Personal security system with end-to-end test

• US 5,483,223 A
• Filed: 02/13/1995
• Issued: 01/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Detection Systems, Inc. (IKUSI - Angel Iglesias SA)
• Original Assignee: Detection Systems, Inc. (IKUSI - Angel Iglesias SA)
• Inventors: Pedtke, Daniel F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/387,953
• Time in Patent Office: 330 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/531, 340/514, 340/825.06, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 455/67.1, 455/68, 455/70, 455/38.1, 455/38.2, 455/92, 455/95, 455/100, 455/54.6, 341/173, 341/174, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/12 Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems

Abstract

A personal security system includes a test feature for end-to-end testing. A portable transmitter produces an emergency signal including a personal identification number and an auxiliary code. The auxiliary code may be a test bit which, when set, indicates that the emergency signal was activated in a test mode and that an emergency condition did not exist. Activation of the test mode is accomplished by the same systems required to activate the emergency signal to provide full testing. The transmitter is part of a security system including a plurality of portable transmitters and fixed receivers. The transceivers issue either an alarm activating signal or a test signal depending on the test bit in the auxiliary code. A successful test is discernible to the user from the vicinity of the transceiver.

Claims

1. A security system for use by multiple subscribers and comprising:

a portable transmitter having first and second modes of operation for transmitting in said first mode an emergency signal and for transmitting in said second mode a modified emergency signal to indicate a test;

a central station including subscriber information;

a transceiver for receiving emergency and modified signals from said portable transmitter and for communicating with said central station, said transceiver having a) a first mode of operation responding to successful receipt of emergency signals from said portable transmitter and successful communication regarding said emergency signals with said central station, and b) a second mode of operation responding to successful receipt of modified signals from said portable transmitter and successful communication regarding said modified signals with said central station, said transceiver in said first mode issuing an alarm signal and in said second mode issuing a test signal discernible as a test from the vicinity of the transceiver.

2. A security system according to claim 1, wherein said transmission in said first and second transmitter modes includes an identification code unique to said portable transmitter, said central station includes information matching said unique identification code to a subscriber, and successful communication between said transceiver and said central station in said second mode of said transceiver includes matching said unique identification code with a subscriber in the central station.

3. A security system according to claim 2, wherein said portable transmitter uses at least the same electrical components in said second mode as said first mode.

4. A security system according to claim 3, wherein said portable transmitter uses at least the same mechanical components in said second mode as said first mode.

5. A security system according to claim 2, wherein said transceiver is employed with a plurality of portable transmitters, and said transceiver responds in said first and second transceiver modes, respectively, on a transmission-by-transmission basis.