Advanced services interactive security system

• US 6,392,538 B1
• Filed: 11/13/1996
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles J. Shere
• Original Assignee: Charles J. Shere
• Inventors: Shere, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl
• Application Number:
  US08/748,632
• Time in Patent Office: 2,015 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/531, 340/905, 340/906, 340/665, 340/689, 340/690, 340/601, 340/825.06, 340/286.02, 340/506, 200/61.45 R, 379/37, 379/38
• US Class Current: 340/539.26
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/10 responsive to calamitous events, e.g. tornados or earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/008 with transmission via TV or radio broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/1025 Paging receivers with audible signalling details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/224 Paging receivers with visible signalling details

Abstract

A security system responds to a notification sent via wireless link to notify the subscriber and also to take some protective action, such as interrupting electric power or shutting off a gas supply. The system is particularly applicable to protecting subscriber premises in the event of an earthquake.

Claims

1. A security system, comprising:

an earthquake sensor for detecting a predetermined condition;

a central office;

a communications link for notifying said central office of the existence of said predetermined condition;

a transmitter at said central office responsive to the existence of said predetermined condition for transmitting a notification signal to at least one receiver; and

control means associated with said at least one receiver for initiating a control function in response to said notification signal.

2. A security system according to claim 1, wherein said control function comprises changing an ON/OFF state of a device which controls at least one non-audible protection function.

3. A security system according to claim 1, wherein said control function comprises activating an alarm.

4. A security system according to claim 1, wherein said notification signal is transmitted simultaneously to a plurality of receivers.

5. A security system according to claim 1, wherein said control function comprises changing an ON/OFF state of a device which is ordinarily used for purposes other than alarm/notification.

6. A security system according to claim 1, wherein said device comprise a television set.

7. A security system for protecting a secured premises, comprising:

a sensor for detecting a predetermined condition;

a central office;

a communications link for notifying said central office of the existence of said predetermined condition;

a transmitter at said central office responsive to the existence of said predetermined condition for transmitting a notification signal to at least one mobile receiver remote from said secured premises; and

control means associated with said at least one receiver for initiating a control function in response to said notification signal, wherein said control function comprises providing an audible alarm to a user of said mobile receiver.

8. A security system for a premises, comprising:

a sensor at said premises for detecting a predetermined seismic condition and providing a detection output;

a transmitter at said premises responsive to said detection output for transmitting seismic information to a central office;

a transmitter at said central office for transmitting a control signal to said premises; and

a controller at said premises, said controller initiating a control function in response to said control signal.

9. A security system, comprising:

a sensor for detecting a predetermined condition;

a central office;

a communications link for notifying said central office of the existence of said predetermined condition;

a transmitter at said central office responsive to the existence of said predetermined condition for transmitting a notification signal to at least one receiver; and

control means associated with said at least one receiver for initiating a control function in response to said notification signal, wherein said control function comprises interrupting a utility service.

10. A security system according to claim 9, wherein said control function comprises interrupting a supply of electricity.

11. A security system according to claim 9, wherein said utility service is a supply of power.

12. A security system according to claim 9, wherein said transmitter transmits said notification signal to a plurality of receivers each associated with at least one customer, and wherein said control function comprises interrupting the supply of said utility to a plurality of customers.

13. A security system for a premises, comprising:

a sensor for detecting a predetermined seismic condition and providing a detection output;

a transmitter responsive to said detection output for transmitting a notification signal to at least one receiver associated with a utility company; and

a controller at said premises, said controller initiating a control function in response to said detection output;

wherein said control function comprises interrupting the supply of said utility.

14. A security system according to claim 13, wherein said control function comprises activating an alarm.

15. A security system according to claim 13, wherein said control function comprises interrupting a supply of power.

16. A security system according to claim 13, wherein said control function comprises changing an ON/OFF state of a device.

17. A security system, comprising:

at least one controllable element at a premises for interrupting a utility service when activated;

at least one receiver at said premises for receiving from a remote location a signal representative of a predetermined condition; and

a controller which activates said controllable element in response to reception of said signal by said receiver.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein said utility is electric power.

19. A system according to claim 17, wherein said utility is gas.

20. A system according to claim 17, wherein said system automatically resets said controllable element in accordance with predetermined criteria.

21. A system according to claim 17, wherein said signal is broadcast from a central office to a plurality of premises.

22. A security system for a premises, comprising:

a sensor for detecting a predetermined seismic condition and providing a detection output;

a controller at said premises, said controller initiating a control function in response to said detection output; and

a transmitter at said premises for transmitting seismic information to a central office.

23. A security system for a premises, comprising:

a sensor for detecting a predetermined seismic condition and providing a detection output;

a controller at said premises, said controller initiating a control function in response to said detection output;

a central office;

a communications link for notifying said central office of the existence of said predetermined seismic condition; and

a transmitter at said central office responsive to the existence of said predetermined condition for transmitting a notification signal to a receiver at said premises.

24. A security system, comprising:

at least one controllable element at a premises for implementing a control function when activated;

at least one receiver at said premises for receiving from a remote location a signal representative of a predetermined seismic condition; and

a controller which activates said controllable element in response to reception of said signal by said receiver.

25. A system according to claim 24, wherein said signal is broadcast from a central office to a plurality of premises.