Systems and methods for monitoring sound during an in-building emergency

Abstract

A system for monitoring a building having one or more microphones coupled to a telephone includes a detector configured to detect a triggering event within the building and transmit an activating signal when the triggering event is detected, and a control module configured to receive the activating signal from the detector. The control module is programmed to activate at least one of the one or more microphones to monitor sound when the activating signal is received.

1 . A system for monitoring a building, the system comprising:
 a detector configured to detect a triggering event within the building and transmit an activating signal based on the detection of the triggering event; and   a control module configured to receive the activating signal from the detector and to activate at least one microphone of at least one mobile phone to monitor sound within the building based on receipt of the activating signal.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the activating signal includes one or more conditions of the triggering event. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the control module is programmed to report the one or more conditions to a third party. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the third party includes at least one of: a user of the at least one mobile phone with the at least one microphone that is activated, an occupant of the building, a judicial agency, a law enforcement agency, a security agency, an owner of the building, and a news organization. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more conditions include a location of the triggering event. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more conditions include a time associated with the triggering event. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control module is programmed to select which microphone to activate based on proximity to the triggering event. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each of the at least one microphones selected is within a triggering event area. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control module is programmed to activate all of the microphones within a triggering event area when the activating signal is received. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control module is programmed to send an activation signal to a third party when the at least one microphone is activated. 
     
     
         11 . A method for monitoring an emergency for a building, the method comprising:
 receiving an activating signal from a detector;   transmitting the activating signal to a control module; and   activating at least one microphone of at least one mobile phone to detect a sound in response to the activating signal.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising generating a reporting signal based on the sound detected. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the reporting signal includes identifying characteristics of the triggering event. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the reporting signal includes a sound recording. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the triggering event includes at least one of: a gunshot, a fire, an earthquake, and a police emergency. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 sending the reporting signal to a third party.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the third party includes at least one of: a user of the at least one mobile phone with the at least one microphone that is activated, an occupant of the building, a judicial agency, a law enforcement agency, a security agency, an owner of the building, and a news organization. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 recording the sound detected by the at least one microphone to generate a sound recording.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the sound is recorded by the at least one microphone. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 selecting a microphone group from the at least one microphone;   wherein the activating step includes activating the microphone group.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the activating signal includes a triggering event area. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 selecting which microphone to activate based on proximity to the triggering event area.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 verifying that the activating signal is received from the detector.   
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 monitoring a location of the emergency by using an internal GPS of the cellular phone.   
     
     
         26 . A system for providing a display map during an emergency within a building, the system comprising:
 a detector located within the building for detecting a triggering event, wherein the detector includes a microphone of a mobile telephone; and   a control module configured to receive triggering event data from the detector, the control module being programmed to:
 record the triggering event data; and 
 generate a data point representing the triggering event data for display on the display map. 
   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the control module is further programmed to:
 plot a map of the building; and   plot the data point on the map.   
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the triggering event includes an audible sound. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein at least two triggering events are detected. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the control module is programmed to:
 generate a priority classification for the at least two triggering events based on the triggering event data; and   plot the priority classification on the map.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the control module is programmed to:
 generate prioritized evacuation instructions for persons within the building based on the at least two triggering events; and   plot the prioritized evacuation instructions on the map.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the prioritized evacuation instructions are based on a location of the at least two triggering events. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the control module is programmed to:
 generate prioritized evacuation instructions for persons within the building based on the triggering event; and   plot the prioritized evacuation instructions on the map.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the control module is programmed to:
 generate one or more danger regions for persons within the building based on the triggering event data; and   plot the one or more danger regions on the map.