Calling aids

• US 4,057,794 A
• Filed: 04/02/1975
• Issued: 11/08/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
• Original Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
• Inventors: Grossfield, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): Habecker, Thomas B.
• Application Number:
  US05/564,652
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 340/311, 325/119, 325/118, 200/333
• US Class Current: 340/7.5
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/04 responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons G08B21/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/001 Alarm cancelling procedures or alarm forwarding decisions, e.g. based on absence of alarm confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/002 Generating a prealarm to the central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

A pocket-size portable transmitter in an emergency call transmission system for geriatric persons has an actuator including a simple switch part such as a push button and a simple cover part movable between a normal closed position covering the switch to prevent accidental actuation and an open position exposing the switch for actuation. In a preferred system a plurality of transmitters are inductively coupled with respective receivers distributed to determine separate areas for use of the transmitters, the transmitters producing multi-element code sequence signals to avoid false alarms from outside interference, and the receivers having wired connections to a central alarm indicator assembly.

Claims

1. An emergency-call transmission system, comprising:

a. a plurality of similar indirectly-coupled transmission sub-systems which each include a portable transmitter to be carried by an individual person at risk, and a stationary sited receiver,

each said transmitter having a housing and an actuator mechanism which includes a switch part and a cover part integrally associated with said housing, said cover part being movable between a first position in which it covers the switch part and renders the same non-actuable and another position in which it exposes the switch part for actuation,

each said transmitter including a transmission signal generator of multi-element code sequence form,

each said receiver including a detector for said code sequence of the respective sub-system transmitter, and

each said receiver being separately located to define an individual zone of effectiveness for said respective transmitter; and

b. a stationary sited monitor unit including a plurality of first call indicators respectively directly connected to said receivers and operable therewith in response to said respective transmitters.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said first indicators are of visual form, said monitor unit further comprises a common audible alarm directly operably connected with each said receiver, and said system further comprises a plurality of second call indicators located adjacent and directly operably connected with respective ones of said receivers.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said switch part is of push button type and said cover is of snap-connection type.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein said cover part includes an annular wall surrounding said push button, and a lid hinged to and adapted for snap-fit engagement with said wall.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein each said transmitter includes an external casing having a clip connected thereto for supporting said casing on an article of clothing, and an elongate flexible member connected to said casing to form a loop for carriage of said casing.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said generator is of multi-tone code sequence form.