Personal security system with system wide testing

• US 5,578,989 A
• Filed: 02/13/1995
• Issued: 11/26/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Detection Systems, Inc. (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Detection Systems, Inc. (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Pedtke, Daniel F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/387,662
• Time in Patent Office: 652 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, 455/49.1, 455/38.2, 455/92, 455/95, 455/100, 455/54.2
• 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 with system wide testing includes a portable transmitter that 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 including multiple receivers, said receivers having a monitoring range and monitoring a predetermined frequency;

said system comprising;

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

said receivers together monitoring a geographical area greater than said monitoring range, and having first and second modes of operation, respectively, responding throughout said area to successful receipt of said emergency and modified signals, said receivers in said first mode issuing an alarm signal and in said second mode issuing a test signal.

2. A security system according to claim 1, including a plurality of said transmitters, and wherein said transmission in said first and second transmitter modes includes an identification code unique for each said portable transmitter.

3. A security system according to claim 1, wherein said receiver is employed with a plurality of portable transmitters, and said receivers respond in said first and second receiver modes, respectively, on a transmission-by-transmission basis.

4. A security system comprising:

a portable transmitter including means for transmitting radio frequency signals including a personal identification number and an auxiliary code, said auxiliary code including a test bit setable in one state to indicate an emergency and in another state to indicate a test;

means on said transmitter for activating said transmitter to transmit said radio frequency signals, said activating means including means for setting said test bit to a selected one of said emergency indicating state and said test indicating state; and

,

a plurality of fixed transceivers including means responsive to the setting of said test bit for issuing an alarm signal when said bit is in said alarm.