EP1334477A1

EP1334477A1 - Alarm monitoring system and a method of operating such a system

Info

Publication number: EP1334477A1
Application number: EP01980683A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eric Beattie
Original assignee: EDINBURGH Co Ltd; EDINBURGH COMM Ltd; Edinburgh Communications Ltd
Current assignee: EDINBURGH Co Ltd
Priority date: 2000-11-01
Filing date: 2001-11-01
Publication date: 2003-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-01
Also published as: ES2303839T3; WO2002037439A1; GB2371942A; DE60133305D1; AU2002212476A1; ATE389925T1; GB2371942B; GB0026802D0; GB0126197D0; EP1334477B1

Abstract

Alarm monitor system 20 has in a domestic house 21, a telephone receiver unit 22 and line 23. Alarm handset unit 24 is connected, via a two-way connector, into telephone line 23 such that, when alarm button 25 is pressed, an alarm call is made to a call centre 26 permanently manned by operators 27 who have access to a databank 28 of subscriber information. When an alarm call is received at the call station 26 and compiler 29 outputs the subscriber information from databank 28, the telephone call to the subscriber is made automatically by a transmit unit, so that the process is started immediately. The transmit unit also passes on the alarm call and subscriber information SI to operator 27 and simultaneously adds the operator 27 into the telephone call made to the subscriber. If the telephone call is answered, the operator 27 asks for a security number code. If an incorrect number code or name is given, the Police is alerted.

Description

ALARM MONITORING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF OPERATING SUCH A SYSTEM

The present invention relates to an alarm monitoring system and to a method of operating such a system.

Conventional alarm systems exist in which the person uses the telephone to contact a carer either by dialing normally or using a remote device worn by the person which activates a telephone call.

According to the present invention, there is provided an alarm monitoring system comprising a plurality of alarm units located in separate residences, the alarm units connected to a monitor call centre by telephone lines for transfer of an alarm call from the alarm unit to the call centre upon activation of the alarm unit, and means to store subscriber information at the monitor call centre for access upon receipt of an alarm call from a subscriber.

Preferably, subscriber information is transmitted from the store to an operator of the call centre when an alarm call from the subscriber is received from that subscriber.

The subscriber information stored at the call centre may comprise one or more of the following:- • The telephone number of the house;

• Address of the subscriber's house;

• Location of the alarm unit within the house;

• Name and/or age and/or medical information of each occupant at the house; • The telephone number of the nearest Police station; • The telephone number of the nearest Ambulance call centre;

• The telephone number of the nearest Fire Station call centre;

• The telephone number of a contact for emergencies;

• A security number or code pre-agreed with the subscriber; • A history of the subscriber's use of the service and of previous calls.

The system may include means to effect a telephone call to a subscriber in response to a call indicating activation of an alarm unit for that subscriber.

Preferably the system comprises means to effect a telephone call to a police station if there has been no answer within a specified time period after initiation of a telephone call to a subscriber subsequent activation of an alarm unit for that subscriber.

The system may comprise display means at an operator station at the call centre which displays subscriber information and/or various options on further possible actions and/or means to execute one or more of the further possible actions upon activation of a button and/or means to send a message to each subscriber at specified periods seeking update on information or advising of new information.

The present invention also provides a method of operating an alarm monitoring system comprising a plurality of alarm units located in separate residences, the alarm units connected to a monitor call centre by telephone lines for transfer of an alarm call from the alarm unit to the call centre upon activation of the alarm unit, the method comprising storing subscriber information at the monitor call centre for access upon receipt of an alarm call from a subscriber. Preferably, the method comprises transmitting subscriber information from the store to an operator of the call centre when an alarm call from that subscriber is received from that subscriber.

The method may include effecting a telephone call to a subscriber in response to a call indicating activation of an alarm unit for that subscriber and/or effecting a telephone call to a police station if there has been no answer within a specified time period after initiation of a telephone call to a subscriber subsequent activation of an alarm unit for that subscriber.

The method may comprise displaying at an operator station at the call centre subscriber information and/or various options on further possible actions, and/or executing one or more of the further possible actions upon activation of a button and/or sending a message to each subscriber at specified periods seeking update on information or advising of new information.

The present invention also provides a computer program product directly loadable into the internal memory of a digital computer, comprising software code portions for performing the steps according to the present invention when said product is run on a computer.

The present invention also provides computer program product stored on a computer usable medium, comprising: computer readable program means for causing a computer to store subscribers information at the monitor call centre for access upon receipt of an alarm call from a subscriber.

The present invention also provides electronic distribution of a computer program of the present invention. The alarm monitoring system of the present invention is suited to warn of any difficulty or danger which occurs in the home e.g. a break-in to the premises, a fire, a medical emergency, an assault on a person, any temporary or prolonged incapacity, essentially any situation in which an occupant wishes to summon help or assistance.

While the present invention is primarily described in relation to use in a domestic house, it is equally applicable to use in other applications, for example in hospitals, schools, factories, offices or any industrial or commercial multi-occupancy buildings.

In order that the present invention may more readily be understood, a description is now given, by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a block circuit diagram of a conventional regulator; Figure 2 is a block circuit diagram of a regulator used in the present invention;

Figure 3 is a block schematic drawing of an alarm monitoring system of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a handset of the system of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a subscriber information display; Figure 6 is another call centre; Figure 7 shows part of another embodiment.

Conventional regulator 1 as shown in Figure 1 (e.g. for power supplies) generally cannot have a potential of greater than 40 volts applied to its input terminals. This is of no use in a telephone circuit, as the voltage on the line (defined by terminals 2, 3) can be as low as 7 volts, and as high as 192 volts. Notwithstanding this, normal supplies have other drawbacks when trying to supply regulated power to an associated circuit when only limited input power is available. This increasingly common problem is accentuated when working with the PSTN. It is a regulatory requirement that when a circuit is in its quiescent mode (the normal mode) it must draw no more than 25 μ amps from the PSTN.

A normal regulator 1 must take enough current through a ground current resistor 4 not only to bias a zener diode 5, but also to supply the PNP regulator transistor 6. Even using a very high current gain or HFE transistor, this current is several magnitudes more than the 25 μ amps available for the whole circuit.

This problem is further compounded by the fact that the zener voltage varies with input current supplied via resistor 4. This means the regulator 1 will have a slightly varying output voltage depending on the input voltage and hence current through the resistor 1.

The regulator 10 of Figure 2 overcomes all these problems as follows. The zener reference voltage is derived from the output voltage. A 240V FET 11 replaces the PNP transistor to overcome the input voltage problem, and to avoid the problem of bipolar HFE variance. FET's are voltage-controlled devices, and hence no current is required to operate them.

As the input voltage is increased to the circuit, the resistor Rl (12) will freely pull-up the voltage on the gate of FET 11 until stopped by the collector of the NPN transistor 13 whose only special feature is a low quiescent or "dark current".

No matter what the turn on voltage of the FET 11 is, its source eventually rises to the zener diode voltage. At this point, the anode of diode 14 also starts to rise, and this in turn causes the base of the NPN transistor 13 to rise. A point is reached when the current flowing into the base of transistor 13 will be sufficient to cause its collector to hold the rise of Rl (12). This in turn stops the rise of the base and hence the source of FET 11.

A state of equilibrium now exists. Capacitor Cl (15) and C2 (16) simply decouple the output as with any regulator circuit. Resistor R3 (18) can now be varied (or the zener changed) to alter the output voltage as required.

Capacitor C3 (17) serves to desensitise the circuit to input voltage fluctuations (this is normally described as a gyrator circuit and is the transistor equivalent of an inductor).

As the circuit 10 requires virtually no bias current to operate, the quiescent current of the entire regulator circuit is almost entirely defined by resistor Rl (12) and the FET pull-up. With an input of, e.g., 15 volts with the output set to 5 volts, the quiescent of the circuit is only lμ amp.

Figure 3 shows schematically an alarm monitor system 20 of the present invention having, in a domestic house 21, a telephone receiver unit 22 and telephone line 23. An alarm handset unit 24 is permanently connected, via a two-way connector into the telephone line 23 such that, when alarm button 25 is pressed, an alarm call is made via the telephone line to a call centre 26 which is permanently manned by a number of operators 27 who have access to a databank 28 of subscriber information. The alarm call to call centre 26 comprises a signal in the V.23 modem format with appropriate data content and it includes a serial number identifying the actual handset 24. Once the alarm call is logged as being received at the call station 26, preferably the connection with the handset is broken (for example by the call centre sending a signal to effect this), so that the call centre can make a telephone call to the subscriber.

Reception of the alarm call at call centre 26 causes compiler 29 to locate within, and then output from, database 28 all the relevant subscriber information (SI) and pass it on to an operator 27.

If the handset unit 24 determines, within a predetermined period, that a return call has not been made to the subscriber, the unit 24 sends a repeat call and/or it sends a call direct to the Police and/or emergency service, with an indication of what has already been sent and/or details of the subscriber.

Thus, when an alarm call is received by an operator 27, simultaneously the operator is provided with the following information from databank 28:-

• Address of house 21;

• Location of alarm handset 24 (as there may be more than one handset 24 in a house) within house 21 ; • The name(s), age(s) and medical condition or medical information of the occupant(s) as registered with the call centre;

• The telephone number of the house 21 ;

• The telephone number of the nearest Police station;

• The telephone number of any contact; • The telephone number of the nearest Ambulance call-out;

• The telephone number of the nearest Fire Station centre call-out;

• A security number or code pre-agreed with the subscriber;

• A history of the subscriber's use of the service and of previous calls. An example of display 40 of subscriber information (SI) is provided in Figure 5.

The operator immediately telephones the house 21 using the subscriber's telephone number provided by the databank 28. If the telephone call is answered, the operator 27 asks for the security number or code corresponding to that which is on the databank; if this is correctly given, then the operator asks if any further assistance is required. If the security number or code given differs, or if no security number or code is given, then the operator immediately telephones the nearest Police station and transmits by fax or electronically the subscriber information display either in its entirety or in part.

If the return telephone call is not answered within a predetermined time period (e.g. 30 seconds), the operator 27 immediately telephones the nearest Police station (perhaps also the Ambulance call-out centre and/or the Fire Station call-out centre) and advises that the call has not been answered.

The registration procedure for setting up a handset 24 in the alarm monitor system is as follows :-

The subscriber telephones the call centre 26 using the telephone 22 at house 21. An operator 27 asks the subscriber a series of questions and inputs the appropriate information into databank 28. The operator instructs the compiler 29 to enter the "program handset" mode and asks the subscriber to connect handset 24 to the telephone line and activate the alarm on handset 24. The handset 24 sends a "ready to program" message to the call centre 26 which responds by sending the configuration information to the handset 24. Once programmed, handset 24 sends a "confirm programmed" message to call centre 26. The operator 27 advises the subscriber that programming has been completed and asks the subscriber to conduct a test activation to ensure that the system is operating correctly.

At predetermined intervals (e.g. every month), handset 24 sends a message to call centre 26 to check if any changes are to be made to the procedure for alarm calls (e.g. the telephone number of the call centre, or the subscriber information). This also acts as a check to monitor which handsets are no longer in use.

In a variant shown in Figure 6, when an alarm call is received at the call station 26 and compiler 29 outputs the subscriber information from databank 28, the telephone call to the subscriber is made automatically by transmit unit 30, so that the process is started immediately.

Transmit unit 30 also passes on the alarm call and subscriber information to operator 27 and simultaneously adds the operator 27 into the telephone line to the call made to the subscriber line.

Thus, if the telephone call is answered by someone at the house 21, then the operator 27 responds and takes appropriate action.

Clearly, the emergency call can be made to other emergency services additionally and/or alternatively to the Police as appropriate.

If there is no answer at the house after the appropriate time interval (e.g. 30 seconds), then transmit unit 30 then makes the call to the Police station 31 indicated in the subscriber information and send the subscriber information, and connects the operator 27 into the call being made to the Police station. Thus the operator can provide the Police with any further information required and generally handle the matter, perhaps discussing with the Police whether to alert other emergency services or take other action.

In this way, as soon as an alarm call is received at the alarm call monitor centre, an immediate appropriate response is made.

Figure 4 shows the front face of the alarm handset 24 which has alarm button 25 designated by a circular area shown in red and forming a slightly ' raised domed portion as compared to the flat surrounding region 30. When slight pressure is applied to button 25 e.g. by a human finger, there is a responsive physical depression and audible click, thereby giving a positive feedback that switching has been achieved.

Handset 24 has a transparent circular portion 31 though which there can be seen a light-emitting diode 32 which is illuminated when handset 24 is plugged into the telephone system. Region 30 is impregnated with fluorescent material so that the front face of handset 24 can be seen in the dark.

Handset 24 has two lateral walls 33 and 34 on either side of the long side edges of region 30, being bridged by a third wall 35, the three walls forming a U-shape with button 25 located at its apex, the height of walls 33 and 34 increasing towards button 25. In this way, the front face of handset 24 is shaped so that a person is able to readily and quickly locate the button area 25 by touch alone (e.g. in the dark or in a smoky atmosphere) having little or no familiarity with the design of the handset.

In a variant, handset 24 is incorporated in a telephone answering machine. The handset 24 may have a wire-less link e.g. by infra-red, ultra-sonic, radio-frequency or optical signals, to a base unit connected to the telephone system, for example allowing the handset to be worn by the subscriber or to be carried around the house 21. Information on such location can be included in the SI data.

Figure 7 shows part of another embodiment of the present invention. The handset exists as two distinct versions, each representing one method of communication currently supported by the call centres. The first version uses ITU-T V.23 signalling to transfer data between the alarm button and call centre. The second version facilitates DTMF signalling to communicate. V.23 signalling provides transfer rates to allow secure encryption of data. The hardware design is not affected by the signalling method.

In use the householder, installs the button onto a telephone line on-site. Initial registration is required to allow the call centre to track the user in the client database. Typically, this will require a client to make a voice call to the Call Centre in order to extract client details, program the button with serial number and phone number (if off-hook data and voice is possible simultaneously) and allow a brief client confidence test of the button.

The client's details are stored in the Call Centre's database and are indexed by serial number (presented by the button). The first call initiated by the client, i.e. pressing the button, may be charged to the customer as a test call. Thereafter, a button activation press forces the line to be siezed, a preprogrammed Call Centre number is called and the line dropped. A Call Centre representative responds within a given time by call back to the client site. A client password is required to authenticate the legitimacy of the button activation. If there is no answer within a certain number or rings, or if the receipt is of an incorrect password, the appropriate public service or contact is phoned.

The alarm button comprises a Hitachi H83664 16-bit CPU, an associated EEPROM which may store serial number, phone numbers, and code updates a MITEL MT88E39 DTMF/V.23 decoder, a BPR/CPC detector, a ring and speech detector, a hardware watchdog and a D/A resistance ladder for modulation encoding.

The handset communication system uses hardware and software to allow ITU-T V.23 and DTMF signalling. A Mitel MT88E39 CLl decoder presents the receive data path via the decryption module to the kernel. The transmit data path is realised by a software implementation of a dual sine wave sample generator for V.23 signals and an implementation of a realtime Z-transform of dual sine wave sample generation for DTMF signals. The DTMF generator is used exclusively for dialling in the V.23 version of the alarm button and is used for both dialling and signalling in the DTMF version. In both cases, the generated samples are output via an 8-bit port onto the R2R resistance ladder and smoothed by filters before being applied to line.

Branch Phone Resets are detected via hardware and debounced in software to allow call cleardown when a telephone is taken off-hook on a shared line. Likewise, a Call Progress Cleardown signal may be received from the network and is handled in similar fashion.

Encryption and decryption of data via a public key algorithm such as RSA or 40-bit DES/3DES is required to prevent malicious hacking of the call centre. Non-volatile storage for serial number, phone numbers, keys, historical data, etc. is provided by a Philips I2C 2-wire bidirectional bus on which a 32Kbit EEPROM resides. A thermo device may also be placed on this bus for a heat/smoke detector application.

The CPU remains in a low-current powered-down idle state until activation via the activation switch. During this state, the real-time clock and calendar functions and various housekeeping duties are performed. When an interrupt caused by activation occurs, the CPU is forced into its normal high-speed execution state running from the onboard 10/16MHz oscillator.

The datalink and presentation layers are implemented to provide a message based link between call centre and button.

Abbreviation Comment

PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network

CLl Caller Line Identity

EEPROM Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory

CPU Central Processing Unit

DTMF Dual Tone Multiple Frequency

D/A Digital to analogue

BPR Branch Phone Reset

CPC Call Progress Cleardown

ITU-T International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunication Standardization Sector

Claims

1. An alarm monitoring system comprising a plurality of alarm units located in separate residences, the alarm units connected to a monitor call centre by telephone lines for transfer of an alarm call from the alarm unit to the call centre upon activation of the alarm unit, and means to store subscriber information at the monitor call centre for access upon receipt of an alarm call from a subscriber.

2. A system according to Claim 1 wherein subscriber information is transmitted from the store to an operator of the call centre when an alarm call from that subscriber is received from that subscriber.

3. A system according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein subscriber information stored at the call centre comprises one or more of the following- The telephone number of the house; Address of the subscriber's house; Location of the alarm unit within the house;

Name and/or age and/or medical information of each occupant at the home;

The telephone number of the nearest Police station; The telephone number of the nearest Ambulance call centre; The telephone number of the nearest Fire Station call centre; The telephone number of a contact for emergencies; A security number or code pre-agreed with the subscriber.

4. A system according to any preceding claim including means to effect a telephone call to a subscriber in response to a call indicating activation of an alarm unit for that subscriber.

5. A system according to any preceding claim comprising means to effect a telephone call to a police station if there has been no answer within a specified time period after initiation of a telephone call to a subscriber subsequent activation of an alarm unit for that subscriber.

6. A system according to any preceding claim comprising display means at an operator station at the call centre which displays subscriber information and/or various options on further possible actions.

7. A system according to Claim 6 comprising means to execute one or more of the further possible actions upon activation of a button.

8. A system according to any preceding claim comprising means to send a message to each subscriber at specified periods seeking update on information or advising of new information.

9. Method of operating an alarm monitoring system comprising a plurality of alarm units located in separate residences, the alarm units connected to a monitor call centre by telephone lines for transfer of an alarm call from the alarm unit to the call centre upon activation of the alarm unit, the method comprising storing subscriber information at the monitor call centre for access upon receipt of an alarm call from a subscriber.

10. A method according to Claim 9 wherein transmitted subscriber information from the store to an operator of the call centre when an alarm call from that subscriber is received from that subscriber.

11. A method according to Claim 9 or 10 wherein subscriber information stored at the call centre comprises one or more of the following- • The telephone number of the house; • Address of the subscriber's house;

• Location of the alarm unit within the house;

• Name and/or age and/or medical information of each occupant at the home; i • The telephone number of the nearest Police station;

• The telephone number of the nearest Ambulance call centre;

• The telephone number of the nearest Fire Station call centre;

• The telephone number of a contact for emergencies;

• A security number or code pre-agreed with the subscriber.

12. A method according to any of Claims 9 to 11 including effecting a telephone call to a subscriber in response to a call indicating activation of an alarm unit for that subscriber.

13. A method according to any of Claims 9 to 12 comprising effecting a telephone call to a police station if there has been no answer within a specified time period after initiation of a telephone call to a subscriber subsequent activation of an alarm unit for that subscriber.

14. A method according to any of Claims 9 to 13 comprising displaying at an operator station at the call centre subscriber information and/or various options on further possible actions.

15. A method according to Claim 14 comprising executing one or more of the further possible actions upon activation of a button.

16. A method according to any of Claims 9 to 15 comprising sending a message to each subscriber at specified periods seeking update on information or advising of new information.

17. A computer program product directly loadable into the internal memory of a digital computer, comprising software code portions for performing the steps of any one of Claim 1 to 16 when said product is run on a computer.

18. A computer program product stored on a computer usable medium comprising :- computer readable program means for causing a computer to stored subscriber information at the monitor call centre for access upon receipt of an alarm call from the subscriber.

19. A computer program product comprising: - computer readable program means for causing a computer to stored subscriber information at the monitor call centre for access upon receipt of an alarm call from the subscriber.

20. Electronic distribution of a computer program according to any of Claims 17 to 19.