Automated parallel and redundant subscriber contact and event notification system

• US 6,643,355 B1
• Filed: 08/26/2002
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seaguard Electronics LLC
• Original Assignee: William Tsumpes
• Inventors: Tsumpes, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAN, WING F
• Application Number:
  US10/227,752
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 379/37-51, 379/127.01
• US Class Current: 379/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area

Abstract

An automated parallel and redundant subscriber contact and event notification system capable of being triggered by the change in status of any sensing device or process including the sensor of an alarm system or other event. The system enables automated simultaneous contact of one or more persons over a plurality of telephonic and electronic communication channels and provides parallel event-specific notification via voice, pager, voice mail, fax and email to the recipient(s) that are identified by electronic or speech recognized entry of a PIN and then provides them with a detailed message including the date and time of a specific event which has occurred with respect to a monitored sensor. A telephone switching or conferencing feature allows the recipient(s) to communicate directly with a predetermined or pre-programmed location or person or select from a menu based upon the type of event that has occurred and the pre-programmed selection list. The system may be custom programmed by the authorized subscriber via a telephone interactive voice response system or Internet web page that offers specific programming, reporting, contact numbers, and message options. The system may also be triggered or programmed to perform its notification based upon the failure to receive a anticipated input, input of a timer, pre-programmed to operate at a specific time, or triggered by another CPU.

Claims

1. A method for automated parallel and redundant subscriber contact and event notification, comprising the steps of:

providing a central processing unit having a database of subscriber records encoded with data representing the identity of a subscriber or authorized representative, the identity of remote event sensors associated with the subscriber, identity of the location of each respective subscriber event sensor, identity of trigger events that trigger each respective sensor, and a list of telephone numbers to be called, and communication channels to be notified electronically upon the occurrence of each specific trigger event;

receiving and decoding an encoded event signal from a triggered event sensor, extracting data from said received event signal representing the identity and location of said triggered sensor, the identity of the triggering event, and the identity of the subscriber associated with the triggered event sensor;

retrieving from said database, in response to said received event signal, the subscriber record corresponding to said triggered event sensor, and the list of telephone numbers and communication channels to be called or notified electronically corresponding to the specific trigger event;

formatting an event-specific message containing information and data received from said triggered sensor; and

placing a telephone call and initiating communication simultaneously to all of the telephone numbers and communication channels on said list corresponding to the specific trigger event, and, upon a call being answered or communication established through a communication channel, delivering said event-specific message.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein

said step of formatting an event-specific message comprises formatting said event-specific message to containing information and data selected from the group consisting of the date, time, identity and location of said triggered sensor, and specific information gathered of the triggering event.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising the additional step of:

telephonically connecting an authorized subscriber or representative in direct communication with a predetermined or selected telephone number.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein

said step of receiving and decoding comprises selectively receiving and decoding encoded signals selected from the group consisting of DTMF signals, digital data packet DDP signals, wireline signals, wireless data signals, wireless cellular signals, wireless control channel signals, alarm signals, alarm central monitoring station signals, and radio frequency RF signals.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein

said step of placing a call and initiating communication simultaneously comprises placing said call and initiating communication over communications channels selected from the group consisting of publicly switched telephone network (PSTN), a direct wired connection, wireless communications network, cellular communications network, alarm central monitoring station connection, paging network, Internet network connection, email network connection, intranet connection, radio frequency RF channels and networks, and electronic messaging systems.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein

said step of formatting said message comprises formatting said message into formats selected from the group consisting of DTMF tones, voice, text, fax, pages, email, alarm signals, electronic, and digital.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein

said step of providing a database of subscriber records includes providing at least one fax number or email address of a contact entity to be notified upon the occurrence of each specific trigger event;

and

said step of formatting said message comprises formatting said message into a digital format capable of being displayed and printed as a text message upon being received.

8. The method according to claim 1, comprising the additional steps of:

allowing said subscriber records to be selectively created, retrieved, viewed, edited and updated.

9. The method according to claim 8, including the additional steps of:

allowing said messages to be delivered, the format in which said messages are to be received, the desired communication channels, and message options to be selectively created, retrieved, viewed, edited, updated and recorded, and the commands, responses, and actions which the system will take to be programmed and scheduled.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein

said steps of selectively creating, retrieving, viewing, editing, recording and updating programming and scheduling is carried out via an interactive interface device selected from the group consisting of an Internet interface connection, another computer, an alarm central station interface, a telephone interactive voice response device (IVR), speech recognition device, and text-to-speech device.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein

said authorized subscriber selectively enters information via an Internet website by typing the information in text form.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein

said interactive voice response device presents an audible menu of system commands and options and said authorized subscriber selectively enters information responsive thereto via voice response or by pressing DTMF touchtone keypads of the telephone being used.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein

said calls are placed and electronic messages are initiated based upon the input of a timer, a preprogrammed schedule, or upon failure to receive a signal from an event sensor.

14. The method according to claim 1, comprising the further steps of:

connecting said central processing unit in communication with a network of remote alarm central stations or security service companies having subscriber security systems whereby said automated parallel and redundant subscriber contact and event notification system selectively locates, contacts, delivers subscriber messages, and/or places them in direct communication with the respective alarm central station or security service company for subsequent action.

15. The method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of:

connecting said central processing unit in communication with a network of remote alarm central stations or security service companies having subscriber security systems whereby said automated parallel and redundant subscriber contact and event notification system supplements, backs up, or replaces the system of the alarm central station or security service company.

16. The method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of:

recording and storing a complete retrievable historical record of each command, trigger, event, and related message and notification transactions.

17. A method for automated parallel and redundant notification of multiple recipients by delivery of a message relative to a specific event triggered by at least one monitored event sensor, comprising the steps of:

providing a database of recipients and sensor records with data representing the identity of recipients to be notified, the identity of event sensors associated with the recipients, the identity of the trigger event that is received from each respective triggered sensor, a corresponding programmed event specific message to be delivered to each of the message recipients, and a list of telephone numbers and communication channels to be called or notified electronically upon the occurrence of each specific trigger event;

providing at least one event sensor at a location, said sensor generating an encoded event signal responsive to a triggering event or absence thereof encoded to contain data identifying the triggered sensor and the specific event that triggered the sensor;

receiving the encoded event signal;

retrieving the records associated with the identified triggered sensor and the corresponding event specific message to be delivered;

formatting the corresponding event specific into an electronic message format selected from the group consisting of DTMF tones, voice, text, fax, email, pages, alarm signals, electronic and digital; and

initiating delivery of the programmed event specific electronic message over communications channels selected from the group consisting of publicly switched telephone network (PSTN), a direct wired connection, wireless communications network, cellular communications network, alarm central monitoring station connection, a paging network, Internet network connection, email network connection, intranet connection, radio frequency RF channels and networks, and electronic messaging systems.

18. An automated parallel and redundant subscriber contact and event notification system, comprising:

at least one central processing unit including a memory storage means containing a database of subscriber and sensor records with data representing the identity of a subscriber or representative, identity of remote event sensors associated with the subscriber, identity of the location of each respective subscriber event sensor, identity of the trigger events that are received from each respective triggered sensor, and a list of telephone numbers and communication channels to be called or notified electronically upon the occurrence of each specific trigger event;

a signal receiving and decoding means connected with said central processing unit for receiving an encoded event signal from a triggered event sensor, extracting data from said received event signal representing the identity and location of said triggered sensor, the identity of the triggering event, and the identity of the subscriber or representative associated with the triggered event sensor;

record processing means associated with said central processing unit for retrieving from said database in response to said received event signal, the subscriber record corresponding to said triggered event sensor, and the list of telephone numbers and communication channels to be called or notified electronically corresponding to the specific trigger event;

message formatting means connected with said central processing unit for formatting an event-specific message containing information and data received from said triggered sensor; and

telephony processing and electronic communication means connected with said central processing unit for placing a call and initiating electronic messages simultaneously to all of the telephone numbers and communications channels on said list corresponding to the specific trigger event, and, upon a call being answered or communication established through a communication channel, delivering said event-specific message.

19. The system according to claim 18, further comprising:

input means connected with said central processing unit for receiving input whereby the subscriber records may be created, recorded, retrieved, viewed, edited and/or updated.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein

said input means connected with said central processing unit allows input from an authorized subscriber whereby the authorized subscriber may create, record, retrieve, view, edit and/or update his particular subscriber record.

21. The system according to claim 19, wherein

said input means comprises means for receiving input whereby the messages to be delivered, the format in which said messages are to be received, the desired communications channels, and message options may be selectively created, edited, recorded, or chosen, and wherein commands, responses, and actions which the system will take may be programmed and scheduled.

22. The system according to claim 19, wherein

said input means comprises means for receiving input from an authorized subscriber whereby the authorized subscriber may selectively create, record and edit messages to be delivered, designate the format in which said messages are to be received, the desired communications channels, message options, and program and schedule commands, responses, and actions which the system will take.

23. The system according to claim 19, wherein

said input means comprises an interactive interface device selected from the group consisting of an Internet interface connection, another computer, an alarm central station interface, a telephone interactive voice response device (IVR), speech recognition device and text-to-speech device.

24. The system according to claim 18, further comprising:

a network of remote alarm central stations or security service companies having subscriber security systems connected via a network connection in communication with said central processing unit whereby said automated parallel and redundant subscriber contact and event notification system selectively locates, contacts, delivers subscriber messages, and/or places them in direct communication with the respective alarm central station or security service company for subsequent action.

25. The system according to claim 18, further comprising:

a network of alarm central stations or security service companies having subscriber security systems connected via a network connection in communication with said central processing unit whereby said automated parallel and redundant subscriber contact and event notification system supplements, backs up, or replaces the system of the alarm central station or security service company.

26. The system according to claim 18, wherein

said message formatting means formats said event-specific message to contain information and data selected from the group consisting of the identity, date, time and location of said triggered sensor and specific information gathered of the triggering event.

27. The system according to claim 18, further comprising:

telephone switching and conferencing means connected with said central processing unit and said telephony processing and communication means for connecting an authorized subscriber or call recipient, in direct communication with a predetermined or selected telephone number.

28. The system according to claim 18, wherein

said signal receiving and decoding means comprises means for receiving and decoding encoded signals selected from the group consisting of DTMF signals, digital data packet DDP signals, wireless data signals, wireless cellular signals, wireless control channel signals, alarm signals, alarm central monitoring station signals, radio frequency RF signals, and wireline signals.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein

said signal receiving and decoding means comprises a signal receiving and processing device selected from the group consisting of a modem, a communication channel network interface card, digital signal processor DSP, a wireless transceiver, a wireline device, an alarm central monitoring station receiver or system, and a radio frequency RF transceiver.

30. The system according to claim 18, wherein

said telephony processing and communication means comprises means for placing a call and initiating electronic messages simultaneously over communications channels selected from the group consisting of publicly switched telephone network (PSTN), a direct wired connection, wireless communications network, cellular communications network, alarm central monitoring station connection, a paging network, Internet network connection, email network connection, intranet connection, radio frequency RF channels and networks, and electronic messaging systems.

31. The system according to claim 30, wherein

said telephony processing and electronic communication means connected with said central processing unit are configured to place a call and initiate electronic messages based upon the input of a timer, a preprogrammed schedule, or upon failure to receive a signal from an event sensor.

32. The system according to claim 18, wherein

said message formatting means includes means for selectively formatting said message into formats selected from the group consisting of DTMF tones, voice, text, fax, email, pages, alarm signals, electronic and digital.

33. The system according to claim 18, wherein

said database of subscriber records includes at least one fax number or email address of a contact entity to be notified upon the occurrence of each specific trigger event;

and

said message formatting means comprises means for formatting said message into a digital format capable of being displayed and printed as a text message upon being received.

34. The system according to claim 18, wherein

said record processing means records and stores a complete retrievable historical record of each command, trigger, event, and related message and notification transactions.