Emergency alert system
First Claim
1. An alert system for use in a cable system network, the cable system network comprising a plurality of cables over which communication signals are transmitted from a central transmission station to a plurality of receivers, each communication signal having associated therewith at least one distinguishable modulation frequency, the alert system comprising:
- means for generating an alert request in response to an emergency condition affecting at least two recipients,means located at said central transmission station for receiving an alert request;
a transmitter located at said central transmission station having an input operatively connected to said request receiving means and an output coupled with the cable system network, said transmitter output providing an alert signal modulated at a frequency distinguishable from the frequencies of the communication signals in response to said alert request;
a manual actuator operatively connected to said transmitter, said transmitter providing a continuous alert signal in response to said alert request and activation of said manual actuator;
one of said plurality of receivers coupled with the cable system network, said receiver including means for detecting said alert signal and generating an alarm signal therefrom; and
an alarm connected to said detecting means, said alarm activated in response to said alarm signal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alert system for providing an alert of an actual or impending emergency to homes, businesses and the like. The alert system is used in cable system network over which communication signals are transmitted to a receiver remote from the transmitter. Such communication signals have associated therewith at least one distinguishable modulation frequency. The alert system includes a mechanism for receiving an alert request and a transmitter for transmitting an alert signal in response to the alert request. The transmitter is coupled with the cable system and generates an alert signal which is modulated at a frequency distinguishable from the frequencies of the communication signals. The transmitter includes a sideband filter to reduce the subharmonics generated around the alert signal frequency. The receiver includes a mechanism for detecting a valid alert signal from the alert signal received and for generating an alarm signal therefrom. The alert system also comprises an alarm indicator connected to the receiver providing an alarm upon receipt of an alarm signal.
45 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An alert system for use in a cable system network, the cable system network comprising a plurality of cables over which communication signals are transmitted from a central transmission station to a plurality of receivers, each communication signal having associated therewith at least one distinguishable modulation frequency, the alert system comprising:
- means for generating an alert request in response to an emergency condition affecting at least two recipients,
means located at said central transmission station for receiving an alert request;
a transmitter located at said central transmission station having an input operatively connected to said request receiving means and an output coupled with the cable system network, said transmitter output providing an alert signal modulated at a frequency distinguishable from the frequencies of the communication signals in response to said alert request;
a manual actuator operatively connected to said transmitter, said transmitter providing a continuous alert signal in response to said alert request and activation of said manual actuator;
one of said plurality of receivers coupled with the cable system network, said receiver including means for detecting said alert signal and generating an alarm signal therefrom; and
an alarm connected to said detecting means, said alarm activated in response to said alarm signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- means for generating an alert request in response to an emergency condition affecting at least two recipients,
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14. A method for alerting recipients of an emergency comprising the steps of:
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generating an alert request in response to said emergency affecting at least two recipients, providing a cable system network over which a plurality of communication signals are transmitted at respective distinguishable frequencies, a central alert request receiver, a central transmitter, a plurality of receivers and an alarm operatively coupled together;
receiving said alert request and generating an alert signal in response thereto with the alert request receiver;
transmitting the alert signal over the cable system network by initiating the transmission of an alert signal with a manually actuated switch and continuously transmitting the alert signal;
receiving the alert signal with one of said plurality of receivers; and
activating the alarm in response to the received alert signal. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. An alert system comprising:
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a cable system central network having a cable system transmitter connected to a plurality of receiving devices through a transmitting medium, said transmitter transmitting a plurality of communication signals, each said communication signal having associated therewith at least one distinguishable modulation frequency;
means for generating a alert request in response to an emergency condition affecting at least two recipients, means for receiving said alert request;
a central transmitter having an input operatively connected to the request receiving means and an output coupled with said cable system network, said transmitter output providing an alert signal modulated at a frequency distinguishable from the frequencies of said communication signals in response to said alert request;
a receiver coupled with said cable system network, said receiver including means for detecting said alert signal and generating an alarm signal therefrom; and
an alarm connected to said detecting means, said alarm responsive to said alert signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. An alert system for use in a cable system network, over which communication signals are transmitted to recipients, for alerting a plurality of network recipients about an impending emergency condition, the alert system compromising:
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means generating a signal in response to said emergency condition affecting at least two recipients, means located at a central transmission stations for receiving an alert signal from a source remote from said recipients, a transmitter located at said central transmission station having an input operatively connected to said request receiving means and an output coupled with the cable system network, said transmitter output providing an alert signal modulated at a frequency distinguishable from the frequencies of the communication signals in response to said emergency condition.
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Specification