Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
ware stores to control light for security
purposes, to save energy, or offer strict
UV light regimens to growing plants. For
vibration signaling, a large oscillating
vibrator disc can typically be connected
to an alarm clock signaler, which is then
typically placed between the mattress
and box spring. For most individuals, the
durability of the vibrator is sufficiently
strong. For heavy sleepers, an additional
trick is to add a large piece of plywood in
between the mattress and box springs so
that when the vibrator goes off, the entire
piece of plywood also vibrates as an effec-
tive accentuation. For others, both light
and vibrator are best.
There are a variety of emergency alert
signalers. Similar to standard fire, smoke,
and carbon monoxide alarms seen in
homes and offices, assistive emergency
alert signalers will have enhanced or
new features. For example, some of these
products may feature louder than aver-
age signals (>90 dB) and may also have a
flashing strobe light feature (Figure 12-2).
Many of these products are wall mounted
and powered either by battery or by elec-
tricity, although some are of the table-
top type. Some of these products serve
as transmitters and will send alerts to a
bed vibrator, or one of several compat-
ible receivers. For example, the Bellman
Visit Optical Smoke Alarm transmitter
can send a signal to a vibrating alarm
clock receiver, an audible receiver, and a
vibrating pager receiver. It may be advan-
tageous to have several products strategi-
cally placed around the home or office, or
have a variety of receivers with the proper
transmitting alert device.
Care should be taken to ensure that
these emergency products for purchase
meet certain standards. The National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) pub-
lishes a number of codes and standards.
One such standard relevant to emer-
gency products is NFPA 72 (National Fire
Alarm and Signal Code), which covers
the application, installation, location, per-
formance, inspection, testing, and main-
tenance of fire alarm systems, supervising
station alarm systems, public emergency
alarm reporting systems, fire warning
equipment and emergency communica-
tions systems (ECSs), and their compo-
nents. The NFPA website lists several
manufacturers, distributors, and retailers
Mobile Phone Tip: Alarm Clock
Soon to be released, inventors Patrick
Seypura and Alec Satterfly have devel-
oped Alarmify. Alarmify is an app and
vibration device system synced together.
The mobile phone serves as the clock, and
when the alarm goes off, it triggers the
motor in the vibrator. Seypura and Sat-
terly are licensing the technology through
another company, named Certify. Though
not yet available, interested consumers
can check for updates at http://cenify.
com/product/alarmify/
Emergency Alerts
“I can't always hear fire and smoke
detectors in my home, and I dread the day
there is a severe natural disaster warning
that I might miss!”
