Method and apparatus for improving premises-line call availability in an alarm system
First Claim
1. In an alarm reporting apparatus for monitoring a premises for an alarm-condition and for reporting the alarm-condition to an alarm station, said alarm reporting apparatus comprising sensing means for sensing an alarm-condition, reporting means for reporting the alarm-condition to an alarm station via the PSTN, and seizing means for seizing control of the PSTN line at the premises and for disconnecting the premises-wiring from its connection to the PSTN line, the improvement comprising:
- a signaling system operatively associated with said alarm reporting apparatus for generating signals to the premises-wiring for indicating the status of the connection of said alarm reporting apparatus to the PSTN;
said signaling system comprising a voltage detector for detecting a voltage on the premises-wiring, and a PSTN simulator for supplying central-office functions to the premises-wiring when said voltage detector detects no voltage on said premises-wiring;
said PSTN simulator for supplying central-office functions to the premises-wiring comprising a voltage generator for generating voltage to the premises-wiring when said voltage detector detects no voltage on the premises-wiring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
When an alarm panel needs to transmit alarm data, it seizes the PSTN and disconnects the premises-wiring. If in a call, the user is cut off immediately and it appears to the user that the connection to the PSTN has been lost. If trying to place a call, the user also perceives that the connection to the PSTN is lost. The present invention provides tonal signals to the user to indicate that the PSTN line is in use by the alarm panel and also notifies the user when the PSTN connection is available for use.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. In an alarm reporting apparatus for monitoring a premises for an alarm-condition and for reporting the alarm-condition to an alarm station, said alarm reporting apparatus comprising sensing means for sensing an alarm-condition, reporting means for reporting the alarm-condition to an alarm station via the PSTN, and seizing means for seizing control of the PSTN line at the premises and for disconnecting the premises-wiring from its connection to the PSTN line, the improvement comprising:
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a signaling system operatively associated with said alarm reporting apparatus for generating signals to the premises-wiring for indicating the status of the connection of said alarm reporting apparatus to the PSTN; said signaling system comprising a voltage detector for detecting a voltage on the premises-wiring, and a PSTN simulator for supplying central-office functions to the premises-wiring when said voltage detector detects no voltage on said premises-wiring;
said PSTN simulator for supplying central-office functions to the premises-wiring comprising a voltage generator for generating voltage to the premises-wiring when said voltage detector detects no voltage on the premises-wiring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A signal generating device for generating distinct signals to a premises-wiring of a premises protected by an alarm reporting apparatus, comprising:
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A signaling system for generating signals to the premises-wiring for indicating the status of the connection of the alarm reporting apparatus to the PSTN line at the protected premises; said signaling system comprising a voltage detector for detecting a voltage on the premises-wiring, and a PSTN simulator for supplying central-office functions to the premises-wiring when said voltage detector detects no voltage on said premises-wiring; said PSTN simulator for supplying central-office functions to the premises-wiring comprising a tone generator for generating a distinct signal to the premises-wiring when said voltage detector detects no voltage on the premises-wiring, whereby a telephone device connected to the premises-wiring may detect such distinct signal for indicating such status to a user. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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Specification