GB2397965A

GB2397965A - Emergency call system with automatic dialling of numbers at predefined times

Info

Publication number: GB2397965A
Application number: GB0301245A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Aldridge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-20
Filing date: 2003-01-20
Publication date: 2004-08-04
Also published as: GB0301245D0

Abstract

The timed emergency call system comprises an electronic clock, a voice recorder/player, a telephone dialler and a progranunable control system with a link to the public telephone network. A numeric keypad 2 allows entry of telephone numbers via the alphanumeric keypad 3 with confirmation of entry on the display 1. An emergency message can be recorded for each entered telephone number. An alarm time can be entered and, provided the system is not placed in standby via the on/off switch 5, emergency calls will be made and the recorded emergency message played at the alarm time and their status recorded on the indicator lights 4. The recipient of the emergency call can enter a pre-defined pin code to terminate the dialling process of the system. May be used to monitor the elderly or infirm.

Description

TIMED EMERGENCY CALL SYSTEM

This invention relates to an emergency call systems which is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for use by the elderly, the infirm or single parents.

In an emergency situation, it is often the case that the elderly, the infirm or single parents are frequently left immobile or unconscious without the ability to summon external assistance and in these circumstances, the event that caused their immobility could lead to more serious complications or death. Further, should they have any dependents, these dependents may also be exposed to the risk of illness or accident through the lack of a guardian capable of caring for them.

The invention provides a timed emergency call system comprising an electronic clock, a voice recorder/player, a telephone dialler and a programmable control system.

The invention will be connected to the public telephone system for transmission of emergency voice messages and will be capable of receiving and recognising DTMF (Dual-tone-multi-frequency, also known as touch-tone) tones from the telephone receiving the emergency call.

Preferably, the timed emergency call system will have a mains power supply and auxiliary battery in case of failure of the mains supply.

In order that the invention may be well understood, some embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure I shows a plan view of the emergency call system.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the emergency call system.

The timed emergency call system comprises a programmable control system that has a mains power supply 7. A facility is provided to set an internal clock to the current date and time via the alphanumeric keypad 3. A facility is provided to set the alarm time via the alphanumeric keypad 3, with an option of setting different times for each day of the week and an option of setting more than one alarm time each day. A facility is provided via numeric keypad 2 to enter several telephone numbers that are to be called in an emergency via alphanumeric keypad 3. A facility is provided to enter a pin code for any of the entered telephone numbers via the alphanumeric keypad 3. A facility will be provided to record a general emergency message and to record individual emergency messages for any of the entered telephone numbers via a microphone (not shown). If an emergency message is recorded for any of the entered telephone numbers, this will override the general emergency message.

The timed emergency call system will be connected to the public telephone network via the telephone connection point 6 and turned on. There will be a facility activated via the on/off switch 5 to allow the device to operate in stand-by mode i.e. not make any emergency calls, or to be operational i.e. make emergency calls as detailed below. - 2

When the device is operational, it will monitor the time via the electronic clock. When the time is approaching a pre-entered alarm time for the current day it will announce a warning that emergency calls are about to be made to the entered telephone numbers and display a warning message on the display 1. The duration of this warning announcement can be set via a facility on the timed emergency call system. The warning announcement will be a voice announcement and a visual warning light (not shown) suitable for the deaf.

At a pre-entered alarm time for the current day, the system will commence dialling the pre-entered emergency telephone numbers starting with the first number entered. The system will recognise the engaged signal and, if encountered, will pass onto the next emergency number. The system will recognise when the called telephone number is answered and will play back an emergency message which will either be the general emergency message or the message recorded against that emergency number. If the called telephone number has a pin code associated with it, the recipient of the telephone call has the option of entering that pin code which will inform the system the emergency call has been heard and understood in which case the system will stop cycling around the emergency telephone numbers and will display a signal confirming the emergency call has been received via indicator lights 4.

In the event of the pin code not being received, the system will continue the emergency calling process with the next emergency number until the last emergency number has been called at which point it will wait a predefined amount of time and then resume dialling from the first number, cycling through to the last as detailed above.

If at any point during the emergency calling process the system is placed into standby via the on/off switch 5 the emergency calling process will be terminated.

The system will be capable of displaying the status of each of the calls made in the form of unanswered; answered; confirmed (pin code received) via indicator lights 4.

It is quite clear that the above described system provides a system whereby the elderly, the infirm, single parents, the deaf or the blind can get help when emergency situations arise and they are not physically capable of initiating the emergency call themselves. -' -

Claims

1. A timed emergency call system comprising an electronic clock, a voice recorder and player, a telephone dialler and a programmable control system wherein all elements are encased in a single operational unit

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein an electronic clock can be set to the current date and time

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the time at which emergency calls are to be made can be entered

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein emergency numbers to be called can be entered

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein a pin code can be entered against pre- entered emergency numbers

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein a general emergency message can be recorded

7. A system as in claim 1, wherein an individual emergency message can be recorded for each of the emergency numbers entered as in claim 4

8. A system as in claim 1, wherein the timed emergency call system is connected to the public telephone network

9. A system as in claim 1, wherein an audible and visual warning of the systems intention to commence making emergency calls is given a pre- defined time before these calls are due to commence

10. A system as in claim 1, wherein emergency calls will be automatically made at a pre- programmed time as in claim 3 to the pre-programmed numbers as in claim 4 without human involvement

11. A system as in claim 1, wherein the general emergency message as in claim 6 will be played when the number is answered unless there is an emergency message recorded for that number as in claim 7 in which case the emergency message recorded for that number will be played

12. A system as in claim 1, wherein the pin code appropriate to the dialled number as in claim 5 can be entered remotely in a telephone handset in order to stop the transmission of emergency calls

13. A system as in claim 1, wherein a visual and audible warning ofthe intention to transmit emergency messages will be given before transmission takes place

14. A system as in claim 1, wherein the status of all calls made will be displayed in the form of unanswered, answered and confirmed (i.e. pin code received)

15. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the alarm is adapted to be powered by the mains supply or an auxiliary battery in case of failure of the mains supply

16. A system as claimed in any one of the above preceding claims, wherein the system comprises switch means for preventing the dialling of emergency numbers