AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE DIALER FOR EMERGENCY MESSAGES

• US 3,632,879 A
• Filed: 06/18/1970
• Issued: 01/04/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Raymond Freisinger
• Original Assignee: Raymond Freisinger
• Inventors: Freisinger, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Claffy, Kathleen H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stewart, David L.
• Application Number:
  US05/047,210
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 179/5P
• US Class Current: 379/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/045 using recorded signals, e.g. speech

Abstract

Apparatus for automatically dialing a public telephone line and transmitting an emergency message has two pickup heads for selectively picking up prerecorded emergency messages from two channels of an endless magnetic tape in a tape cartridge. Two relays are connected in circuit with the pickup heads. Fire detecting sensors are connected to one relay and burglary detecting sensors are connected to the other relay. Activation of a burglary sensor starts a tape drive motor and causes pickup of a burglary notification message from one channel. Activation of a fire sensor cuts out the burglary message and transmits the fire message which has priority. A solenoid is actuated when a sensor is activated to move the tape cartridge and press the tape against the pickup heads. The tape is automatically stopped when transmission of a message is completed unless a sensor is actuated, whereupon the apparatus starts another cycle of transmission.

Claims

1. Apparatus for automatically dialing a public telephone line and transmitting an emergency message, comprising first and second magnetic pickup heads disposed to pick up prerecorded emergency messages from respective first and second channels prerecorded on a magnetic tape;

first and second channels prerecorded on a magnetic tape;

first and second relays connected in circuit with the first and second pickup heads respectively and with respective first and second groups of emergency sensors; and

circuit means interconnecting the relays so that activation of a sensor in the first group causes activation of first relay and deactivation of the second relay so that only the message from the first channel is transmitted to said line and a support carrying said pickup heads in a fixed position and arranged for movably supporting a cartridge containing said magnetic tape;

a solenoid carried by said support and connected in circuit with said relays;

a plunger actuated by the solenoid; and

mechanical means operatively connected to said plunger and arranged to move said cartrIdge on said support when the solenoid is energized for pressing said tape against said pickup heads.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said channels respectively include dialing codes of telephone numbers of two different emergency agencies, whereby activation of the first relay causes pickup of the dialing code from the first channel and dialing of the number of one agency, whereby activation of the second relay causes pickup of the pickup of the dialing code from the second channel and dialing of the number of a second agency, and whereby activation of the first relay precludes activation of the second relay so that the dialing code from only the first channel can be picked up.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a motor connected in circuit with said relays;

a capstan driven by said motor for driving the tape; and

a roller carried by said mechanical means and arranged for engaging the tape between the capstan and roller when either one of the the relays and said solenoid are energized.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a cartridge including a flat, rectangular casing slidably mounted on said support;

an endless roll of said magnetic tape engaged on a reel in said casing; and

spring means in said casing disposed to press the tape against said pickup heads when the solenoid is energized, whereby said spring means moves the cartridge away from the pickup heads when solenoid is deenergized.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, further comprising a motor connected in circuit with said relays;

a capstan driven by said motor for driving the tape; and

a roller carried by said mechanical means and movably disposed inside the casing for engaging the tape between the capstan and roller when either one of the relays and said solenoid are energized.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said channels respectively include dialing codes of telephone numbers of two different emergency agencies, whereby activation of the first relay causes pickup of the dialing code from the first channel and dialing of the number of one agency, whereby activation of the second relay causes pickup of the pickup of the dialing code from the second channel and dialing of the number of a second agency, and whereby activation of the first relay precludes activation of the second relay so that the dialing code from only the first channel can be picked up.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 further comprising a main power supply connected in circuit with said motor and solenoid;

a standby other power supply; and

relay means interconnecting both power supplies in such a manner as to deactivate the standby power supply when the main power is on and to connect the standby power supply to the motor and solenoid in place of the main power supply if the main power supply becomes deactivated.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, further comprising a pair of spaced stationary wiper contacts carried by said support and disposed for contacting a metal stripe on said tape;

and further relay means connected in circuit with said motor, solenoid and power supplies for deenergizing the motor and solenoid when said metal stripe is contacted by the wiper contacts.