Detection system using personal communication device with response

• US 20030156028A1
• Filed: 12/17/2002
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Royal Thoughts LLC
• Inventors: Menard, Raymond J., Quady, Curtis E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,847,293 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/001 Alarm cancelling procedures or alarm forwarding decisions, e.g. based on absence of alarm confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

This system provides for apparatus and process in conjunction with long-range wireless communication networks such as paging, cell phone and other networks. The system provides for alarm and other signals received from a security or other type of detection system to be verified by a remote user so as to assist in the cancellation of alarms so that false dispatches can be prevented.

Claims

1. A system conducting communications over a long distance bidirectional communication network for providing dispatch information to a central station, comprising:

a detection system adapted for automatic communication of alarm information related to a detected event; and

a portable wireless two way communication device adapted for receiving the alarm information from the long distance bidirectional communication network and for providing notification of an alarm condition,

wherein the portable wireless two way communication device is operable to provide a signal to cancel the alarm condition to avoid unnecessary dispatch by the central station.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection system simultaneously communicates alarm information to the central station and the portable wireless two way communication device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection system communicates alarm information to the central station and the central station then relays the information to the portable wireless two way communication device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the alarm information includes a destination code, and wherein the long distance bidirectional communication network uses a look-up table to decode the destination code.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable wireless two way communication device is a two way pager.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the two way pager communicates via Narrowband PCS (NPCS) transmissions.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the NPCS transmissions are made using a FLEX 25 communication protocol.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the NPCS transmissions are made using a REFLEX 25 communication protocol.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the NPCS transmissions are made using a REFLEX 50 communication protocol.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable wireless two way communication device is a cell phone.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable wireless two way communication device is a back-up portable wireless two-way communication device when a primary portable wireless two way communication device is unavailable.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal to cancel the alarm condition includes transmission from the portable wireless two way communication device to the central station.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal to cancel the alarm condition includes transmission from the portable wireless two way communication device to the detection system.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal to cancel the alarm condition includes transmission of a pre-saved message from the portable wireless two way communication device to the central station.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal to cancel the alarm condition includes transmission of a pre-saved message converted to a burst transmission from the portable wireless two way communication device to the central station.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection system transmits an encoded message related to the alarm condition.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the central station includes a look-up table to decode the encoded message related to the alarm condition.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the portable wireless two way communication device includes a look-up table to decode the encoded message related to the alarm condition.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the portable wireless two way communication device displays the decoded message related to the alarm condition.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein canceling the alarm condition to avoid unnecessary dispatch by the central station includes recalling an emergency agency if the dispatch has already occurred.