Signalling and/or help request system

• US 6,127,925 A
• Filed: 09/14/1998
• Issued: 10/03/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Citycom S.p.A.
• Original Assignee: Citycom S.p.A.
• Inventors: Bonsignore, Francesco, Taglioni, Diego
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/147,025
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/310.01, 340/538, 340/531, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 379/37, 379/38
• 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 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

A signaling and/or help request system. A remote transmitter transmits an alarm signal which is received by a receiving/convening device which cooperates with the transmitter. The receiving/conveying device is fitted to a street lamp to transmit a message including an identification code to the electrical supply means. a receiving unit connected to the supply means extracts the messages supplied by the receiving/conveying device and supplies them through a network to a centralized receiver to generate a help request output signal.

Claims

1. A signaling and/or help request system comprising:

a remote transmitter for transmitting an alarm signal;

a receiving/conveying device cooperating with said transmitter and fitted to a lamp of a public lighting system to generate a message including an identification code;

a communications network for transmitting the messages generated by said receiving/conveying device; and

a centralized receiving device connected to said communications network and for receiving the messages transmitted by said receiving/conveying device, and generating an information and/or help request output signal;

wherein,

said receiving/conveying device comprises a receiving element for receiving said alarm signal; and

a conveyed-wave transmitting device for transmitting said message onto electricity supply mains.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communications network comprises a telephone network.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiving element comprises means for transmitting a confirmation signal;

and said transmitter comprises reception confirming means for receiving and displaying reception of said confirmation signal.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiving/conveying device also comprises a shunt element connectable to said electricity supply mains at a lamp-holder of said lamp.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a receiving unit interposed between said receiving/conveying device and said centralized receiving device, and for transmitting said messages to said centralized receiving device via said communications network.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said receiving unit comprises a conveyed-wave receiving device connectable to said electricity supply mains.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said conveyed-wave receiving device comprises means for converting said message into digital form.

8. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said centralized receiving device comprises a processing unit for generating visual and/or acoustic signaling and/or help request signals.

9. A system as claimed in claim 3, comprising a receiving unit interposed between said receiving/conveying device and said centralized receiving device, and for transmitting said messages to said centralized receiving device via said communication network.

10. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said centralized receiving device comprises a processing unit for generating visual and/or acoustic signaling and/or help request signals.

11. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said centralized receiving device comprises a processing unit for generating visual and/or acoustic signaling and/or help request signals.

12. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said centralized receiving device comprises a processing unit for generating visual and/or acoustic signaling and/or help request signals.

13. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said centralized receiving device comprises a processing unit for generating visual and/or acoustic signaling and/or help request signals.

14. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said communications network comprises a telephone network.

15. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said communications network comprises a telephone network.

16. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said communications network comprises a telephone network.