Automatic telephone alarm system
First Claim
1. A plurality of automatic alarm systems for use in conjunction with existing residential telephones, each telephone being located in one dwelling unit of a multiple dwelling, each automatic alarm system comprising a power source, a timer, a selectively operable switch between said power source and timer for placing the timer in a running or non-running condition, alarm means for transmitting a remote signal that help is needed at the dwelling unit, means responsive to the running of said timer for a predetermined time for activating said alarm means, reset means activatable to reset said running timer to zero and to deactivate said alarm means, and means responsive to activation of said telephone by a resident for activating at least said running timer reset means, the timer, reset means, means responsive to telephone activation and at least portions of said alarm means for all of said systems, being located at a central area of said multiple dwelling.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alarm system for automatically sending a telephone message or other remote signal in case help is needed for a person residing alone. In one version, a timer cyclically activates a magnetic tape player which begins slowly to dial the number of the station at which help is available, and then transmit a prerecorded message. The timer simultaneously activates an audible warning signal so that the resident can abort sending of the message if no help is needed. The timer is automatically reset each time the resident lifts the handset in normal telephone usage so that it is unnecessary under ordinary circumstances for him to worry about resetting the timer each day. Should the audible signal be activated but there is no need for help, the signal may be shut off, the message sending aborted and the timer reset merely by lifting the handset. A manual emergency bypass switch is provided. A second embodiment substitutes a high speed digital dialer and transmitter for the tape player, the dialer being activated after a short delay during which the audible signal is sounding. Additional modifications show the automatic telephone alarm system adapted to multiple dwelling use or to existing emergency alarm systems.
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Citations
1 Claim
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1. A plurality of automatic alarm systems for use in conjunction with existing residential telephones, each telephone being located in one dwelling unit of a multiple dwelling, each automatic alarm system comprising a power source, a timer, a selectively operable switch between said power source and timer for placing the timer in a running or non-running condition, alarm means for transmitting a remote signal that help is needed at the dwelling unit, means responsive to the running of said timer for a predetermined time for activating said alarm means, reset means activatable to reset said running timer to zero and to deactivate said alarm means, and means responsive to activation of said telephone by a resident for activating at least said running timer reset means, the timer, reset means, means responsive to telephone activation and at least portions of said alarm means for all of said systems, being located at a central area of said multiple dwelling.
Specification