Wireless system for sensing information at remote locations and communicating with a main monitoring center
First Claim
1. A system for sensing information at remote, potentially hazardous, locations and transmitting sensed information to a central location which comprises:
- a main monitoring center including radio means for transmitting signals to, and receiving signals from, at least one remote portable electronic attendant;
at least one remote portable attendant including radio means for receiving information containing signals from, and transmitting information containing signals to, said main monitoring center;
means at said remote portable attendant independent of said main monitoring center for periodically producing an audible and/or visual warning at said remote portable attendant on a selected schedule independent from any other remote portable attendant on the system;
manual acknowledgement means at said remote portable attendant for sending an acknowledgement signal to said main monitoring center; and
automatic means for generating an alarm signal at a remote portable attendant and for sending an alarm signal to said main monitoring center if acknowledgement is not completed within a selected period.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for sensing information at a plurality remote, typically hazardous, locations and transmitting the sensed information to a main monitoring center. Remote portable "attendants" that take the place of a human safety monitor are carried by persons at the remote locations. The portable attendants produce an audible and/or visual warning to the operator at selected times. If the operator does not acknowledge the warning within a selected time, an alarm signal is sounded and is sent to the main central by radio for processing in a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU directs an appropriate safety response and may open a voice radio circuit between central operators and the remote monitor location. A switch is provided so that the remote operator can manually trigger the alarm. A gas sensor which can detect and measure the level of a selected gas may be included at the remote monitor, with the capability of sounding an alarm at the portable attendant and transmitting an alarm signal to the CPU identifying the gas and indicating the level. Sensors for similarly monitoring effectiveness of a ventilation system at the remote location can be provided. Finally, the arrangement for receiving and transmitting radio signals from the central monitor may include a plurality of spaced spread spectrum radio frequency transmitter/receivers to permit the location of the portable remote attendants to be rapidly determined.
225 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A system for sensing information at remote, potentially hazardous, locations and transmitting sensed information to a central location which comprises:
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a main monitoring center including radio means for transmitting signals to, and receiving signals from, at least one remote portable electronic attendant; at least one remote portable attendant including radio means for receiving information containing signals from, and transmitting information containing signals to, said main monitoring center; means at said remote portable attendant independent of said main monitoring center for periodically producing an audible and/or visual warning at said remote portable attendant on a selected schedule independent from any other remote portable attendant on the system; manual acknowledgement means at said remote portable attendant for sending an acknowledgement signal to said main monitoring center; and automatic means for generating an alarm signal at a remote portable attendant and for sending an alarm signal to said main monitoring center if acknowledgement is not completed within a selected period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification