Surveillance system having a voice verification unit

• US 5,023,901 A
• Filed: 08/22/1988
• Issued: 06/11/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vorec Equipment Company
• Original Assignee: Vorec Corporation
• Inventors: Sloan, Paul, Jimenez, Julio, Jimenez, Raymond, Tuai, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US07/235,085
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 379/38, 379/42, 379/49, 379/50, 379/106, 340/505, 340/539, 340/573, 340/592, 340/825.08, 340/825.34, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 382/2, 455/100, 381/42
• US Class Current: 379/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A surveillance system which integrates voice identification with a passive monitoring mechanism is described. The surveillance system comprises a central station, located at the appropriate supervising authority, and a plurality of remote voice verification units, each of which is located at a designated locality for an individual under surveillance and connected to the central station via telephone lines. The central station initializes and retrieves information from each voice verification unit. Each voice verification unit conducts a voice verification test of a respective individual according to a test schedule outlined by the central station and continuously monitors the presence of the respective individual at the designated locality. The results of the voice verification tests and the physical monitoring during a defined surveillance period are transmitted to the central station periodically or on an exigent basis depending on the application. The central station outputs the results for appropriate action by the supervising authority.

Claims

1. A surveillance system comprising

a central station for storing data regarding the status of each individual under surveillance, said station having an input to receive data and an output to transmit data and command signals;

a plurality of remote stations, each located at a designated locality for a respective individual and having a first input to receive data and command signals from said central station, a second input to receive active monitoring signals from a respective individual, a third input to receive passive monitoring signals from a respective individual, test means to analyze the active and passive monitoring signals according to the data and command signals received from said central station, storage means connected to said test means for receiving and storing the analysis results from said test means;

an output to transmit data and the analysis results from said storage means to said central station, and monitoring means for monitoring the condition of a power line which supplies operating power for said remote station, said monitoring means being connected to said output to transmit the data from said monitoring means to said central station; and

means for selectively connecting said central station with each said remote stations.

2. A surveillance system comprising

a central station for storing data regarding the status of each individual under surveillance, said station having an input to receive data and an output to transmit data and command signals;

a plurality of remote stations, each located at a designated locality for a respective individual and having a first input to receive data and command signals from said central station, a second input to receive active monitoring signals from a respective individual, a third input to receive passive monitoring signals from a respective individual, test means to analyze the active and passive monitoring signals according to the data and command signals received from said central station, storage means connected to said test means for receiving and storing the analysis results from said test means; and

an output to transmit data and the analysis results from said storage means to said central station, monitoring means for monitoring the condition of the entrance and exit of the designated locality, said monitoring means being connected to said output to transmit the data from said monitoring means to said central station; and

means for selectively connecting said central station with each said remote stations.

3. A surveillance system comprising

a central station for storing data regarding the status of each individual under surveillance, said station having an input to receive data and an output to transmit data and command signals;

a plurality of remote stations, each located at a designated locality for a respective individual and having a first input to receive data and command signals from said central station, a second input to receive active monitoring signals from a respective individual, a third input to receive passive monitoring signals form a respective individual, test means to analyze the active and passive monitoring signals according to the data and command signals received from said central station, storage means connected to said test means for receiving and storing the analysis results from said test means;

an output to transmit data and the analysis results from said storage means to said central station, detecting means for detecting tampering of the remote station, said detecting means being connected to said output to transmit data from said detecting means to said central station; and

means for selectively connecting said central station with each said remote stations.

4. A voice verification unit for the surveillance of an individual at a designated locality comprising;

an electroacoustic transducer for receiving the voice of the individual under surveillance and converting the voice into an equivalent electrical signal;

a voice verification board for analyzing said equivalent electrical signal according to a stored algorithm to identify the received voice as the voice of the individual under surveillance;

a signalling element for prompting the individual under surveillance to speak into said electroacoustic transducer according to a randomly established test schedule;

a support board for storing each analysis result from said voice verification board during the test schedule; and

a microprocessor for actuating said signalling element a multiplicity of times during said test schedule.

5. A surveillance system comprising

a plurality of remote stations, each station being located at a designated locality for a respective individual and having a first input to receive a passive monitoring signal indicative of the presence at a respective locality of a respective individual, a second input to receive an active monitoring signal from the respective individual, a signalling element for prompting the respective individual to generate the active monitoring signal in accordance with a predetermined test schedule within a programmed monitoring period, test means for receiving and analyzing the active monitoring signals from time-to-time in accordance with said test schedule during said monitoring period to verify the identity of the respective individual, and storage means connected to said test means for receiving and storing the analysis results from said test means during said monitoring period;

a central station having an input for receiving and storing the analysis results from each remote station and an output for transmitting data to each respective remote station corresponding to a respective individual and a command signal to each remote station to establish a monitoring period; and

means for selectively connecting said central station to a respective remote station at the end of a monitoring period thereof to receive the analysis results stored therein.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said central station comprises a data storage element for storing data and analysis results received at said input from said remote stations and an output display element for displaying selective data and analysis results stored by said data storage element.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein each remote station comprises an electroacoustic transducer connected to said second input for receiving as an active signal a preselected series of spoken words by a respective individual and a receiver element connected to said first input for receiving as a passive signal a continuous signal transmitted from a respective individual indicating the individual'"'"'s presence at a designated locality.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein said central station comprises at least one computer for compiling and analyzing data and the analysis results received at said input of said central station from said remote stations and for formulating data and command signals transmitted at said output of said central station to said remote stations.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said central station comprises a second computer for compiling and analyzing the analysis results received at said input from the remote stations.

10. The system of claim 5 wherein said means for selectively connecting comprises at least one telephone line operably connected between said central station and each remote station.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said means for selectively connecting further comprises a modem at each remote station which operably connects a respective telephone line to said storage means of the respective remote station.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said means for selectively connecting comprises an automatic telephone calling system at said central station which operably connects a respective telephone line between said central station and a respective remote station according to a polling schedule.

13. The system of claim 5 wherein said means for selectively connecting comprises means for operably connecting said central station with said remote stations automatically according to a polling schedule.

14. The system of claim 5 wherein said means for selectively connecting comprises means for providing cellular telephone service between said central station and each remote station.

15. The system of claim 5 wherein said means for selectively connecting comprises means for providing long distance radio frequency transmission between said central station and each remote station.

16. A surveillance system comprising

a central station for storing data regarding the status of each individual under surveillance, said station having an input to receive data and an output to transmit data and command signals;

a plurality of remote stations, each located at a designated locality for a respective individual and having a first input to receive data and command signals from said central station, a second input to receive active monitoring signals from a respective individual, a third input to receive passive monitoring signals from a respective individual, an electroacoustic transducer connected to said second input for receiving as an active signal a preselected series of spoken words by a respective individual, a receiver element connected to said third input for receiving as a passive signal a continuous signal transmitted from a signal transmitter attached to a respective individual indicating the individual'"'"'s presence at a designated locality, test means to analyze the active and passive monitoring signals according to the data and command signals received from said central station, a signalling element connected to said test means to emit a signal to prompt the respective individual to speak the preselected series of words into said electroacoustic transducer, a programmable logic element for actuating said signalling element according to a randomly established schedule, storage means connected to said test means for receiving and storing the analysis results from said test means; and

an output to transmit data and the analysis results from said storage means to said central station; and

means for selectively connecting said central station with each said remote station.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said signalling element is a sounder which emits an audible signal to prompt the respective individual to speak the preselected series of words into said electroacoustic transducer.

18. A surveillance system as set forth in claim 16 further comprising monitoring means in each remote station for monitoring the condition of said means for selectively connecting said central station thereto, said monitoring means being connected to said output of a respective remote station to transmit data from said monitoring means to said central station.

19. A voice verification unit for the surveillance of a individual at a designated locality comprising;

an electroacoustic transducer for receiving the voice of the individual under surveillance and converting the voice to an equivalent electrical signal;

a signalling element for prompting the individual under surveillance to speak into said electroacoustic transducer;

a transmitter to be carried by the individual under surveillance for emitting a passive signal;

a receiver for monitoring said passive signal and outputting a second signal in response to an interruption of said passive signal from said transmitter;

a support board for actuating said signalling element upon receipt of said output signal from said receiver; and

a voice verification board having means for analyzing said equivalent electrical signal to determine whether the voice received by said electroacoustic transducer is the voice of the individual under surveillance.

20. A device for the surveillance of an individual at a designated locality comprising

an electroacoustic transducer for receiving the voice of the individual under surveillance and converting the voice into an equivalent electrical signal;

a voice verification board for analyzing the equivalent electrical signal and positively identifying the received voice as the voice of the individual under surveillance;

a signalling element for prompting the individual under surveillance to speak into the electroacoustic transducer;

a transmitter to be carried by the individual under surveillance for continuously emitting a signal;

a receiver for detecting an interruption of the signal emitted from said transmitter;

a support board for storing the analysis results from said voice verification board and the detection of signal interruptions from the receiver; and

a microprocessor for actuating said signalling element according to a randomly established schedule and upon detection of a signal interruption by the receiver.

21. The device of claim 20 further comprising a power supply circuit for supplying operating power to the device and for connecting a stand-by power source to the device in the event of an outage of the operating power.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein the support board monitors the operating power for the device and actuates the power supply circuit to connect the stand-by power source to the device in the event of an outage of the operating power.

23. A system for the remote surveillance of an individual comprising

a central station for storing data regarding the surveillance of the individual;

a remote station located at a designated locality for the individual and connected to said central station, said remote station having means for establishing a test schedule in response to an actuating signal from said central station and means for conducting periodic voice verification tests of the individual according to the test schedule, said remote station delivering the results of said tests to said central station at the end of said test schedule;

a transmitter to be carried by the individual for continuously emitting a signal; and

a receiver connected to said remote station for monitoring the signal emitted by said transmitter and actuating said remote station to conduct an unscheduled voice verification test in response to an interruption of the signal.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the central station comprises at least one computer for transmitting an actuating signal to the remote station and for compiling and analyzing the results of said voice verification tests delivered by the remote station.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein the central station comprises a first computer for delivering test parameters to the means for establishing a test schedule and a second computer for compiling and analyzing the results of said voice verification tests delivered by the remote station.

26. The system of claim 23 wherein the central station comprises a data storage element for storing the results of said voice verification tests delivered by the remote station and an output display device for visually displaying at least some of said results.

27. The system of claim 23 wherein the central station comprises a data storage element for storing the results of said voice verification tests delivered by the remote station and a visual display element having a viewing screen for displaying said results.

28. The system of claim 23 wherein the central station comprises a data storage element for storing the results of said voice verification tests delivered by the remote station and an output display device for displaying said results.

29. The system of claim 23 wherein the remote station further comprises a tamper switch element for monitoring the security of the remote station, said remote station delivering the data from the tamper switch element to said central station.

30. The system of claim 23 wherein the receiver further comprises means for detecting tampering of the transmitter, said receiver actuating the remote station to deliver the data from the means for detecting to said central station.

31. The system of claim 23 which further comprises an electroacoustic transducer for receiving a preselected series of spoken words by the individual and converting the received words into an equivalent electrical signal, said means for conducting voice verification tests being connected to said transducer to analyze the equivalent electrical signal to determine whether the voice received by said electroacoustic transducer is the voice of the individual.

32. The system of claim 31 which further comprises a signalling element which emits a signal to prompt the individual to speak the preselected series of words into said electroacoustic transducer.

33. The system of claim 31 which further comprises a signalling element which emits a first signal to prompt the individual to repeat the preselected series of words in the event said means for conducting voice verification tests determines that the voice first received by said electroacoustic transducer is not the voice of the individual.

34. The system of claim 31 which further comprises a signalling element which emits a first signal to prompt the individual to speak the preselected series of words into said electroacoustic transducer and which emits a second signal to prompt the individual to speak the preselected series of words in the event the individual failed to speak said words in response to the first prompt signal.

35. The system of claim 23 wherein the signal continuously emitted by the transmitter comprises a radio frequency signal.

36. The system of claim 23 wherein the remote station conducts a second voice verification test in the event that the unscheduled voice verification test actuated by the receiver is failed by the individual.

37. The system of claim 23 wherein the remote station conducts a second voice verification test in the event that the individual did not respond to the unscheduled voice verification test actuated by the receiver.

38. The system of claim 23 wherein the remote station further comprises means for monitoring the condition of a power line which supplies the operating power for the remote station, said remote station delivering the data from the means for monitoring to said central station.

39. The system of claim 23 wherein the remote station further comprises means for monitoring the condition of the entrance and exit of the designated locality, said remote station delivering the data from the means for monitoring to said central station.

40. The system of claim 23 further comprising a sensor at each entrance and exit for the designated locality which informs the remote station when a respective entrance and exit is being utilized, said remote station delivering the data from the sensors to said central station.

41. The system of claim 23 wherein the remote station further comprises means for detecting tampering of the remote station, said remote station delivering the data from the means for detecting to said central station.

42. A device for the surveillance of an individual at a designated locality which integrates voice identification with a passive monitoring mechanism, comprising:

an electroacoustic transducer for receiving the voice of the individual under surveillance and converting the voice to an equivalent electrical signal;

a signalling element for prompting the individual under surveillance to speak into said electroacoustic transducer;

a transmitter to be carried by the individual under surveillance for continuously emitting a signal;

a receiver for monitoring said signal emitted by said transmitter and outputting a signal in response to an interruption of said signal from said transmitter; and

test means for actuating said signalling element according to a randomly established schedule and upon receipt of an output signal from said receiver, said test means having means for analyzing said equivalent electrical signal to determine whether the voice received by said electroacoustic transducer is the voice of the individual under surveillance.

43. The device of claim 42 wherein the signalling element comprises a sounder which emits an audible signal.

44. The device of claim 42 wherein the signal emitted by the transmitter comprises a radio frequency signal.

45. The device of claim 42 wherein said test means comprises means for monitoring the output signal from said receiver.

46. The device of claim 42 wherein the means for analyzing comprises a voice verification board for storing electrical signals equivalent to the voice of the individual and circuitry for comparing said equivalent electrical signal from said electroacoustic transducer with the stored electrical signals.

47. The device of claim 42 further comprising a stand-by power source and means for monitoring the power line for supplying operating power to the device and connecting the stand-by power source to the device in the event of a power outage of the power line.

48. A device for the surveillance of an individual at a designated locality which integrates voice identification with a passive monitoring mechanism, said device comprising

means for continuously monitoring the presence of the individual under surveillance at the designated locality;

means for prompting the individual under surveillance to voice a series of predetermined sounds whenever the presence of the individual at the designated locality is not detected by said means for continuously monitoring;

means for receiving the voiced series of predetermined sounds and converting the voiced sounds into an equivalent electrical signal; and

means for processing the equivalent electrical signal to determine whether the received sounds are voiced by the individual under surveillance.

49. The device of claim 48 wherein the means for continuously monitoring comprises a transmitter carried by the individual for continuously emitting a signal and a receiver for receiving the signal, the presence of the individual at the designated locality being determined by the uninterruption of the signal received by the receiver.

50. The device of claim 49 wherein the signal emitted by the transmitter comprises a radio frequency signal.

51. The device of claim 49 wherein the second means for prompting comprises means for monitoring the receiver and prompting the individual in response to an interruption of said signal received by the receiver.

52. The device of claim 48 wherein said means for prompting comprises a sounder which emits an audible signal to prompt an individual to voice the series of predetermined sounds.

53. The device of claim 48 wherein the means for receiving comprises an electroacoustic transducer.

54. The device of claim 48 wherein the means for processing comprises test element circuitry for analyzing the equivalent electrical signal according to a stored algorithm.

55. The device of claim 48 wherein the means for processing comprises test element circuitry for comparing the equivalent electrical signal to electrical signals stored therein equivalent to a series of predetermined sounds previously voiced by the individual.

56. The device of claim 48 further comprising a stand-by power source and means for monitoring the power line supplying operating power to the device and connecting the stand-by power source to the device in the event of a power outage of the power line.

57. The device of claim 48 wherein said means for prompting comprises a signalling element which emits a signal to prompt the individual to voice the series of predetermined sounds.

58. The device of claim 57 wherein the first means for prompting further comprises a programmable logic element which randomly establishes a schedule pursuant to which the signalling element emits a signal to prompt the individual to voice the series of predetermined sounds.

59. The device of claim 48 wherein the means for continuously monitoring comprises means for detecting a signal continuously transmitted from a signal transmitter attached to an individual at the designated locality.

60. The device of claim 59 wherein the second means for prompting comprises means for monitoring the means for detecting and prompting the individual in response to an interruption of said signal transmitted from the individual.

61. A system for reporting the status of an individual under surveillance at a designated locality comprising

a station located at the designated locality for monitoring the continuing presence of the individual under surveillance at the locality, conducting a voice verification test of the individual at randomly scheduled intervals and whenever the presence of the individual at the locality is not detected, and storing the results of each test;

means for transmitting the results of each test from said station;

a data storage unit for receiving the results of each test from said means for transmitting and compiling the results into a predetermined format;

means for displaying the compiled results of each test; and

means for controlling the times at which said means for transmitting and said means for displaying are actuated.

62. The system of claim 61 wherein the station comprises a transmitter carried by the individual for continuously emitting a signal and a receiver for receiving the signal, said receiver actuating the station to conduct an unscheduled voice verification test in response to an interruption of the signal.

63. The system of claim 61 wherein the means for transmitting comprises at least one telephone line operably connected between the station and the data storage unit.

64. The system of claim 61 wherein the means for displaying comprises a visual display element having a viewing screen for displaying the compiled results stored by the data storage unit.

65. The system of claim 61 wherein the means for controlling comprises means for automatically actuating the means for transmitting according to a polling schedule.

66. The system of claim 61 wherein the means for controlling comprises a computer which actuates the means for transmitting according to a polling schedule.

67. The system of claim 61 wherein the means for controlling comprises a computer which actuates the means for transmitting according to a programmable polling schedule and actuates the means for displaying upon command.

68. The system of claim 61 wherein the means for transmitting comprises a modem connected to the station which operably connects the at least one telephone line with the data storage unit and transmits the results of each test to the data storage unit.

69. The system of claim 61 wherein the means for transmitting comprises means for providing cellular telephone service between the station and the data storage unit.

70. The system of claim 61 wherein the means for transmitting comprises means for providing long distance radio frequency transmission between the station and the data storage unit.

71. The system of claim 61 wherein the data storage unit comprises a computer for compiling the results of each test into a predetermined format and a storage element for storing the compiled results.

72. The system of claim 71 wherein the means for controlling comprises a second computer which actuates the means for transmitting according to a polling schedule.

73. The system of claim 61 wherein the means for displaying comprises a printing element for printing the compiled results stored by the data storage unit.