# US 12,758,848 B2 · Programmable context aware alarm devices and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,758,848 B2 - Document ID: US12758848B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/577,160 - Filed: 2022-07-08 - Published: 2025-03-20 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-07-08 - Applicants: Mounir Boukadoum; Frederic Nabki; Steve Vezeau; Felix-Antoine Leclerc; Jessica Champagne; Jasmin Bolduc; Raphael Guimond - Inventors: Mounir Boukadoum; Frederic Nabki; Steve Vezeau; Felix-Antoine Leclerc; Jessica Champagne; Jasmin Bolduc; Raphael Guimond - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12758848B2 ## CPC - A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user} - A63B 67/14: Curling stone; Shuffleboard; Similar sliding games - A63B 69/0026: {for ice-hockey} - A63B 2071/0625: {Emitting sound, noise or music} - A63B 2220/13: Relative positions - A63B 2220/40: Acceleration - A63B 2220/53: Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch - A63B 2225/50: Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract A wide variety of devices generate alarms when a particular condition is met. For example, a smoke detector generates an alarm upon detecting smoke whilst a motion detector generates an alarm upon detecting motion when the system to which the motion detector is connected is set or armed. However, in each instance the alarm is the same when the specific condition, e.g. smoke, motion; is met. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide users with an alarm which is generated in dependence upon an overall context within which the alarm is established and the resulting alarm generated varies in dependence upon the established context. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device comprising: a microprocessor; an alarm generator; and a plurality of sensors comprising at least an accelerometer and a gyroscope, each sensor generating data relating to a context of the device, the accelerometer providing data relating to acceleration of the device, the gyroscope providing data relating to movement of the device allowing the microprocessor to establish a position of the device; wherein the microprocessor processes the data generated by the plurality of sensors to determine a current overall context of the device; wherein the microprocessor generates a current alarm of a plurality of alarms with the alarm generator, where the current alarm of the plurality of alarms relates to the current overall context of the device; wherein the current overall context of the device is established in dependence upon whether the device is one of stationary, moving below a predetermined height from a defined playing surface, moving above another predetermined height from the defined playing surface, has just been subjected to an impact, and is currently being subjected to an impact; and wherein each overall context of the device of the plurality of overall contexts is associated with a defined alarm of the plurality of alarms. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising: an outer case having an external geometry comprising: a cylindrical segment, where two planes defining upper and lower surfaces of the truncated cylinder are parallel to one another and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical segment, a base disposed at an end of the cylindrical segment, and a cover disposed at another distal end of the cylindrical segment; an electronics module disposed within the outer case and comprising: a casing within which is disposed a battery, a control circuit comprising at least the microprocessor, and the alarm generator, comprising a pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators coupled to the control circuit and configurable by the control circuit to generate the current alarm of the plurality of alarms; and a pair of sound guides, where each sound guide is disposed between an acoustic signal generator of the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators and an opening within the cylindrical segment; wherein the pair of sound guides absorb deformations in the cylindrical segment of the outer case arising from impacts, thereby isolating the electronics module from these cylindrical segment deformations. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, wherein the casing of the electronics module comprises: a first case portion housing the battery and preventing motion of the battery under an impact of the device to another object, a second case portion housing the control circuit and preventing motion of the control circuit under the impact, and a pair of acoustic resonators; wherein each acoustic resonator of the pair of acoustic resonators is attached to the first case portion and the second case portion at predetermined locations; and wherein each acoustic signal generator of the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators is disposed within a chamber formed by an acoustic resonator of the pair of acoustic resonators, the first case portion, and the second case portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein each alarm of the plurality of alarms generated by the alarm generator is provided by a means selected from the group comprising a visual means, an audible means, a tactile means, an olfactory means, and a gustatory means, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising an interface operating according to a defined standard which employs at least one of an optical means, a wireless means, and a wired means; wherein the microprocessor triggers generation of another alarm by another device in communication with the device via the interface; and wherein the another alarm is directed to a remote user different from a user local to the device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless interface operating according to a defined wireless standard; wherein the current overall context of the device is further established in dependence upon other data acquired by the microprocessor via the wireless interface from at least one other sensor remote from the device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the current overall context of the device is one of a plurality of overall contexts of the device; wherein each overall context of the plurality of overall contexts comprises: a first portion defining whether the device is one of stationary, moving below a predetermined distance from the playing surface, moving above another predetermined distance from the playing surface, has just been subjected to an impact, and is currently being subjected to an impact, and a second portion defining a section of a plurality of sections the device is currently within, where the plurality of sections are defined with respect to a defined boundary of the playing surface; and wherein each overall context of the plurality of overall contexts is associated with a defined alarm of the plurality of alarms. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless interface operating according to a predetermined wireless standard; wherein the microprocessor receives configuration data via the wireless interface from a remote electronic device to establish a plurality of overall contexts of the device and the plurality of alarms; wherein each overall context of the plurality of overall contexts comprises: a first portion defining whether the device is one of stationary, moving below a predetermined distance from the playing surface, moving above another predetermined distance from the playing surface, has just been subjected to an impact, and is currently being subjected to an impact, and a second portion defining a section of a plurality of sections the device is currently within, where the plurality of sections are defined with respect to a defined boundary of the playing surface; and wherein each overall context of the plurality of overall contexts is associated with a defined alarm of the plurality of alarms. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm generator comprises a pair of acoustic signal generators, where each acoustic signal generator is coupled to a control circuit comprising at least the microprocessor; wherein each acoustic signal generator of the pair of acoustic signal generators generates one or more audible signals whilst the device is at least in motion; and wherein each acoustic signal generator of the pair of acoustic signal generators is either coupled to an acoustic resonator or disposed within a chamber formed by an acoustic resonator and one or more portions of a case of the device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm generator comprises a pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators, where each acoustic signal generator is coupled to a control circuit comprising at least the microprocessor; wherein each acoustic signal generator of the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators generates one or more audible signals whilst the device is at least in motion; and wherein each acoustic signal generator of the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators is aligned with an axis of the device and emits the audible signals in a direction with respect to the axis of the device such that the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators emit audible signals in opposite directions with respect to the axis of the device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device according to claim 10, wherein each acoustic signal generator of the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators is one of: coupled to an acoustic resonator; disposed within a chamber formed by an acoustic resonator and at least one portion of a case of the device; and an acoustic horn. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm generator comprises a pair of acoustic signal generators, where each acoustic signal generator is coupled to a control circuit comprising at least the microprocessor; wherein each acoustic signal generator of the pair of acoustic signal generators generates one or more audible signals whilst the device is at least in motion; and wherein each acoustic signal generator of the pair of acoustic signal generators is coupled to an acoustic horn that couples acoustic signals generated by the acoustic signal generator to an environment surrounding the device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors further comprise at least a magnetometer; wherein the current overall context of the device is one of a plurality of overall contexts of the device, where each overall context of the device of the plurality of overall contexts comprises: a first portion defining a velocity of the device and a height of the device relative to a defined surface, and a second portion defining a section of a plurality of sections the device is currently within, where the plurality of sections are defined with respect to a defined boundary of the defined surface; and wherein each overall context of the device of the plurality of overall contexts is associated with a defined alarm of the plurality of alarms such that the generated alarm varies according to the section of the plurality of sections the device is currently within, the velocity of the device, and the device's height relative to the defined surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors further comprise at least a magnetometer; wherein the current overall context of the device is one of a plurality of overall contexts of the device, where each overall context of the device of the plurality of overall contexts comprises: a first portion defining a velocity of the device, a direction of motion of the device relative to the defined surface, and a height of the device relative to a defined surface, and a second portion defining a section of a plurality of sections the device is currently within, where the plurality of sections are defined with respect to a defined boundary of the defined surface; and wherein each overall context of the device of the plurality of overall contexts is associated with a defined alarm of the plurality of alarms such that the generated alarm varies according to the section of the plurality of sections the device is currently within, the velocity of the device, the direction of motion of the device relative to the defined surface, and the device's height relative to the defined surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising: an outer case having an external geometry comprising: a cylindrical segment, where two planes define upper and lower surfaces of a truncated cylinder which are parallel to one another and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical segment, a base disposed at an end of the cylindrical segment, and a cover disposed at another distal end of the cylindrical segment; an electronics module disposed within the outer case and comprising: a casing within which is disposed a battery, a control circuit comprising at least the microprocessor, the alarm generator, comprising a pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators coupled to the control circuit and configurable by the control circuit to generate the current alarm of the plurality of alarms, and a pair of diametrically opposed optical signal generators coupled to the control circuit and configurable by the control circuit to generate one or more optical indicators; a pair of sound guides, where each sound guide is disposed between an acoustic signal generator of the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators and an opening within the cylindrical segment; and a pair of light pipes, where each light pipe is disposed between an optical signal generator of the pair of diametrically opposed optical signal generators and an other opening within the cylindrical segment; wherein the pair of sound guides absorb deformations in the cylindrical segment of the outer case arising from impacts, thereby isolating the electronics module from the deformations; and wherein the pair of light pipes absorb at least one of bending, flexing, and compression under deformation of the outer case, thereby isolating the electronics module from the at least one of bending, flexing, and compression. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising: an outer case having a defined external geometry; an electronics module disposed within the outer case and comprising: a casing within which is disposed a battery, a control circuit comprising at least the microprocessor, the alarm generator, comprising a pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators coupled to the control circuit and configurable by the control circuit to generate the current alarm of the plurality of alarms, and a pair of diametrically opposed optical signal generators coupled to the control circuit and configurable by the control circuit to generate one or more optical indicators; a pair of sound guides, where each sound guide is disposed between an acoustic signal generator of the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators and an opening within the outer case; and a pair of light pipes, where each light pipe is disposed between an optical signal generator of the pair of diametrically opposed optical signal generators and an other opening within the outer case; wherein the pair of sound guides absorb deformations in the outer case arising from impacts, thereby isolating the electronics module from the deformations; and wherein the pair of light pipes absorb at least one of bending, flexing, and compression under deformation of the outer case, thereby isolating the electronics module from the at least one of bending, flexing, and compression. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising: an outer case having a defined external geometry; and an electronics module disposed within the outer case and comprising: a first case portion housing the battery and preventing motion of the battery under an impact between the device and another object, a second case portion housing the control circuit and preventing motion of the control circuit under the impact, and the alarm generator; wherein the first case portion comprises: a body having a central portion having an outer wall and an internal wall, the internal wall disposed around a region of the central portion within which the battery can be inserted, a plurality of ribs, each rib of the plurality of ribs being disposed between a first defined position on an inner surface of the outer wall and a second defined position on an outer surface of the internal wall, and a first portion of a fitting, configured for attachment of the alarm generator to the body of the first case portion; wherein the second case portion comprises: an other body having another central portion having an other outer wall and an other internal wall having a plurality of fittings disposed around the inner wall, an other plurality of ribs, each rib of the other plurality of ribs disposed between a defined position on an inner surface of the other outer wall and a defined position on an outer surface of the other internal wall, and a second portion of the fitting, configured for the attachment of the alarm generator to the body of the second case portion; and wherein the control circuit is attached to the plurality of fittings disposed around the inner wall. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device according to claim 17, wherein an outer surface of the central portion of the body of the first case portion comprises a ring raised from the outer surface of the central portion of the body of the first case portion and a plurality of further ribs where each further rib of the plurality of further ribs extends radially from a defined position on the ring to an outer periphery of the central portion of the body; and wherein an outer surface of the central portion of the body of the second case portion comprises a domed region extending over a portion of the central portion of the body of the second case portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The device according to claim 17, wherein the alarm generator comprises a pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators; wherein the first portion of the fitting for attachment of the alarm generator to the body of the first case portion comprises a pair of diametrically opposed fittings, where each opposed fitting of the pair of diametrically opposed fittings supports attachment of an acoustic signal generator of the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators; and wherein the second portion of the fitting for attachment of the alarm generator to the other body of the second case portion comprises a pair of diametrically opposed other fittings, where each opposed other fitting of the pair of diametrically opposed other fittings supports attachment of an acoustic signal generator of the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic signal generators. ### Claim 20 A device comprising: an outer case having an external geometry comprising: a cylindrical segment, where two planes defining upper and lower surfaces of a truncated cylinder are parallel to one another and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical segment, a base having a plurality of holes within a predetermined pattern, a cover having another plurality of holes within another predetermined pattern, and a cylindrical wall; an electronics module disposed within the outer case, the electronics module comprising a casing within which are disposed a battery and a microprocessor-based control circuit, the casing comprising a first case portion housing the battery and preventing motion of the battery under an impact between the device and another object, and a second case portion housing the control circuit and preventing motion of the control circuit under the impact, each of the first case portion and the second case portion comprising a circular bottom portion and a cylindrical wall portion, the cylindrical wall portions abutting, each circular bottom portion being substantially parallel to the base and cover of the outer case when the device is assembled, each cylindrical wall portion comprising an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of radially disposed ribs each joined at one end to the inner wall and at a distal second end to the outer wall; and a pair of acoustic resonators, each acoustic resonator of the pair of acoustic resonators being attached to the first case portion and the second case portion at predetermined locations; a pair of acoustic signal generators coupled to the control circuit, the acoustic signal generators generating at least one audible signal whilst the device is at least in motion, each acoustic signal generator of the pair of acoustic signal generators being disposed within a chamber formed by an acoustic resonator of the pair of acoustic resonators, the first case portion, and the second case portion; wherein the outer case provides mechanical protection for the electronics module under impact.