EP0369737A2 - Emergency warning means - Google Patents
Emergency warning means Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0369737A2 EP0369737A2 EP89311765A EP89311765A EP0369737A2 EP 0369737 A2 EP0369737 A2 EP 0369737A2 EP 89311765 A EP89311765 A EP 89311765A EP 89311765 A EP89311765 A EP 89311765A EP 0369737 A2 EP0369737 A2 EP 0369737A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- emergency warning
- alarm
- warning means
- visual display
- means according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B7/00—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00
- G08B7/06—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00 using electric transmission, e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
- G08B7/064—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00 using electric transmission, e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources indicating houses needing emergency help, e.g. with a flashing light or sound
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
- G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
- G08B25/016—Personal emergency signalling and security systems
Definitions
- This invention relates to emergency warning means.
- Doctors or emergency services such as ambulances, fire brigade and the police frequently have difficulty in locating a particular address, especially after dark.
- the number or name of a particular house or building is frequently on or adjacent the front door, is frequently in an inconspicuous position and/or is frequently at the end of a path or drive, making it extremely difficult to identify the house or premises from the road, particularly when the road is unlit or badly lit.
- Another situation which frequently occurs is that of an elderly or infirm person living alone who may suffer illness or injury which prevents them from reaching a telephone or a neighbour to summon assistance.
- the present invention has as its object to provide emergency warning means which will be useful in some or all of the aforesaid situations.
- the present invention provides emergency warning means comprising alarm means for mounting in a window, switch means for actuating said alarm means, operating means for operating said switch means in response to received radiated signals and manually operable portable remote transmitter means for transmitting signals to said operating means.
- Said alarm means may comprise a visual and/or audible alarm.
- the alarm means comprises a visual display which includes the number or name of the premises in which the emergency warning means is located.
- a visual display in the window of a dwelling house or other premises immediately enables the premises to be readily identified by a doctor or any of the emergency services, particularly after dark.
- the alarm means may comprise a red flashing visual display, e.g., which comprises the word "HELP”, the letters “SOS” or other written legend, for attracting attention, e.g., of passers-by in the event of an emergency.
- a red flashing visual display e.g., which comprises the word "HELP”, the letters “SOS” or other written legend, for attracting attention, e.g., of passers-by in the event of an emergency.
- said number or name can be displayed both independently of and in conjunction with said red flashing visual display.
- a person who is simply expecting a visit from the doctor or one of the emergency services can simply display the number or name of the premises whereas a person requiring assistance can display both the number or name of the premises and said red flashing visual display.
- a flashing visual display coloured green or any other colour other than red may be provided and may be actuated when said number or name is displayed independently of said red flashing visual display simply to attract the attention of a doctor or other person trying to locate the premises.
- the or each said visual display may comprise one or more LED's (light emitting diodes) and/or LCD's (liquid crystal displays).
- the or each visual display may comprise a translucent or other suitable panel having a plurality of LED's located therebehind for providing illumination thereof.
- a suitable mask or masks may be provided between the translucent or like panel and the LED's for providing the name or number of premises or a legend such as "HELP".
- the name or number of the premises and/or a legend such as the word "HELP" may be provided by a suitably arranged array of LCD's.
- the alarm means comprises at least one electronic sounder.
- Such at least one electronic sounder may be actuated only when said red flashing visual display is actuated and is preferably designed to provide sound of a frequency and volume which will attract attention and/or act as a deterrent to an intruder in a persons home.
- Such a sounder or sounders once actuated will discourage an intruder or intruders from starting or continuing an attack upon a person in their own home.
- Said manually operable portable remote transmitter means preferably comprises a transmitter operable by a simple button or switch and which can readily be carried or worn upon the person, e.g., in a pocket or on a wrist strap, on a cord or chain around the neck, on a belt or the like.
- the important thing is that the transmitter will be readily to hand should it be required in an emergency, e.g., in the event of a sudden illness or injury or in the event of a sudden attack by an intruder or intruders.
- Said switch means may comprise an electronic switch and said operating means comprise a receiver for receiving radiated signals from said remote transmitter means and means for amplifying the received signals.
- a latching circuit and manual reset may be provided for maintaining said switch means closed once actuated until manually reset.
- a suitable reset button may be provided.
- the transmitter means may be adapted to transmit signals at two or more different frequencies and said operating means may comprise two or more frequency discriminator circuits. In this way, the visual display comprising said number or name can be displayed either independently of or in conjunction with said red flashing visual display.
- the emergency warning means comprises alarm means 1 for mounting in a window.
- the alarm means may be adapted for standing upon a window sill or the like or may comprise suitable means, such as suitable hook means, suction means, adhesive pads or the like whereby the alarm means can be mounted within or upon a window.
- the alarm means comprises a visual display 2 comprising the number or name of the premises in which the alarm means is located as indicated at 3 and a plurality of LED's 4 for illuminating the number or name 3.
- the LED's 4 may emit white or yellow light and may be arranged for the continuous emission of light once the alarm means has been actuated.
- the alarm means further comprises a red flashing visual display 5 which in the embodiment illustrated comprises the word "HELP" as shown at 6.
- the red flashing visual display 5 may comprise an array of LED's similar to the visual display 2.
- Two further visual displays are provided, namely a plain red flashing visual display 7 and a plain green flashing visual display 8.
- the arrangement is such that the visual display 2 can be actuated with the green flashing visual display 8 when the warning means is simply being used to guide a doctor or one of the emergency services to a particular location or in conjunction with the red flashing visual displays 5 and 7 in the case of an emergency, e.g., in the event that a person is ill, has suffered injury or has suffered or is under threat of attack as by an intruder.
- the alarm means comprises at least one electronic sounder which will be actuated only when the red flashing visual displays 5 and 7 are actuated in conjunction with the visual display 2.
- the at least one electronic sounder is of a pitch and volume both to attract attention and to distract, and hopefully deter, an intruder.
- the emergency warning means of the invention comprises a manually operable portable remote transmitter means 9 having a first transmitter circuit means 10 for transmitting signals on a first frequency, e.g., 4 khz, and a second transmitter circuit means 11 for transmitting signals on a second frequency, e.g., of say 5 khz.
- a first transmitter circuit means 10 for transmitting signals on a first frequency, e.g., 4 khz
- a second transmitter circuit means 11 for transmitting signals on a second frequency, e.g., of say 5 khz.
- Each of the transmitter circuits 10 and 11 is as shown in Figure 3 and each comprises a manually operable push button 12.
- the alarm means comprises a receiver 13 for receiving radiated signals from the transmitters 10 or 11, frequency discriminator circuits 14 and 15 for discriminating between the signals received from the circuits 10 and 11, and electronic switch and latching circuits 16 and 17 one of which actuates the visual displays 2 and 8 and the other of which actuates the visual displays 2, 5 and 7 and the electronic sounders.
- the electronic switch and latching circuits 16, 17 ensure that the selected elements of the alarm means remain activated until manually reset by the manual reset 18.
- the receiver circuit which is of the super regenerative variety, is illustrated in Figure 4 and may be tuned to any suitable frequency.
- the transmitter 9 is preferably adapted to be worn or carried on the person, e.g., in a pocket or on a wrist strap, around the neck on a chain or cord or on a belt.
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to emergency warning means.
- Doctors or emergency services such as ambulances, fire brigade and the police frequently have difficulty in locating a particular address, especially after dark. The number or name of a particular house or building is frequently on or adjacent the front door, is frequently in an inconspicuous position and/or is frequently at the end of a path or drive, making it extremely difficult to identify the house or premises from the road, particularly when the road is unlit or badly lit.
- Another situation which frequently occurs is that of an elderly or infirm person living alone who may suffer illness or injury which prevents them from reaching a telephone or a neighbour to summon assistance.
- Yet another situation which is arising with ever more frequency is that of attacks upon people, particularly elderly people or women on their own, in their own homes.
- The present invention has as its object to provide emergency warning means which will be useful in some or all of the aforesaid situations.
- The present invention provides emergency warning means comprising alarm means for mounting in a window, switch means for actuating said alarm means, operating means for operating said switch means in response to received radiated signals and manually operable portable remote transmitter means for transmitting signals to said operating means.
- Said alarm means may comprise a visual and/or audible alarm.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the alarm means comprises a visual display which includes the number or name of the premises in which the emergency warning means is located. Such a visual display in the window of a dwelling house or other premises immediately enables the premises to be readily identified by a doctor or any of the emergency services, particularly after dark.
- The alarm means may comprise a red flashing visual display, e.g., which comprises the word "HELP", the letters "SOS" or other written legend, for attracting attention, e.g., of passers-by in the event of an emergency.
- Preferably, said number or name can be displayed both independently of and in conjunction with said red flashing visual display. In this way, a person who is simply expecting a visit from the doctor or one of the emergency services can simply display the number or name of the premises whereas a person requiring assistance can display both the number or name of the premises and said red flashing visual display. If desired, a flashing visual display coloured green or any other colour other than red may be provided and may be actuated when said number or name is displayed independently of said red flashing visual display simply to attract the attention of a doctor or other person trying to locate the premises.
- The or each said visual display may comprise one or more LED's (light emitting diodes) and/or LCD's (liquid crystal displays). Thus, for example, the or each visual display may comprise a translucent or other suitable panel having a plurality of LED's located therebehind for providing illumination thereof. A suitable mask or masks may be provided between the translucent or like panel and the LED's for providing the name or number of premises or a legend such as "HELP". Alternatively, the name or number of the premises and/or a legend such as the word "HELP" may be provided by a suitably arranged array of LCD's.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the alarm means comprises at least one electronic sounder. Such at least one electronic sounder may be actuated only when said red flashing visual display is actuated and is preferably designed to provide sound of a frequency and volume which will attract attention and/or act as a deterrent to an intruder in a persons home. Such a sounder or sounders once actuated will discourage an intruder or intruders from starting or continuing an attack upon a person in their own home.
- Said manually operable portable remote transmitter means preferably comprises a transmitter operable by a simple button or switch and which can readily be carried or worn upon the person, e.g., in a pocket or on a wrist strap, on a cord or chain around the neck, on a belt or the like. The important thing is that the transmitter will be readily to hand should it be required in an emergency, e.g., in the event of a sudden illness or injury or in the event of a sudden attack by an intruder or intruders.
- Said switch means may comprise an electronic switch and said operating means comprise a receiver for receiving radiated signals from said remote transmitter means and means for amplifying the received signals. A latching circuit and manual reset may be provided for maintaining said switch means closed once actuated until manually reset. To this end a suitable reset button may be provided. The transmitter means may be adapted to transmit signals at two or more different frequencies and said operating means may comprise two or more frequency discriminator circuits. In this way, the visual display comprising said number or name can be displayed either independently of or in conjunction with said red flashing visual display.
- The invention will be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
- Figure 1 is a front elevation of emergency warning means according to the present invention,
- Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the emergency warning means of Figure 1,
- Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of manually operable transmitter means forming part of the emergency warning means of the invention,
- Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of a receiver forming part of the emergency warning means of the invention, and
- Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of a bandpass filter used in the emergency warning means of the invention.
- Referring to Figure 1 it will be seen that the emergency warning means comprises alarm means 1 for mounting in a window. To this end the alarm means may be adapted for standing upon a window sill or the like or may comprise suitable means, such as suitable hook means, suction means, adhesive pads or the like whereby the alarm means can be mounted within or upon a window.
- The alarm means comprises a
visual display 2 comprising the number or name of the premises in which the alarm means is located as indicated at 3 and a plurality of LED's 4 for illuminating the number orname 3. The LED's 4 may emit white or yellow light and may be arranged for the continuous emission of light once the alarm means has been actuated. - The alarm means further comprises a red flashing
visual display 5 which in the embodiment illustrated comprises the word "HELP" as shown at 6. The red flashingvisual display 5 may comprise an array of LED's similar to thevisual display 2. - Two further visual displays are provided, namely a plain red flashing
visual display 7 and a plain green flashingvisual display 8. - The arrangement is such that the
visual display 2 can be actuated with the green flashingvisual display 8 when the warning means is simply being used to guide a doctor or one of the emergency services to a particular location or in conjunction with the red flashingvisual displays - Additionally, although not shown, the alarm means comprises at least one electronic sounder which will be actuated only when the red flashing
visual displays visual display 2. The at least one electronic sounder is of a pitch and volume both to attract attention and to distract, and hopefully deter, an intruder. - Referring now to Figure 2 it will be seen that the emergency warning means of the invention comprises a manually operable portable remote transmitter means 9 having a first transmitter circuit means 10 for transmitting signals on a first frequency, e.g., 4 khz, and a second transmitter circuit means 11 for transmitting signals on a second frequency, e.g., of say 5 khz. Each of the
transmitter circuits 10 and 11 is as shown in Figure 3 and each comprises a manuallyoperable push button 12. - The alarm means comprises a receiver 13 for receiving radiated signals from the
transmitters 10 or 11, frequencydiscriminator circuits 14 and 15 for discriminating between the signals received from thecircuits 10 and 11, and electronic switch andlatching circuits visual displays visual displays latching circuits manual reset 18. - The receiver circuit, which is of the super regenerative variety, is illustrated in Figure 4 and may be tuned to any suitable frequency.
- The
transmitter 9 is preferably adapted to be worn or carried on the person, e.g., in a pocket or on a wrist strap, around the neck on a chain or cord or on a belt.
Claims (13)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8827070 | 1988-11-18 | ||
GB8827070A GB2225463A (en) | 1988-11-18 | 1988-11-18 | Emergency warning means |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0369737A2 true EP0369737A2 (en) | 1990-05-23 |
EP0369737A3 EP0369737A3 (en) | 1991-04-24 |
Family
ID=10647117
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19890311765 Withdrawn EP0369737A3 (en) | 1988-11-18 | 1989-11-14 | Emergency warning means |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0369737A3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2225463A (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2293678A (en) * | 1994-09-27 | 1996-04-03 | Hill Kenneth William George | Illuminated house signs |
GB2317984A (en) * | 1996-10-03 | 1998-04-08 | Mark John Sanders | House sign lighting and alerting system |
WO1999026208A1 (en) * | 1997-11-14 | 1999-05-27 | The Nottingham Trent University | Security and emergency alarm system |
WO1999045278A3 (en) * | 1998-03-03 | 1999-10-14 | P E R Flucht Und Rettungsleits | Escape route indicator for actively luminous illuminated route systems |
WO2001097188A1 (en) * | 2000-06-14 | 2001-12-20 | Kaiser Richard A | Multi-functional smoke detector and signal device |
DE102007031805A1 (en) | 2007-07-07 | 2009-01-08 | Gerhard Stenzel | Emergency light with opal glass front cover, fitted to external wall of building, includes internal illumination and externally-visible flashing red lamp |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2467922A (en) * | 2009-02-19 | 2010-08-25 | Robin William Shapero | Wireless distress alarm for the elderly or infirm |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3911425A (en) * | 1974-09-05 | 1975-10-07 | Hrand M Muncheryan | Alarm system for signalling for emergency help |
GB2067803A (en) * | 1980-01-18 | 1981-07-30 | Triumph Adler Buero Inf | Emergency call system |
DE3334025A1 (en) * | 1983-09-21 | 1985-04-04 | Herbert 6720 Speyer Kripp | Installation facility for a building |
US4514725A (en) * | 1982-12-20 | 1985-04-30 | Bristley Barbara E | Window shade mounted alarm system |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1505494A (en) * | 1966-11-02 | 1967-12-15 | Kodak Pathe | High sensitivity contactor and its application in particular to an alarm device for lone workers |
US3588858A (en) * | 1968-06-07 | 1971-06-28 | Atlantic Richfield Co | Safety alarm system |
GB1489385A (en) * | 1973-12-10 | 1977-10-19 | Anatronics Corp | Alarm signal communication systems |
GB2027239A (en) * | 1978-07-18 | 1980-02-13 | Gorman P E | Alarms for summoning assistance |
GB2045492A (en) * | 1979-03-15 | 1980-10-29 | Balmore Eng Ltd | Alarm device |
JPS56107427A (en) * | 1980-01-30 | 1981-08-26 | Ozen Co Ltd | Switching device for energizing responsive to sound for predetermined time |
GB2093241B (en) * | 1981-02-13 | 1984-08-01 | Mansfield Joan | Distress alarm apparatus for buldings |
-
1988
- 1988-11-18 GB GB8827070A patent/GB2225463A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1989
- 1989-11-14 EP EP19890311765 patent/EP0369737A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3911425A (en) * | 1974-09-05 | 1975-10-07 | Hrand M Muncheryan | Alarm system for signalling for emergency help |
GB2067803A (en) * | 1980-01-18 | 1981-07-30 | Triumph Adler Buero Inf | Emergency call system |
US4514725A (en) * | 1982-12-20 | 1985-04-30 | Bristley Barbara E | Window shade mounted alarm system |
DE3334025A1 (en) * | 1983-09-21 | 1985-04-04 | Herbert 6720 Speyer Kripp | Installation facility for a building |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2293678A (en) * | 1994-09-27 | 1996-04-03 | Hill Kenneth William George | Illuminated house signs |
GB2317984A (en) * | 1996-10-03 | 1998-04-08 | Mark John Sanders | House sign lighting and alerting system |
GB2317984B (en) * | 1996-10-03 | 2000-08-09 | Mark John Sanders | Security warning sign lighting system |
WO1999026208A1 (en) * | 1997-11-14 | 1999-05-27 | The Nottingham Trent University | Security and emergency alarm system |
WO1999045278A3 (en) * | 1998-03-03 | 1999-10-14 | P E R Flucht Und Rettungsleits | Escape route indicator for actively luminous illuminated route systems |
WO2001097188A1 (en) * | 2000-06-14 | 2001-12-20 | Kaiser Richard A | Multi-functional smoke detector and signal device |
DE102007031805A1 (en) | 2007-07-07 | 2009-01-08 | Gerhard Stenzel | Emergency light with opal glass front cover, fitted to external wall of building, includes internal illumination and externally-visible flashing red lamp |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB8827070D0 (en) | 1988-12-21 |
EP0369737A3 (en) | 1991-04-24 |
GB2225463A (en) | 1990-05-30 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US3911425A (en) | Alarm system for signalling for emergency help | |
US5790019A (en) | Emergency alarm system | |
US6690288B1 (en) | Portable emergency response system | |
US4993058A (en) | Phone activated emergency signaling system | |
US7321301B2 (en) | Wireless children's safety light in a security system | |
US4064368A (en) | Closed-loop emergency alarm and response system | |
US9299234B2 (en) | Security apparatus and system | |
US5686886A (en) | Electronic neighborhood watch alert system and unit therefor | |
US6288642B1 (en) | Self-contained security system | |
US20060273895A1 (en) | Portable communication device alerting apparatus | |
US7170397B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for waking a person | |
US6114948A (en) | Safety apparatus for providing information to a fire fighter | |
US20130088349A1 (en) | Transmission of data to emergency response personnel | |
US4855723A (en) | Audio-visual alarm system with address display | |
US20100265089A1 (en) | Emergency location finder | |
US7158025B2 (en) | Emergency alarm system | |
US10147304B1 (en) | Handheld emergency communications and location information systems | |
US9564041B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for securing a facility | |
EP0369737A2 (en) | Emergency warning means | |
US20110227728A1 (en) | Deterrent Alarm System | |
GB2125597A (en) | Alarm equipment | |
DK171780B1 (en) | Visual and / or acoustic auxiliary equipment for personal use, as well as applications of the same. | |
US20040124993A1 (en) | Systems and methods for guiding personnel to a location | |
US20050017866A1 (en) | Personal emergency alert alarm | |
US20050017863A1 (en) | Emergency alert alarm locator |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: WHICHWAY PRODUCTIONS LIMITED |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19911011 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19930602 |