DE69630899T2 - COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for transmitting information, especially - but not exclusively - a warning from a hazard, such as a flood, to people the above a telecommunications system information is to be given.

The task of facing the menacing or actual Warning danger, for example warning the inhabitants of an area, that probably flooded is traditionally through audible local alarms such as Sirens, and by verbal Message has been handled. In addition, one of the Duties of the police include any property that is under their jurisdiction could fall to check around make sure everyone at risk People are safely evacuated.

Recently in the UK the use of sirens completely been stopped. About that you can go where the police have made it available Means overused are on the door-to-door basis of checking that everyone vulnerable Person about the danger is informed, do not leave as an effective warning system. This applies in particular to remote areas in which many local residents travel by road or difficult to walk are reachable.

There are warning systems on the public Based on the telephone system, trying to control the speed, with which the warnings are given to increase during the physical, necessary use is reduced.

For example, JP 06-291870 discloses a procedure for alerting fire departments and individual firefighters about the Existence of a fire. This is done through the implementation of an automatic Telephone messaging system reached, the predetermined syn thetized telephone voice messages a predetermined recipient list transmitted.

For another purpose, GB 2227627 discloses a method with the field service engineer be sent to reported errors in industrial plants. This Revelation leaves focus on synthesized voice messages that have a description of the fault and its location and transmitted over the telephone network become. An error message is sent to the engineer, who is the last one Facility where the reported error occurred Has. If the engineer is not available or if he is not approved, that he can take care of the mistake the warning system in turn tries every engineer from one contact the predetermined list until an engineer confirms the To take on order.

The US 5,559,867 discloses a fully automated call system in which messages can be distributed over the phone to predetermined lists of call recipients. Alternatively, a rectangular area delimited by specific horizontal and vertical coordinates entered by the user can be used to geographically determine a list of call recipients located in the area.

CA 2,153,096 A1 discloses a system similar to that US 5,559,867 , In this system, the selection of call recipients is accomplished by the user selecting one of a number of predetermined sub-areas.

Other warning systems, such as these, have also been disclosed, however their common feature is that of the JP 06-291870 and GB 2227627 is divided in that the organizations and / or individuals to be informed after the occurrence of a particular condition are predetermined prior to the appearance of the condition.

Accordingly, the present invention in a first aspect of a message distribution system for distribution a message about a telecommunications network to a plurality of telephone connections available comprising: a message unit for contacting all connections and Sending a message to everyone; a storage means for storage a database for geographical information that is a variety of geographical Element data using the geographic features of a section of the earth Link geometry data, that define the location of these features and numbers for a plurality of connections and related geometry data that define the position of the connections, includes; an input means for the input of input geometry enable data comprising a display control device arranged so that it allows its user to view the extent of a display area Input geometry data free to choose; an area determining means comprising a display device to display the geographic features of a section of the earth that are marked with the input means and the storage means is connected to a geographical area in the Earth's section based on the Determine input geometry data and a range of delimiting Card parameters for to create this area; a connection dissipative that works with is connected to the storage means for outputting the address data of connections, which are recorded as geographically located in the area, and at Provide these addresses for use by the message unit.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a message distribution system for distributing a message over a telecommunications network to a plurality of communication ports, comprising: a message unit for contacting all ports and sending a message to everyone; storage means comprising a geographic information database that stores a plurality of geographic element data that associate geographic features of a portion of the earth with geometry data that define the location of these features, phone numbers for a plurality of connections, and associated geometry data that determine the position of the connections define; input means to enable input of geometry and environmental data; area determining means connected to the input means and the storage means for determining a geographic area in the earth portion based on input geometry data and the environmental condition data and generating a range of delimiting map parameters for that area; and port derivation means connected to the storage means for outputting the numbers of ports identified as being geographically located in the area and providing these numbers for use by the message unit.

Therefore, a geographically selected circle informed by telecommunications users, for example, about a disaster that are predicted to affect the area. advantageously, can in this aspect of the invention an existing distribution system used that the big one Majority of the population can reach.

Preferably the geographic needed Area selected on a digitized map. The selected geographic Area is then identified by a geographic information system (GIS) translated into a range of delimiting parameters. The delimiting Parameters are used to search for entries from telecommunications users used in a database for telecommunications users, located in this area are included. advantageously, in the case of telephone users, such databases are initiated through government organizations such as the Home Office in Great Britain, compiled by the telephone company. It is therefore not required one for to maintain this application specific database.

It is the result of the search a list of telecommunications numbers assigned to telecommunications users in the selected area correspond.

Preferably, to the effectiveness warning to increase the contact list ordered by an algorithm that causes that those who seem to be in greatest danger be called first. Such categories could be older people, schools, people at the center of the danger zones and those by suitable escape routes or Refuge points are farthest away.

It is also preferred to have entries in the List that contain telecommunication numbers that are not telecommunication users that need to be contacted to be removed from the list, the time until the information is given to each user shorten the contact list. Such Numbers can in the case of the telephone system, for example, public telephones, toll-free numbers, Chat lines and help lines (for example, it is at an organization or company that can have many guides, only necessary the information on the control panel of the security forces or to be sent to reception).

So that a warning and / or others Information that is transmitted should be spread quickly, preferably one automatic telecommunication dialing and messaging facility (one interactive voice application platform (ISAP), used to each Contact number in the contact list. Advantageously thereby enables that a person is able to make thousands of calls from one with a PC connected to a telecommunications network and monitor and so the overheads needed greatly reduce.

The information provided by ISAP each telephone user is preferably relayed either be a recorded voice or text message that is sent through ISAP is converted into a synthesized voice.

It is desirable that any telecommunications number, those dialed by ISAP and the result of each call (for example, whether he answered or was not accepted or whether the line is busy or disturbed war) is logged. In the event that the call is not answered is occupied or that the warning was not successfully issued the call is put back into the queue and a new attempt will be made later.

Preferably, the recipient of the Call asked to confirm that the call was understood, or to request that the message should be repeated, either by an appropriate one Press the button on the receiver handset or by a voice command. This answer is recognized and appropriate measures are taken to repeat or hold the message, that the information was successfully transmitted.

It is also desirable that the results of calls made be used to compile a list of buildings or areas for which there has been no confirmation that the information has been received or understood. This list can be used by the police, for example, so that a preventive visit to each of the relevant buildings can be organized. It is desirable to arrange this list according to priority or for that structure an effective sequence of visits.

It is also desirable to have lists of buildings in the affected area, the buildings without a phone or without a vehicle match, can be created to be a required Evacuation can be planned more effectively.

Preferably in that case to whom the warning concerns a flood, a prediction like the local one Area affected by the flood will be hit, and accordingly one will List of telecommunications users warned of the flood Need to become, with greater accuracy created. Information about the rainfall, the water levels of the rivers, the Tide and marine conditions concern and by climate monitoring organizations available , such as those from the UK Environmental Protection Agency, can be evaluated to predict how the water level of a selected area will rise.

This information is in one Entered computer on which the digitized map is running. The Computer software calculated using that included in the card Contour information, such as the predicted rise in water level will be distributed locally. This procedure creates a resulting one Area or areas on the digitized map that match the predicted Show area of flood. As before, the predicted flood areas as a parameter for selecting the Telecommunications numbers used that make up the contact list should. As previously described, can then appropriate warnings are created and telecommuni- cated to those at risk become.

The category "at risk" preferably indicates in addition to Easily determine which buildings are flooded by the rising water level are likely to be flooded areas that have been clipped or otherwise endangered are. For example, when the water level rises and such Escape routes are cut off from a specific area that Telecommunication numbers of users in this area in the Contact list added.

Preferably the job, people, to warn those who are at risk of danger, also for others Types of danger, such as dangers from the air, realized become; for example in the event of gas emissions or toxic dust particles from the air, as can occur in an industrial accident. How previously described, certain data is entered into the computer, on which the digitized card runs, according to a Algorithm calculates the area that is considered at risk.

In this case, the computer operator gives Parameters, which preferably indicate the origin of the hazard, an estimate of the Volume of the dangerous substance, which was released into the air, and how the scope changed over the course changed over time include. additional Information can the local Have wind conditions, for example the wind speed and direction that determine how the hazard is distributed in the atmosphere becomes. So the shape, direction and size of the resulting cloud of smoke predicted.

In the event of a danger from the Air becomes the endangered Vary the area in a highly time-dependent manner. Therefore becomes the contact list, arranged according to priority preferably estimates show when certain areas are at risk, as well as estimates, when the danger dissolves Has.

Preferably, the interactive nature allows the voice application platform that calls recipients more information can request if you wish by entering an appropriate keystroke on their receiver handset or by voice command. Alternatively, different messages to different recipients be judged. For example, in the case where the message information A natural disaster affects the relayed message depending on the level of danger that the recipient of each call faces should be different; those who are close to the center A disaster can be advised on emergency aid to wait during those who are on the verge of disaster can be guessed to go to the meeting points.

Preferably if ISAP is more as a predetermined number of non-switched numbers in one a line test company automatically determines a certain area initiated.

The results of such a test show which lines are affected and where they are there are. The result of this operation can then be returned to the digitized map can be given so it is graphed can be what the rapid identification and correction of such Error allows: for example whether in the telecommunications telecommunications connection or there is an error in a telecommunications office or whether it is simply a matter of a cluster of unrelated local Line errors or errors in the telephone receivers. This technique allows quick routine testing from local Lines in an area.

ISAP is preferably able to Receive phone calls from the general public and general To give information that a particular situation, in particular an emergency.

Preferably, multiple ISAPs are distributed over a large area and allow requests for emergencies and the like to be routed away from the local telecommunications office where the emergency occurred. This will reduce congestion in the local telecommunications deamt lead, which clears the local telephone network for emergency calls.

Preferably, the invention can do this used to provide non-warning information. To the Example can be from local Authorities used to undertake their intent to start a new road construction project take, announce, or from a power distribution company to a future power cut to announce or from a sales division of a company that intends to to set up a business in a certain area and at the Opinion of those who live there is interested.

Embodiments of the invention will now be more detailed described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

1 Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware architecture of the invention;

2 is a flowchart showing the sequential functioning of GIS;

3 shows the relationship of data and representations in GIS 2;

4 is an example of a telephone user entry;

5 is a block diagram showing ISAP, GIS, local exchanges and associated connections;

6a and 6b Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an ISAP communication process;

7 Figure 11 is a flow diagram showing the delivery of predetermined messages from ISAP to incoming calls from the population.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

With respect to the 1 there is shown a communication system, the function of which is to inform a geographically selected group of telephone users of a potential or actual danger; comprising a digitized map of all areas to be covered by the communication system, which are on a permanent storage medium, such as an optical disk 1 , is saved; a geographic information system (GIS) 2 which is an input means 12 , a display device 13 and a processor device 14 on which the digitized map of each selected area covered by the communication system can be shown; a telephone user database 3 ; a telecommunications network 4 , which is typically a public switched telecommunications network (PSTN); an interactive voice application platform (ISAP) 11 ; for automatic dialing of telephone numbers and transmission of voice information to the telephone receiving devices 5 the call recipient over the telecommunications network 4 ; and a police station 15 who have knowledge of the communication system on the telecommunications network 4 can be informed.

GIS

GIS 2 includes suitable computer hardware, such as a Pentium-based PC. With respect to the 2 include the sequential functions provided by GIS 2 be carried out, running a suitable map display software in step 301 as marketed by Mapinfo Corporation, Centennial Court, Bracknell, Berkshire, UK; displaying graphical map information in step 302 ; receiving operator input in the step 303 that are used to manipulate the information displayed and select areas of interest; calculating step search parameters corresponding to the geographic area of interest 304 ; accessing and searching databases, for example for position and telephone number information in the step 305 ; communicating with other processing devices such as ISAP 11 , in step 306 ; and performing an analysis of various data entries in the step 307 ,

Digitized map

A digitized card, such as one Vector or raster map in scale 1: 10,000 or 1: 2,250, as available from Ordnance Survey, is for this application suitable. The card can be required in several magnifications are reproduced, which is the exact identification of a required area and the characteristics contained therein, such as buildings. Furthermore it is composed of presentation layers with associated data layers. Each presentation layer contains one certain type of information; for example roads, contour lines, dangers, such as bridges and masts, buildings and waterways. A additional Layer is used by the residents of an area used language display when the communication system more as a language area. At a selected area, that on the computer screen can be shown one or more presentation layers are selectively removed. This increases a lot clearly the ability of the operator who needed Identify characteristics.

A data layer is associated with each presentation layer, in which annotations for the presentation are stored. Such annotations can have features such as names of streets, rivers, cities, and contour heights. The comments can be made by the operator of GIS 2 can be selectively switched on or off. In fact, any data entry can be made using the GIS input device 12 automatically on the screen in response to the appropriate display by the operator is selected.

With respect to the 3 this arrangement with the storage locations in GIS 2 for a graphic 8th and their underlying data annotation 7 , shown in the storage locations 9 respectively. 10 , illustrated.

After receiving a message about a potential hazard that may affect a particular geographic location, the operator is GIS 2 able to multiple ways each specific area at risk in GIS 2 To emphasize: First, a special radius can be determined from the center of the danger, which can be suitable, for example, in the event of bomb threats or earthquakes. Second, special streets or individual buildings or other representations, such as country roads or rivers, can be selected. This selection process may be appropriate, for example, in the event of a siege or terrorist activity or river pollution incidents. Thirdly, the extent of the required area can be done manually using the GIS input device 12 to be selected.

Once the geographic selection was defined by the operator, a range of delimiting Map parameters from the GIS2 software derived. These parameters are used by each of the phone users identify its position in the selected area or areas lies.

GIS 2 accomplishes this by accessing a relational phone user database 3 , Such a database can be based on a database such as Oracle ^TM . The telephone user database is compiled in the UK under the direction of the UK Home Office and contains details of telephone users across the area covered by the communications system. These details include at least each user's phone number along with information that relates each user to an identifiable point on the digital map, typically X and Y map coordinates. In this way, the exact location of the buildings in which each user's telephone receiving device (s) are located is known.

In practice, however, each telephone number list file contains additional fields that are useful for realizing the information system. An example of a telephone user list is in the 4 shown. The other information fields allow GIS 2 to rank the contact list according to the urgency of those who appear to be at greater risk. For example, all schools in the selected area are identified in the organization name field and, as such, urgently informed in an emergency.

As soon as GIS 2 the database search for telephone user entries that contain X and Y coordinate values that meet the search parameters has been completed, a list of corresponding telephone numbers is extracted. This forms the contact list.

At this stage the contact list Contain numbers that are not necessarily contacted have to, such as public phones, toll free Numbers, chat lines and help lines. These can be in Great Britain in Case of toll-free Numbers and chat lines recognized by their dialing code and thus from the list be deleted. Public Phone numbers and auxiliary line numbers can be found by searching in other Fields in the phone user entries are recognized. Such Numbers are also deleted. By removing such numbers the total number of calls that must be made is reduced and thereby the speed with which information spreads can be elevated.

The remaining numbers are from GIS 2 ordered so that those who correspond to the users who should be contacted first are placed on the contact list first. People who are in the predicted center of a disaster are generally contacted first. Therefore GIS calculates 2 the distance between each user's position and the predicted center of the disaster and arranges the phone numbers according to the increasing distance order.

However, in the case of schools a high priority given regardless of the relative distance from the center a disaster. This is done by searching the organization name field reached in the phone user database after the presence of the word "school".

If GIS 2 detects a building in a selected area for which no corresponding telephone user file entry can be found, indicating that there is no telephone in the building, the X, Y coordinates of the building over the telecommunications network 4 automatically to the police 15 given. This allows the police to consider a preventive visit to the building to ensure that people who cannot be contacted by phone are safely evacuated in the event of an emergency.

As soon as a contact phone list from GIS 2 is created, it is sent to ISAP as a text file using suitable communication devices, such as the Internet 11 transfer.

The text file being transmitted also contains information regarding the language in which certain messages are to be transmitted. This information is provided by GIS 2 derived from the language layer of the digitized map.

For example, in the event of a storm in the English Channel, warning messages in English can be sent to locations in the UK, while similar messages in French can be sent to those in France can be transmitted.

The text file may also have other data related to each phone number that is directed to GIS by the GIS2 operator 2 to be included in the telephone user database. This will normally include the data from the customer name field to personalize the message that is being delivered.

ISAP 11 performs the warning process by automatically dialing all the numbers on the contact list and sending a predetermined message.

ISAP 11 is able to dial a number of phone numbers and to create and send voice messages from text input or to send saved voice messages.

interactive Voice application platform

A full technical description of ISAP 11 has been given in PCT application WO 93/26113, the content of which is to be included here by reference.

With respect to the 5 includes ISAP 11 a number of processors, including control processors 16 and speech processors 17 that are capable of speech synthesis and speech recognition. An application based on ISAP 11 running, requests voice services through the control processors 16 on the resource allocation of the speech processors 17 handles. A speech processor 17 contains a universal microprocessor, Motorola 68000. These processors operate the multi-program operating system, BxWorks, and four digital signal processors, Motorola DSP56000s, which are connected to the 68000 processor by host port interfaces.

The ISAP 11 Resource manager assigns the DSP and loads the important programs. Since the DSPs can operate multiple channels, multiple applications can share one DSP.

At the current ISAP11 implementation is this is the Motorola DSP56001.

ISAP 11 is usually from the GIS 2 removes and receives a contact list together with attached data in the form of a text file that is sent over a communication network 19 such as the Internet.

ISAP 11 dials any of the phone numbers in the list created by GIS 2 through a local telephone exchange 20 forwarded, and delivers a voice message to people who answer the calls. If the line is busy, a call is not answered or is interrupted during the call, the result is logged and the number is put back into the queue and a new attempt is made at a later time. If the number is not switched, ISAP logs 11 the result is "not switched" and no new attempt is made.

If ISAP 11 If an answering machine is detected on the line, it will transmit the message as usual once it has been confirmed that the device is in the recording mode. This is achieved by identifying the tone emitted by the answering machine, which indicates the start of the recording mode.

But to maximize the chance to send the message directly to the specific telephone user, the phone number is put back in the queue and a new attempt will be made later.

If the recipient of a message from ISAP 11 Due to the interactive nature of ISAP, he receives more information than the one originally given 11 the possibility of requesting additional information either by voice command or by pressing the appropriate button on the telephone receiving device. This additional information can relate, for example, to the predicted duration of the disaster.

ISAP 11 can be programmed to send different messages to different locations. For example, a warning message sent to someone at the center of a predicted national disaster may simply be "keep calm and wait for help", while for the same natural disaster, the warning message to someone in the outskirts may include details of an evacuation operation.

ISAP 11 can also be programmed to contain selected data in a standard message, which is stored in the GIS 2 transmitted text file are included. Such data is specific to each phone number in the contact list and usually includes the names of the phone users to personalize the call.

To avoid the risk of false warning messages, that of ISAP 11 generated a continuous ring so that the user can distinguish it from normal calls.

The information process developed by ISAP 11 is performed is in the flow diagram of the 6a and 6b shown.

In step 101 becomes ISAP 11 initiated. In step 102 the number of remaining numbers to be called is checked. If it is greater than 0, then in step 103 called the next number on the contact list. In step 104 the line is checked to determine whether it is busy or not. If the line is busy, step by step 105 logs that the number is re-queued to be redialed at a later time, and the connection flow is in step 102 lined up again.

If the line is not busy, the step 106 checked that it is a normal Te telephone line. If it is determined that it is a fax or modem line, it becomes in step 107 logged as invalid and the connection process is in step 102 lined up again. Otherwise the step 108 verifies that the line is switched. As such, if it is not switched, it will appear in the step 109 logged and the connection process is in step 102 lined up again. On the other hand, if the number is switched, ISAP checks 11 in step 110 whether the call is answered. If the call is not answered, then in step 111 logs that it is queued, and the connection flow is in step 102 lined up again.

In step 126 it is checked whether an answering machine is available. If it is determined that this is the case, the step 127 sent a warning message. However, in order to maximize the chances of a successful message transmission, the number in the step 128 re-queued for retransmission at a later time. If the call is not answered by an answering machine, then in step 112 sent the introductory message.

ISAP 11 then determined in step 113 whether the line was interrupted or not. If it was interrupted, the step 114 logs that the call is queued again, and the connection flow is in step 102 lined up again. If, however, the line was not interrupted, the step 115 the message from ISAP 11 transmitted. In step 116 the line is checked again for an interruption. If the line was interrupted, the step 117 logs that the number is put back into the queue, and the connection expires at 102 lined up again. If no interruption has occurred, ISAP asks 11 in step 118 Confirm the recipient of the call that he / she understood the message or wants the message to be repeated. In step 119 checks ISAP 11 again that the line was not interrupted. If an interruption occurred, at 120 logs that the number is put back into the queue, and the connection flow is in step 102 lined up again.

However, if no interruption has occurred, then ISAP logs 11 if the message in step 121 is confirmed by the call recipient in step 122 that the called number was successfully answered. The connection process is in step 102 lined up again.

But if in step 121 no confirmation is received, ISAP checks 11 in step 123 whether a request has been made to repeat the message. Both in the crotch 121 as well as 123 the answer of the call recipient can take the form of a key press on the telephone receiving handset or, alternatively, a voice command. If no repeat request is found, then in step 124 logs that the number is put back into the queue after a reasonable delay, for example after 20 seconds. The connection process is then in step 102 lined up again. However, if a retry request is found, then the connection process in step 113 lined up again.

If in step 102 the number of remaining calls is zero, the connection process ends in step 125 ,

SECOND EMBODIMENT

The second embodiment generally performs the same function as the first embodiment. However, GIS leads 2 additionally algorithms that are used to predict the effects of the risk of flooding and airborne hazards.

flooding

For a certain flood water level, GIS 2 Using the contour information in the digitized map, an area flooded by the flood water is calculated and displayed graphically using a standardized area filling algorithm.

Alternatively, information from environmental monitoring agencies, such as the UK Environmental Protection Agency, which monitors rainfall, river levels, tides and sea conditions, and the UK Weather Agency, which monitors precipitation using weather radar, is used to predict changes in local water levels. These estimated changes in local water levels are in GIS 2 entered, which calculates the land area that will be flooded due to a given increase in water level.

It is using a flooding algorithm, such as is available from the UK Environmental Protection Agency, which determines how the flood water with regard to the contour information, that is contained in the digitized map flows, one Flood response calculated to identify areas that are considered at risk.

Dangers the air

Gases can pose dangers from the air and have suspended particles such as dust and vapors, how they could be released as a result of an industrial accident.

In this case, the operator gives the location of the emission point along with an estimate of how the emission rate has changed over time or changed, a. Information regarding the strength and direction of local wind directions is also entered. A commercially available "dust cloud detection" algorithm, such as the Atmospheric Dispersion Model (published by the International Atomic Energy Agency ISBN 92-0-623180-4, available from the British HMSO [Her Majesty's Stationery Office = government agency for the sale of Government, United Nations, and other international organizations publications, and stationery sales] is used to provide an assessment of the area where people may be at risk, and this area is being digitized as previously described Map shown to show vulnerable areas.

In the event of hazards such as flooding and aerial hazards, these areas are identified by GIS 2 searches for phone number list files with a position field that meets the search parameters as described in the first embodiment. The results of this search then form the contact list, which corresponds to the buildings of vulnerable telephone users in the affected area.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

The third embodiment of the invention generally performs the same functions as the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, however, searches for GIS 2 not only for buildings located in the affected area, as in the first and second embodiments, but also outside of the affected area for buildings isolated, for example, by a natural disaster. In this embodiment, buildings that have been isolated in this way are also considered to be at risk, even if they are not directly in the affected area.

For example, a village with only applies an access road, blocked or likely blocked by the flood, just as vulnerable as all the buildings inside.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT

The fourth embodiment of the invention generally performs the same functions as the first to third embodiments. But if the connection flow from ISAP 11 in step 125 the 6a completed, the resulting ISAP 11 Call list created back to GIS for evaluation 2 be transmitted.

GIS 2 can graphically display the logged result with respect to each phone number in the contact list through a model in the digital map.

Therefore, the positions of all messages that have been successfully transmitted can be controlled by the GIS operator 2 be considered. Invalid or not switched numbers can also be displayed in a similar way.

GIS 2 can analyze these results and, using a grouping algorithm, identify the smallest area that contains, for example, 90% of all numbers that were not switched. This information can then be obtained from the police 15 be used over a suitable telecommunications network 4 or can be used to accurately map telephone line fault areas.

FIFTH EMBODIMENT

In a fifth embodiment of the invention, ISAP 11 used to make test calls to phone numbers in a contact list created by GIS 2 was created to test the integrity of the telecommunications network in a selected area. The calls are answered by PSTN 4 discontinued as described in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the area of interest is selected in GIS 2, and GIS 2 creates a contact list attached to ISAP 11 as previously described. This list can consist of the phone numbers that ISAP 11 logged as not switched and which, for example in the fourth embodiment, were subsequently transmitted back to GIS. The numbers in the contact list are sequential through ISAP 11 tested and the results of these tests are recorded. The tests performed include standardized cable test procedures using capacitive and resistance tests that can be performed from only one end of the line under test.

The route to a short circuit is determined using the resistance test provided that that the resistance per meter of telecommunication cable is known. Will be similar the distance to an open circle through the capacity to the mass determined between the pair of cables. Therefore, both the route of short circuits as well as open circles automatically determined from the test point.

The logging of call results by ISAP 11 listed will automatically be returned to GIS 2 transmitted. This means that every building with an associated fault can be graphically displayed together with the identified fault points.

This makes it possible to determine that the location of a short circuit or open circuit in a particular Telephone exchange, a recipient or a line lies.

This means that non-switched numbers that are related to each other through a common error, such as in ei a common telephone cable or telephone exchange, can be quickly made operational again.

SIXTH EMBODIMENT

In the sixth embodiment, ISAP 11 Configured to answer incoming calls from the population regarding the nature and status of a given situation, particularly a crisis or natural disaster, using standard telephone equipment.

The caller gets ISAP 11 calls, given the opportunity to listen to one of a selection of reports, which is selected either by voice command or by pressing a key on the receiving device.

With respect to the 7 is ISAP 11 in step 201 in a waiting state and waiting for an incoming request call. In step 202 takes ISAP 11 after making a request call, answer the call. In step 203 ISAP announces 11 the caller to select reports from which the caller can select one to listen to. In step 204 determines ISAP 11 whether the call was interrupted or not. If the call is interrupted, ISAP disconnects 11 the call in step 207 and returns to the waiting state in step 201 back. On the other hand, if the line was not interrupted, the caller dials in step 205 the desired report (with the standard report being the first in the list). In step 206 the selected report is played to the caller. In step 207 the call is disconnected and the waiting state is resumed.

In practice there are several ISAP 11 spread over a large area, thereby allowing requests related to emergencies and the like to be redirected from the local telecommunications office where the emergency occurred to remote telecommunications offices. This leads to a reduction in the call load in the local exchange and thus reduces the likelihood of blockages in the local exchange. This, in turn, increases the likelihood that the local telephone exchange will be able to operate the emergency call without hindrance.

In the described embodiments, GIS identifies 2 the numbers of phone users in a selected geographic area by using the parameters of the selected area to locate the location fields of a phone user database 3 searched. However, the invention can equally be done by programming GIS 2 to search for buildings or dwellings using building layers of the digitized map and associated data layer of the selected geographic area.

For every building found corresponding geographic positions are calculated or from the associated Get data layer. The location information that each building or Residential home is then used to look for an appropriate one Search phone number in the phone user database, so a Contact list can be created.

In the described embodiments the telecommunications network used by the invention is a public one switched telephone network. But there could also be other telecommunication networks like for example an email network or the internet, to carry out the invention. Indeed in the case of email, for example, form email addresses instead of telephone numbers the contact addresses.

Claims (26)

Message distribution system for distributing a Message about a telecommunications network to a plurality of telephone connections, comprising: a Message unit for contacting all connections and Sending a message to everyone; a storage means for storage a database for geographical information that is a variety of geographical Element data using the geographic features of a section of the earth Link geometry data, that define the location of these features and numbers for a plurality of connections and related geometry data that define the position of the connections, includes; an input means to input input geometry data to allow comprising a display control device arranged so that it allows its user to view the extent of a display area Free choice of input geometry data; an area determining means, comprising a display device for displaying the geographical features a section of earth connected to the input means and the storage means connected to a geographical area in the Earth's section to determine the basis of the input geometry data and one Create a range of defining map parameters for this area; on Terminal discharge means connected to the storage means is to output the phone numbers of connections that are considered geographical are recorded lying in the area, and for delivering the numbers for use by delivering the numbers for use by the message unit. A message distribution system for distributing a message over a telecommunications network to a plurality of telephone lines, comprising: a message unit for contacting everyone Connecting and sending a message to everyone; storage means comprising a geographic information database that stores a plurality of geographic element data that associate geographic features of a portion of the earth with geometry data that define the location of these features, phone numbers for a plurality of connections, and associated geometry data that determine the position of the connections define; input means to enable input of geometry and environmental data; area determining means connected to the input means and the storage means for determining a geographic area in the earth portion based on input geometry data and the environmental condition data and generating a range of delimiting map parameters for that area; and port deriving means connected to the storage means for outputting the phone numbers of ports identified as being geographically in the area and providing the numbers for use by the message unit. The system of claim 2, wherein the environmental condition data Include data related to water level. The system of claim 2, wherein the environmental condition data refer to wind conditions. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the message relates to an emergency. System according to any preceding claim comprising a message generator for creating a text message and a text for the speech synthesizer to convert the text message into a synthesized one Voice message for transmission via the Telecommunications network. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the message transmitted to each connection a common one Message component that is common to all connections, and one specific message component that depends on each connection selected from the data stored in relation to this port. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the connection derivation means is arranged so that it the phone numbers in an order that matches the geographic locations of the connections related in the area. The system of claim 8, wherein the order determines that the message unit with the innermost ports in the area before the extreme connections communicated in the area. System according to any preceding claim comprising a means of determining whether a message is successful was delivered to a connection. The system of claim 10, wherein the determining means is arranged so that there is an acknowledgment signal from the telecommunications network from the user of the port. The system of claim 10, further comprising an agent to initiate a line test in the connected to the communication port Telecommunications network section. The system of claim 10, further comprising an analysis means to analyze a successful forwarding to the connections. The system of claim 13, wherein the analysis means is arranged so that it is the geographical distribution of connections the forwarding was unsuccessful. The system of claim 13, wherein the locations of the ports are at that the forwarding was unsuccessful on the display device are displayed. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the geographic element data represent buildings. The system of claim 16 comprising means for Compile a list of phone numbers generated by the line derivative are output and selective removal of the phone numbers that uninhabited buildings from the list. A system as claimed in any preceding claim means for determining the phone numbers derived from the line derivation means by the relative distances of the related stored data items are output to the center of the geographic area become. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the geographical area corresponds to an area in which residents may be in danger. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the stored data items are defined by defining an area in which residents to be contacted. System according to any preceding claim arranged so that each phone number contacts and a predetermined one Information is passed on. The system of claim 21, wherein each phone number is a later Selected time again if the information was not successfully forwarded. The system of claim 21 or 22, wherein the information includes a recorded voice message. The system of claim 21 or 22, wherein the information includes a text message that is synthesized into a voice message is converted. The system of claim 21, wherein each number is unique is scheduled and handled. A system as claimed in any preceding claim further database means for storing additional data elements, the for each Users are specific, with each call being at least one additional Has data element.