AUTOMATIC SIGNALING AND REPORTING SYSTEM

• US 3,617,640 A
• Filed: 01/05/1968
• Issued: 11/02/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Henry J. Cichanowicz
• Original Assignee: Henry J. Cichanowicz
• Inventors: Cichanowicz, Henry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Claffy, Kathleen H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stewart, David L.
• Application Number:
  US04/696,054
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 179/5,5P
• US Class Current: 379/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/045 using recorded signals, e.g. speech

Abstract

A system, capable of utilizing a conventional telephone network, for automatically dialing and reporting a monitored event, is disclosed which comprises means for recording a first frequency capable of acting both as a supervision tone, for maintaining the circuit connection to the telephone line, and as the dial-pulsing tone, for automatically dialing a receptor position, such as a fire station or police station. A recorded message in the audio frequency range is superimposed upon the first frequency. The superimposed first and second frequencies are prerecorded on a recording means, such as a track of a recording tape. A plurality of similar superpositions may be recorded on a multiple-track-recording tape network. In response to the actuation of a sensor monitoring a predetermined event, such as a fire or an intrusion, input circuit means are actuated to receive the output of the recording means which is representative of the monitored event, to the exclusion of wouldbe interrupting events on other channels. The input circuit means are coupled through amplifier circuit means to filter means. Filter means separate the supervision and dialing frequency from the audio frequency. Detector circuit means are connected to the filter circuit means for receiving the filtered supervision dialing tone. The programming of the network is such that a short period of time elapses between the actuation of the detector means and the acquisition of the dial tone before dialing is initiated. The electronic dialing is accomplished by successive actuation and deactuation of dialing pulses, particularly timed in accordance with telephone requirements. After the dialing has been completed, particular circuit features of the detector network are so arranged that the supervision tone maintains the circuit in an online condition, particularly where minute breakages and interruptions occur in the recording. After a short period of time has elapsed, a prerecorded audio message is transmitted through the telephone network. Power circuit means, channel-switching networks, shutoff networks, condition indicators, and the like, are further disclosed. In addition, an identifying signal network feature for use by the receiving party to attest to the integrity of the sending unit is disclosed to avoid false alarm actuation. In addition, an open microphone feature is disclosed whereby upon completion of the dialing cycle and transmission of the recorded message, the line will remain open to provide the receiver with the opportunity to monitor audibly the sending area.

Claims

1. An electrical system for automatically dialing a predetermined telephone number and reporting a monitored event comprising:

sensor means for monitoring a predetermined event;

recording means comprising at least a single track, including both a first signal recorded on said track which is indicative of a first frequency capable of both dialing a predetermined receptor station by repetitively making and breaking a circuit to said station for predetermined times during a dialing period and acting as a holding signal during predetermined nondialing periods, and a second signal recorded on said track which is indicative of a second frequency which is capable of being separated from said first frequency, said second signal comprising a predetermined intelligible audio message capable of indicating the nature of the monitored event, said recording means being responsive to the actuation of said sensor means;

input circuit means having an input and an output, the input of said input circuit means being capable of simultaneously receiving said first and second signals when said recording means are actuated in response to said sensor means;

filter circuit means having an input and at least a pair of outputs, said input of said filter circuit means being in circuit with the output of said input circuit means for simultaneously receiving said first and second signals and separating said first signal from said second signal so that said first signal appears at one of said pair of outputs, and said second signal appears at the other of said pair of outputs, said filter circuit means comprising a first passive filter network which receives both said first signal and said second signal and provides a representation of said first signal at said one of said pair of outputs, and a second passive filter network which receives both said first signal and said second signal and provides a representation of said second signal at the other of said pair of outputs;

detector circuit means for receiving said representation of said first signal including an isolating circuit and a holding circuit, said isolating circuit being in circuit with said one of said pair of outputs for isolating said filter circuit means from said holding circuit, said holding circuit being in circuit with the output of said isolating circuit, said detector circuit means further including electrical circuit means in circuit with said holding circuit capable of making and breaking connection with a telephone line for predetermined times during tHe dialing period in response to said representation of said first signal and for maintaining a circuit connection with said telephone line during said predetermined nondialing periods, said holding circuit including a first transistor and a second transistor in circuit with said first transistor and said electrical circuit means, each of said first and second transistors being normally biased to a nonconductive state, and charging means in circuit with said second transistor for maintaining said second transistor in a conductive state during predetermined nondialing periods of said first signal and for at least partially determining the time at which, after receipt of said first signal by said detector, said second transistor changes from its nonconductive to a conductive state, said first transistor repetitively changing from a conductive to a nonconductive state in response to said first signal and at the same frequency thereof; and

first output circuit means in circuit with said other of the outputs of said filter means for receiving said representation of said second signal, said output circuit means being capable of circuit connection to a telephone line to transmit said intelligible audio message to a predetermined receptor station upon completion of dialing and during a selected portion of said predetermined nondialing period.

2. The system as defined in claim 1 further including means for establishing signal integrity, said means including a third signal recorded on said track which is capable of serving as an identifying tone to the receptor station, said third signal being transmitted to said receptor station together with said intelligible audio message.

3. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said recording means includes a plurality of tracks, each of which contains superimposed first and second signals.

4. The system as defined in claim 3 wherein said input circuit means further includes means for interlocking said tracks so that a dialing and reporting cycle indicative of one event may proceed uninterrupted, thus foreclosing the simultaneous dialing of a second event.

5. The system as defined in claim 4 wherein said input circuit means further includes means for amplifying the signal received from said recording means.

6. The system as defined in claim 1 further including means for providing a source of power to the system, said means further including means for providing a conventional AC power source and a battery source;

relay means in circuit with the conventional power source and said battery source in such a manner that upon loss of AC power, the battery source is immediately utilized.