CA1256613A - Personal alarm system providing handsfree operation - Google Patents
Personal alarm system providing handsfree operationInfo
- Publication number
- CA1256613A CA1256613A CA000506121A CA506121A CA1256613A CA 1256613 A CA1256613 A CA 1256613A CA 000506121 A CA000506121 A CA 000506121A CA 506121 A CA506121 A CA 506121A CA 1256613 A CA1256613 A CA 1256613A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- signal
- speakerphone
- subscriber
- station
- voice
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
- H04M11/04—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
A personal alarm system is disclosed which incorporates a speakerphone so as to permit substantially handsfree operation and remote activation. The system includes a speaker phone which interfaces to a subscriber station. The subscriber station in turn interfaces over a communications link to a central monitoring station which is operative to receive and analyze messages transmitted to the central monitoring station by the subscriber station. Following transmission of a message from the subscriber station to the central monitoring station, the central monitoring station may transmit a control signal to the subscriber station which causes the subscriber station to activate the speakerphone to permit verbal communication with a subscriber who may be immobilized and/or physically unable to initiate a telephone call or answer a telephone. The system further includes means for automatic phone answering following the activation of a switch by a subscriber and means providing for remote phone answering at the subscriber's location.
A personal alarm system is disclosed which incorporates a speakerphone so as to permit substantially handsfree operation and remote activation. The system includes a speaker phone which interfaces to a subscriber station. The subscriber station in turn interfaces over a communications link to a central monitoring station which is operative to receive and analyze messages transmitted to the central monitoring station by the subscriber station. Following transmission of a message from the subscriber station to the central monitoring station, the central monitoring station may transmit a control signal to the subscriber station which causes the subscriber station to activate the speakerphone to permit verbal communication with a subscriber who may be immobilized and/or physically unable to initiate a telephone call or answer a telephone. The system further includes means for automatic phone answering following the activation of a switch by a subscriber and means providing for remote phone answering at the subscriber's location.
Description
6~ 3 FIELD_OF T~E INYENTION
This invention rel~tes to a monitoring de~rice for the aged or infirm and a more specifically to Q personal alarm system including a remotely sctivatable 3 spe~kerphone system which is capable of substantially handsfree operatior3.
BACKGROUND OP THE INVENTION
4 Many people who sre aged or incapacitated ~nd who elther live lone or who are unattended for prolonged periods of tirne may be unable. to summon help sbo~d 6 such be reguired. Such individuals may, in extreme situations, e~pire sr su~er 7 irtepsrable personal harm or further injury resulting frQITl l~eir inabil~ty to summorf 8 a~sistance. To address this problem, personal ~larm systems such as those 9 disclosed in U.S. Patent 2;10. 4,524,243 of the same assignee as the present inventlon ~nd the apparstus disclosed in U.S. Patent X~o. 3,662,111 have been 11 developed. While these systems permit Q central monitor~g station to ascertain if 12 a subscriber is acti~e, such systems do not provide means to çsts~blish verbal 13 communication with a subscriber. It is ob~riously desireable to be able to 14 communicate with a subscriber in order to ascert~in bis medicil condition.
Xowever, ~t will be appreci~ted, that in certain circumsS~es, a s~bscribeP mRy be 16 unable to initiate a telephone CQll due to the subscriber's immobility or lncQpacity 17 ~nd the subscriber may not even have the ability to lift a telephone handset in lg order to respond to Qn incoming CQll.
SUMMARY O~ THE INVENTION
19 , In accordQnce with the present invent;on an improved personal alarm system 20 , ¦ is disclosed. The alarm system includes at least one subscriber station ~nd a 21 j central monltoring stQtion having the cap~bilisy to monitor ~ plura3ity o~ subscriber ., , .
' ~ .
This invention rel~tes to a monitoring de~rice for the aged or infirm and a more specifically to Q personal alarm system including a remotely sctivatable 3 spe~kerphone system which is capable of substantially handsfree operatior3.
BACKGROUND OP THE INVENTION
4 Many people who sre aged or incapacitated ~nd who elther live lone or who are unattended for prolonged periods of tirne may be unable. to summon help sbo~d 6 such be reguired. Such individuals may, in extreme situations, e~pire sr su~er 7 irtepsrable personal harm or further injury resulting frQITl l~eir inabil~ty to summorf 8 a~sistance. To address this problem, personal ~larm systems such as those 9 disclosed in U.S. Patent 2;10. 4,524,243 of the same assignee as the present inventlon ~nd the apparstus disclosed in U.S. Patent X~o. 3,662,111 have been 11 developed. While these systems permit Q central monitor~g station to ascertain if 12 a subscriber is acti~e, such systems do not provide means to çsts~blish verbal 13 communication with a subscriber. It is ob~riously desireable to be able to 14 communicate with a subscriber in order to ascert~in bis medicil condition.
Xowever, ~t will be appreci~ted, that in certain circumsS~es, a s~bscribeP mRy be 16 unable to initiate a telephone CQll due to the subscriber's immobility or lncQpacity 17 ~nd the subscriber may not even have the ability to lift a telephone handset in lg order to respond to Qn incoming CQll.
SUMMARY O~ THE INVENTION
19 , In accordQnce with the present invent;on an improved personal alarm system 20 , ¦ is disclosed. The alarm system includes at least one subscriber station ~nd a 21 j central monltoring stQtion having the cap~bilisy to monitor ~ plura3ity o~ subscriber ., , .
' ~ .
- 2 ~ ?, s~
j stations. In the event of subscriber in~ctivity, or in the event a subscriber 2 activQtes a "help button" to indicate assistance is requir~d, the subscriber station
j stations. In the event of subscriber in~ctivity, or in the event a subscriber 2 activQtes a "help button" to indicate assistance is requir~d, the subscriber station
3 ' transmits an alarm message containing subscri~er identification information over a
4 communications link to the central monitoring station. IJpon receipt of the alarm ¦ message at the central monitoring station, help may be dispatched to the 6 il subscriber needing assistance or other appropriate action may be Lr~itiated.
7 1 The subscriber station in accordance with the present invention includes a 8 1 speakerphone which may be activated by transmission of ~ ~ontr~l signal from the 9 central monitoring station to the subscriber station so as to permit an immobile andlor incapacitated subscriber to verbally communicate with an operator at the 11 central monitoring station without the need for any physic~l interYention or 12 movement by the subscriber~ The system further include~; a mode of operation in 13 which the subscriber's phone is automatically answered ~nd the speakerphone is 14 activated in response to incoming calls following the activation o~ the help button or another switch by a subscriber. Additionally, the system includes an operating 16 mode wherein the phone is answered and the spe~erphone activated i the help 17 button is activated while the subscriber's phone is ringing. Since a subscriber may 18 be immobile, incapacitated or unable to perform such sirnple QCtS as li~ting a 19 telephone handset, the disclosed apparatus and method of operation permi~s verbal communication between an operator at the centr~l mollitoring s~ation and the 21 subscriber where otherwise such might not be possible.
~2 The term "on hook" as used herein, reIers to the electrical state 23 I corresponding to that in which the telephone handset of a conventional telephone is 24 il disposed in the telephone crAdle and conditioned to receive an incoming call. The 2i ,I term "off hook" refers to that electrical st~te in which the respective party's ~6 , telephone instrument is connected to the communic~tion link. The "telephone off ~ hook" condition refers to the state in which the telephone handset is connected to .. .
., I
., .
~ ( 12~
the telephone communication link. The telephone "speakerphone off hook" condition 2 refers to the states in which the respectire equipment is coMected to the link for 3 conversations between the subscriber and the other party. Similarly, the 4 "telephone" and "speakerphone" on hook conditions refer to the states in which the respective equipment is disconnected from the telephone communication~s link.
6 Following transmission of the alarm message, the subscriber station 7 produces a timer output signal which remains active for a predeterJnined interval.
A control signal may be automatically generated by the centrsl monitoring station g following transmission oI the ~larm message or may be initiated by the cenb~al monitoring station operator prior to e2~iration of the timer signaL ~f a ~ontrol11 signal is ~ansmitted from the central raonitoring station to the subscriber ststion 12 during the timer interval~ a speakerphone interfaced to the subscriber station is 13 activated so as to permit conversation between the subscriber and the oper~tor at 14 the central monitoring station. The speakerphone remains of f hook so as to permit conversations between the central monitoring station operator and t;he subscriber 16 until the central monitoring station operator terminates the calL The cenbral 17 monitoring station produces a simulated dial tone signal just prior to ter~ination of 18 the communication. In response to the simulated dial tone signsl, the subscriber 19 station pro~uces a call termination signal which causes the subscriber station to enter a speakerphone on hook state thereby terminating the connection to the 21 telephone link, all without manual interYention by the subscriber. ~e ~ctivation 22 of ~ help button produces a status signal within the subscriber sSEItion which 23 indicates that the speakerphone ~ in an "enabled" state. In ~his state, the 24 subscriber st~tion automatic~lly answers subsequent telephone c~lls and activate the speakerphone to permit the subscrib2r to converse with the calling party, again 26 without manu~l intervention by the subscriber. When the calling party hangs up, 27 the telephone network producas a dial tone. The subscriber station, in resporse to , !l , ~; ' , I
~ !
. I
~%~ 3 1, .
this dial tone, produces a ca~l termmation signal which c~uses the speakerphone to 2 ¦¦ go on hook, thereby terminating the call and conditioning the subscriber station ~or 3 1 receipt of subsequent calls.
4 ¦ Upon actuation of a reset switeh located on the subscriber station or another switch provided for the present purpose, the speakerphone status signal is 6 reset to the disabled state. While the speakerphone status signal is in the 7 "disabled" state the subscriber station does not automa~icPlly answer incoming 8 calls. In the speakerphone ~sabled state, the telephone may be answered by a 9 subscriber in the conventional m~nner by lifting the telephone handset or, explained below, by activating a "help button" while the phone is ringing.
11 Speskerphone operation is automatically reactivated upon the ~,resentation of a 12 control signal to the subscriber station by the central monitoring station in the 13 manner previously described.
14 The subscriber can activate the speakerphone ~nd at the s~ne time ca lse a speakerphone off hook condition by activating the help button in a hand held unit 16 typically retained on the subscriber's person while the subscrib~r~s telephone is 17 ringing or by activating another switch provided ~or this purpose. Upon the 18 occurence of these concurrent events, the subscriber station produces a 19 speakerphone off hook condition, and activates the speakerphone so as to permit the calling party and the subscriber to converse without ~e need for the subscl iber 21 to lift the telephone handset. After the ca~ling party hangs up his hand set or 22 otherwise disconnects from the telephone link, the subs~riber station senses a disl 23 tone signal produced by the telephone network and produces a speakerphone o 24 1l hook condition thereby terminating the c~lh ~l In a preferred embodiment o~ the invention, fol}owing activation of the -26 1l speakerphone in any of the sbove described manners, the speakerphone remains in 27 l, the enabled mode ~til such time as the reset switch on the subscriber station or a 28 I substitute there~ore is actuated.
" ' ~
j I
~2~;~6~3 ( ¦ DESCRIPTION OP THE DRAWIN(~S
The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following 2 discussion in con~unction ~Yith the accompanying drawings in whicho 3 1 Fig. 1 is a system block diagram;
4 Fig. 2 is a system state diagram;
~ Fig. 3 is a system timing diagram; ~nd 6 ~ig. 4 is a detailed block diagram of the circuiky of the subscriber station and speakerphone illustrated generally in Fig. 1.
DET~LED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
8 ln accordance with the present imention 8 personal alarm system is 9 disclosed which permits a subscriber, who may be immobilized snd/or ~Dcapscitated to verbally commurucate with an operstor at a central mol~itoring station without 11 the usu 1 requirements of manually dialirlg a telephone num~er or liftin~ a 12 telephone handset. Additionally, the system provides a subscriber with the ability 13 !I to remotely answer the telephone by activating ~ "help button"
14 1 or a ~ike switch while the telephone is ringing. ~ an auto-answering or 15 Ij "speakerphone enabled" mode, initi~ted follo~ing Rctua~on of the nhelp buttonn, 16 the system automatica~ly answers sll incorning calls and acti~ates a spe~kerphone 17 ~ ta permit ~erbR1 communications between the subscriber ~nd t)he cslling party 18 i without manual intervention by the subscriber. The dis~osed system employs a 19 ¦! speakerphone~o as to ~llow communication between the s~scriber and an operator 20 li at the central monitoring station despite the fact that a subscriber msy not be 21 ! proximate to, or able to handle a telephone handset. Control functions such ~s 22 ~ dialing and call termination are automatic so as to permit substanti~l1y handsfree 23 1 operation. The system is primarily intended for the elderly, infirm or 24 1 incapacitated who are unattended and/or livin~ alone and who, in the event of 1, , I , i ,, ~66 I
i~lness or sudden injury, might be unable to summon assistance in the event such is 2 required.
3 Reerring to Fig. 1, there is shown a persor~l alarm system of the type 4 herein disclosed. The system includes ~ subscribPr st~tion 10, Q s:OmmUnic~tiolls link 12 ~nd a central monitoring statio~l 14. In a preferred em~odiment of the 6 invention the cornmunications link 12 is a telephone network communicRtions link 7 employing well known telephone network protocols. It i~s appre~!iated. that the 8 present invention may lso be practiced employing other communications lir~cs such . 9 as ~ radio frequency or hard wired communication links. When a radio frequency communication link is employed, the subscriber station and the ce~ l monitoring 11 station include radio frequency transceivers as shown in Fig. l.
12 As Iurther illustr~ted in Fig. 1, the system further includes a hand held 13 unit 16 incorporating a help button 18. Typically a subscriber ma~nt~'ns the hand 14 held unit 16 on his person and, in the event a~sistance is required ~tivates the help button 18. In response thereto, the subscriber station 10 transmits a message over 16 the communication link 12 to the central monitoring sta~ion 14.---~ message 17 contains at least subscriber identifying information so as to permit an operator at 18 the central monitoring st~tion 14 to dispatch assistance to the su~scriber ~f it is 19 believed such assistance is required. Irne hand held unit 16 may ~nterface to the subscriber station 10 via a hard wired connection, a radio fireque~ y link, an infra-21 red link or any other suitable means operatiYe to signPI the sub~iber station 10 22 that the help button 18 h~s been activated.
23 The personsl alarm system further includes a speakerphone 20 which 24 interfaces to ~nd is activated under the control of the subscriber station 10. A
standard telephone 22 also interfaces to the communicstion link ~ro~gh the 26 speakerphone 2D. The speakerphone 20 presently referred to is a device which27 ¦ inoorporat s 8 spesker end e microphone end whioh perm;ts e user to cerry on 8 , ~ .
telephone conversstion by speaking at normal volumes in the vicinity of the de~ce.
2 Voice is picked up by ~ microphone and converted to ele~t:ricRl signals which are 3 transmitted over the communication link 12 to a remote partyr Con~ersely, 4 electrical si~n~ls corresponding to the vo;ce of the remote p~rty Qre ~mplified and flpplied to the speaXer of the speakerphone 20 to permit ~ne in the Yicinity o the 6 speakerphone 20 to hear the voice o~ the remote party.
7 . Following tr~nsmlssion o a message containing subscriber identifging 8 ir~ormation from the subscriber station 10 to the centr~l monitoring statlon 14, the 9 central mon~toring station 14 may, either automaticslly or upon ~nitiation by an operator at the centr~l monitoring station 14, transmit a control si0nal ba~k to the 11 subscribe~ st~tion 10. The control signal causes the subscriber ststion 10 to 12 m~intain the telephone network in a spe~kerphone of hook condition and actiY~tes 13 the speakerphone 20 so as to permit communicstion bet~qeen the operator and the 14 subscriber. The operator, by resson of the ability to converse w~ 8 subseri~er who may be immobilized, m~y obtaln timely lnformation with respect to the 16 subscriber's medic~l and/or personal needs and may thereby take more sppropr;~te 17 and specific action th~n ~ould be otherwise possible.
18 Operntion of the system in ~ccord~ce with t~a pre~t invention is 19 illustrAt~d in the state disgr~m of Fig. 2. Following reeeipt of a reset signall ~he subscriber station 10 is in a shte in which both the t~ephone 22 snd the 21 speakerphone 20 are on hook awaiting a telephone calL If the help button 18 has 22 not previously been activated, the system would be in the `'speakerphone disabled"
23 state. These conditions are illustrated in state 24 of the state diagr~m of Fig. 2.
24 Lrl the event of B "help request" resultin~ from subscriber activation o~ the help button 18, or from an inQctivity alarm such ~ described ~n U.S. Patent 26 No. 3,662,111 or U.S. Patent No. 4,S24,243, the subscriber 27 station 10 goes into an off hook condition, automatically dials the telephone number of the central~
il .
~ ( iL25~i6~3( monitoring station 14, and transmits a messsge containing subscriber identifying 2 information to the centr~l monitoring station 14. As a consequence of the help 3 request, a speakerphone status bit is ensbled. Following tr~nsmission of the 4 subscriber identifying message, the subscriber station 10 remains in state 26 aw~iting transmission of a control signal ~rom the central ~no~itoring station 14. ln 6 a preferred embodiment of the invention the control sign~l is in the form of an 7 electric~l signal o~ a prescribed frequency.
8 A timer in the subscriber st2tion 10 is initiated fol~c~wing tr~smission of the 9 subscriber identifying messQge from the subscriber sta ion 10 to the central lD monitoring station 14. The timer remains active for a preselected interval which is 11 typically in the range o several seconds. 1~, within the a~tive timer interv~l, the 12 subscriber station 10 receives the control signal trQnsmitted by the central 13 monitoring station 14, the subscriber station 10 activates the speakerphone 20 and 14 establishes a control state in the subscriber station lD so the subscriber station lQ
will remain in a spealcerphone of hook condition, aIl ~s ~lustrated in state 28 of 16 Fig. 2. While the subscriber station 10 is in the speakerphone oîI hoolc condition, 17 telephone discussions between the subscriber via the speakerphone and an op~rator 18 at the central monitoring station 14 are possible. I~pon the conclusion of 19 discussions between the operator and the subscriber, the operator causes the central monitoring station to transmit a simulated dial tone and then terminates 21 the call by hanging up the handset. The subscriber st~ffon lO decodes the 22 simulPted diPl tone signal and in response thereto produces a call termination 23 signal which causes the subscriber station 10 to exit the speakerphone off hook 24 l _state 28 and to enter the speakerphone on hook state 30. The subscriber station 13 25 ~ remains in the speakerphone on hook state 30 until sueh time ss the subscriber 26 !! station 10 is reset, or until such time as the subscriber station 10 detects a ring 27 1I signal associated with an incoming telephone cPll. Upon detection of a reset . Il . I
, _ g _ .
. !
~2~6~i1 3 ' jj ( s ( ¦ signal, the subscriber station lb returns to the speakerphone on hook, speakerphone ¦ disabled stste 22. In the event the subscriber station 10 detects a telephone ring 3 signifying an incoming call, the subscriber station 10 produces a ring sign~l which 4 in turn causes the subscriber station 10 to exit the speakerphone on hook spealcerphone enabled state 30 and to enter the speake;phone o~î hook state 28 6 thereby permittin~ convers~tions between the calling party and a subscriber 7 proximate the speakerphone 20 without ~ny manual intervention by the subscriber.
8 If the subscriber lifts the telephone handset of the telephone interfaced to 9 the speakerphone, as illustrflted in Fig. 1, while the subscriber station 10 ~s in state 28, the telephone goes off hook, the spea}cerphone enters the on hook state 11 and the speakerphone remains enabled as illustrated in state 32. This state change 12 . avoids the possibility of undesirable feedback between the speakerphone and the 13 telephone handset as might occur if both the telephone and the speakerphone wera 14 off hook simultaneously. As illustrated in Fig. 2, when the subscriber hangs up ~he telephone handset, the subscriber station 10 exits state 32 and enters state 30 in 16 which both the telephone and the speakerphone are on hook with the spe~kerphone 17 enabled to automatically answer subsequent calls.
18 The subscriber station 10 exits state 28 and enters state 30 upon detec~ion 19 of a call termination si~nsl. If the ca31 was initiated by ~e subscri~er station, the call termination signal is produced upon decode of a sim~ated dial tone presented 21 by the central monitoring station. 1~ the subscriber staticn was c~lled by ~L QIIing 22 party, when the calling party hangs up, the telephone netmork produces a diRl tone 23 which is decoded to produce the call termination Qgnal ~t the subscriber 24 ¦ station 10. In response to this csll termination signal, the subscriber station lO
2~ ¦ exits state 28 and enters state 30, cona~tioned to ~nswer s~bsequent caIls.
26 I If the subscriber station 10 does not detect a control signal sYithin the 27 I prescribed timPr interval while in state 26, at the es~d of such intervPl, the , l l l i !
I ..
subscriber station 10 exits state 26 and enters state 30, in which the speakerphone 2 is enabled to receive subsequent incoming calls.
3 In another mode of operation, in which both the speakerphone and the4 telephone are on hook and in which the speakerphone ~s disabled, a subscriber proximate the subscriber station 10, may cause the speakerphone to becorne active 6 upon the occurence of an incoming telephone call though the speakerphone remains 7 in the disabled state. The subscriber station 10 includes c~rcuitry which decodes fl B signal on the telephone link during telephone ringing and the subscriber station 9 produces a telephone ring signal upon the decode thereo~. If a subscriber activates the help button 18 in the hand held unit 16 or another switch provided for this 11 purpose, concurrent with the ring signal, the subscriber st~tion 10 e~its the on hook 12 disabled state 22 and enters the speakerphone off hook state 34 as i~lustrated in the 13 state diagram of Fig. 2. Thereafter, when the calling par~y terminates the caU, a 14 dial tone signal appears on the telephone comrnunication link which is dec~ded to produce a call termination signal which c~uses the subscriber stati~>n 10 to exit the 16 speakerphone off hook state 34 and to reenter the on hook state 24.
17 If the subscriber lifts the telephone handset while the subseriber station 10 18 is in the speakerphone off hook disabled state 34, the station enters the telephone 19 off hook speakerphone on hook state 36 as shown. In state 36, the speakerphone status signal remains disabled. When the subscriber termirLates the c~ll by hanging 21 up the telephone handset, the subscriber station reenters s~ate 24 in which ~oth the 22 telephone and speakerphone are on hook and the speake~phone status remains 2 3 disabled.
24 1I When the subscriber station io is in the speakerphone on hook disabled 25 ~I state 24, a telephone at the subscriber's location may ~lso be answered in the 26 1l conventional maMer by lifting the handset to cause the telephone to enter the on 27 ¦, hook state with the speakerphone disabled as illustrated in state 36. Replacement I
I . 1.
! `I
.1 ~2~ 3 ( , I
1! of the telephone handset on the telephone cradle produces the conventionQ1 result 2 il of terminating the telephone call and causes the subscriber station 10 to bransfer 3 j from the speakerphone on hook, telephone off hook state 36 to the speakerphone on 4 hook, telephone on hook state 24.
The imention will be further understood by refPrence to the timing disgram 6 of Fig. 3. Activation of the help button 18 produces a help signal 38 ul Ule 7 subscriber station 10. The help signal 38 causes the subscriber station 10 to go off 8 hook, disl the telephone number of the central monit~ring staffon 14 and to9 transrnit an alarm message 40 containing subscriber ident~ying information. The subscriber station 10 includes a timer which is initiat~i Ln response to the 11 ~ transmission of the alarm message 4U to produce a timer ~gnal-12 which remains 12 !~ active for a preselected interval, typically in the range of se~eral seconds.
13 Following receipt of the alsrm message 40, the central monitoring station 14 may 14 transmit a control signal 44 to the subscriber station 10. 1~ the control signal 44 is 1~ received by the subscriber station ln within the interval d-lring which the timer 16 signal 42 is active, the subscriber station 10 sets a b~t indicating t} at the 17 subscriber station 10 is in the "speakerphone enabled" state which is s~own by the 18 speakerphone enabled signal 46. If no control signal 44 is re~:eiYed by the 19 subscriber station 1û during the interval of the timer ~gnal 42, the subscriber station 10 goes on hook at the end of the interval as s~own by the off hook 21 signal 48. I a control signal 44 is received during the interval of the timer 22 sign~l 42, the subscriber station 10 rem~ins off hook beyond the e2cpiration of the 23 interval of tlmer signal 42 and the spe~kerphone goes off hook permitting 24 ¦i discussions between the subscriber and the centrsl station 14 operator. When the 2~ li operator at the central monitoring station 14 terminates a conversation with the 26 1! subscriber, a simulsted diPl tone signsl appears on the telephone line which is 27 ¦I decoded to produce a cali termination signal iD. Tùe oall termination si_nai 50 ( ~ 5i~3 causes the system to exit the speakerphone oIf hook state 28 and to enter the 2 speakerphone on hook state 30 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, thus conditioning the 3 subscriber station 10 ~or receipt of subsequent telephone calls.
4 Thereafter, the subscriber station 10 remains in the speakerphone enabled state 30 as illustrated by the speakerphone enabled signal 46 until such time 85 the 6 subscriber station 10 is reset upon activation of a reset signPl 52.
7 In the e~ent the telephone at the subscriberls locQtion rings, the subscriber 8 station 10 decodes the signal on the telephone line to produce a r~ng sign~l 54. If the subscriber station 10 is in the speakerphone enabled state 30 as indicated by the speakerphone enabled signal 46 and subscriber station 10 ~ontrol circ~try 11 detects the ring signal 54, the subscriber station 10 produces an ~3ff hook signal 56 12 and causes the subscriber station 10 to enter the off hook state 28 thereby 13 permitting speakerphone communication between the callin~ party and the 14 subscriber. A specified time after the calling party hangs ~p his te3ephone handset a dial tone signal Elppesrs on the telephone line which is d~coded bo produce a call 16 termination sign~l 58. The call termination signal 58 is employe~n.. ~be manner 17 previously discussed to cause the system to exit the speakerphone o~f hook state 28 18 and to enter the speakerphone on hook state 30.
19 Another mode of operation of the subscriber station 10 is ill~;trated ~n the right hand portion of the timing diagram of ~ig. 3. If the su~scribOE station 1û is in 21 the speakerphone disabled state (i.e. not enabled) and an incoming call causes the 22 telephone to ring, the subscriber station 10 decodes a sign~l on ~e telephone line 23 and produces a ring signal during the period of such r~ng. If the subscriber 24 j activates the help button 18 so as to produce a help signal 60 during c~ncur~ent ¦ with the ring signal 62, the subscriber stetion 10 produces an of ~ hc>ok signal 6~ and 26 ¦¦ enters the speakerphone off hook, speakerphone disabied state 34 so as to permit 27 ; speakerphone oomm mication between the cs~ling perty smd the subscriber.
il !
!, , 1 3 - ~
I
Z 5;1~i6~3 1~ ' .
.
Following terrnination of the telephone convers~tion between the calling party and 2il the subscriber, the subscriber station 10 will enter the on hook st~te 24 upon the 3¦! detection of the call terrnination sign~l 66 produced in the manner previously 41 ! described.
5The imention is slso depicted in block di~gram form in ~ig. 4 of the 6drawing. The speakerphone 20 is connected to the subscriber station 10 which is7part of the personal elarm system previously described~ The subscriber station 10 8¦ includes a relay 68 operative to seize the telephone iine 7V, and 8 dialing rel~y 72 9I coupled Yia a transformer74 to Q control76 which typically ~s part of the 10I subscriber station 10 of the person~l alarm system. The ~ontrol 76 receives inputs 11¦ in the form of a help signal 78 and Q reset signal 80. The he3p sign~ 78 is produced 12~- upon ~ctivation b~ a subscriber of the help button 18 of the hand h~ld unit 16. As 13~ previously indicated, the hand held ul~it 16 may inter~ace to the su~scriber14station 10 via a hard wired linlc, a radio frequency link, an L~fra red link; or ViEL any 15¦ other suitable means. The control 76 is coupled to the speakerphone control 82, 16~ which in turn receives inputs from a ring detector 84, a dial tone detector 86, ~nd a 17¦I control signal detector 88. Lr~ the present embodiment, the con~ol signal 18I detector 88 is a tone detector operative to produce an outE~ut c~ntrol signal upon 19¦ detection of a 3 kilohertz tone. The ring detector 84, dial tone detector 86 and 20¦ control signal detector 88 are operative to produce the ring signal, the call 21I termination signal and a control signal respectively. The speakerphone control 82 22produces 8 "speakerphone enabledn sign~l described in connection with Pig. 3 which 23serves to designate the system status and which functions as discussed in 24I cormection with Fig. 2. The speakerphone 20 includes speaker and microphone 2i¦ control and interface logic 90 which in turn is coupled via buffers 92 and 94 to a 26~ speaker 96 ~nd a microphone 98, respectively.
Il !
!
;, . . I
, . .
rhe telephone line 70 is coM~cted to an answer rel~y 100. The 2 ~ speakerphone 20 is connected through interf~ce circl~itry 102 to the telephone 3 1 line 70 through a transformer 104 which, may be selectively disconnected ~ia 4 1 snswer relay 100.
S l In a preferred embodirnent of the invention, the control signal is produced 6 1 upon detection of a 3 kilohertz tone, and the subscriber station 10 includes R 3 7 kilohertz notch filter 106 to prevent the undesired broadcast of this tone through 8 the speakerphone 20.
9 The above described personal 21~rm system is illustrative o~ 8 novelapparatus and method permitting handsfree operation by a subscriber who may be 11 immobile, infirm, or otherwise incap~citated and who may be unable to operate a 12 I conventional telephone as a consequence thereof. It will be appreciated that other 13 I modificstions, embodiments and departures from the present disclosure are 14 possible without departing from the inventive concept contained herein.
Consequently, the invention is to be viewed as embracing each and every novel 16 îeature ~nd novel combination of features present in or possessed by the pe~sonal 17 1 alarm system herein disclosed and is to limited solely by the scope and spirit of the 18 1 appended cl~ims.
7 1 The subscriber station in accordance with the present invention includes a 8 1 speakerphone which may be activated by transmission of ~ ~ontr~l signal from the 9 central monitoring station to the subscriber station so as to permit an immobile andlor incapacitated subscriber to verbally communicate with an operator at the 11 central monitoring station without the need for any physic~l interYention or 12 movement by the subscriber~ The system further include~; a mode of operation in 13 which the subscriber's phone is automatically answered ~nd the speakerphone is 14 activated in response to incoming calls following the activation o~ the help button or another switch by a subscriber. Additionally, the system includes an operating 16 mode wherein the phone is answered and the spe~erphone activated i the help 17 button is activated while the subscriber's phone is ringing. Since a subscriber may 18 be immobile, incapacitated or unable to perform such sirnple QCtS as li~ting a 19 telephone handset, the disclosed apparatus and method of operation permi~s verbal communication between an operator at the centr~l mollitoring s~ation and the 21 subscriber where otherwise such might not be possible.
~2 The term "on hook" as used herein, reIers to the electrical state 23 I corresponding to that in which the telephone handset of a conventional telephone is 24 il disposed in the telephone crAdle and conditioned to receive an incoming call. The 2i ,I term "off hook" refers to that electrical st~te in which the respective party's ~6 , telephone instrument is connected to the communic~tion link. The "telephone off ~ hook" condition refers to the state in which the telephone handset is connected to .. .
., I
., .
~ ( 12~
the telephone communication link. The telephone "speakerphone off hook" condition 2 refers to the states in which the respectire equipment is coMected to the link for 3 conversations between the subscriber and the other party. Similarly, the 4 "telephone" and "speakerphone" on hook conditions refer to the states in which the respective equipment is disconnected from the telephone communication~s link.
6 Following transmission of the alarm message, the subscriber station 7 produces a timer output signal which remains active for a predeterJnined interval.
A control signal may be automatically generated by the centrsl monitoring station g following transmission oI the ~larm message or may be initiated by the cenb~al monitoring station operator prior to e2~iration of the timer signaL ~f a ~ontrol11 signal is ~ansmitted from the central raonitoring station to the subscriber ststion 12 during the timer interval~ a speakerphone interfaced to the subscriber station is 13 activated so as to permit conversation between the subscriber and the oper~tor at 14 the central monitoring station. The speakerphone remains of f hook so as to permit conversations between the central monitoring station operator and t;he subscriber 16 until the central monitoring station operator terminates the calL The cenbral 17 monitoring station produces a simulated dial tone signal just prior to ter~ination of 18 the communication. In response to the simulated dial tone signsl, the subscriber 19 station pro~uces a call termination signal which causes the subscriber station to enter a speakerphone on hook state thereby terminating the connection to the 21 telephone link, all without manual interYention by the subscriber. ~e ~ctivation 22 of ~ help button produces a status signal within the subscriber sSEItion which 23 indicates that the speakerphone ~ in an "enabled" state. In ~his state, the 24 subscriber st~tion automatic~lly answers subsequent telephone c~lls and activate the speakerphone to permit the subscrib2r to converse with the calling party, again 26 without manu~l intervention by the subscriber. When the calling party hangs up, 27 the telephone network producas a dial tone. The subscriber station, in resporse to , !l , ~; ' , I
~ !
. I
~%~ 3 1, .
this dial tone, produces a ca~l termmation signal which c~uses the speakerphone to 2 ¦¦ go on hook, thereby terminating the call and conditioning the subscriber station ~or 3 1 receipt of subsequent calls.
4 ¦ Upon actuation of a reset switeh located on the subscriber station or another switch provided for the present purpose, the speakerphone status signal is 6 reset to the disabled state. While the speakerphone status signal is in the 7 "disabled" state the subscriber station does not automa~icPlly answer incoming 8 calls. In the speakerphone ~sabled state, the telephone may be answered by a 9 subscriber in the conventional m~nner by lifting the telephone handset or, explained below, by activating a "help button" while the phone is ringing.
11 Speskerphone operation is automatically reactivated upon the ~,resentation of a 12 control signal to the subscriber station by the central monitoring station in the 13 manner previously described.
14 The subscriber can activate the speakerphone ~nd at the s~ne time ca lse a speakerphone off hook condition by activating the help button in a hand held unit 16 typically retained on the subscriber's person while the subscrib~r~s telephone is 17 ringing or by activating another switch provided ~or this purpose. Upon the 18 occurence of these concurrent events, the subscriber station produces a 19 speakerphone off hook condition, and activates the speakerphone so as to permit the calling party and the subscriber to converse without ~e need for the subscl iber 21 to lift the telephone handset. After the ca~ling party hangs up his hand set or 22 otherwise disconnects from the telephone link, the subs~riber station senses a disl 23 tone signal produced by the telephone network and produces a speakerphone o 24 1l hook condition thereby terminating the c~lh ~l In a preferred embodiment o~ the invention, fol}owing activation of the -26 1l speakerphone in any of the sbove described manners, the speakerphone remains in 27 l, the enabled mode ~til such time as the reset switch on the subscriber station or a 28 I substitute there~ore is actuated.
" ' ~
j I
~2~;~6~3 ( ¦ DESCRIPTION OP THE DRAWIN(~S
The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following 2 discussion in con~unction ~Yith the accompanying drawings in whicho 3 1 Fig. 1 is a system block diagram;
4 Fig. 2 is a system state diagram;
~ Fig. 3 is a system timing diagram; ~nd 6 ~ig. 4 is a detailed block diagram of the circuiky of the subscriber station and speakerphone illustrated generally in Fig. 1.
DET~LED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
8 ln accordance with the present imention 8 personal alarm system is 9 disclosed which permits a subscriber, who may be immobilized snd/or ~Dcapscitated to verbally commurucate with an operstor at a central mol~itoring station without 11 the usu 1 requirements of manually dialirlg a telephone num~er or liftin~ a 12 telephone handset. Additionally, the system provides a subscriber with the ability 13 !I to remotely answer the telephone by activating ~ "help button"
14 1 or a ~ike switch while the telephone is ringing. ~ an auto-answering or 15 Ij "speakerphone enabled" mode, initi~ted follo~ing Rctua~on of the nhelp buttonn, 16 the system automatica~ly answers sll incorning calls and acti~ates a spe~kerphone 17 ~ ta permit ~erbR1 communications between the subscriber ~nd t)he cslling party 18 i without manual intervention by the subscriber. The dis~osed system employs a 19 ¦! speakerphone~o as to ~llow communication between the s~scriber and an operator 20 li at the central monitoring station despite the fact that a subscriber msy not be 21 ! proximate to, or able to handle a telephone handset. Control functions such ~s 22 ~ dialing and call termination are automatic so as to permit substanti~l1y handsfree 23 1 operation. The system is primarily intended for the elderly, infirm or 24 1 incapacitated who are unattended and/or livin~ alone and who, in the event of 1, , I , i ,, ~66 I
i~lness or sudden injury, might be unable to summon assistance in the event such is 2 required.
3 Reerring to Fig. 1, there is shown a persor~l alarm system of the type 4 herein disclosed. The system includes ~ subscribPr st~tion 10, Q s:OmmUnic~tiolls link 12 ~nd a central monitoring statio~l 14. In a preferred em~odiment of the 6 invention the cornmunications link 12 is a telephone network communicRtions link 7 employing well known telephone network protocols. It i~s appre~!iated. that the 8 present invention may lso be practiced employing other communications lir~cs such . 9 as ~ radio frequency or hard wired communication links. When a radio frequency communication link is employed, the subscriber station and the ce~ l monitoring 11 station include radio frequency transceivers as shown in Fig. l.
12 As Iurther illustr~ted in Fig. 1, the system further includes a hand held 13 unit 16 incorporating a help button 18. Typically a subscriber ma~nt~'ns the hand 14 held unit 16 on his person and, in the event a~sistance is required ~tivates the help button 18. In response thereto, the subscriber station 10 transmits a message over 16 the communication link 12 to the central monitoring sta~ion 14.---~ message 17 contains at least subscriber identifying information so as to permit an operator at 18 the central monitoring st~tion 14 to dispatch assistance to the su~scriber ~f it is 19 believed such assistance is required. Irne hand held unit 16 may ~nterface to the subscriber station 10 via a hard wired connection, a radio fireque~ y link, an infra-21 red link or any other suitable means operatiYe to signPI the sub~iber station 10 22 that the help button 18 h~s been activated.
23 The personsl alarm system further includes a speakerphone 20 which 24 interfaces to ~nd is activated under the control of the subscriber station 10. A
standard telephone 22 also interfaces to the communicstion link ~ro~gh the 26 speakerphone 2D. The speakerphone 20 presently referred to is a device which27 ¦ inoorporat s 8 spesker end e microphone end whioh perm;ts e user to cerry on 8 , ~ .
telephone conversstion by speaking at normal volumes in the vicinity of the de~ce.
2 Voice is picked up by ~ microphone and converted to ele~t:ricRl signals which are 3 transmitted over the communication link 12 to a remote partyr Con~ersely, 4 electrical si~n~ls corresponding to the vo;ce of the remote p~rty Qre ~mplified and flpplied to the speaXer of the speakerphone 20 to permit ~ne in the Yicinity o the 6 speakerphone 20 to hear the voice o~ the remote party.
7 . Following tr~nsmlssion o a message containing subscriber identifging 8 ir~ormation from the subscriber station 10 to the centr~l monitoring statlon 14, the 9 central mon~toring station 14 may, either automaticslly or upon ~nitiation by an operator at the centr~l monitoring station 14, transmit a control si0nal ba~k to the 11 subscribe~ st~tion 10. The control signal causes the subscriber ststion 10 to 12 m~intain the telephone network in a spe~kerphone of hook condition and actiY~tes 13 the speakerphone 20 so as to permit communicstion bet~qeen the operator and the 14 subscriber. The operator, by resson of the ability to converse w~ 8 subseri~er who may be immobilized, m~y obtaln timely lnformation with respect to the 16 subscriber's medic~l and/or personal needs and may thereby take more sppropr;~te 17 and specific action th~n ~ould be otherwise possible.
18 Operntion of the system in ~ccord~ce with t~a pre~t invention is 19 illustrAt~d in the state disgr~m of Fig. 2. Following reeeipt of a reset signall ~he subscriber station 10 is in a shte in which both the t~ephone 22 snd the 21 speakerphone 20 are on hook awaiting a telephone calL If the help button 18 has 22 not previously been activated, the system would be in the `'speakerphone disabled"
23 state. These conditions are illustrated in state 24 of the state diagr~m of Fig. 2.
24 Lrl the event of B "help request" resultin~ from subscriber activation o~ the help button 18, or from an inQctivity alarm such ~ described ~n U.S. Patent 26 No. 3,662,111 or U.S. Patent No. 4,S24,243, the subscriber 27 station 10 goes into an off hook condition, automatically dials the telephone number of the central~
il .
~ ( iL25~i6~3( monitoring station 14, and transmits a messsge containing subscriber identifying 2 information to the centr~l monitoring station 14. As a consequence of the help 3 request, a speakerphone status bit is ensbled. Following tr~nsmission of the 4 subscriber identifying message, the subscriber station 10 remains in state 26 aw~iting transmission of a control signal ~rom the central ~no~itoring station 14. ln 6 a preferred embodiment of the invention the control sign~l is in the form of an 7 electric~l signal o~ a prescribed frequency.
8 A timer in the subscriber st2tion 10 is initiated fol~c~wing tr~smission of the 9 subscriber identifying messQge from the subscriber sta ion 10 to the central lD monitoring station 14. The timer remains active for a preselected interval which is 11 typically in the range o several seconds. 1~, within the a~tive timer interv~l, the 12 subscriber station 10 receives the control signal trQnsmitted by the central 13 monitoring station 14, the subscriber station 10 activates the speakerphone 20 and 14 establishes a control state in the subscriber station lD so the subscriber station lQ
will remain in a spealcerphone of hook condition, aIl ~s ~lustrated in state 28 of 16 Fig. 2. While the subscriber station 10 is in the speakerphone oîI hoolc condition, 17 telephone discussions between the subscriber via the speakerphone and an op~rator 18 at the central monitoring station 14 are possible. I~pon the conclusion of 19 discussions between the operator and the subscriber, the operator causes the central monitoring station to transmit a simulated dial tone and then terminates 21 the call by hanging up the handset. The subscriber st~ffon lO decodes the 22 simulPted diPl tone signal and in response thereto produces a call termination 23 signal which causes the subscriber station 10 to exit the speakerphone off hook 24 l _state 28 and to enter the speakerphone on hook state 30. The subscriber station 13 25 ~ remains in the speakerphone on hook state 30 until sueh time ss the subscriber 26 !! station 10 is reset, or until such time as the subscriber station 10 detects a ring 27 1I signal associated with an incoming telephone cPll. Upon detection of a reset . Il . I
, _ g _ .
. !
~2~6~i1 3 ' jj ( s ( ¦ signal, the subscriber station lb returns to the speakerphone on hook, speakerphone ¦ disabled stste 22. In the event the subscriber station 10 detects a telephone ring 3 signifying an incoming call, the subscriber station 10 produces a ring sign~l which 4 in turn causes the subscriber station 10 to exit the speakerphone on hook spealcerphone enabled state 30 and to enter the speake;phone o~î hook state 28 6 thereby permittin~ convers~tions between the calling party and a subscriber 7 proximate the speakerphone 20 without ~ny manual intervention by the subscriber.
8 If the subscriber lifts the telephone handset of the telephone interfaced to 9 the speakerphone, as illustrflted in Fig. 1, while the subscriber station 10 ~s in state 28, the telephone goes off hook, the spea}cerphone enters the on hook state 11 and the speakerphone remains enabled as illustrated in state 32. This state change 12 . avoids the possibility of undesirable feedback between the speakerphone and the 13 telephone handset as might occur if both the telephone and the speakerphone wera 14 off hook simultaneously. As illustrated in Fig. 2, when the subscriber hangs up ~he telephone handset, the subscriber station 10 exits state 32 and enters state 30 in 16 which both the telephone and the speakerphone are on hook with the spe~kerphone 17 enabled to automatically answer subsequent calls.
18 The subscriber station 10 exits state 28 and enters state 30 upon detec~ion 19 of a call termination si~nsl. If the ca31 was initiated by ~e subscri~er station, the call termination signal is produced upon decode of a sim~ated dial tone presented 21 by the central monitoring station. 1~ the subscriber staticn was c~lled by ~L QIIing 22 party, when the calling party hangs up, the telephone netmork produces a diRl tone 23 which is decoded to produce the call termination Qgnal ~t the subscriber 24 ¦ station 10. In response to this csll termination signal, the subscriber station lO
2~ ¦ exits state 28 and enters state 30, cona~tioned to ~nswer s~bsequent caIls.
26 I If the subscriber station 10 does not detect a control signal sYithin the 27 I prescribed timPr interval while in state 26, at the es~d of such intervPl, the , l l l i !
I ..
subscriber station 10 exits state 26 and enters state 30, in which the speakerphone 2 is enabled to receive subsequent incoming calls.
3 In another mode of operation, in which both the speakerphone and the4 telephone are on hook and in which the speakerphone ~s disabled, a subscriber proximate the subscriber station 10, may cause the speakerphone to becorne active 6 upon the occurence of an incoming telephone call though the speakerphone remains 7 in the disabled state. The subscriber station 10 includes c~rcuitry which decodes fl B signal on the telephone link during telephone ringing and the subscriber station 9 produces a telephone ring signal upon the decode thereo~. If a subscriber activates the help button 18 in the hand held unit 16 or another switch provided for this 11 purpose, concurrent with the ring signal, the subscriber st~tion 10 e~its the on hook 12 disabled state 22 and enters the speakerphone off hook state 34 as i~lustrated in the 13 state diagram of Fig. 2. Thereafter, when the calling par~y terminates the caU, a 14 dial tone signal appears on the telephone comrnunication link which is dec~ded to produce a call termination signal which c~uses the subscriber stati~>n 10 to exit the 16 speakerphone off hook state 34 and to reenter the on hook state 24.
17 If the subscriber lifts the telephone handset while the subseriber station 10 18 is in the speakerphone off hook disabled state 34, the station enters the telephone 19 off hook speakerphone on hook state 36 as shown. In state 36, the speakerphone status signal remains disabled. When the subscriber termirLates the c~ll by hanging 21 up the telephone handset, the subscriber station reenters s~ate 24 in which ~oth the 22 telephone and speakerphone are on hook and the speake~phone status remains 2 3 disabled.
24 1I When the subscriber station io is in the speakerphone on hook disabled 25 ~I state 24, a telephone at the subscriber's location may ~lso be answered in the 26 1l conventional maMer by lifting the handset to cause the telephone to enter the on 27 ¦, hook state with the speakerphone disabled as illustrated in state 36. Replacement I
I . 1.
! `I
.1 ~2~ 3 ( , I
1! of the telephone handset on the telephone cradle produces the conventionQ1 result 2 il of terminating the telephone call and causes the subscriber station 10 to bransfer 3 j from the speakerphone on hook, telephone off hook state 36 to the speakerphone on 4 hook, telephone on hook state 24.
The imention will be further understood by refPrence to the timing disgram 6 of Fig. 3. Activation of the help button 18 produces a help signal 38 ul Ule 7 subscriber station 10. The help signal 38 causes the subscriber station 10 to go off 8 hook, disl the telephone number of the central monit~ring staffon 14 and to9 transrnit an alarm message 40 containing subscriber ident~ying information. The subscriber station 10 includes a timer which is initiat~i Ln response to the 11 ~ transmission of the alarm message 4U to produce a timer ~gnal-12 which remains 12 !~ active for a preselected interval, typically in the range of se~eral seconds.
13 Following receipt of the alsrm message 40, the central monitoring station 14 may 14 transmit a control signal 44 to the subscriber station 10. 1~ the control signal 44 is 1~ received by the subscriber station ln within the interval d-lring which the timer 16 signal 42 is active, the subscriber station 10 sets a b~t indicating t} at the 17 subscriber station 10 is in the "speakerphone enabled" state which is s~own by the 18 speakerphone enabled signal 46. If no control signal 44 is re~:eiYed by the 19 subscriber station 1û during the interval of the timer ~gnal 42, the subscriber station 10 goes on hook at the end of the interval as s~own by the off hook 21 signal 48. I a control signal 44 is received during the interval of the timer 22 sign~l 42, the subscriber station 10 rem~ins off hook beyond the e2cpiration of the 23 interval of tlmer signal 42 and the spe~kerphone goes off hook permitting 24 ¦i discussions between the subscriber and the centrsl station 14 operator. When the 2~ li operator at the central monitoring station 14 terminates a conversation with the 26 1! subscriber, a simulsted diPl tone signsl appears on the telephone line which is 27 ¦I decoded to produce a cali termination signal iD. Tùe oall termination si_nai 50 ( ~ 5i~3 causes the system to exit the speakerphone oIf hook state 28 and to enter the 2 speakerphone on hook state 30 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, thus conditioning the 3 subscriber station 10 ~or receipt of subsequent telephone calls.
4 Thereafter, the subscriber station 10 remains in the speakerphone enabled state 30 as illustrated by the speakerphone enabled signal 46 until such time 85 the 6 subscriber station 10 is reset upon activation of a reset signPl 52.
7 In the e~ent the telephone at the subscriberls locQtion rings, the subscriber 8 station 10 decodes the signal on the telephone line to produce a r~ng sign~l 54. If the subscriber station 10 is in the speakerphone enabled state 30 as indicated by the speakerphone enabled signal 46 and subscriber station 10 ~ontrol circ~try 11 detects the ring signal 54, the subscriber station 10 produces an ~3ff hook signal 56 12 and causes the subscriber station 10 to enter the off hook state 28 thereby 13 permitting speakerphone communication between the callin~ party and the 14 subscriber. A specified time after the calling party hangs ~p his te3ephone handset a dial tone signal Elppesrs on the telephone line which is d~coded bo produce a call 16 termination sign~l 58. The call termination signal 58 is employe~n.. ~be manner 17 previously discussed to cause the system to exit the speakerphone o~f hook state 28 18 and to enter the speakerphone on hook state 30.
19 Another mode of operation of the subscriber station 10 is ill~;trated ~n the right hand portion of the timing diagram of ~ig. 3. If the su~scribOE station 1û is in 21 the speakerphone disabled state (i.e. not enabled) and an incoming call causes the 22 telephone to ring, the subscriber station 10 decodes a sign~l on ~e telephone line 23 and produces a ring signal during the period of such r~ng. If the subscriber 24 j activates the help button 18 so as to produce a help signal 60 during c~ncur~ent ¦ with the ring signal 62, the subscriber stetion 10 produces an of ~ hc>ok signal 6~ and 26 ¦¦ enters the speakerphone off hook, speakerphone disabied state 34 so as to permit 27 ; speakerphone oomm mication between the cs~ling perty smd the subscriber.
il !
!, , 1 3 - ~
I
Z 5;1~i6~3 1~ ' .
.
Following terrnination of the telephone convers~tion between the calling party and 2il the subscriber, the subscriber station 10 will enter the on hook st~te 24 upon the 3¦! detection of the call terrnination sign~l 66 produced in the manner previously 41 ! described.
5The imention is slso depicted in block di~gram form in ~ig. 4 of the 6drawing. The speakerphone 20 is connected to the subscriber station 10 which is7part of the personal elarm system previously described~ The subscriber station 10 8¦ includes a relay 68 operative to seize the telephone iine 7V, and 8 dialing rel~y 72 9I coupled Yia a transformer74 to Q control76 which typically ~s part of the 10I subscriber station 10 of the person~l alarm system. The ~ontrol 76 receives inputs 11¦ in the form of a help signal 78 and Q reset signal 80. The he3p sign~ 78 is produced 12~- upon ~ctivation b~ a subscriber of the help button 18 of the hand h~ld unit 16. As 13~ previously indicated, the hand held ul~it 16 may inter~ace to the su~scriber14station 10 via a hard wired linlc, a radio frequency link, an L~fra red link; or ViEL any 15¦ other suitable means. The control 76 is coupled to the speakerphone control 82, 16~ which in turn receives inputs from a ring detector 84, a dial tone detector 86, ~nd a 17¦I control signal detector 88. Lr~ the present embodiment, the con~ol signal 18I detector 88 is a tone detector operative to produce an outE~ut c~ntrol signal upon 19¦ detection of a 3 kilohertz tone. The ring detector 84, dial tone detector 86 and 20¦ control signal detector 88 are operative to produce the ring signal, the call 21I termination signal and a control signal respectively. The speakerphone control 82 22produces 8 "speakerphone enabledn sign~l described in connection with Pig. 3 which 23serves to designate the system status and which functions as discussed in 24I cormection with Fig. 2. The speakerphone 20 includes speaker and microphone 2i¦ control and interface logic 90 which in turn is coupled via buffers 92 and 94 to a 26~ speaker 96 ~nd a microphone 98, respectively.
Il !
!
;, . . I
, . .
rhe telephone line 70 is coM~cted to an answer rel~y 100. The 2 ~ speakerphone 20 is connected through interf~ce circl~itry 102 to the telephone 3 1 line 70 through a transformer 104 which, may be selectively disconnected ~ia 4 1 snswer relay 100.
S l In a preferred embodirnent of the invention, the control signal is produced 6 1 upon detection of a 3 kilohertz tone, and the subscriber station 10 includes R 3 7 kilohertz notch filter 106 to prevent the undesired broadcast of this tone through 8 the speakerphone 20.
9 The above described personal 21~rm system is illustrative o~ 8 novelapparatus and method permitting handsfree operation by a subscriber who may be 11 immobile, infirm, or otherwise incap~citated and who may be unable to operate a 12 I conventional telephone as a consequence thereof. It will be appreciated that other 13 I modificstions, embodiments and departures from the present disclosure are 14 possible without departing from the inventive concept contained herein.
Consequently, the invention is to be viewed as embracing each and every novel 16 îeature ~nd novel combination of features present in or possessed by the pe~sonal 17 1 alarm system herein disclosed and is to limited solely by the scope and spirit of the 18 1 appended cl~ims.
- 5-
Claims (13)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Apparatus for establishing a voice communications link comprising:
a communciations link;
a central station and at least one subscriber station, each of said stations being interfaced to said communications link;
means associated with said central station operative to produce a first control signal and to transmit said control signal over said communications link for receipt by a selected one of said at least one subscriber station;
means associated with said selected one of said at least one subscriber station for producing an activation signal upon receipt of said control signal;
means associated with said central station operative to produce electrical signals representative of the voice of an operator at said station and for transmitting said signals over said communications link for receipt by said selected one of said at least one subscriber station;
a speakerphone coupled to said selected one of said at least one subscriber station and including means operative to produce electrical signals representative of the voice of a user in the vicinity of said speakerphone and means operative to broadcast within the vicinity of said speakerphone audible signals representative of the voice of an operator at said central station upon receipt of said electrical signals representative of said operator's voice; and means responsive to said activation signal for coupling said speakerphone to said communication link, for transmission of said electrical signals representative of said user's voice over said communication link to said central station, and for receipt of said electrical signals representative of said operator's voice.
a communciations link;
a central station and at least one subscriber station, each of said stations being interfaced to said communications link;
means associated with said central station operative to produce a first control signal and to transmit said control signal over said communications link for receipt by a selected one of said at least one subscriber station;
means associated with said selected one of said at least one subscriber station for producing an activation signal upon receipt of said control signal;
means associated with said central station operative to produce electrical signals representative of the voice of an operator at said station and for transmitting said signals over said communications link for receipt by said selected one of said at least one subscriber station;
a speakerphone coupled to said selected one of said at least one subscriber station and including means operative to produce electrical signals representative of the voice of a user in the vicinity of said speakerphone and means operative to broadcast within the vicinity of said speakerphone audible signals representative of the voice of an operator at said central station upon receipt of said electrical signals representative of said operator's voice; and means responsive to said activation signal for coupling said speakerphone to said communication link, for transmission of said electrical signals representative of said user's voice over said communication link to said central station, and for receipt of said electrical signals representative of said operator's voice.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said communications link includes a telephone network communication link and said apparatus further includes:
means associated with said telephone network communications link for producing a dial tone signal within a defined time interval following decoupling of said central station from said telephone network communication link and for transmission of said dial tone signal over said link;
means associated with said subscriber station for receiving said dial tone signal and for producing a call termination signal in response thereto;
means associated with said subscriber station and responsive to said call termination signal for decoupling said speakerphone from said communications link.
means associated with said telephone network communications link for producing a dial tone signal within a defined time interval following decoupling of said central station from said telephone network communication link and for transmission of said dial tone signal over said link;
means associated with said subscriber station for receiving said dial tone signal and for producing a call termination signal in response thereto;
means associated with said subscriber station and responsive to said call termination signal for decoupling said speakerphone from said communications link.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first control signal is a signal of a first frequency.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said dial tone signal is a signal of frequency other than said first frequency.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further including:
means associated with said central station for producing a second control signal and for transmitting said second control signal over said communications link for receipt by said selected one of said at least one subscriber station;
means associated with said subscriber station for receiving said second dial tone signal and for producing a call termination signal in response thereto;
means associated with said subscriber station and responsive to said call termination signal for decoupling said speakerphone from said communications link.
means associated with said central station for producing a second control signal and for transmitting said second control signal over said communications link for receipt by said selected one of said at least one subscriber station;
means associated with said subscriber station for receiving said second dial tone signal and for producing a call termination signal in response thereto;
means associated with said subscriber station and responsive to said call termination signal for decoupling said speakerphone from said communications link.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first control signal is a signal of a first frequency and said second control signal is a signal of a second frequency.
7. Apparatus for interfacing with a telephone network communications link, said link of a type which produces a ring signal to indicate to a user that a calling party desires to establish a telephonic communication and which produces a dial tone signal to indicate that the link is available for use, and which carries electrical signals representative of the voice of the user and the calling party comprising: .
means responsive to said ring signal for producing a first signal during the duration of said ring signal;
switch means;
means responsive to user activation of said switch means for producing a second signal;
means responsive to the concurrent occurence of said first signal and said second signal for producing an activation signal;
means operative to receive electrical signals representative of the voice of said calling party;
speakerphone means operative to produce electrical signals representative of the voice of a user in the vicinity of said speakerphone and means operative to broadcast within the vicinity of said speakerphone audible signals representative of the voice of said calling party in response to the receipt of said electrical signal's representative of said calling party's voice; and means coupling said speakerphone means to said telephone network communications link in response to said activation signal for transmitting said electrical signals representative of said user's voice over said communications link and for receipt of said electrical signals representative of said calling party's voice.
means responsive to said ring signal for producing a first signal during the duration of said ring signal;
switch means;
means responsive to user activation of said switch means for producing a second signal;
means responsive to the concurrent occurence of said first signal and said second signal for producing an activation signal;
means operative to receive electrical signals representative of the voice of said calling party;
speakerphone means operative to produce electrical signals representative of the voice of a user in the vicinity of said speakerphone and means operative to broadcast within the vicinity of said speakerphone audible signals representative of the voice of said calling party in response to the receipt of said electrical signal's representative of said calling party's voice; and means coupling said speakerphone means to said telephone network communications link in response to said activation signal for transmitting said electrical signals representative of said user's voice over said communications link and for receipt of said electrical signals representative of said calling party's voice.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 including:
means coupled to said communications link for receiving said dial tone signal and for producing a deactivation signal in response thereto; and means responsive to said deactivation signal for decoupling said speakerphone from said communications link.
means coupled to said communications link for receiving said dial tone signal and for producing a deactivation signal in response thereto; and means responsive to said deactivation signal for decoupling said speakerphone from said communications link.
9. Apparatus for interfacing with a telephone network communications link, said link of a type which produces a ring signal to indicate to a user that a calling party desires to establish a telephonic communication and which produces a dial tone signal to indicate that the link is available for use, and which carries electrical signals representative of the voice of the user and the calling party comprising:
switch means;
a latch having a first state and a second state;
means responsive to user activation of said switch means for setting said latch in said second state and for producing an output signal representative of the state of said latch;
means operative in response to activation of said switch means for establishing communication between said apparatus and a central monitoring station;
means operative to terminate said first communication between said apparatus and said central monitoring station over said telephone network communications link;
means operative to produce a ring signal upon detection of an incoming call following termination of said first communication;
means operative to produce an activation signal upon the concurrent detection of said ring signal and said output signal indicating that said latch is in said second state;
speakerphone means operative to produce electrical signals representative of the voice of a user in the vicinity of said speakerphone and means operative to broadcast within the vicinity of said speakerphone audible signals representative of the voice of said calling party in response to the receipt of said electrical signals representative of said calling parties voice; and means for coupling said speakerphone means to said telephone network communications link in response to said activation signal for transmitting said electrical signals representative of said user's voice over said said communications link and for receipt of said electrical signals representative of said calling party's voice.
switch means;
a latch having a first state and a second state;
means responsive to user activation of said switch means for setting said latch in said second state and for producing an output signal representative of the state of said latch;
means operative in response to activation of said switch means for establishing communication between said apparatus and a central monitoring station;
means operative to terminate said first communication between said apparatus and said central monitoring station over said telephone network communications link;
means operative to produce a ring signal upon detection of an incoming call following termination of said first communication;
means operative to produce an activation signal upon the concurrent detection of said ring signal and said output signal indicating that said latch is in said second state;
speakerphone means operative to produce electrical signals representative of the voice of a user in the vicinity of said speakerphone and means operative to broadcast within the vicinity of said speakerphone audible signals representative of the voice of said calling party in response to the receipt of said electrical signals representative of said calling parties voice; and means for coupling said speakerphone means to said telephone network communications link in response to said activation signal for transmitting said electrical signals representative of said user's voice over said said communications link and for receipt of said electrical signals representative of said calling party's voice.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 further including:
means operative to provide a reset signal upon activation of said means by a user;
means operative in response to said reset signal for setting said latch to said first state; and means for decoupling said speakerphone from said telephone network upon detecting of said latch output signal in said first state.
means operative to provide a reset signal upon activation of said means by a user;
means operative in response to said reset signal for setting said latch to said first state; and means for decoupling said speakerphone from said telephone network upon detecting of said latch output signal in said first state.
11. Apparatus for remotely activating electrical equipment at a first location so as to make connection between said equipment and a telephone network communications link, wherein said link is of a type which produces a ring signal to indicate to a user that a calling party desires to establish a telephonic communication, which produces a dial tone signal to indicate that the link is available for use, and which carries information bidirectionally between said first location and a second location, said apparatus comprising:
means disposed at said first location and responsive to said ring signal for producing a first signal during the duration of said ring signal;
switch means;
means responsive to user activation of said switch means for producing a output signal;
means disposed at said first location and remote from said switch means and operative to receive said output signal and to produce, in response thereto, a second signal;
means responsive to the concurrent occurence of said first signal and said second signal for producing an activation signal;
communication appratus disposed at said first location for communicating information over said telephone network; and means responsive to said activation signal for making electrical connection between said communication apparatus and said telephone network communications link.
means disposed at said first location and responsive to said ring signal for producing a first signal during the duration of said ring signal;
switch means;
means responsive to user activation of said switch means for producing a output signal;
means disposed at said first location and remote from said switch means and operative to receive said output signal and to produce, in response thereto, a second signal;
means responsive to the concurrent occurence of said first signal and said second signal for producing an activation signal;
communication appratus disposed at said first location for communicating information over said telephone network; and means responsive to said activation signal for making electrical connection between said communication apparatus and said telephone network communications link.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said output signal is a radio frequency signal.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said communication apparatus is a telephone set.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US73492085A | 1985-05-16 | 1985-05-16 | |
| US734,920 | 1985-05-16 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1256613A true CA1256613A (en) | 1989-06-27 |
Family
ID=24953591
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000506121A Expired CA1256613A (en) | 1985-05-16 | 1986-04-08 | Personal alarm system providing handsfree operation |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4760593A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0208080A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS61264947A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU5643286A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1256613A (en) |
Families Citing this family (52)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2614485A1 (en) * | 1987-04-27 | 1988-10-28 | Getten Antoine | Telephony accessory device which can be actuated remotely |
| GB8716877D0 (en) * | 1987-07-17 | 1987-08-26 | Raitel Communications Ltd | Telecommunication equipment |
| JPH01173959A (en) * | 1987-12-27 | 1989-07-10 | Yuko Iwaki | Telephone system |
| US4908602A (en) * | 1989-03-31 | 1990-03-13 | Lifeline Systems, Inc. | Apparatus and method of testing a portable held button for emergency response system |
| US5103474A (en) * | 1990-05-08 | 1992-04-07 | Digital Products Corporation | Drive-by personnel monitoring system with radio link |
| US5210784A (en) * | 1991-06-28 | 1993-05-11 | Lifeline Systems, Inc. | Adaptive speakerphone system |
| US5305370A (en) * | 1991-09-04 | 1994-04-19 | Lloyd Kearns | Personal emergency response communications system |
| US5673304A (en) * | 1991-09-23 | 1997-09-30 | Ac Corporation | Programmable emergency communication system including automatic dialer |
| US5287398A (en) * | 1991-11-20 | 1994-02-15 | Nigel C. Briault | Remotely accessible security controlled audio link |
| US5289534A (en) * | 1991-11-21 | 1994-02-22 | Harris Corporation | Door ajar signalling device |
| WO1993010621A1 (en) * | 1991-11-22 | 1993-05-27 | Digital Designs, Inc. | Method and apparatus for adding voice communications to telephone alarm system |
| US5513646A (en) * | 1992-11-09 | 1996-05-07 | I Am Fine, Inc. | Personal security monitoring system and method |
| US5438607A (en) * | 1992-11-25 | 1995-08-01 | U.S. Monitors, Ltd. | Programmable monitoring system and method |
| US5870453A (en) * | 1993-07-27 | 1999-02-09 | Shapiro; L. Dennis | Automatic control system for a remotely controllable sound producing device |
| US5420907A (en) * | 1993-07-27 | 1995-05-30 | Shapiro; L. Dennis | Automatic control system for a remotely controllable sound producing device |
| US6307920B1 (en) * | 1994-03-21 | 2001-10-23 | Foresight Technologies, Inc. | Microprocessor controlled dispatcher activated response identification system with telephone and radio frequency interface |
| US5636263A (en) * | 1994-03-21 | 1997-06-03 | Thomson; James D. | Dispatcher-activated response identification light (DARIL) and method for use thereof |
| WO1996037993A1 (en) * | 1995-05-26 | 1996-11-28 | Shapiro L Dennis | Automatic control system for a remotely controllable sound producing device |
| US5694452A (en) * | 1996-03-14 | 1997-12-02 | Bertolet; Eric E. | Emergency telecommunication device |
| US6104783A (en) * | 1996-05-01 | 2000-08-15 | Instant Alert Security, Llc | Method and apparatus for securing a site utilizing a security apparatus in cooperation with telephone systems |
| FR2762175A1 (en) * | 1997-04-11 | 1998-10-16 | Philips Electronics Nv | TELEPHONE APPARATUS INCLUDING A BASE STATION AND AT LEAST ONE SUBSCRIBER DEVICE, SUBSCRIBER DEVICE AND PROCESS IMPLEMENTED IN SUCH AN APPARATUS |
| US6483897B1 (en) | 1997-12-29 | 2002-11-19 | David Millrod | Method and apparatus for answering a telephone with speech |
| US6807564B1 (en) | 2000-06-02 | 2004-10-19 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Panic button IP device |
| US7149774B2 (en) * | 2000-06-02 | 2006-12-12 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Method of facilitating access to IP-based emergency services |
| US6765991B1 (en) | 2000-06-23 | 2004-07-20 | Michael Hanuschak | Emergency telecommunication device |
| US7239860B2 (en) * | 2000-10-27 | 2007-07-03 | Fulcit New Zealand Limited, a New Zealand Company of Hercus King & Company | Method and apparatus for generating an alert message |
| US6567502B2 (en) * | 2000-12-19 | 2003-05-20 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Multimedia emergency services |
| US20030027547A1 (en) * | 2001-07-16 | 2003-02-06 | Gerald Wade | Emergency communication system |
| GB0211670D0 (en) * | 2002-05-22 | 2002-07-03 | Univ Edinburgh | Personal alarm systems method and call centre |
| US20040086092A1 (en) * | 2002-07-09 | 2004-05-06 | Fehr Van Kirk | Method and system for emergency communication for high risk residents |
| US6728339B2 (en) * | 2002-08-16 | 2004-04-27 | Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc. | Apparatus and method for E911 detection and callback monitoring |
| US7238156B1 (en) * | 2003-07-31 | 2007-07-03 | At&T Intellectual Property, Inc. | Systems, methods, and devices for health monitoring |
| CA2534134C (en) | 2003-08-07 | 2011-11-29 | Telcordia Technologies, Inc. | Dial-out voice notification system |
| US7072659B2 (en) * | 2004-02-06 | 2006-07-04 | Sbc Knowledge Venturs, L.P. | System for selectively answering a telephone from a remote location |
| US7580837B2 (en) | 2004-08-12 | 2009-08-25 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | System and method for targeted tuning module of a speech recognition system |
| US7242751B2 (en) | 2004-12-06 | 2007-07-10 | Sbc Knowledge Ventures, L.P. | System and method for speech recognition-enabled automatic call routing |
| US7751551B2 (en) | 2005-01-10 | 2010-07-06 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | System and method for speech-enabled call routing |
| US7636432B2 (en) | 2005-05-13 | 2009-12-22 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | System and method of determining call treatment of repeat calls |
| GB0510840D0 (en) * | 2005-05-27 | 2005-07-06 | Tunstall Group Ltd | Social alarm unit with speech communication |
| US7657020B2 (en) | 2005-06-03 | 2010-02-02 | At&T Intellectual Property I, Lp | Call routing system and method of using the same |
| GB2443230C (en) * | 2006-10-23 | 2009-01-07 | Maurice Dempsey | Remote monitoring and control apparatus |
| US20080293374A1 (en) * | 2007-05-25 | 2008-11-27 | At&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. | Method and apparatus for transmitting emergency alert messages |
| US20110013762A1 (en) * | 2009-07-18 | 2011-01-20 | Gregg Bieser | Notification apparatus & method |
| US20110059719A1 (en) * | 2009-09-08 | 2011-03-10 | Steve Spielvogel | Wireless emergency call device |
| US8477911B2 (en) | 2010-02-05 | 2013-07-02 | Instant Care, Inc. | Personal emergency response system with alternative voice line capability |
| CN102088525A (en) * | 2010-08-16 | 2011-06-08 | 深圳市全球锁安防系统工程有限公司 | Method for reliably uploading arming or disarming state by using alarm host computer in uncharged way |
| US8837683B2 (en) | 2010-10-10 | 2014-09-16 | Medsign International Corporation | Critical health information profile and emergency communication system |
| US8594614B2 (en) * | 2011-01-04 | 2013-11-26 | Blackberry Limited | Handling emergency calls on an electronic device |
| US8779919B1 (en) | 2013-11-03 | 2014-07-15 | Instant Care, Inc. | Event communication apparatus and method |
| US9420445B2 (en) * | 2014-01-08 | 2016-08-16 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Universal code for emergency calls mode in a network environment |
| US9756454B1 (en) | 2014-05-19 | 2017-09-05 | Silent Beacon, Llc | Portable wearable primary device which communciates data to secondary device that is in communication with multiple networks and related communication systems |
| RU169566U1 (en) * | 2016-11-08 | 2017-03-23 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "ПАКС" | Advanced Wired Telephone - One-Way Management |
Family Cites Families (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3622111A (en) * | 1967-09-15 | 1971-11-23 | Nissen Corp | Counterbalance for gymnastic apparatus |
| US3811012A (en) * | 1969-12-05 | 1974-05-14 | A Barber | Remote telephone calling system |
| US3662111A (en) * | 1970-08-13 | 1972-05-09 | Morton K Rubinstein | Automatic telephone care device |
| GB1435945A (en) * | 1973-02-16 | 1976-05-19 | Ansafone Ltd | Telephone apparatus |
| US4236068A (en) * | 1979-03-29 | 1980-11-25 | Walton Charles A | Personal identification and signaling system |
| NL178633C (en) * | 1979-06-27 | 1986-04-16 | Siemens Nederland | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR MONITORING A NUMBER OF SUB-ITEMS FROM A MAIN POST AND THROUGH A TRANSMISSION CHANNEL. |
| US4405833A (en) * | 1981-06-17 | 1983-09-20 | Tbs International, Inc. | Telephone call progress tone and answer identification circuit |
| DE3129080C2 (en) * | 1981-07-23 | 1984-02-16 | ANT Nachrichtentechnik GmbH, 7150 Backnang | Procedure for transmitting emergency calls from people in need |
| AU1538283A (en) * | 1982-06-07 | 1983-12-15 | Wagner Shokai Inc. | Automatic dialling system |
| JPS59143459A (en) * | 1983-02-03 | 1984-08-17 | Hashimoto Corp | Automatic receiving device of telephone |
| US4524243A (en) * | 1983-07-07 | 1985-06-18 | Lifeline Systems, Inc. | Personal alarm system |
| GB2166321B (en) * | 1984-11-02 | 1986-12-31 | Tunstall Telecom Ltd | Emergency call unit |
-
1986
- 1986-04-08 CA CA000506121A patent/CA1256613A/en not_active Expired
- 1986-04-21 AU AU56432/86A patent/AU5643286A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1986-05-06 EP EP86106189A patent/EP0208080A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1986-05-15 JP JP61111782A patent/JPS61264947A/en active Pending
- 1986-10-17 US US06/920,240 patent/US4760593A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU5643286A (en) | 1986-11-20 |
| JPS61264947A (en) | 1986-11-22 |
| US4760593A (en) | 1988-07-26 |
| EP0208080A1 (en) | 1987-01-14 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1256613A (en) | Personal alarm system providing handsfree operation | |
| US4716582A (en) | Digital and synthesized speech alarm system | |
| US4656319A (en) | Alarm system tester | |
| US5337350A (en) | Facsimile apparatus with telephone system | |
| JPS5917017B2 (en) | Elevator emergency notification device | |
| US5315640A (en) | Data transfer device | |
| JPS63158955A (en) | Control system for communication holding | |
| CA1274930A (en) | Personal alarm system providing handsfree operation | |
| JPH0131826B2 (en) | ||
| US8666030B2 (en) | Voice and video over a shared telephone line | |
| JPS5945596B2 (en) | Elevator emergency call device | |
| US5038373A (en) | Process for determining whether a subscriber is the calling or the called party | |
| JPH0451111B2 (en) | ||
| JPS60259059A (en) | Facsimile equipment | |
| JP2002532017A (en) | Method, system and apparatus for line monitoring | |
| JP2526791B2 (en) | Automatic transmission stop control method and control system for facsimile communication | |
| JPH11196193A (en) | Selective automatic call incoming method for communication system and its network controller | |
| JPH0472855A (en) | Incoming connection switching system | |
| JPS62239763A (en) | Facsimile equipment | |
| JPH05244301A (en) | Emergency notice system | |
| JPH038624B2 (en) | ||
| JPH057380A (en) | Private automatic branch exchange | |
| JPH09181816A (en) | Telephone system | |
| JPH038627B2 (en) | ||
| JPS5824065B2 (en) | Automatic call response monitoring method |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |