CA2213796A1 - A wireless alerting and telecommunications device for the hearing impaired - Google Patents

Abstract

A telecommunications system allowing a conventional telecommunications device such as a radio pager, cellular telephone or portable computer equipped with a radio modem (40), to deliver information regarding alarms and events occurring in the environment (12). This is accomplished while still allowing the telecommunication device to operate as originally designed and support telecommunication with people. The invention was designed primarily for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired but can also be applied in the area of security.

Description

CA 02213796 1997-08-19 PCT~Z9 ~ / O O ~ ~ ~
REC~IVED 2 4 FE~ t9g7 A ~'ireless Alerting and Te~le~ ti--~ Device for The Hearing Impaired Backgrourld - Cross Reference to Related ~p~l;r~t~
This (loc~-m~nt malkes rcrc~C~,c to a number of prior art patents as follows:
US Patents 5,254,986; 5,196,842; 5,355,126; and 4,644,347; all assigned to Motorola Background - FieLd of the Invention The invent.ion relates in general to radio based Selective Si~n~ling Systems particularly, though not solely, to those systems which support t~lPco.~ in~til nC and alerting of alarm conditions in an in~ 'c manner for use with hearing impaired persons, and in security applic~tionc Backgroulld - Present Situation A~ u~iluatcly 1~/c of the worlds popnl:ltinn is deaf or cignifir:lntly hearing impaired to such an eYtent that they ca]mot use a telPphf)n~ or hear common sounds around their home or w~.k~ e U-lrollunalely few products have been developed for the Deaf due to the l~l<,li-,~,ly small size of 20 this markel and the general lack of lmt1rr5t~n~1ing of the unique needs of the Deaf. As a result, the Deaf and Hearing Impaired have been using ineffective and outdated devices for many years.
There is an major opportunity to improve the lives of these people with modern technology.

Just as the number of hearing impaired persons is increasing worldwide, so is the amount of 25 crime. The:re is an increasing need for effective and discrete security systems also.

Many systems utilise audible signals to indicate events taking place in a normal home or work CllVilUlUllCllL Some ~Y~mpler are; smoke, fire, and intruder alarms, ringing doorbells and t~leph-lt?ec, oven timers etc. These audible signals can be difficult to detect in a noisy 30 c.~vilulllllclll, or when distant from the signal, or if one has a hearing hllpdillllclll. Whereas in other citl~ onC it may be hld~l lulnidtc to use audible signals since they would be di~lu~livc such as in the quiet CllVil~lllllCIII of a child nursery or in discrete security cit~ tionc There is a need ior a method of alerting a person to events occurring in the surrounding 35 environment which does not rely on the use of sound, or a need for hearing.

For the He:aring Impaired, solutions have been to replace or ~u~ple nPnt audible signals with visual ones. This may involve the use of a lamp which flashes when a particular event occurs.
However, there are p~ nc with this t~rhnitlll~ If the person is in a location which prevents 40 him from s~eeing the visual signal, or the person's attention is ...o...~ .ily diverted or focused on other things, the individual would not detect the signal.

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CA 02213796 1997-08-19 PCT/NZ9 6 / O ~ ~ ~ ~

2 REC~IVEO 2 4 FEB t997 Therefore a method of attracting the attention of a person without concern for their location or visual attention is required. Since some of the events may be life threatening or require imm~ te ~tt~ntinn the alerting must take place with a minimnm of delay. Also, since 45 llunleluus events may occur throughout the day (eg. a crying baby alert), the n-~tifit~tion of each event must involve minimal cost (if any).

It is also important for a person to be able to co",....-"i~ te with other people and/or l,.;~ c over greater ~ict~nlrcc using inaudible methods.
Present iniaudible commnni~tions devices which convey information over distance include, fa~es, m~ devices, ~,o~ ulel e-mail, and video ~,O~ g. U~lrollullal~ly most of these devices are c~-nnPcted to a telephone line and therefore fixed in place. To use them a person must be notified of the in~oming message and then physically move to the device to receive it. This 55 greatly resl:ricts th~e person's freedom and mobility. If the person is unaware of the inr~oming message, or cannot get to the device in time, the inrolllldlion may be missed.

What is re,quired is a more reliable method of commnni~ Iting with people over distance in an inaudible manner. The solution must be portable so as to allow co-,-----l"i~tion regardless of the 60 person's location and does not restrict the person's mobility.

There are inct:lncpc when a person may require ~CCiCt~nfe and must signal for help. The person may not be able l:o generate a suitable verbal signal due to a lack of strength or a speech ~di-,l~ In other citll~tionc the person cannot rely on an audible signal since the ,~ r -~tc 65 of the call for help cannot hear the signal due to distance, location, ba,h~luulld noise, or a hearing impairment. Such is the case with deaf ~,al~:~,iV~ , security guards, the elderly, and bed ridden.

Therefore a de~ice is required which can be easily carried by a person and activated to signal a 70 caregiver, neighbollr, or security force over distance in an audible and/or inaudible manner.

The solution must be very reliable since it may be conveying i~L[ululalion about life-~ nillg events.

75 A solution is required which is simple to use, and of the lowest possible cost since many of the Deaf and Hearing ]:mpaired are either poorly t~d~ terl elderly, and have limited income.

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CA 02213796 1997-08-19 p~Tn~!~J ~ ~ / O n o 1 o The solution should be easy and inPYpPnCive to install and remove so that it can be moved from one environment to another (eg. moving house, when on vacation, or for use '~in the field"). It 80 should utilise commercially available technology which is familiar to a user and is less c~l cn~ivc than custom designed equipment.

Within the limits of the above objects of the invention the Present Invention aims to provide a solution to these problems without the limitations of the prior art.
Background - D~ of Prior Art In order that the irlvention may be completely understood and a~ c-,ialcd in its proper context, reference may be made to a number of prior art patents and pnhlirationc as follows:

US Patent numbers 3,925,763; 4,297,677; 4,380,759; 4,539,557; 4,692,742; 4,731,603;
4,777,474; ~,853,67~; 4,926,460; 5,159,315; 5,200,735; 5,223,816; 5,272,465; 5,319,698;
5,355,126; 5,365,21~

Whatever the precise merits, features, and advantages of the above cited Icrclcllces, none of them fulfills the goals or delivers the functionality of the Present Invention. Specifically, the prior art;

~ does not provilde a sin~le portable device which combines the ability to cùl""..,-,ic~te with people over distance and deliver detailed il~-uldlion about events, and in a manner which does not require the need for hearing and, ~ does not use a conventional and cu~ ,ially available tPIPc~ nir:~fionC devices such as;
a radio pager, text capable cellular t~lerhonP, or cullll.ulcl equipped with a radio modem, as a portable alerling and co~"~lnir:~tionc device and, 105 ~ does not utilise the capabilities of a conventional personal colll~u~el to generate alerts, program and configure the system, and commllnir~te with a telephone network and, ~ does rlot convey detailed event illrullllalion directlv to a portable alerting and telecQI-lmllnirationc device using a locally ~;c~P~t~Pd radio signal. But instead use a public 110 tele,,u.. "",--lir~tinns network which illlruduccs delays and commllnic~tic~nc charges.

IPEA/Au ' CA 02213796 1997-08-19 ~rT ~T7, 9 fi / O n o ~ o R E ~ FE ~ ',337 Objects and A.l~.l",t~_s of Present Invention As stated it is an object of the Present Invention to provide a telecommllnir~ti~n system which will at least provide the publie with a useful ehoice. The Present Invention also aims to overeome 115 the p~ul~~ nc with the prior art by providing one or more of the following objects and advantages;

~ To suplport comm~lnie~tionc with distant people via a por,~able device. This provides a person with increased co.. ~ir~tinnc freedom by m~int~ining the person's mobility.
~ To monitor events and show details of these events on a por,~able device. So as to notify a 120 person of important events anytime and almost a~.ywl.~.~, creating a safer environment while mzlintAining the person's mobility.
~ To eonvey il~ alion in an in~ !e manner using vibration, text and~or graphies. So that the Pre:sent Invention can be used in situations where verbal comm~miratione hearing or audiblc: signals cannot, or should not be used. Such as with deaf individuals or in security 125 appliea.tions.
~ To deli.ver info~m~ltion to a specific person in an inaudible manner, so that information ean be provided in a very private and discrete manner.
~ To provide both details of enviromnental events and support ,~o-",---n~ir~ions between distant parties using the same device. So that the present invention has m:lximnm portability and 130 simplieity of opeMtion.
~ To utilise radio com-nnnir~tionc wllerever possible so that the Present Invention offers a user m~ximllm mobility and freedom.
~ To utilise conventional and eo---l-lel-,;ally available eomronPntc wherever possible (sueh as radio pagers, eellular telPphc)nPe PDAs, wireless modems, personal eo---pulel~ ete) thereby 135 keepin,g the F'resent Invention's devPIopmPnt costs and selling price down. The use of eonven.tional deviees also hll~ Jv ;;s the familiarity and ease of use.
~ To work with deviees whieh already exist within the offiee or home sueh as smoke alarms, intruder alarms, baby monitors ete. This f~rilit~t~c inct~ tion and keeps eosts to a minimllm 140 ~ To use direc:t radio ll,.n~;c~.ion wherever possible and not rely upon a publie telP~o.,..-...--ir;ltionc network to deliver il,rO"l.~lion. Radio is a more direet -,o-~ -ic;~sion method and allows event information to be delivered without delay and with a ",ini""ll" of eost. V,rhereas c~n~ niratin~ via a publie telpco~ irati~nc network ean be less reliable, inserts ci~nifi-:~nt time delays, and ineurs co-..~ ;c ~ionc eharges.
145 ~ To be able to commlmir:lte over a tPIPrhnnP network so that the Present Invention can commlmir~te with people who use common tPI~co,,,,,.~..ir~tionc devices such as telfph~nf.c fax m,lrhinPc Cf ~ , and TTYs. The tPlPphonp network ean also be used as a baekup netwolk in easR of radio network failure.
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CA 02213796 1997-08-19 P ~ ~ ~ 9 6 1 0 0 0 1 0 RECEIVEI~ 2 4 FE8 lg97 ~ To allo~,v a person to remotely control electrical devices, remotely activate alarms and 150 remotely send mPCC~C So that a person can signal for :lCcict~nre or highlight an emergency situation.
~ To be legally compii~nt with RF frequency regulations and minimiC~r the chances of RF
interference. So that the reliability of the Present Invention is improved.
~ To be a self-cont~inrd device capable of operating from a battery power source. So that tl-e 155 Present [nvention is fully portable, and can be easily installed, removed, and used elsewhere.
~ To m~int~lin a record of events and m~cc~g~c delivered by the device, so that a history of activities can be viewed.
~ To be progr~mm:~h'~ so that the operation of the Present Invention can be ,;.~ ...,ixed by a person to meet his/her specific needs.

Further obj,ects and advantages of the Present Invention will become apparent from a .
consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

Summary of Present Invention 165 Accordingly, the Present Invention ~,-JUlplisc~ a ~PIecomm-lni~ltions system which involves a plurality of ~sensors placed to monitor the occurrence of a number of events or alarm con-litionc Each event 'sensor being connl~cted to a radio Ll,.n~ P~ so that upon occurrence of an event or alarrn, the radio l,,n~ dllsl~ an encoded radio signal. The encoded radio signal contains information identifying the event sensor and~or the radio trancmittpr activated. The 170 system further includes a radio receiver for receiving and decoding the radio signal, and a controller cont -inin~ a micro-p,~e~ul to processes the decoded il~lllld~ion and select a course of action pre-pro~ l<llulllcd into the controller memory. The controller's action(s) will serve to alert a person of the OC~;UIICII~,C of the event or alarm by using one or more methods. One method involves the application of power to electrical contacts which in turn operate ~.. ;,t~.. x 175 attached the~reto. Another alerting method is to have the controller send il~luldlion to personal C'J"~ ~ attached l:o the system so that the personal colll~ulcu can use its ~el ,.h~llP dialing and lllldlion delivery capabilities to commllnin~te text, graphics, fax or voice l~ rc with a remote local~ion via a telephone nehvork.

180 Still another meth~d is to use the systems ability to ~ n~te with a portable lldllS~e;V~;I
using a 'local lldnsceivel'. Here the controller sends il~llllalion relating to the event or alarm to a portable l.ransceiver carried by a person. The portable transceiver receives and decodes the signal and clelivers the information in inaudible manner. Conversely, the portable ~ldnsc~;iv~;:l can transmit a radio signal to the controller so as to instruct the controller to follow a pre-185 programmed course of action such as d~s~,libed above.
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~ CA 02213796 1997-08-19 ~ T ~ g ~ t ~ ~ fi ~Er~lYE~ '. FEB 1~7 In a further aspect of the Present Invention, the s~stem has the ability to col.m.ullicate with a wide area radio nehvork using a 'net~vork transceiver' This allows the controller to deliver information about events to the wide area radio nehvork andlor, be instructed by the wide area radio network to follow a particular course of action such as described above Since commllniration occurs between the portable transceiver, the 'local lldn~,c;iv~l', the controller, the 'network transceiver', and a wide area radio network, and vice versa, the portable transceiver and wide area radio net vork can çomm mir~te hlru,l. dlion with each other 195 The Present Invention has been designed to allow a conventional portable t~locommllnin~tionc device (such as a radio pager, cellular telephone, or comrl~tf~r vith a radio modem) to act as the portable transceivel So as to directly convey details of events occurring in a e~ in,lu..~;lll as well as contin ing to operate in the normal manner by co~ m~in:~ting with people over a wide area radio network The system is designed to convey h~roll .~,lion in an inaudible manner using 200 tactile alerts, text and/or graphics so that it can be used in security applications, and also by the Deaf and Hearing Impai}ed Brief Desclription Of The D~a~ings One ~Icfel~cd forrm of the Present Invention and m~Aific:ltil~nc of the Present Invention will be 205 described with ~:r~ llce to the accomr~nying drawings in which Figure 1 is a block diagram showing interconnf~ction of major components of the Present Invention Figure 2 is a diagram showing selection of channels by Personal Trallscci~l shown in Figure 1 2I0 Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an all~...aliv~ emho~im~nt of the Present Invention Figure 4 is an op~r~tionZll flow chart when a 'general event' occurs Figure 5 is an operational flo~vchart when an 'emergency event' occurs Figure 6 is an operational flowchart when an 'innoming Wide Area Radio Network comml~nir;~til~n occurs 215 Figure 7 is an operational flowchart when an 'outgoing co~ nir~tiûrl from the Personal Transceiver' occurs Figure 8 is an op~r~tion~l flowchart when 'inroming Telephone Network co~ m~in n-iOn~ occurs Figure 9 is an oper ltion~l flowchart showing how the Present Invention can be queried or progr:lmtn~A

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CA 02213796 1997-08-19c~ z9 6 ~ O ~ 0 1 ~
I~ECEIVED 2 4 FFB 1~'~7 Refc.~ -E Numer;lls Used in Dra~ings Event Sensor (10) Interface Circuit (46) Event (12) Keypad (48) 225 Event Tr~ncmitter (14) Visual Display (50) Event Radic, Signal (16) Commnni~ lti nc Port (52) Small AC Power Supply (18) Electrical Contacts (54) Pocket Tr~ncmitter (20) Personal Computer (56) Alert Radio Signal (22) Telephone Network (58) 230 Buttons (24'1 Fax/Modem/V'oice Card (60) Base Station (26) Alarm ~nnlm~i ~tor~ (62) Event Receiver (28) Computer ~nn m~ rc (64) Net vork Tl;~nsce;vt . (30) Power Supply (66) Wide Area Radio Network (32) Local Environment (68) 235 Net vork Radio Signal (34) Net vork Environment (70) Local Transceiver (36) Radio Pager (72) Local Radio Signal (38) Salcom 1143 (74) Personal Transceiver (40) Salcom 1140 (76) Message Received Alert (42) Salcom 1521 (78) 240 Remote Swiitch (43) Salcom 1110 (80) Controller (44) Li~t of Equivalent Terms The following list of terms have been provided to ensure terms used in the claims find suitable 245 ~l~tec~d~ ll in this patent ~l~eeific~tion The following words can be read as equivalents when il~t~ gr the claims In Claims In Spe~ifiç;l~ion 250 first tr~ncmitter means Event Tn first receiver means Event Receiver third radio tr~nsmitter & follrth radio receiver Local Tl~naceiv~;
fourth radio tr~ncmitter & third radio receiver Personal Tr;lnsc~ivel fifth radio tr~ncmitter & second radio receiver Network Transceiver 255 sixth receiver means Remote Switch controller means Controller data entry means Keypad ~MENDED SHEET
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. CA 02213796 1997-08-19 PC~rnN~ 9 6 / O 0 0 1 0 display means Visual Display storage means memory storage 260 timing means clockcircuit electrical interface means Commnni~tionc Port proeessing and eontrolling means Controller cc n~ition responsive: device Event Tr~ncmitt~r & Event Sensor event responsive device Event TrAncmitn~r & Event Sensor 265 eombined a radio nehvork Wide Area Radio Network first reeeiver Event Reeeiver loeal radio transceiver Loeal Transceiver portable radio trZlncmitter & portable radio receiver Personal Trdnscc;vt;r 270 user h~"ldLion h~",.alion from Personal Tr~lscei~
event signal Event Radio Signal It l~o.. --.. ie~tionc actuated a. liVdlillg device Personal T-dnsc~:iv~:
information proeessing device Personal Computer 275 Definitions of Terrïls The following terms have been defined to ensure the proper hllel~.eldtion of the wording eont~in~cl in this patent cpe-ifi~ti-)n and the .~ cl dra~vings and elaims. These ~ fini~i~me are to ~ .rle-nent other generally accepted ~Pfinitionc ho~vever should a contradiction exist between the!ie ~rfinitionc and other generally aa:epted flefinitio~c the following ~1. finiti~me shall 280 take preeeclenee Channel A medium used to eommllnir:lte illr~ n sueh as a wire or radio signal. A single ehannel may support either one-way or t vo-way eu.. ~ir;-tionC in simplex or full duplex modes.

E~ r~ ~ ~P~' Energy radiated in the form of radio waves, heat or light, and ir~ln-ling ultra-sonie sound.

C~
290 The movement of il~....alion between two Ol more entities or Pleetrie~l deviees. The term 'c~,.. -.. ~ie:lte' shall be h~t~ led in the broadest possible manner to inelude one-way transfer of h~-,--dlion or tvo-way transfer of i--r~ ion (eg. sending information and/or l~e~;:ivhlg inf~)r-m~fion~

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, CA 02213796 1997-08-19 r~Tr~ J ~ 1 Q
RECE1VED 2 4 FEB lgg7 g 295 Wireless Modem or Radio Modem A device which allows hvo electrical devices to commllnicAte with each other using electr mA~n~tic radiation thereby ÇliminAtin~ the need to use a wired commnnicAtiQnc link bet veen the devices.

300 T~ t~r A device which can generate an electrical or el~ A~ tic signal, and may encode information on said signal.

Receiver 305 A device wlhich can receive an electrical or electromAgnf tic signal and may extract i~ ldlion from said signal.

T~ cr As used in this patent cpcrificAti~)n, appended drawings and claims, the term lldnscciv~l" shall 310 be strictly taken to mean a device (or combination of devices) which can transmit ancVor receive information. using electrical or electrnmAgn~tir signals. A llans~ cr" shall be il~ led as a device ~vhic:h can only transmit, or can only receive, or can transmit and receive. In this way the term ll~nsccivel'' is broader in scope than either the term IIA~ 7' or the term "receiver"
alone, since: it defines a device which can do either one or both C~ ;ally Available An object is des._lil,ed as being 'commercially available' if it is mAnnfArtllred and has been offered for use, or for sale, to the public.

320 C .. ' ~' An object iis des~.lil~d as being 'conventional' if it is common place, usual, typical, standard, and/or commercially available.

C~~~. o~ or C~ ~;ally Available Tel~ - Device 325 In the context of this patent cpecifiir~tion a "conventional tclccommllninationc device" or "commercially ava,ilable tt~lpcommllnir~tirlnc clevice" will include among others, radio pagers, cellular te lephoncc t vo-way radios, and ccllll~ulillg devices equipped with radio modems.

Selc.li.., Call De~ice 330 A device which can be selectively signaled, and can selectively receive i"r... "".~ion and ~MEI~IDED SHEET
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CA 02213796 1997-08-lgPCTJI~Z9 6 J O O 0 1 0 RECE~V~D 2 4 FE~ 1997 seleetively transmit information.

Cc ~ir~tic--- Port A means to comml-nic:-te information between two electrical devices, generally comprising a 335 physical electrical connector w hich may also employ a commnni~ation protoeol. Examples are;
serial RS-232 ports, parallel printer ports, PCMCIA interf~rPc etc Electrical Characteristics The electrical n~sict~nr.~, continuity, and/or electrical pot~nti~-l between two electri~l contacts.

~- ~ at~l~r A device w}lich can. generate a signal which can be detected by a person, such as electrom~gnPtic radiation, light, sound, and/or mf~cll~nie:ll vibration, in response to an electrieal signal.

345 Fa~/Modem/Voice Card An electrieal device which connects to a co~ er and allows the collll-~lr~ to send and/or reeeive fax information, binary data, and/or voice over a telephone network.

Local En~ironment 350 A physical area surrounding, and in near proximity to, a person such as an offilce, warehouse, co"lpound, campus, home and yard, etc. More cpec ifi~lly in the context of this patent specifin~ti~n~ it defines the area in which radio signals from the Local Tl~u~c~,;vcl can be received.

355 Local T ~... 1 Tnfnr~~ti- gen~r,lted by or delivered to devices located in the local envi.u"nlclll Network hu~;r~
The physical area comprising all areas other than the local en~ii,olll"c:,ll Network Info. tio-Information gener l~ed by or delivered to devices located in the net vork CllVilUlllllCII

Wide Area Radio Net vork 365 A network. whieh allows deviees to co~ ic~te information with each other using radio signals over a wide area such as a eity, state, or country, or otherwise outside the Loeal E~vi~u~ enL

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Ir-~u ~ CA 02213796 1997-08-l9~r~r~
- RECEIVED 2 4 FE~ tgg defined above. Examples are; tlle cellular telephone network, radio paging network, radio telephone network e~c.

370 Structure of' the Pr~ferred Form of the Present Invention as shown in Figure 1 The Present Invention's major co-l-polle~ , their functions, and interconnectionc are described below and shown in Figure 1 as discrete parts to facilitate eYpl~n~tion In the final embodiment of the invention, several fimetionc may be comhined into a single cc-~ ~n~ Therefore the Present Invention should not be limited to the specific items in the drawings and text, as these are 375 illustrative only of the principles involved. The actual scope of the invention will be covered in the claims section.

Event Sensors A number of Event Sensor (10) (or condition responsive devices) are employed which can detect 380 an Event (12) and generate a ~;ul~ o--~iin~ electrical signal. Event (12) can be the presence, absence or change in; a mpeh~nie~l action, motion, ~..~ , electrical signal, electrical ~;hdld.;l~ li,c, light (visible and invisible), sound (audible and ultrasonic), heat, vibration, water level, contact closure, or chemical state.

385 Event Tr - ''~-One or more Event Tr~ncmitt~r(s) (14) will generate an Event Radio Signal (16) when electrically alctivatecl by one or more Event Sensor (10) attached to Event T-, n~ . (14). Event Radio Signal (16) is encoded so as to contain the identify of Event Trancmitter (14) and/or Event Sensor ( 10) .activated. The ~,hardc~ ics of Event Radio Signal (16), (eg. r~ uen~;y, rn~ tion 390 and encoding format) are such that Event Radio Signal (16) can be received and decoded by Event Receiver (28). Event Tr:-ncmitter (14) can be housed in weatherproof case so as to protect Event T-;.n~ (14) in adverse ~IIVil~ con~1itionc Event Tr:lncmitt~r (14) is powered by a battery andlor Small AC Power Supply (18) to give an event signal in the form of an e.g personal emergency alert signal.

Pocket Tr - ' -Pocket Tr:lncmitter (20) is equipped with a plurality of Buttons (24) which when pressed by a person will cause Pocket Tr~ncmitter (20) to generate a specific radio signal which is received by Event Receiver (28,1. Each one of Buttons (24) will generate a different and unique radio signal 400 which Evemt Receiver (28) can decode and identify. Pocket Tr~ncmitter (20) is small in size and is battery powered so that it can easily fit in a pocket, purse, or be worn as a pendant. It is designed to be carried by a person, and used to signal for attention or indicate an ~-I.e~gell~
Sihl~tion ~MENI:lED SHEET
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-CA02213796 1997-08-19 PCT/NZg 6 / 10 n o 1 ~

12 ~ECEIV~D ~ 4 F~B lg97 A processing and controlling means is shown in Figure 1 in the form of a Base Station (26) 405 eont,qinPd witllin broken lines. In this Base Station (26) integers are provided as follows:

Event Receiver Event Receiver (28) is capable of receiving the radio signals sent by one or more Event Tr,qncmittPr(s) (14) and Pocket Tr,qncmitter(s) (20). It can decode the radio signals received and 410 extract infolmation to identity wllich tr~qncmittPr, Event Sensor (10) or Button was activated.

Network Transcei~,~er Network Transceiver (30) is designed to emulate a specific tel~Pcomm-lnir~q~tionc device such as a conventiona,l and commercially available cellular tt~lPphnne, radio pager, or wireless modem etc.
415 Network Tr~nsceiver (30) may be purpose built to operate as only one type of teleco-.. irqtinnc deviee or it may be progr,qmmqhle so that it ean emulate several different t-Plecn-----~ ir~qtinnc devices.

If Network Tldns~,eiv~;, (30) is a pro~"....---;~l-le deviee it may be tuned to transmit and/or reeeive 420 signals on various channels used by Wide Area Radio Network (32) by any number of known methods, inrlll~iin3ar rh~nging its internal oscillator crystals or reprogramming its 5ynthPciced tuner eireuitry ete. Network Transceiver (30) can also be configured as a selective call device to respond only to Network Radio Signal (34) which is addressed to a specific telPco..... ~;r,qtionc device(s). Conversely Network Tldll~ ~;iV~;l (30) can generate Nehvork Radio Signal (34) which 425 is destined for Wide Area Radio Network (32) and contains unique i~lPntifir<qtion information.
Network Transceiver (30) uses the rlc~u~"-~(s) of the Network Channel.

In this way Network Transceiver (30) is capable of co""""~ir~q~ing with Wide Area Radio Network (32) as a tile~o...~ irqtion device using Network Radio Signal (34) and Network 430 Channel.

To provide at least one individual teleco.. ;rqtinnc actuated activation device a Personal Transceiver (40) is provided.

435 The .,hdldc,l~ lics of Net vork Radio Signal (34) (ie. rle.~ c, power and protocols) used by Network Tlldna~;ei~c:l (30) is the same as that used by the particular type of teleco~ -irqtion device being used as Personal Transceiver (40). The .,hdld.,l~ lics of Network Radio Signal (34) (eg. r~ luencies, p~ ~er and protocols) are also selected so as to comply with d~.luplidle radio emission legic lq~ion, and not eause hll~lr~ lce with Loeal Radio Signal (38). This means that 440 Network Clhannel and Local Channel use different, non-inl~:lreling rl~ e~ ;.~c ~MENDED SHEET
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CA 022137 96 1997 - 08 - 19~7,_T~ { 1 ~
F1UF~ ~ 4 FEB 1997 Network Tr~msceiver (30) is equipped with an antenna to improve reception and tr~ncmiCcion of Network Radio Signal (34).

Local Tran!iceiver 445 Local Transceiver (36) is designed to emulate a specific Wide Area Radio Network (32) such as that used b~ Plecomm~nic~tion devices like conventional and commercially available cellular telephone5 r adio pagers, or wireless modems etc. Local Trdnsc~;ivt;i (36) may be purpose built to operate like only one type of Wide Area Radio Network (32) or it may be programmable so that it can emulate several different Wide Area Radio Networks (32).

The local Transceiver is designed to be It;~Joll~iv~;: to an event ~ n~ting from a local environmem~

If Local Tr~msceiver (36) is a pro~ldl~ lablc device it can be tuned to transmit ancVor receive 455 signals on various channels used by t~ commnnir~ti~)n devices by any number of known m.~thn~1c, in~ ing ~h~nging its internal oscillator crystals or reprogramming its synth~ciced tuner circuilt}y etc. Local Transceiver (36) can also be configured as a selective call device to respond only to Loc:al Radio Signal (38) from a specific ~eleco~ """ic~ionc device. Collv~ ly Local Tran;ceiver can generate Local Radio Signal (38) which is add-c~ed for a specific 460 ~el~v""",~ic:ltion device. Local Transceiver (36) uses the L.e4ue~ (s) of the Local Channel.

In this ~vay ILocal Transceiver (36) is capable of co",l----nin:lting with a ~el~nc,..,,,,-n~ tion device as a Wide Area Radio Network (32) using Local Radio Signal (38) and Local Channel.

465 The cLala I~PI i~ir.C of Local Radio Signal (38) (ie. r~c~ n- :~c and protocols) used by Local T ~ (36) is the same as that used by the particular type of tel~collllllllllinationc device being used ~with the Present Invention as Personal Transceiver (40). The cllald.ltili~lics of Local Radio Signal (38) (eg. frequ~n~ c power and protocols) are also selected so as to comply vith app."p-ialc radio emission legicl~tion and will not cause i-ll~.r~;;.t;.lce with Net vork Radio Signal 470 (34).

Local T-all:~c~;ivt;- (36) is equipped with an antenna to improve reception and l"~n~ ion of Local Radio Signal (38).

475 Local Transceiver (36) periodically lldl~ a "null message" or "p-t;dllll)le" signal as part of the Local Radio Signal (38). This null message is received by Personal T-i~lscc iv~. (40) only when Personal T-dnscc;v~;. (40) is in co--------"i~:-tion range of the Local T-dl~ iv~;- (36). Personal ~MENDED S~IEET
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_ CA 02213796 ~997-08--gPC~T/NZ9 6 / O O (~
R~CEIVF11 2 4 FFR 1997 TrdllSCt iVt I (40) ca.n then take appropriate action to monitor the signal on a continuous basis such as s~vitching its operating frequency or channel as described below.

P~ I Transcei~er Personal Tr~msceiver (40) is a trlPcQmml-nir:ltionc device ~vhich contains means for trzlncmitting and/or receiving radio signals. Personal Transceiver (40) is a selective call device which can identify radio signal,s which have been addressed to it and then activate means to notify a person 485 of this fact by g~pner~ting Message Received Alert (42) which may be a visual, audible and/or tactile .ctimnlllc Personal Transceiver (40) will decode the radio signal and p-t;re-dl,ly display the il~rOI ..-ation or message using a means which does not require sound such as text and/or graphics.

Personal Transceiver (~0) can also be in~llu~ d by a person to generate a radio signal with 490 ilLl;JIlalion encode,i on it and transmit it to a radio receiving device such as Local Tldnsct ;Vt;l (36). Personal Transceiver (~0) is fully portable and is powered by a battery.

The Present Invention has been cpecif~rzllly designed to allow a "commercially available"
Telecomm--l~iczltions Device such as a conventional radio pager (eg. Motorola's Advisor), a 495 cellular telephone with text paging capabilities (eg. Nokia 2110), a col--L,utel or portable c.)lll~u~ g device eqnirppd with a wireless data modem (eg. Motorola's Personal MPCCPng,Pr IOOD) etc. ~:o be used as Personal Transceiver (~0).

Personal Transceiver (40) is also capable of rh~nging the radio frequPnriPc or channels upon 500 which it operates as dei~,.il,ed below.

Channel ~;~~ t- r ~
Personal Tl,dnsce;~/~;. (40) can transmit and/or receive radio signals over two or more different radio ~ t"~r;pc or rhzlnnPlc These channels will include the freqllPnries used by Local 505 T.dni,~,t,i~ti~. (36) aind the frequencies used by Wide Area Radio Network (32). Personal Transceiver (40) caln effectively operate on either of these channels and can switch from one channel to another by employing one or more of the following channel selection means:

(i) the physical selection of a different receiver tuning crystal (or other r-pcnnzlnre tuning 510 device) using a switching means manually activated by a person or, (ii) reprogr~mming of a ~y~th. ~;c~d receiver circuit using a manual switching means (eg.
Motorola's ]3ravo Plus radio pager) or, (iii) the zlntomzlt;r reprogramming of a synthpcicpd receiver circuit as a result of the presence (or albsence) of a received signal (like that disclosed in Patent Numbers 5,254,986;

~ME~NDED SHEET
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~ CA 02213796 1997-08-19~''~ . f~
RFCEIVFIl 2 4 F~B 1997 515 5, l96,842; and 5,355,126 assigned to Motorola) or, (iv) the o~ in--~l and ~lltom~tic "scanning" of different frequencies by the receiver circuitry (like tilat ~icclo$ed in patent 4,641,31'7 assigned to Motorola) or, (v) the use of a second complete receiving circuit.

520 The above n Irntiot~Pd patent cpe~ific~ions are herein in.;ul~ol~.led by reference.

Remote Switch Remote Switch (43) is a selective call device wllich can receive and decode Loeal Radio Signal (38) on the 1,ocal Channel. Remote S- itch (13) is equipped with one or more electrical switches 525 which it can. activate to generate open andlor elosed eireuit eonditions. Remote Switeh (43) will reeeive and decodc Local Radio Signal (38) addressed to it and can activate one or more Eleetrieal Switehes ~dep~n-lin~ upon the data eontent of Loeal Radio Signal (38).

Remote Switch (43) may be equipped with an antenna to improve reception of Local Radio Signal 530 (38) and may be powered by a battery and/or an AC power souree.

Controller Controller (~4) is designed to monitor and eontrol the operation of the Present Invention and is comprised of a micro-processor, memory stoMge means such as Random Access Memory, a 535 timing means such as a clock cireuit, and eontroller software. Controller (44) has the means to send and r~ceive il~ll.lalion from Local Trdnsc~ive~ (36), Network Tldnseeiv~;l (30), Event Receiver (28), Interface Circuit (46), Power Supply (66), and Controller (44), while using the memory storage as a data buffer by storing all data to be sent to, or received from, Local Tl~ulscc:iv~;l (36), Network Tldns~ ,. (30), Event Reeeiver (28), Interfaee Cireuit (46), Power 540 Supply (66)1, and Controller (44). This data can be analysed, decoded or otherwise processed by a micro-L~-uce~ol Dep~n~ling upon the content of this data, the micro-plu~~s~ui will execute pre-plu~;l~llllled instruetions also stored in the memory storage. Micro-pluce~ol will store details of the Present Invention's actions in memory storage as an activity log. The cloek eireuit supplies the time and date of an event or action so that this h~rollll.llion can be stored in the activity log as 545 well. Memory storage also contains the software and eonfiguration h~rullll~on required for the Present Invention to funetion properly.

Controller (44) is i-ully plugl,.~ e therefore it ean perform various funetions whieh ean, and will, extend beyond the descriptions so far. Some of the additional fi1n-~tionc and eapabilities of 550 Controller (44) will beeome evident in the "Operation of Present Invention" section of this floalnl.~n~

~M~Nl~ED SHEE~T
IPEA/Al,l -CA 02213796 1997-08-19C~rnNZ 9 6 / O ~ ~ ~ ~
RECEIYEO 2 4 FEB ~997 l6 Interface C'i~cuit A further activating device may alternatively, or in addition to the Personal Transceiver (40), be provided as Interface Circuit (16) to provide a way for externally conn.oct~-cl electrical devices and 555 people to activate, control, program or othenvise change the activated signal given as a result of using the Present Invention.

Interface Circuit (46) provides a way for externally conn~cted electrical devices and people to activate, co;ntrol, program or otherwise change the operation of the Present Invention.

Conversely. Interface Circuit (46) provides a ~vay for the Present Invention to activate, control, or comm-mi~ate with externally conn~ctcd electrical devices and people. This is accomplished by having Controller (44) comm~mir~e electrical signals and data with a number of input and output devices via Interface Circuit (46). These input and output devices are; Keypad (48), 565 Visual Display (50), Commllnir~tionc Port (52), and Electrical Contacts (54).

Ke~pad (1~,) is an input device attached to the Present Invention. Keypad (48) allows a person to supply datal to Controller (41) via an alpha-numeric keypad. This data can be used to program the Present Invention to operate in a particular fashion.

Visual Display (50) is an output device such as a liquid crystal display which can display alpha-numeric te~t and/or graphics. Controller (14) sends data to Visual Display (50) so as to inforrn a person of the Present Invention's actions and configuration.

575 ~ Commnni~tion Port is an electrical interface means which allows Controller (44) to comm1mic~te with Personal Computer (56), a modem or other electrical device.
Comm~lni~tionc Port (52) is a standardised electrical h1le~r~ces such as; a serial RS-232 port, a PCMCIA port, a parallel printer port, or a SCSI interface etc. Commnnir:ltion~ Port (52) is used to pass data or comm:ln-lc between Controller (44) and Personal Computer (56).
580 This allows th.e Present Invention to use the hd-d~ ; and capabilities of Personal Computer (56) to enhance the operation of the Present Invention. Access to Personal Computer (56), in comhi n:~tion with ~o--" ulti- software, will allow the Present Invention to;
~ send d.ata over Telephone Network (58) via Fax/Modem/Voice Card (60) located in Personal Computer (56), 585 ~ receivle data from Telephone Network (58) via Personal Computer (56) and ~ Fax/Modem/~loice Card (60), ~ME~IDED $HEET
~E4/~U

CA 02213796 1997-08-19 t~r~
REC~IYEI~ 2 4 FEB 1997 ~ instruct Personal Computer (56) to activate Computer ~ (64) such as displaying a "pop-up ~indow", displaying a text message or g}aphic image, flashing the screen, and/or generating audible signals using a computer sound card, 590 ~ allow a person to utilise the keyboard and screen of Personal Computer (56) to program, configure, or monitor the operation of the Present Invention, ~ provide a very simple and highly graphical user interface for those with sight or reading problem,s.
~ store and display on Personal Computer (56), a complete log of events, mP,CC:lgPC and 595 activities which have taken place, Interface Ci~rcuit (46) has the means to change the electrical characteristics of FhPctri~l Contacts (54) when instructed by Controller (14) This includes the ability to deliver electrical power from Power Supply (66) to Electrical Contacts (5~) and/or generate open and closed circuit 600 appearances at Electrical Contacts (51) The opening and closure of the circuits and/or the application of power can be continuous or periodic and can be programmed to last for a specific period of time Electrical devices such as Alarm Ann n~ ors (62) can be attached to Electrical Contacts (54) 605 and therefore be operated upon instruction from Controller (44) Alarm Annnn~i~t-rs (62) can be used to supplement tlle alerts and mPCc~c displayed on Personal Transceiver (40), or to inform individuals who are not in possession of the an appropriate Personal Transceiver (40) (eg neighbours, hearingpeople, etc) Thefollowingare e n ,)~es of Alarm Ann n~ orc (62);

610 ~ a series of lamps (or other visual inr1ic ltorc) ~ a large all h~ ic display ~ a siren (or other audible indicators) ~ a "loop ~ ~nc~ lr~" system which sends signals to a hearing aid with a T-coil setting ~ an "auto-dialer" which ~lt~m~tic~lly dials a telPFhonP number and delivers a615 pre-recorded message Power Supply The device uses Power Supply (66) which supplies electrical power to operate Local Tralls~_~iv (36), Network Transceiver (30), Controller (44), Interface Circuit (46), and Event Receiver (28) 620 Power Supply (66) also provides electrical power to be applied to FlPctric~l Contacts (54) Power Supply (66'~ can obtain electrical power from an AC mains power source and also from a battery power source The battery source allows the Present Invention to continue to operate if the AC
power source has failed or is o~h~l wijt unavailable Power Supply (66) and its power sources are ~MENDED SHEET
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CA 02213796 1997-08-19 P ~ ~ Z 9 6 / ~ O 0 1 ~
~CEIYE~ ~ 4 FE~ 7 1~

contin--ollcly monitored by Controller (44) so that d~ liate action can be followed in the event 625 the supply a,f power changes. For example, if the AC power source has failed and the battery voltage is mnning low, the Present Invention could send a "low po~ver" message to Personal Transceiver (40), and/or activate an alarm :lnn~mr~ or~

630 The compon~?ntC of the Present Invention previously des~-il)ed are housed within one or more containing means so as to contain and protect the co".pon~ ; from damage.

Personal Computelr Personal C~mputer (56) is a conventional personal computer which compric~c a co----~-----ic?~tionc 635 interface or data interface which is compatible with Comm--ni~ mc Port (52); ha~lwal~; and software, such as E ax/Modem/Voice Card (60), to allow Personal Computer (56) to send and receive data, to and from, Telephone Net~vork (58); Computer ~nnlmni~nrc (64) which allow Personal Computer (56) to signal a person (such as pop-up windows and graphics, a speaker, and sound card). Personal Computer (56) also contains a software program to allow it to 640 commlmirate with IController (44).

Controller an~l Computer Software Soft~ ~are resides w ithin Controller (14) and also ~vithin Personal Computer (56). This soft~vare is designed to control the operation of the Present Invention so that Controller (44) can, among 645 other things;
~ receivc data fiom Local Transceiver (36), Network Transceiver (30), Event Receiver (28), Power Supply (66), Interface Circuit (46), and Keypad (48) and store data in the memory storage, ~ analyses the content of received data and identify the source of received data and compare 650 received data with pre-progr~-n-nPd data, stored in the memory storage, ~ execute pre-pl.u~ld~llnled instructions when received data matches pre-p.. ,~.,.. ~d data, thus causing l:he Present Invention to follow a particular course of action ~csc~i~ted with received data, ~ send d.ata and control signals to Local Transceiver (36), Network T-ansc~iv~l (30), Event 655 Receiver (28), Power Supply (66), Interface Circuit (46), and Visual Display (50), ~ instruct Local Transceiver (36), Network Tldnsc,:ivel (30) and Event Receiver (28) to change their operating pdld~ such as freqllenci~c, signal formats, and which signals they are receptive to etc, ~ pass message data to Local Transceiver (36) and Network Transceiver (30) which is to be 660 incorporated into a tr~ncmi~ radio signal, ~MENDI~D SHEET
IPFA/AlJ

CA 02213796 1997-08-l9~1r~ 9 6 1 0 ~ 0 1 0 ,9 RECEIVED 2 4 FEB 1997 ~ instruct Interface Circuit to open or close Electrical Contacts (5~) and/or apply electrical power to Electrical Contacts (54), ~ pass data to Visual Display (50) for a person to see, ~ use the memory storage to maintain a log record of all its actions such as; the data it receives 665 or sends, the device it was sent to or received from, and the time this occurred, ~ send and receive, data and instructions, to and from, Personal Computer (56) via Comm--nic~tions Port (52). So that Personal Computer (56) can be instructed to activate Computer ~nnnnri ~torS (64), display configuration of Present Invention, display and print contents of activity log, comm--nic:-te ~vith Telephone NehYork (58). Also allowing Personal 670 Compute,r (56) to program Controller (44) and configure op~r~tion of Present Invention.
~ buffer al l data sent and received so that data to be sent by andlor received by Event Receiver (28), Local Transceiver (36), and Network Transceiver (30) will not be lost if one or more of the Preslent Inventions co~po~ t~ are already busy.

675 Since tlle Present Invention in the preferred fonn is fully p-o~;-d~ -al~le, it can perform fim~tit~nc which can extend beyond that implied by the exrl~n:-tion above. Some of the ~C~rlition~l fim~ic-nc and capabilities of the Present Invention will become evident from the following description of how the Present Invention operates.

680 O~,c. ' -- ~f the Present In~ ar This section and figures D, E, F, G, H, and I, describe the operation of the present invention under several common sihuations For simplicity only the most common cihl~tionc have been ~Ypl~int~rl Since the Present Invention can be programmed and configured to operate in many different ways and in different citll~tionC it will be evident that many other forms of op~?r~tinn are 6~5 possible. These oper~tion~l descriptions are provided to facilitate understanding of the Present Invention's i.unction and flexibilit~, and should not be used to limit the Present Invention. Again, the actual scope of the Present Invention will be covered in the claims.

r~ of General Event (Figure 4) 690 An Event (12) occurs in a person's surro~n~lingc such as a doorbell, t~lPphon~ or fax machine ringing, smoke alarm, baby crying etc Event Sensor (10) which has been specially selected and located to detect F:vent (12) ~ c an electrical signal which in turn activates Event Tr~ncmitt~r (14) Event Tl;n.~ (14) g.,n~,.utc,s a Event Radio Signal (16) which is encoded with the id~ntify of the particular Event Sensor (10) and/or Event T.,.n~..-ill~ (14) activated 695 Event Radio Signa] (16) is received by Event Receiver (28) which decodes the Event Radio Signal (16) and passes the encoded data to Controller (44) Controller (44) stores and analyses the data, to identify which Event Sensor (10) and Event T-,.nc...;ll~. (14) was activated.

~MENDED SHEET
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CA 02213796 ~997-08-.gPCT/NZ'9 6 / O O O I O
RECEIVFO 2 4 FEB t~7 Controller (44) compares the d;lta to pre-programmed information in the memory storage and sends a corresponding message data to Local Transceiver (36). Controller (44) also records the 700 time of Evemt (12), details of Event (12) and the actions of Controller (4~) in the memory storage.
Local Transceiver (36) transmits the message data using Local Radio Signal (38) and Local Channel. If tuned to Local Channel, Personal Transceiver (40) receives Local Radio Signal (38) and generates Message Received Alert (42) using vibration, sound, light etc. Personal TransceiveI (40) tl en decodes and displays the message data preferably in text and/or graphical 705 form. A person is informed of Event (12) by reading this message data which Cullt,~OI ds to, and describ~es, Event (12).

Request folr A~ t~ Event A person ~vishes to indicate that they require special ~ttenti~n such as help with mobility etc. A
710 person presses one of Buttons (24) on Pocket Tr:~ncmittPr (20). Pocket T-,1n~ (20) transmits a Alert Radio Signal (22) which contains the identity of Pocket Tl,~ e. (20) and Button.
Event Recciver (2~3) receives and decodes Alert Radio Signal (22) and passes decoded data to Controller /~44).
Alternatively, a person can transmit a Local Radio Signal (38) using Personal Transceiver (40).
715 Local Radio Signal (38) is encoded to identify it as a "request for ~ccict~n~e event" type message.
Local T~allsceivc~ (36) receives and decodes Local Radio Signal (38) and passes data to Controller 1(44).

Controller (41) i(l~Pntifi~Pc Alert Radio Signal (22) and/or Local radio Signal (38) as a "request for 720 ~ccict:lnce e vent" and performs the same activities as dPscrihçd above in 'Notification of General Event'. Hc~wever lController (44) ~vill also instruct Interface Circuit (46) to supply Plpctric~l power to, and/or close, Electrical Contacts (54). Alarm ~n.. ~ rs (62) col nP~ d to Electrical Contacts (54) will in turn be activated to generate a visual, audible and/or tactile ~ccict~nne alarm signal to attract the necessd-y attention from neighbours or ~,alt,~;ivt:l~ etc.725 F ~ Event OC~ur~ . ~ e (Figure 5) A serious e---er~.,.,l~ event occurs such as a violent attack on a person, the presence of fire, or a medical en;lergency, etc. A person presses a different Button (24) on Pocket Tr:lncmittpr (20) to transmit an "~ e~cll~,y event" encoded Alert Radio Signal (22). Alert Radio Signal (22) 730 contains the iden.tity of Pocket Tr~ncmittPr (20) and Button. Or Sensor (10) detects the t;llltn~ ,y event and Event Tr:~nc--itter (14) sends Event Radio Signal (16). Event Receiver (28) receives and decodes Alert Radio Signal (22) and/or Event Radio Signal (16) and passes data to Controller (44).

~MENDED SHEET
ll~EA/Al.i ~ CA 02213796 1997-08-19 ~T ~ ~ ~ r ,sl 1~
R~CE~Y~O 2 4 F~B ~

Alternatively, a person ean use Personal Tl~ns~:~ivt:l (40) to transmit a Loeal Radio Signal (38) 735 whieh is encoded with data to identify it as an "emergency event" type message. Local Transeeiver (36) receives and decodes Local Radio Signal (38) and passes data to Controller (44).

Controller (~ l~ntifiPc data as an "emergency event" and performs the same activities as described above in 'Notification of General Event'. However Controller (44) will also instruct 740 Interface Circuit (46) to supply electrical power to, and/or close, Electrical Contaets (54). Alarm ~nm1nri~torlc (62) conneck~d to Electrical Contacts (51) will in turn be activated to generate a visual, audible and/or tactile t;ll~ n~;y alarm signal to attract the necessary attention from neighbours or caregivers etc.

745 Controller (~ ) would also send data to Commnnic~tion Port to instruct Personal Computer (56) to; log the event ~etails, and/or activate its Computer Ann--nriAtr,rc t64), and/or use its Fa.Y/Modem/Voice ('ard (60) to place a telephone call over Telephone Network (58) to a remote station. Once ronnPcted to the remote station Personal Computer (56) ~ ould deliver a pre-programmed~ f~x, voice or data message to a computer, radio pager, TTY, and/or telephone etc.
750 identifying the ty-pe and location of emergency event, and a request for Accict,~nne ~'~r~ ti~~ Event When an event alert, "request for aC~ . ~", or "~:,ll~~ ;y event" is to be cAnrr~ a person can use a different button on Pocket Tl,n~ r~ (20) to generate Alert Radio Signal (22) which 755 is encoded as a "cAnrP11Atio-~. event" type message. Event Receiver (28) receives and decodes Alert Radio Signal (22) and passes data to Controller (44).

All~i..~li~,~,l~, a person can transmit a Local Radio Signal (38) using Personal Transceiver (40).
Loc~l Radio Signal (38) is encoded to identify it as a ''cAnr~ ion event" type message. Local 760 T-~sct;i~;- (36) receives and decodes Local Radio Signal (38) and passes data to Controller (44).

Controller (44) idPntifiPc Alert Radio Signal (22) and/or Local Radio Signal (38) as a "nAnr.~-11,~tinn event" and; records the ''c~nrpllAtion event" in an activity log, instructs Interfaee Circuit (46) to return Eleetrieal Contacts (51) to normal status thus deactivating any 765 .~nnnnri~tors7 sends a "nAnrP11Ation event" message to Personal Transeeiver (40).

Controller (~4) wollld also send data to Co-mmllnirAtion Port to instruct Personal Computer (56) to; log the ~rAnrPl~ n event" details, deactivate Computer ~nl....l-: ~nl~ (64), and use Fax/Moderïl/Voice Card (60) to place a t~1oph.~,ne call over Telephone Network (58) to a remote 770 station. Onee connPcted to the remote station Personal Computer (56) ~vould deliver a fax, voiee P~hA~ ED . HEET
IPEA/Al.l , CA 02213796 1997-08-19~C~r~Nz 9 6 / O O 0 1 0 - RECElVFII 2 4 FEB 19~7 or data message identifying that the emergency situation has been t~n~ Pfl and that ~ccict~nce is not required Ir~~ ;ng VVi~le Area Ra(lio Network Cs ~;~n~ti(~ igure 6) 775 A person wishes to send a 'network message' from a remote location to Personal Transceiver (40) The 'net~ork message' is tr~ncmitted over Wide Area Radio Network (32) using Network Radio Signal (34) and is received by Network Transceiver (30) which is tuned to Network Channel Nehvork Transceiver (30) decodes Network Radio Signal (34) and sends the 'network message' data to Controller (44) Controller (44) stores and analyses the 'net~vork message' data, 780 records the 'network message' data in an activity log, and for vards the 'network message' data to Local Transceiver (36) Local Transceiver (36) transmits the 'network message' data to Personal Transceiver (40) using Local Radio Signal (38) and Local Channel If tuned to Local Channel, Personal Transceiver (40) receives Local Radio Signal (38) and generates Message Received Alert (42) using vib~ration, sound, light etc Personal Transceiver (40) then decodes and displays 785 the 'networ~. message' data preferably in te,Yt anWor graphical form Personal Trimsceiver (40) can reply to the 'neh~ork message' by tr~ncmi~ting a 'reply message' on Local Radio Signal (38) using Local Channel The 'reply message' is received by Local Transceiver (36), decoded and passed to Controller (44) Controller (44) stores and analyses the 790 'reply message' data, records the 'reply message' data in an activity log, and fonvards the 'reply message' data to Net~vork Transceiver (30) Network Transceiver (30) lrdn~ the 'reply message' data using Network Radio Signal (34) and Network Channel In this manner, two way comml ni~ ion can take place bet~veen Wide Area Network and Personal Tldns~,~;iv~. (40) 795 Controller (~14) can take ayyl~Jpli~ te action based upon the content of 'net vork message' data and 'reply message' data, such as cign~ling Interface Circuit (46) to operate Electrical Contacts (54), instruct Personal Computer (56) to record message data, activate its Computer ~, ", ~ (64), or send data over Telephone Nehvork (58) 800 Outgoing ~ from Personal Tr..nsce;~ (Figure 7) A person wishes to send a 'personal message' from Personal Transceiver (40) to Wide Area Radio Network (32) The 'personal message' is tr~ncmitt~i by Personal Tldn5c~;ivt;l (40) using Local Radic, Signal (38) over Local Channel Local Transceiver (36) receives and decodes Local Radio Signal (38) and passed 'personal message' data to Controller (44) Controller (44) stores 805 and analyses the 'personal message' data, records the 'personal message' data in an activity log, and fonvards the 'personal message' data to Network Transceiver (30) Netvork T,dnsctivt;

AMEN~ED SHEET
Ir~

CA 02213796 1997-08-lgPCT/NZ9 6 / O ~ 0 1 0 (30) transmits the 'personal message' data to Wide Area Net~vork using Network Radio Signal (34) and Network Channel 810 Wide Area Net-vork ean reply to 'personal message' by tr~ncmi~ing 'reply message' on Net vork Radio Signal (34) using Network Channel The 'reply message' is received by Network Transceiver (30), decoded and passed to Controller (44) Controller (44) stores and analyses the 'reply message' data, records the 'reply message' data in an activity log, and fonvards the 'reply message' data to Local Transceiver (36) Local Transceiver (36) transmits the 'reply message' 815 data using L,oeal Radio Signal (38) and Local Channel In this manner, two way comml nic~tion can take place between Personal Transceiver (40) and Wide Area Network As before, ('ontroller (4~) ean store and analyse the content of 'personal data' and 'reply data' and take appropriate action such as cign~ling Interface Cireuit (46) to operate Eleetrieal Contaets 820 (54), instruct Personal Computer (56) to record message data, activate its Computer Annlln~i~t~rc (61), or send data over Telephone Nehvork (58) Tr-- ing '~ p'~lre Nct~vork Cl m~nir ~fin~ (Figure 8) A eall is placed over Telephone Network (58) to Fax/Modem/Voice Card (60) w~hich is cont lin~d 825 within Personal Computer (56) Fa~/Modem/Voice Card ((~3) answers and receives the call, and deterrnines ~ hether the call is a voice, fax or data call and handles it using ayl,lvp.iatt software Personal Computer (56) then sends 'call data' (eg call type, call content, and/or comm lnriC) to Controller 1(44) via~ Commllninltions Port (52) Controller (44) stores and analyses the 'call data', records al",.vl,lidt~ 'call data' in an activity log, and selects and sends an d~ Iidt~ 'call 830 message' to Local Transceiver (36) The 'call message' may include 'call data' and/or a pre-progr~mm~d message Local T dnsceivel (36) then ~Idll5,111i~S the 'call message' using Local Radio Signal (38) and Local Channel If tuned to Local Channel, Personal Tl~nsc~ cl (40) receives Loeal Radlio Signal (38) and gent~r~tf~c Message Received Alert (42) using vibration, sound, light etc Personal Tldns~ ~iv~;. (40) then decodes and displays the 'call message' 835 preferably in text and/or graphical form Controller (14) may also receive 'call co ,~n~ic~ via Telephone Network (58) to instruct Interface Ciircuit (16) to operate Electrical Contacts (54) and/or send a Local Radio Signal (38) to activate electrical switches on one or more Remote Switches (43) Thereby allo~ving a person or 840 device to remotely control the operation of electrical devices via Telephone Network (58) ~ME~NDI~D ~HEET
iPi~A/AiJ
-CA 02213796 l997-08-l9 P~ NZ9 ~ O 0 1 0 RECEIVEO 2 4 FEB l9g7 Remote Control E~ent In any of the events described above, Controller (44) can choose to instruct Local Transceiver (36) to tran'smit Local Radio Signal (~8) addressed to one or more Remote Switch(s) (43) to instruct Renlote S-~itch(s) (43) to activate one or more of their electrical switches Thus remotely 845 controlling the operation of electrical devices which may be attached to those switches Programming & Softw;lre (Figure 9) The Presenl Invention can be configured to operate in a particular manner by supplying the micro-processor ~ ith programming instructions via Ke~pad (18) and/or the keyboard of Personal 850 Computer (56) The micro-processor will display existing and new configurations via Visual Display (50'~ and/or the screen of Personal Computer (56) The details of any reconfi~1r lti n will also be stored in an activity log located in Controller (41) and Personal Computer (56) Controller (44) can also be cor~lgured by extracting progr lmmi ng comm ~nl1c sent via Nehvork Radio Signal (34) and/or Telephone Net vork (58) This "remote programming" allows a person to configure 855 and control the operation of the Present Invention from a remote location Likewise, Controller (44) can send activity log information to a remote location by using Network Radio Signal (34) or Telephone Net~ ork (58) Personal Transcci~er F~ n~ Selcction (Figure 2) 860 When Personal Transceiver (10) is NOT located within Local Environment (68), Personal Transceiver (40) will be tuned to Network Channel which co~ ;c~ltrc directly with Wide Area Radio Net vork (32) Since Personal Transceiver (40) is out of range of Local Transceiver (36), it will not receive signals detailing events occurring in the Local Environment (68) directly from Local Transceiver 1~36) However the Present Invention may be configured to send event details 865 to Personal Computer (56) wllich then sends event details over Telephone Network (58) using Fax/Modem/Voice Card (60) Telephone Net~vork (58) in turn sends event details to Personal Trancceiver (40) via Wide Area Radio Network (32) Or the Present Invention may send event details to Wide Area Radio Netnork (32) using Network Transceiver (30) 870 When Personal Transceiver (10) enters Local Environment (68) and is in comm~mir~tion range of Local Transceiver (36), Personal Transceiver (40) can be instructed to operate using Local Channel This allo- s Personal Transceiver (40) to receive event details directly from Local Transceiver (36) on the Local Channel In this sitll~tion~ Personal Transceiver (40) will not comm nicate directly with Wide Area Radio Network (32) on Network Channel Instead 875 comm~mir~ltionC ~ t veen Wide Area Radio Net vork (32) and Personal Transceiver (40) will take place via the Present Invention AME~NDEI~ SHEET
IPFA~U

' CA 02213796 1997-08-19 ~ f7 i ~
RECEIV~O Z 4 FEB 1997 The methods used to instruct Personal Transceiver (40) to operate on Local Channel or Network Channel have been dc~ ibed previously. However the following is an operational description of 880 an automatic channel s~itching method.

Local Transceiver 1(36) will periodically transmit a Local Radio Signal (38) which contains a 'null messape' or pr.eamble signal. This 'null message' wil~ ~e of suitable duration and format so that it can be detected by Personal Transceiver (40). Personal Transceiver (40) will periodically 885 or continuously monitor Local Channel for this 'null message'. When Personal Tl~ns~;~ive, (40) detects the ' null message', Personal Transceiver (~0) deems itself to be in commnnin~tion range of Local Tr,ansceiver (36) and hence within Local Euviru~ (68). Personal Tldl~su~iv~:l (40) then begins using Local Channel in a more confin~louc manner so that it can ~on~ te directly wilh Local ~ransceiver (36). Should Personal Transceiver (40) no longer receive 890 periodic null message signals (or any other signal) from Local Transceiver (36), Personal Transceiver (40) will assume that it is out of co--lmnnin~tion range of Local Transceiver (36), and outside of I,ocal Emvironment (68), and will begin operating using Net~vork Channel so as to commnnin~tc directly with Wide Area Radio Network (32).

895 An Alterna.ti~e F~ho~'- ' of the Prescnt In~ention (~igure 3) The follo ing section defines an all~ .livt; embodiment of the Present Invention using componcnt~. m:lmlf~cfllred by a company called Salcom of New Zealand. The function and operation of this embodiment is similar to the previously described embodiment, except that it uses;

~ a POC',AG encoded radio signal for all radio commllnir:lfiûnc ~ a POCSAG comrli~nf radio pager as a receive only Personal Tl~n~ueivel (40), ~ a Salcom 1143 (74) as Pocket Tr:mcmitt~r (20), ~ a Salcom 1143 (74) as Event Tr,n.~ . (14), 905 ~ a Salcom 1140 (76) as Event Receiver (28) and providing Electrical Contacts (54), ~ a Salcom 1521 (78) as a receive only Network Transceiver (30), ~ a Salcom 1110 (80) as Controller (44), Commllni(~fi- n Port (52), and a transmit only Local Transceiver (3~5), 910 One or more Sensor(s) attached to one or more Salcom 1143 (74) can detect an event, and cause Salcom 1143 (74) to transmit Event Radio Signal (16) to Salcom 1140 (76). Button(s) located upon Salcom 1143 (74) can also be actuated by a person to cause Salcom 1143 (74) to transmit Event Radio Signal (16). Event Radio Signal (16) is coded so as to identify the Sensor(s) and/or Button(s) actuated.
~~MENI~IED SHEET
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~ CA 02213796 1997-08-19 ~ ~ ~ Z 9 6 / O O ~ 1 0 ~C~IV~O 2 4 F~B 1997 .

915 Salcom 114() (76) receives and decodes Event Radio Signal (16) and activates specific electrical relays whichl are ~cco~i~tpd with tlle received code When activated, these relays close Electrical Contacts (54) Some of Electrical Contacts (54) are used to activate Alarm ~nlllll~ n rs (62) The ren lining Electrical Contacts (5~) are connected to the input tenninals of Salcom 1110 (80) Depenrii ng on whicll of these re n~ining Electrical Contacts (5~) are closed by Salcom 1140 (76), 920 Salcom 111l~) (80) ~vill select and transmit a pre-programmed 'canned' alpha-numeric message which is stored within its memory The alpha-numeric message is tr lncmittPd by Salcom 1110 (80) and received by Radio Pager (72) as Local Radio Signal (38) using Local Channel Radio Pager (72) activates its Message Received Alert (42) and when instructed by a person, displays the alpha-mlmeric rrlessage Salcom 1521 (78) receives and decodes Network Radio Signal (34) on Network Channel and passes decoded alpha-numeric data to Co m n~mi~tions Port (52) of Salcom 1110 (80) Salcom 1110 (80) lldnsll.iL~i the alpha-numeric data as Local Radio Signal (38) using Local Channel Again, Radio Pager (72) receives Local Radio Signal (38), activates its Message Received Alert 930 (42) and when instructed by a person, displays the alpha-numeric message Radio Pager (72) used with this particular alternative PmhorlimPnt is a Motorola Advisor Pager which has bcen modified to include a manually actuated switch which electricallyconnects/discomlec~s different tuning crystals When Radio Pager (72) moves out of 935 commnnication range of Salcom 1110 (80), Radio Pager (72) must be made to operate on Network Channel This is ~ccomplicllPd by having a person manually actuate the switch on Radio Pager (72) to ~ic~onnPct the Local Channel tuning crystal and insert a tuning crystal for the Networl~ Chanmel Conversely, when Radio Pager (72) is within range of Salcom 1110 (80), a person must manually actuate the switch to change back to the tuning crystal for the Local 940 Channel Salcom IlllO (80) can be configured and programmed via Comm~mi~ti~nc Port (52) This allows for the ~h~nging of 'canned' alpha-nuuneric mesC lg~c~ and modifying the ~halacleli~lics and content of Local Radio Signal (38) Cr~ r, R~ ---c"md Scope of the Invention In conclusion it can be seen that the Present Invention provides a means for keeping a person informed oi-' important events occurring in their surroundings while also ~u~o ling long distance 950 co nm ni~tions This is done using a single, portable, conventional t~l~cnmm ni~tionc device, wllich can operate anytime and al~nost an~rwhere The Present Invention is designed to create an ~M~ D SHEEr PI~/AU

. CA 02213796 1997-08-19 ~ o RECEI~ l 2 4 f~B tgg7 unprecerlPnt~d degree of cQmm-'nications freedom and environmPnt~l safety for deaf and hearing impaired indlividuals. This is accomplished by:

955 Using a plurality of sensors to detect events occurring in the local en~i,onl-.enL. When an event occurs a sigmal is sent from a sensor to a controller which records and analyses the signal and follows a pn~determined course of action. These actions may be to activate an audible or visual alarm, and/c,r activate a remote switch, and/or send a message over a telephone network, and/or send details to a portable device v ia a radio signal.

The Present Invention can also com-nnnir -le with a wide area radio network and a tPIPphr,nP
network and convey message details from these sources via a radio signal to the portable device.
The portable device is also capable of receiving mrcc~Pc directly from the wide area radio nehvork wllen the portable device is not in com-n--nir: tic-n range of the Present Invention.

The Present Invention also provides a portable llim~ lP~ which can be carried by a person and activated to instruct the Present Invention to generate an alarm, andlor send a message to the portable device, andlor send a message over a telPpllone network. The portable device can also be used in place of a separate portable tr,lncmittPr to achieve the above.

The Present Invention is designed so that certain conventional and commercially available tPIPcomm--nic~tion devices such as radio pagers, cellular telephones, or portable computers equipped with a radio modem, can be used as the portable device.

975 The Present Invention can commnnic~t~ with a standard personal computer so that the co--,~ulc.
can; act as an :lnmln~ r, act as an input device to configure the operation of the Present Invention, maintain a log of events and system activities, and use its fax/modem/voice card to co~ nir,:-te with other tPlecommllni~tions devices over a telepl-on~P network.

980 Since the p-crc-~cd Pmho limPnt of the Present Invention is controlled by a Micro-processor, the Present Invention can be configured or progr~mm~Pd to operate in many different ways.

While the above descriptions contain many cperifiriti~Pc these should not be con~l-ued as limiting the scope of the Present Invention but rather as examples of l~-cs~;-lLly preferred embo~limPntc of 985 the Present ]:nvention. Many other variations are possible. For example;

~ The Pre:sent Invention may not comprise Network T-d-~ iv~i~ (30) and therefore not allow Personal T-dnsccivc. (40) to commllnir:lte with Wide Area Radio Network (32). In this ~MEi~i~ED SHEET
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CA 02213796 1997-08-19PCT/~Z 9 6 / Q O 0 1 0 R~C~IVEO 2 4 FEB 1997 possible embodiment the Present Invention would only provide details of events to Personal 990 Transceiver (4(}).

~ Personal Transceiver (40) does not have to be a conventional, commercially available teleco"",lll-lic:-lions device. The Present Invention could utilise a specially designed receiver and/or ll;m~ to fulfill the role of Personal Transceiver (40).

~ Controller (44) fimetionc may be performed by the CPU of a personal colll~ , or otherwise incorporated imto a eireuit board physically cont:lin~d within a personal co~ Jult;l.

~ Networlc Transeeiver (30), Loeal T,dnseeivt;l (36), and Event Receiver (28) rnay also be 1000 loeated on a eircuit board cont~in~d within a personal eomputer.

~ Networlc Tl~ns~eivel (30) may be a receiver only, Local Tldnsceiv~. (36) may be a tr:lncmitter only, Personal Tldn~ ;vrl (4û) may be a receiver only. So that Personal Tldnsc~ivc;. (40) ean onl~ reeeive information from Wide Area Network, and not transmit to 1005 Wide Area Radio Network (32).

~ Personal Transeeiver (40) ean be any device which can send andlor receive information using radio waves sueh as any eomputing device with a wireless modem or radio modem.
This includes so ealled "Personal Digital Assistant" devices.

~ Althoug~h the ~l~r~ d form of the Present Invention has been cre~ifir~lly designed for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, it has use in many security ~pplie~tionc, or in remote monitoring of industrial ~ c~s~es, ete. Basieally a-ly~hele h~lllldtion about events or eonditions must be gathered am1 delivered to a person, along with personal ml~cc:~g~c from people, or other 1015 i.. ru.. ~ion from distant sourees.

~ Event Tl,.llc...illP. (14) eould co-nmllnic:-te with Event Reeeiver (28) using; eleetrieal signals ~-ollv~y~d by an eleetrieal power line, or eleetrieal signals eonveyed by d~ ated wire eonduetors, or ultrasonie sounds, or infra-red light.

~ The funetionality of Remote Switeh (43) may be incorporated into Event Tr:~ncmitter (14) making Event Tr~ncmitt~r (14) a transeeiver. Event Reeeiver (28) may also beeome a transeeiver thereby allowing Controller (14) to instruet Event T-.ln~ P~ (14) via Event Radio Signal (16), to aetivate eleetrieal switches attaehed to Event Tr,.ll~ r~ (14).

~MENI~ED SHEET
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CA 02213796 1997-08-19PCT/~ 9 Ij / O O 1~ 1 0 - RECEIVEO 2 4 F~B 1~7 ~ Another means whereby Personal Transceiver ( I0) is infonmed that it is in (or out of) Local Environment (68) and therefore undertakes to s~vitch its operating channel, could involve the use of a NEDAP "Hands-free" XS Card and NEDAP Access Control System both m~ lf,lrtllred ~)y NEDAP N.V., Groenlo, The Netherlands. The NEDAP system detects 1030 Personal Transceiver (40) entering or lealdng Local Environment (68) and will send a message or signal to Personal Transceiver (40) using either Local T~i~n~;eiv~l (36) or Wide Area Radio Network (32), to instructing Personal Transceiver (40) to switch to an appropriate channel.

1035 ~ E~ent P'adio Signal (16), Alert Radio Signal (22) and Local Signal (38) may all be of the same frequency and fonmat so that Event Tr:lncmitt~r (14) and Pocket Tli.n~ (20) can com~ miczlte directly with Personal Transceiver (40). This means that Event Tr~ncmitt~r (14) and Pocket Tr~ncmittt~r (20) may be capable of generating signals which are compatible with those used by conventional, commercially available telecommlmic~tionc devices such 1040 as; radio pagers, cellular telephon~c, and ~OIII~,UIel:~ using wireless modems.

Thus the scope of the invention should be detennined by the appended claims rather than by the examples given.

~ME~i~31)ED SHEET
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Claims (36)

Claims Though the invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment thereof, many variations and modifications will immediately become apparent to those skilled in the art.
It is therefore the intention that the appended claims will be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.

The embodiments of the Present Invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A telecommunications system comprising;

(a) a first receiver means to receive first information from a plurality of first transmitter means over a first communications channel;

(b) a second radio receiver to receive second information from a plurality of second radio transmitters over a second communications channel;

(c) a controller means to process said first information and said second information and generate third information which relates to said first information and said second information;

(d) a third radio transmitter to transmit said third information to a third receiver over a third communications channel;

so that said controller can communicate information over said third communications channel which relates to information from said first transmitter means and said second radio transmitters.

2. A telecommunications system as outlined in claim 1 further including; said plurality of first transmitter means, which upon detection of a condition, transmit said first information over said first communications channel;

3. A telecommunications system as outlined in claim 1 wherein; said first transmitter means communicate with said first receiver means using electromagnetic radiation; so that a wired communication link between said first transmitter means and said first receiver means is not required.

4. A telecommunications system as outlined in claim 1 further including;

(a) a fourth radio receiver to receive fourth information from a fourth transmitter over a fourth communications channel;
(b) a means for said controller to process said fourth information;

so that said controller can receive information over said fourth communications channel.

5. A telecommunications system as outlined in claim 1 further including;

(a) a means for said controller to generate fifth information;
(b) a fifth radio transmitter to send said fifth information to a plurality of fifth radio receivers over a fifth communications channel;

so that said controller can transmit information over said fifth communications channel.

6. A telecommunications system as outlined in claim 1 or 5 wherein; said second radio receiver and said fifth radio transmitter are adapted to communicate information with a wide area radio network; so that said controller can communicate with a wide area radio network such as a Paging Network or Cellular Telephone Network.

7. A telecommunications system as outlined in claim 1 or 4 wherein; said third radio transmitter and said fourth radio receiver are adapted to communicate information with a conventional telecommunications device selected from the group comprising cellular telephones and radio pagers and computers with radio modems and two way radios; so that said controller can communicate with a commercially available telecommunications device.

8. A telecommunications system as outlined in claim 2 or 3 wherein; said first radio transmitter means is adapted to communicate information with a conventional telecommunications device selected from the group comprising cellular telephones and radio pagers and computers with radio modems and two way radios; so that said first radio transmitter means can communicate directly with a commercially available telecommunications device.

9. A telecommunications system as outlined in claims 1 or 4 further including; a signaling means to cause said fourth radio transmitter and said third radio receiver to alter the channel they operate on, so that when a portable transceiver comprising said fourth radio transmitter or said third radio receiver is in range of said third radio transmitter, said controller can instruct the portable transceiver to begin communicating on said controller's particular communication channels.

10. A telecommunications system as outlined in claim 1 further including; a plurality of electrical contacts and a means for said controller to change the electrical characteristics of said electrical contacts; so that said controller can control the operation of an electrical device connected to said electrical contacts.

11. A telecommunications system as outlined in claim 1 further including; a plurality of electrical contacts and a means for said controller to respond to changes in the electrical characteristics of said electrical contacts; so that said controller can respond to an electrical device attached to said electrical contacts.

12. A telecommunications system as outlined in claim 1 further including;

(a) a data entry means for conveying information from a person to said controller means;
(b) a display means for conveying information from said controller means to a person;

so that a person is able to control the operation of said telecommunication system.

13. A telecommunication system as outlined in claim 1 further including;

(a) a storage means for storing information sent to, and received by, said controller;
(b) a timing means for determining time and date;

so that a record of said telecommunication system's activities can be kept

14. A telecommunications system as outlined in claim 1 further including; an electrical interface means for communicating information between said controller and a microprocessor device connected to said interface means; so that said controller and a computer can communicate information with each other;

15. A telecommunication system as outlined in claim 14 further including said microprocessor device and software means to allow it to communicate with said controller.

16. A telecommunication system as outlined in claim 1 further including a remote switch comprising;

(a) a sixth radio receiver to receive said third information;
(b) a plurality of electrical switches capable of creating open and closed circuit conditions;
(c) a processor means to activate specific said electrical switches depending upon the content of said third information;

so that said controller can instruct said remote switch to activate specific said electrical contacts.

17. A telecommunication system as set forth in claim 1 further including said third receiver comprising;

(a) a means to receive said second information over said second channel;
(b) a means to receive said third information over said third channel;
(c) a channel selection means for switching the operating channel of said third receiver between said second channel and said third channel;

so that said third receiver can be instructed to communicate with said controller by using said third channel, or alternatively be instructed to communicate directly with a wide area radio network by using said second channel,

18. A telecommunications system as set forth in claims 9 or 17 wherein said third receiver's channel selection means is responsive to said signaling means from said controller; so that said controller can cause said third receiver to alter the channel it operates on.

19. A telecommunication system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said third receiver is a conventional telecommunications device; so that a radio pager, cellular telephone, or computer with a radio modem, can be used as said third receiver.

20. A telecommunication system as set forth in claims 4 or 5 further including said fourth transmitter comprising;

(a) a means to transmit said fourth information over said fourth channel;
(b) a means to transmit said fourth information over said fifth channel;
(c) a channel selection means for switching the operating channel of said fourth transmitter between said fourth channel and said fifth channel;

so that said fourth transmitter can be instructed to communicate with said controller by using said fourth channel, or alternatively be instructed to communicate directly with a wide area radio network by using said fifth channel,

21. A telecommunications system as set forth in claim 20 wherein said fourth transmitter's channel selection means is responsive to said signaling means from said controller; so that said controller can cause said fourth transmitter to alter the channel it operates on.

22. A telecommunication system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said fourth transmitter is a conventional telecommunications device; so that a radio pager, cellular telephone, or computer with a radio modem, can be used as said fourth transmitter.

23. A method for allowing a conventional wireless telecommunications device such as a cellular telephone, radio pager, or computer with radio modem to deliver information to a person regarding events and alarms occurring in a local environment, while still allowing the conventional wireless telecommunications device to continue to communicate with a wide area radio network, comprising the steps of;

(a) communicating with a wide area network on one communications channel and (b) relaying said wide area network information along with event and alarm information over a different communications channel which said conventional wireless telecommunications device has been configured to use.

24. A method for a portable radio receiver operating on only one channel, to receive local information from a local radio transmitter, while also receiving network information from a wide area radio network which operates on a different channel, comprising the steps of;

(a) transmitting local information via a local radio signal over a first channel;
(b) transmitting wide area radio network information via a network radio signal over a second channel;
(c) receiving, storing and processing the wide area radio network information;
(d) re-transmitting the wide area radio network information via the local radio signal over the first channel;
(e) receiving both the local information and wide area radio network information with said portable radio receiver via the local radio signal over the first channel;

so that said portable radio receiver can receive both local information and wide area radio network information while said portable radio receiver is operating on the first channel alone.

25. A method as recited in claim 24 further comprising the steps of;

(a) detecting one or more conditions;
(b) generating, information which relates to said conditions;
(c) incorporating the information related to said conditions in the local information;

so that said portable radio receiver can receive information which relates to detected conditions.

26. A method as recited in claim 25 further comprising the step of; changing the electrical characteristics of a plurality of electrical contacts based upon the detection of said conditions;
so that an electrical device connected to said electrical contacts can be activated upon the detection of a condition.

27. A method as recited in claim 24 further comprising the steps of;

(a) transmitting user information from a portable radio transmitter via the local radio signal using the first channel;
(b) receiving, storing and processing the user information;
(d) re-transmitting the user information to the wide area radio network via the network radio signal using the second channel;

so that a portable radio transmitter can send user information to the wide area radio network while the portable radio transmitter is operating on the first channel alone.

28. A method as recited in claim 27 further comprising the step of; changing the electrical characteristics of a plurality of electrical contacts based upon the content of user information;
so that said portable radio transmitter can remotely control the operation of an electrical device connected to said electrical contacts.

29. A method as recited in claim 24 wherein step (a) of communicating information via a local radio signal includes; using a local radio signal and first channel which is compatible with a conventional telecommunications device such as a cellular telephone, or a radio pager, or a two way radio, or a computer equipped with a radio modem; so that a commerciallyavailable telecommunications device can be used as said portable radio receiver or as said portable radio transmitter.

30. A method as recited in claim 24 wherein step (b) of communicating information via a network radio signal includes; using a network radio signal and second channel which is compatible with a public telecommunications network such as a radio paging network or cellular telephone network or radio telephone network; so that said portable radio receiver and said portable radio transmitter can communicate with a wide area radio network used by commercially available telecommunications devices.

31. A method as recited in claim 24 further comprising the step of; automatically transmitting a local radio signal on the first channel in a manner which can instruct said portable radio receiver and said portable radio transmitter to change the channel they operate on; so that said portable radio receiver and said portable radio transmitter can begin operating on the first channel when in communication range of the local radio signal without human involvement.

32. A method as recited in claims 24 or 25 further comprising the steps of using a personal computer to;

(a) communicate the local information with a telephone network;
(b) incorporate information from a telephone network into the local information;(c) maintain a log of activities;
(d) configure the operation of the system;

33. A telecommunication system comprising;

(a) a plurality of condition-responsive devices each of which generates and transmits first information unique to each condition responsive device, over a first communications channel;
(c) a first receiver which receives said first information;
(d) a second radio receiver which receives second information directly from a radio paging network over a second communications channel;
(e) a micro-processor which receives, processes, and converts said first information and said second information into third information;
(f) a third radio transmitter which transmitter said third information to a radio pager over a third communications channel;

so that information relating to a sensed condition and information received from a radio paging network can be sent to a radio pager;

34. A telecommunication system as set forth in claim 33, further including;

(a) controls and visual display which communicate with said micro-processor; so that a human can control, and view the operation of said telecommunication system;
(b) a plurality of electrical contacts who's electrical characteristics can be altered by said micro-processor; so that said micro-processor can control the operation of electrical devices connected to said electrical contacts;
(c) an electrical interface via which said micro-processor can communicate information with an information processing device; so that said micro-processor can communicate with a computer.

35. A telecommunication system comprising;

(a) a plurality of event responsive devices each of which generates and transmits an event signal unique to that event responsive device, said event signals collectively forming first information;
(b) a first receiver means capable of receiving said first information;
(c) a second receiver means capable of receiving second information from a wide area radio network;
(d) a controlling means capable of receiving, processing and converting said first information and said second information into third information and communicating said third information with at least one portable telecommunications device;

36. A telecommunication system comprising;

(a) a plurality of event responsive devices at least one of which is responsive to an event emanating from a wide area radio network using one or more network channels and at least one of which is responsive to an event emanating from a local environment using one or more local channels;
(b) each said event responsive device generating an event signal individual to that event responsive device, said event signals collectively forming first information;
(c) a processing and controlling means adapted to receive, process and convert said first information into second information and send selected second information to at least one individual telecommunications actuated activating device adapted to be activated to generate an appropriate activated signal indicative of a selected event signal.