Emergency transmitter system

• US 4,998,095 A
• Filed: 10/19/1989
• Issued: 03/05/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Instant Alert Security, LLC
• Original Assignee: Specific Cruise Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Shields, Neal G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US07/423,976
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 340/574, 340/539, 340/825.45, 340/825.49, 340/825.72, 340/538, 340/693, 340/310 A, 455/39, 455/49, 455/53, 455/73, 455/88, 455/90, 455/100
• US Class Current: 340/574
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

An emergency transmitter system is disclosed for enhancing the personal security of individuals within a predetermined geographic area such as a campus, shopping mall or stadium. A plurality of fixed transceivers are located at selected locations within the predetermined geographic area, preferably in a substantially equidistant pattern throughout the area. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each fixed transceiver is preferably located in conjunction with a street light in an elevated location. A battery powered low power portable transmitter is then issued to selected individuals, each transmitter including circuitry for transmitting a coded signal associated with a particular individual. In the event of an emergency situation, the portable transmitter is activated, utilizing an irrevocable manual activation switch, and the coded signal is transmitted utilizing the low power radio frequency signal. Reception of the coded signal at one or more fixed transceivers will cause those transceivers to retransmit that coded signal along with a second coded signal indicative of the locations of the fixed transceivers. Reception of this signal at a central receiver will result in a display indicating the particular individual and the geographic location as determined by the locations of the fixed transceivers, thus allowing security personnel to rapidly respond to an emergency situation while discouraging prank alarms.

Claims

1. An emergency transmitter system for enhancing the personal security of individuals within a predetermined outdoor geographic area having fixed boundaries and a plurality of street light devices coupled to an electrical power distribution network provided for said street light devices, said plurality of street light devices disposed at selected locations within said predetermined outdoor geographic area, said emergency transmitter system comprising:

at least one battery powered portable transmitter for transmitting a coded signal associated with a particular individual;

a plurality of fixed transceivers each disposed in an elevated position in conjunction with a selected one of said street light devices and coupled to and powered by said electrical power distribution network at said selected one of said street light devices, each of said plurality of fixed transceivers including receiver circuitry for receiving said coded signal and transmitter circuitry for retransmitting said coded signal in conjunction with a second coded signal associated with a particular one of said selected locations; and

central receiver means for receiving transmissions from said plurality of fixed transceivers and for displaying an identification of said particular individual and said particular one of said selected locations.

2. An emergency transmitter system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one battery powered portable transmitter includes an irrevocable manual activation switch.

3. An emergency transmitter system according to claim 1, further including deactivation means for stopping transmission by said at least one battery powered portable transmitter.

4. The emergency transmitter system according to claim 1 further including alarm means located at each of said plurality of fixed transceivers for indicating an alarm condition in response to the reception of said coded signal.

5. The emergency transmitter system according to claim 4 wherein said alarm means comprises a flashing light.

6. The emergency transmitter system according to claim 1 wherein said central receiver means includes an appropriately programmed computer having a display associated therewith for displaying an alphanumeric indication of said particular individual and said particular one of said selected locations.