a result of whether the audio signal satisfied sound check criteria.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein determining the non-invasive time frame is further based at least in part on user preferences of when to perform the sound test.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the non-invasive time frame is a time frame in which no occupants are present in a structure comprising the hazard detection system.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the sound check is executed automatically without any direct user input to the hazard detection system.

Assignees

• Google Inc
• Google Llc

Inventors

• Warren Daniel Adam
• Heyl Lawrence Frederick
• Satterthwaite Jr Edwin H
• Clark Steven
• Goldenson Andrew W
• Ho Dietrich
• Webb Nicholas Unger
• Deluliis Julia
• Moore Tyler
• Manuto Ben

Classifications

• H04R3/00

  Circuits for transducers (arrangements for producing a reverberation or echo sound G10K15/08; amplifiers H03F) · CPC title

• G08B17/10

  Actuation by presence of smoke or gases {, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means} · CPC title

• G08B29/10

  Monitoring of the annunciator circuits · CPC title

• G08B29/126 Primary

  of annunciator circuits · CPC title

• H04R29/001

  for loudspeakers (H04R29/007 takes precedence) · CPC title