DE29713655U1 - Portable emergency call system - Google Patents

Description

GRÜNECKER, KINKELDEY, STOCKMAIR *£ SC^WÄNHAUSSER*

LAW FIRM

LAW FIRM MAXIMILIANSTRASSE SS D-80S38 MUNICH GERMANY

LAWYERS

PATENT ATTORNEYS

EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS

DR. HERMANN SCHWANHÄUSSER AUGUST GRÜNECKER DR. HELMUT EICHMANN
GERHARD BARTH

DR. HERMANN KINKELDEY

DR. WILFRIED STOCKMAIR (-1996)

DR. ULRICH BLUMENRÖDER, LLM. DR. KLAUS SCHUMANN CHRISTA NIKLAS-FALTER

YOUR REF.

OUR REF.

PETER H. JAKOB

DR. GUNTER BEZOLD

WOLFHARD MEISTER

HANS HILGERS

DR. HENNING MEYER-PLATH

ANNELIE EHNOLD

THOMAS SCHUSTER

DR. WALTER LANGHOFF

DR. KLARA GOLDBACH

MARTIN AUFENANGER

GOTTFRIED KLITSCH

DR. HEIKE VOGELSANG-WENKE

REINHARD KNAUER

DIETMAR KUHL

DR. FRANZ-JOSEF ZIMMER

BETTINA K. REICHELT

DR. ANTON K. PFAU

DATE

G3728-00185/mmb

31.07.1997

German utility model application "Portable emergency call system" Marc-Henric ASBECK Simrockallee 34

53173 Bonn

TEL 089 / 21 23 50 ■ FAX (GR 4) 089 / 21 86 92 93 FAX (GR 3) 089 / 22 02 87 ■ http://www.grunecker.de ■ e-mail: postmaster@grunecker.de ■ TELEX 529 380 MONA D MAXIMILIANSTRASSE 58 ■ D-80538 MUNICH DEUTSCHE BANK MUNICH, NO. 17 51734, BLZ 700 700 10

Portable emergency call system

The invention relates to a portable emergency call system for people in need of protection with a housing that has a power supply device, a transmitting device and a triggering device that can also be operated manually, wherein when the triggering device is actuated, the transmitting device sends out an emergency call signal, and the portable emergency call system further has a position-determining device and the transmitting device, position-determining device, power supply device and triggering device are housed together in the housing.

Such an emergency call system is known from the German utility model DE 94 11 778 IM. This describes a mobile emergency call device with a transmitter that sends out an emergency signal when triggered. In addition to the transmitter, a locating device is provided that determines a position. This position can be transmitted together with the emergency signal to a receiver station. It is also known from DE 94 11 778 to design the mobile emergency call device as part of an arm or chest band, or as a miniaturized, body-hugging version.

The disadvantage of the known emergency call system is that the emergency call system can be recognized by the attacker during an attack and can be forcibly removed by the person wearing the emergency call system. In this case, the person to be protected can no longer send an emergency call using the emergency call device known from DE 94 11 778 U1.

The invention is therefore based on the task of sending an emergency call signal if the emergency call system is forcibly removed by a violent offender from the person wearing the emergency call system. In addition, the emergency call system should not be recognized as such by an attacker.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the housing has at least one fastening device for detachably fastening the emergency call system to a human body and/or to an article of clothing and that the emergency call system sends out an emergency call signal when the fastening device is opened or severed in an armed state of the emergency call system.

In order to trigger an emergency call if the emergency call system is removed from the person to be protected without authorization, for example by a violent offender, the triggering device can be activated when the fastening device is cut through. This significantly increases the protective effect of the emergency call system, since an emergency call is automatically sent out in the event of a scuffle or an accident in which the emergency call system is torn off.

Another significant advantage of this invention is that it makes the emergency call system more difficult to recognize. Because the housing of the emergency call system is designed in the shape of an item of clothing, toy or jewelry, the emergency call system cannot be easily recognized as such. A person attacking the person to be protected will therefore not try to remove the emergency call system from its wearer, thus making it impossible to trigger an emergency call. Since the person attacking does not expect the person to be wearing such an emergency call system, the person to be protected can trigger an emergency call unnoticed.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the emergency call system, the fastening device can be moved from an open position to a closed position and can have a locking device with which the emergency call system can be moved into an armed state in the closed position. In this armed state, the emergency call system is "armed ^" and is able to send out an emergency call. In the non-armed state, however, the emergency call system cannot send out emergency calls. This has the advantage that the emergency call system can be attached to the body or item of clothing and removed without sending out an emergency call signal. After the emergency call system has been attached, it can be armed by activating the locking device and can perform its protective function.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the fastening device can be attached to the body and/or an item of clothing in the open position. Furthermore, the locking device can lock the fastening device and arm the emergency call system essentially at the same time. This means that the emergency call system can be securely attached to the body and/or item of clothing and made "armed" in one operation using the fastening device. The locking prevents unauthorized or unintentional removal of the emergency call system from the wearer. Since the locking of the fastening device in this embodiment goes hand in hand with the arming of the emergency call system, an emergency call signal can be sent out when the system is unlocked without the emergency call system being put into the non-armed state. For this purpose, in a further advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the emergency call system sends out an emergency call signal when the fastening device is opened or severed, now in the armed state of the emergency call system.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a locking device can be provided to transfer the fastening device from the locked to the unlocked state. In order to prevent unauthorized operation of the locking device, in a further advantageous embodiment, the locking device can only be operated with the unlocking devices provided for this purpose. The locking device can be designed as a magnetic unlocking device with a corresponding magnetic key.

In order to enable the emergency call system to be attached around the neck, foot or arm, for example, a further advantageous embodiment provides for the attachment device to be designed as a band or chain. The attachment device can be used as an antenna or sensor, for example, if a further embodiment provides that the attachment device can be provided with an insert made of conductive material. This can also be achieved by providing the plastic attachment device with at least one internal steel cable insert. The wrist, ankle, neck or waist are preferably suitable places for attaching the emergency call system.

A preferred embodiment of the invention can design the transmitting device as a transmitter for a cellular mobile radio network and/or satellite radio network. This means that inexpensive and commercially available transmitters can be used. Furthermore, at least using cellular mobile radio systems, rough position determinations are possible on the receiver side, so that the position provided by the position determination device can be checked. Such networks also achieve area-wide radio coverage, even in buildings, so that an emergency call can be sent regardless of location.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that the transmitter device can dial any predefined number. This has the advantage that a receiver can be dialed that can evaluate the signal and take rescue measures as quickly as possible.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that the emergency call system can have a storage device on which characteristics of the carrier of the emergency call system are stored. A further embodiment provides that the transmitting device sends these characteristics of the carrier in the emergency call signal sent when the triggering device is activated. This has the advantage that when the signal is received, the characteristics, such as blood group, allergy sufferers or the like, are known and appropriate rescue measures can be initiated. In this case, it can be advantageous if, in a further embodiment, the signal contains an identification key with which the sending emergency call system can be clearly identified among other similar emergency call systems.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a database can be provided on the receiver side, with which the characteristics of the carrier can be made available. This has the advantage that the transmission device can be designed less complexly and only an identification key and the data provided by the position determination device need to be sent. On the receiver side

All data relevant to the operator of the emergency call system can be accessed.

In order to enable the limited resources of the energy supply device to be used as economically as possible, a further design provides that when the trigger device is activated, the transmitter device can only send out the emergency call signal when it comes into contact with the radio cell. This avoids unnecessary energy expenditure due to emergency calls that cannot be received, and the energy supply device can be made small and light. In cellular mobile radio systems, this is conveniently done after confirmation of a successful registration process.

In order to reduce manufacturing costs by using commercially available electronic components, a further development of the invention provides for the position determination to be designed as a module for the global positioning system (GPS). In order to avoid wasting energy through unnecessary position determinations, it can be provided that a position determination is only carried out after the triggering device has been activated. However, it can also prove to be useful if, in a further advantageous embodiment, position determinations are carried out continuously. This means that the path of the person to be protected can be reconstructed on the receiver side.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, a control device is provided, which makes it possible to integrate various tasks of controlling the individual components of the emergency call system in one device.

In a further embodiment, the control device can activate the transmitter device and the position determination device after actuating the trigger device. This saves energy, since the transmitter device and the position determination device can only be activated when required. It is just as advantageous for the energy consumption of the emergency call system if a further embodiment provides that the control device can also deactivate the transmitter device and the position determination device. In this case, the control device can also control the transmitter device after actuating the trigger device so that at least one emergency call can be sent. A further development provides that the control device can control the transmitter device so that the emergency call is only made when there is contact with a

receiving station. This also contributes significantly to reducing energy consumption. This means that lighter and therefore less conspicuous energy supply devices can be used. Furthermore, the emergency call system can be designed so that the control device can control the transmitting device in such a way that the transmitting device can send an emergency call after the position has been determined. This has the advantage that transmission of the position with the emergency call signal is ensured.

If it was not possible to determine the position when the trigger device was activated and a first emergency call was sent, a further advantageous design of the emergency call system provides that the control device can control the position determination device and the transmission device in such a way that if the position was not determined after the trigger device was activated, an emergency call is sent when a position can be determined. This has the advantage that the first emergency call signal draws attention to the dangerous situation at an early stage and that it can be sent out with another emergency call signal as soon as this position is available.

In a further advantageous embodiment, an emergency call signal can be sent after the transmission device has received a signal, so that the receiver can query the position and readiness of the emergency call system to receive. This allows the person to be protected to be monitored remotely. Rescue or security measures can then be initiated using, for example, statistically determined movement profiles of the person to be protected.

Another development of the invention provides that the energy supply device can be rechargeable. The operating costs of the emergency call system are reduced because the purchase of batteries is not necessary. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the energy supply device can provide energy for sending approximately 5 emergency calls. This means that particularly small and light and therefore unobtrusive energy supply devices can be used for the emergency call system.

In the following, the portable emergency call system according to the invention for people in need of protection is explained in more detail using two exemplary embodiments; they show:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the portable emergency call system,

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 a second embodiment of the portable emergency call system in longitudinal section,

Fig. 4 shows the embodiment of Fig. 3 in cross section.

First, the structure of the embodiments shown is explained.

Fig. 1 shows the portable emergency call system 1 in the form of a tie to be worn around the neck of the person to be protected. A power supply device 3 is housed in a visually unobtrusive manner in the knot 2 of the tie. The power supply device 3 feeds a control device 4, to which a position determination device 5 and a transmitter device 6 are connected. All three devices 4, 5 and 6 are attached to the underside of the tie so that they cannot be seen when worn normally. Flat versions of the required components, as are already standard in electronic devices, are suitable for this. A flexible antenna 7 connected to the transmitter device 6 is incorporated into the tie lining in the lengthwise direction of the tie. In order to give the tie a softer appearance that is more in keeping with the actual tie, the individual devices are connected to one another by particularly flexible cables.

The energy supply device 3 also feeds a trigger device 8, which is housed in the collar part of the tie in such a way that the trigger device 8 is not visible when the tie is normally worn with a shirt under the collar. A circumferential band 9 is connected to the trigger device 8 as a fastening element made of flexible, conductive material. At one point, normally located under the shirt collar and therefore not visible from the outside, the material of the tie is interrupted and is only held together by the circumferential band 9. The band 9 is not connected to the tie between the point 10 and the trigger device 8.

The triggering device 8 is connected to the control device 4 via a line 11. An ultra-thin contact trigger 13 for remote triggering with contact 14 is connected to the triggering device 8 via a line 12. Line 12 is led from the trigger 13 at the tie knot to the tie, so that the line 12 can be led through the collar button to any point along the body, where the contact trigger can then be attached (fastening devices of the contact trigger 13 not shown). By leading the line 12 from the tie knot under the shirt of the person wearing the emergency call system, this line 12 is also not visible from the outside.

Fig. 2 shows the basic circuit diagram of the first embodiment mentioned at the beginning. The power supply 3 feeds the control device 4 via a line 15. A memory 16 is connected via line 17 to the position-determining device 5, which in turn is connected via line 18 to the control device 4. The transmitting device 6 is connected via line 19 to the control device 4. The memory 16 is of the type in which a power failure does not lead to a loss of its contents, but the contents can be changed at any time by suitable measures. Alternatively, replaceable memory modules can also be provided. The memory 16 contains various data that are relevant to the person wearing the emergency call system, e.g. an identification key, a telephone number, a blood group, one or more previous health problems, drug intolerances, etc. In addition, the memory 16 can take over and store one or more positions output by the position-determining device, in this embodiment via a line 17. The memory 16 is connected to the transmitter 6. The transmitter 6 represents a digital mobile radio device reduced to sending and logging in. The transmitter 6 and the position determination device 5 are controlled by the control device 4, which repeats the process of determining the position and sending the emergency call if, for example, logging into a mobile radio network fails. The transmitter 6 dials a changeable number stored in the memory 16, e.g. that of the family doctor or an emergency call center.

Lines 16, 17, 18 and 19 are bus systems as known from industry standards. The control device 4 monitors the triggering device 8 via line 11. The triggering device 8 in turn monitors the switch 14 of the remote triggering device.

sensing, and switch 21, which in this embodiment of the fastening element is designed as a pull switch. The trigger device 8 can monitor additional switches.

The second embodiment has great similarities to the first embodiment. Therefore, only the differences to the first embodiment described will be discussed below.

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the emergency call system 1, which is particularly suitable for protecting children, since the emergency call system is in the form of a plush toy, here a teddy bear. The teddy bear is attached with a cord around the neck or arm, or to items of clothing such as school bags or similar. Due to its shape, the emergency call system cannot be recognized as such. It is adapted to the age group of its wearer and therefore cannot be recognized by potential perpetrators of violence. The fastening cord 22 contains a line 7, 9 made of conductive material, which serves as an antenna and at the same time as a sensor 9, which regulates the tearing of the cord 22. When the cord 22 breaks, the trigger 8 is activated. In order to take children's urge to move into account and to avoid false alarms being triggered, e.g. In order to avoid any damage, e.g. due to the fastening cord 22 accidentally tearing during play, the cord 22 should have sufficient tear resistance. The manual trigger button 14 is built into the teddy bear's belly and is also protected against accidental triggering, e.g. due to strong spring forces. In order to make the emergency call system insensitive to mechanical and thermal stress, a housing 23 is inserted into the teddy bear. In order to realistically reproduce the softness and flexibility of a plush toy, and thus to better camouflage the emergency call device 1, the arms are provided without any built-in components and a thick layer 24, e.g. made of foam, is provided between the plush toy surface and the housing 23. It is conceivable to provide several individual housings for the head, torso and legs of the plush toy, which are connected to one another with flexible, tear-resistant cables. This means that all the limbs are soft and flexible, just like an original plush toy. The control device 4 is unlocked and locked using a magnetic key 25, whereby the control device 4 in the locked, armed state can trigger emergency call signals by breaking the line 7 or by operating the switch 14 and activating the triggering device.

In the following, the functionality of the emergency call system according to the invention is described using the first embodiment.

In order to save energy, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, after charging the power supply device 3 and putting the tie-shaped emergency call system around the neck of its wearer, only the trigger device 8 and the control device 4 are initially supplied with power. The trigger device 8 monitors switches 14 and 21, as shown in Fig. 2. By activating the contact switch 14 or by pulling 26 on the tie or tearing the tie at point 10 (switch 21 in each case), the trigger device 8 is activated, which is registered by the control device 4. The person wearing the emergency call system will usually activate the trigger device 8 in this way in an emergency or in the event of danger. However, a violent offender can also unexpectedly pull on the tie, e.g. during a scuffle. The trigger 8 then activates line 12 to the control device. It should be noted here that the function of the triggering device 8 and the control device 4 can also be performed by a single device. The control device in turn activates the position determination device 5, for example a GPS module (global positioning system), which then measures the position and provides the measured position on line 20 of the transmitting device 6. The measured position is loaded into the memory 16 via line 17. After the position has been determined, or if the position has not been determined after a certain time, the control device 4 activates the transmitting device 6, which then attempts to log into one or more mobile networks. If the log-in is successful, the transmitting device 6 reads the memory 16 and sends out an emergency call signal via the antenna 7. This emergency call signal contains all the data contained in the memory.

If the GPS module cannot provide a position, e.g. due to a lack of or poor radio contact with the positioning satellites, an emergency call is still sent, since in mobile networks the position of the transmitter can also be determined via the cell structure. However, since the GPS module can determine more precise positions and the current speed vector, the control device 4 is programmed so that after sending a first emergency call without a GPS position, a further emergency call is sent when a GPS position is available. This can be done by periodically activating the positioning device 5 and

Testing of the line 17 or the memory contents of the memory 16 can be carried out. In the meantime, the control device 4 deactivates the position determination device 5 and the transmitting device 6 in order to save energy. In this case, only the control device 4 and the triggering device 8 are supplied with power.

When the emergency call signal is received at a receiving station, further data on the wearer identified with the identification key contained in the emergency call signal can be retrieved via a database connected there. The emergency call can then be forwarded there.

Claims (29)

Expectations 1. Portable emergency call system for people in need of protection with a housing which has a power supply device, a transmitting device and a triggering device which can also be operated manually, wherein when the triggering device is actuated the transmitting device sends out an emergency call signal, and the portable emergency call system (1) further has a position-determining device (5) and the transmitting device (6), position-determining device (5), power supply device (3) and triggering device (8) are housed together in the housing (23), characterized in that the housing has at least one fastening device for detachably fastening the emergency call system to a human body and/or to an article of clothing and that the emergency call system sends out an emergency call signal when the fastening device (9) is opened or severed in an armed state of the emergency call system. 2. Emergency call system according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening device (9) can be transferred from an open position into a closed position and that the emergency call system has a locking device (25) with which the emergency call system can be transferred into the armed state in the closed position of the fastening device (9). 3. Emergency call system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fastening device (9) can be attached to the body and/or to an article of clothing in the open position. 4. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the locking device (25) essentially simultaneously locks the fastening device (9) and arms the emergency call system. 5. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the locking device (25) is designed as a magnetic unlocking device with a corresponding magnetic key. 6. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the fastening device (22) is designed as a band or chain. 7. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the fastening device (22) is provided with at least one insert made of conductive material (9). 8. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the fastening device (22) is made of plastic with at least one internal steel cable insert. 9. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that when the fastening device (22) is severed, the release device (8) is actuated. 10. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the transmitting device (6) is designed as a transmitter for at least one cellular mobile radio network and/or satellite radio network. 11. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the transmitting device (6) can dial any predeterminable number. 12. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the emergency call system has a storage device (16) on which characteristic values of a carrier of the emergency call system (1) are stored. 13. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the characteristics of the carrier can be transmitted by the transmitting device (6) in the emergency call signals transmitted after actuation of the triggering device (8). 14. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the signal sent by the transmitting device (6) contains an identification key with which the transmitting emergency call system can be clearly identified among other similar emergency call systems. 15. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that a database is provided on the receiver side in which characteristic values of the carrier of the emergency call system (1) can be stored. 16. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the transmitting device (6) transmits the emergency call signal only upon contact with a receiving station after actuation of the triggering device (8). 17. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the position determining device (5) is designed as a GPS (global positioning system) module. 18. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that a position determination can be carried out by the position determination device (5) after actuation of the triggering device (8). 19. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the position determining device (6) carries out the position determination continuously. 20. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the emergency call system has a control device (4) which, according to When the trigger device (8) is activated, the transmitting device (6) and the position determining device (5) are activated. 21. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the control device (4) can deactivate the transmitting device (6) and the position determining device (5). 22. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the control device (4) controls the transmitter device after actuation of the triggering device (8) so that at least one emergency call can be sent. 23. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the control device (4) is activated when the emergency call system is transferred to the armed state. 24. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the control device (4) controls the transmitting device (6) such that the transmitting device (16) transmits the emergency call upon contact with a receiving station. 25. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the control device (4) controls the transmitting device (6) such that the transmitting device (6) sends an emergency call after the position has been determined by the position determining device (5). 26. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the control device (4) controls the position determination device (5) and the transmission device (6) in such a way that if position determination has not taken place after actuation of the trigger device (8), an emergency call is sent if position determination is possible. 27. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that after receipt of a signal by the transmitting device (6) an emergency call signal can be transmitted. 28. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the energy supply device is rechargeable. 29. Emergency call system according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the energy supply device (3) provides energy for the transmission of approximately 5 emergency call signals.