Automated parallel and redundant subscriber contact and event notification system

• US 6,973,166 B1
• Filed: 11/03/2003
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• 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:
  US10/700,804
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 379 37- 51, 379/127.01
• US Class Current: 379/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2854 Wide area networks, e.g. public data networks

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

one or more event sensors deployed on a subscriber'"'"'s premises, vehicle, or articles to be monitored that detect a change in status or sense a trigger event and generates an encoded event signal responsive thereto;

at least one central processing unit in communication with said event sensors including a memory storage means containing a database of subscriber and sensor records with data representing the identity of the subscriber or subscriber'"'"'s representative, identity of said event sensors associated with the subscriber, identity of the location of each respective event sensor, identity of specific status changes or trigger events represented by the encoded event signals that are received from each respective event sensor, and a list of telephone numbers and communication channels to be called or notified electronically upon the occurrence of each specific status change or trigger event;

a signal receiving and decoding means connected with said central processing unit for receiving the encoded event signal from a triggered event sensor, extracting data from said received event signal representing the identity of said triggered sensor, the location of said triggered sensor, the identity of the status change or 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 status change or 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, including the identity of said triggered sensor, the location of said triggered sensor, and the identity of the status change or triggering event; 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 status change or trigger event, and, upon a call being answered or communication established through a communication channel, delivering said event-specific message.

2. 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;

said central processing unit connected via a network connection in communication with at least one alarm central station or security service company having subscriber security systems;

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 of said triggered 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;

said record processing means recording the result of each notification attempt and message delivery attempt and upon completion thereof providing a confirmation message or signal to said alarm central monitoring station or security service company regarding the status of the notification attempt and message delivery attempt or records.