EMERGENCY REPORTING DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

• US 3,694,579 A
• Filed: 08/06/1971
• Issued: 09/26/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Peter H. Mcmurray
• Original Assignee: Peter H. Mcmurray
• Inventors: McMurray, Peter H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blakeslee, Ralph D.
• Application Number:
  US05/169,737
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 179/1C,1VE,2C,2DP,2E,5R,6C,15BZ,41A 325/16
• US Class Current: 379/49
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/006 with transmission via telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A digital communications system which can be used for emergency reporting having a transmitting unit which sends out information signals identifying the transmitting unit and identifying the type of emergency. A relay station located within the area receives and stores the signal and in response thereto electronically dials a predetermined telephone number to a data center, transmits an encoded signal identifying the station and then relays the information sent from the transmitting unit. Assistance or corrective action may then be provided by dispatch from the data center.

Claims

1. A digital communication system for transmitting information from a plurality of terminals to a data center having a telephone input, said system comprising:

terminal means for encoding a first digital signal including a code identifying said terminal and a message, and for transmitting said first signal, and station means connected to a telephone device for receiving said first signal and in response thereto electronically coupling said telephone device to said data center telephone input, and transmitting through said coupling a second digital signal identifying the station and also transmitting said first signal.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said message is an encoded representation of an emergency situation.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said data center comprises computer means for automatically receiving said first and second signals and dispatching a response thereto.

4. A system as in claim 2, wherein said terminal means comprises switching means for starting said terminal means, selection means for selecting the encoded emergency situation signal to be transmitted, and reset means for terminating the operation of said terminal means.

5. A system as in claim 3, wherein said terminal means once started continues to operate repeatedly transmitting said first signal until reset.

6. A system as in claim 4, wherein said switching means comprises a plurality of switching devices connected in parallel and conveniently located for easy accessibility.

7. A system as in claim 4, wherein said terminal means further comprises a power source for energizing said terminal means, and antenna means for transmitting said first signal.

8. A system as in claim 7, wherein said terminal means is mounted onto a vehicle and said power source and antenna means are part of the vehicle equipment.

9. A system as in claim 1, wherein said terminal means comprises oscillation means for generating an RF signal, modulation means for pulse width modulating said RF signal with said first digital signal, and output means for transmitting said modulated signal.

10. A system as in claim 1, wherein said terminal means comprises:

switching means for starting said terminal means;

starting circuit means responsive to said switching means for producing a turn-on pulse;

clock geneRation means triggered by said turn-on pulse and producing a continuous number of clock pulses;

selection means for selecting the message to be transmitted;

control means encoding said message, providing said identifying code, and outputing said encoded signals when strobed by said clock pulses;

oscillator means for producing an RF carrier signal; and

transmission means for receiving said turn-on pulse, said identifying code and said encoded message and modulating these onto said carrier.

11. A system as in claim 1, wherein said station means comprises telephone coupling means which disconnect the handset from said telephone device and electronically dials a predetermined number on the telephone lines, said number being the data center telephone input number.

12. A system as in claim 11, wherein said data center provides an acknowledge signal upon being coupled to said station and said station means further comprises:

timing means, and control means, said timing means being set to count a fixed time interval upon completion of the dialing of said predetermined number and in the absence of said acknowledge signal emitting a pulse upon reaching said fixed time, said control means in response to said last signal triggering said telephone coupling means to electronically dial a second predetermined number on said telephone device.

13. A system as in claim 12, wherein said station means operates to transmit said second signal simultaneously with said timer counting.

14. A system as in claim 1, wherein said electronic coupling is the standard telephone communication medium.

15. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first signal further includes a turn-on signal.

16. A system as in claim 15, wherein said station means comprises decoding means for distringuishing said turn-on signal from the other data of the first signal, means responsive to said turn-on signal for effecting said electronic coupling, encoding said station identification signal, and relaying said other data.

17. A system as in claim 16, wherein said responsive means comprises:

telephone coupling means which disconnects the handset from said telephone device and electronically connects said station onto the telephone lines;

data storage means for receiving said other data;

encoding means for encoding said stations identifying signal, and control means for dialing a preselected telephone number, said number being the data center telephone input number, said control means triggering said encoding means to output said stations identifying signal and triggering said data storage means to output said other data.

18. A system as in claim 1, wherein said station means are selectively distributed throughout a specified area.

19. A system as in claim 16, wherein said station means further includes lockout means which prevent said station means from receiving a further first signal, after receipt of an initial first signal.

20. In combination, a computerized data center and a digital communication system, wherein said data center comprises a telephone input, and said system comprises, terminal means for encoding a first digital signal including a code identifying said terminal and a message, and for transmitting said first signal, and station means connected to a telephone device for receiving said first signal and in response thereto electronically coupling said telephone device to said data center telephone input, and transmitting through said coupling a second digital signal identifying the station and also transmitting said first signal.