EP1410610A1

EP1410610A1 - Remote protection device

Info

Publication number: EP1410610A1
Application number: EP01962436A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guy Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-28
Filing date: 2001-03-22
Publication date: 2004-04-21
Also published as: WO2001074039A1; AU2001287285A1

Abstract

The invention concerns warning or monitoring device for itinerant persons in the form of a housing comprising a GSM transceiver, optionally including several SIM cards. The device further comprises a means for recording and erasing voice messages connected to the transceiver, messages communicating the address visited by the person, and on the housing means controlling transmission of said pre-recorded message(s) and prompt messages addressed to one or several predetermined GSM network subscribers. The control means may also include a remote control. The device further comprises a read-only voice message generator reproducing the prompt messages addressed to said subscribers. A microphone and a speaker are provided for direct interaction between the user and said subscriber, a second sensitive microphone enabling the subscriber to listen to ambient noise and a micro-computer connected to and controlling the various elements mentioned above.

Description

Teleprotection device

The present invention consists of a teleprotection system which makes it possible inter alia to locate a person with sufficient precision so that he can be rescued if necessary.

The device can be used in particular for the identification and protection of people carrying out journeys or interventions in certain circumstances, called "at risk" for example: personnel exercising a profession with third parties in the medical, paramedical field, deliverers, mail carriers, and other traveling agents.

The application is not limited exclusively to the people listed above, but may be extended to the disabled, sick, walkers and anyone who may call for help for various reasons. The invention can advantageously also be adapted to monitoring devices.

It is a system based on the application of a microprocessor and a management program making it intelligent, interactive with the contact, very reliable and thus avoiding unnecessary movement.

Location systems are already known based on devices of the Global Positioning System (GPS) type. These systems offer many advantages but a major drawback is their lack of precision and their ineffectiveness in certain environments, in particular multi-apartment buildings. The location of a specific address, let alone the floor and a specific apartment ^' is not possible using a GPS system. The invention therefore provides a flexible, inexpensive alternative which exploits the possibilities of the mobile telephone network, more particularly the GSM network.

In general, according to a first aspect of the invention, an alert device is proposed in the form of a box comprising

- a GSM transceiver associated with at least one SIM card - a means for recording and erasing voice messages connected to the transceiver

- On the unit means for controlling the transmission of a pre-recorded voice message to a subscriber of the GSM network.

The user can, before entering a building, or other place at risk, dictate the exact address and other relevant elements. The message is recorded, and possibly sent by the device only on the user's command if he feels in danger, or alternatively, according to another embodiment, in the absence of a cancellation command within a predetermined period.

The transmission of the message is advantageously carried out without the knowledge of any third party present with the user, who will only cause the transmission in the event of doubt as to its security.

According to a particular embodiment, the command or commands are sent to the device by a remote command carried by the user, for example comparable in appearance to a command to open the door of a car. The device can therefore be a few meters or tens of meters from the user, for example in his briefcase, or in his car parked in front of the building visited. The device can of course also be worn and can take on the appearance of a simple mobile phone. According to an embodiment, currently less preferred, the typical functions of a GSM device can be added (call keyboard, etc.). However preferably the device does not have the conventional GSM controls (keyboard, display) to avoid any similarity and risk in case of aggression.

The device is preferably in the form of a box comprising for example a GSM module, such as a commercially available Siemens M-20 module, an antenna, at least one microphone, rechargeable batteries, at least one voice mailbox, possibly digital. , the assembly being connected and controlled by a microprocessor and a memory with an appropriate algorithm.

A separate interface module will preferably be adapted to a connector to access and modify the operating parameters of the system. It consists of a keyboard and a display.

The interfacing module communicates with the device, the information circulating for example according to the I2C standard. The connection of the interface is recognized by the main program which automatically allows access and modification of functions through a programming menu.

The message is sent over the GSM network to a pre-registered subscriber number. The call can thus lead to a dispatching office which filters and judges the emergency before warning and requesting official assistance (police, etc.). Preferably several numbers will be recorded and called successively, possibly only if the previous call is not received. Advantageously, the transmitting GSM device provides for connection to more than one SIM card, for example two cards corresponding to two subscriptions from different mobile operators. The system is capable of automatically choosing, as a priority, the most suitable operator with respect to the location, for example by comparing the intensity of the antenna signal of one network operator with respect to the other.

According to a preferred embodiment, the transmission of the prerecorded message is accompanied by a means of identification of the alert device, for example in the form of a code which must be recognized by the person or the computer called.

According to another aspect of the invention, a device is proposed for listening to the place where the user is located. For this purpose, the device is provided with a second microphone, the first being used for recording messages. This second microphone is more specifically an ambient microphone allowing listening by the called party, that is to say the most often a central monitoring station. For reasons of confidentiality and ethics, this listening may only be made possible at the call of the user.

In the event of an alarm call, the user must not answer and speak, so that the call can be made without the knowledge of a third party present. The person or computer called follows guidance messages recorded in the device, can monitor the evolution of a conflict situation of the user with a third party. You can also leave a message in a voicemail provided for this purpose. When necessary, help will be sent wisely, more efficiently and more quickly. The invention will be better understood on examining the following more detailed description of a particular embodiment. Reference will be made more particularly to the appended drawings presented by way of nonlimiting examples.

In these drawings,

- fig. 1 shows the external appearance of the housing of a device according to the invention seen from the front. - fig. 2 is a top view of the housing of FIG. 1

- fig. 3 is a diagram representing the various functionalities of the device.

^' - fig. 4 illustrates the interface

- fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main program

- fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the algorithm of the alert function

- fig. 7 is a perspective view of the external appearance of a device, essentially according to FIG. 1. The scale is approximately 1: 1.

In figs. 1 and 2 the following elements are distinguished:

On the upper side: - the GSM 1 network antenna

- control button 2 for the DIRECT CALL function (telephone function)

- the flashing LED 3 indicating the state of charge of the battery (ies) - the control button 4 of the TEST function of the device

- high sensitivity microphone 5 (ambient microphone)

- button 6 for controlling the ALARM function of the device

- LED 7 indicating the operation of the device

On the left side face:

- control button 9 for reading the location message - control button 10 for the reading function of the message generator (guidance)

- control button 11 for the location message recording function

- control button 12 for the recording function of the message box.

On the front:

- an earpiece 8; - a low sensitivity microphone 16 for recording the location in the message box, and for the direct communication function

- a box 17 of batteries, eg of the NiMH type, interchangeable with a voltage of 7V2 rechargeable on the box or on an external charger;

On the underside:

- a switch 13 for switching on / off the device

- a multicontact connector 14 (p. 12) used to connect the system for configuration using a separate interfacing element, composed of a keyboard and a display. This allows the introduction of data but also the connection to alarm systems or external detectors (eg for motor vehicles). The connector can also be used for recharging batteries, for connection to wired sensors (passage detection sensors, intrusion, broken windows), or other information useful for specific applications (e.g. GPS, etc.).

- A pull-out switch 15 using a strap type strap.

An antenna for receiving remote control information, tuned to the frequency of 430 MHz is not illustrated. This antenna can for example be 17 cm long embedded in the thickness of the case or in the battery case. On the right side

a support 18 for SIM cards, for example 2 SIM cards. The system, housed in a small box 20 (eg: 15 cm x 6 cm x 4 cm), is based on the application of a microprocessor and a program specially designed for its application.

The device can be carried on your person, be in a briefcase or in a car, its range being several tens of meters (approx. 50 meters) thanks to the remote control (21).

On one of its sides, it has means of visual signaling by LEDs signaling inter alia the state of charge of the batteries and the operating mode of the device. Control buttons accessible by the user to perform the functions of Test, Alarm, Direct Call are also present.

On another side, other control buttons also accessible by the user allow access to the Recording, Playback, Erasing functions of the different voice recorders, which will preferably be digital, containing messages introduced by the user to destination of the central as well as the precise place of the possible intervention.

On the other hand, it also has an antenna for receiving / transmitting communications, and another for receiving remote control signals, e.g. approx. 400 MHz. There is also an integrated clock emitting the time of the call.

It is provided with two microphones, one whose sensitivity is very high is placed in a clear place allowing the reception of the atmosphere of the room in which it is located or its immediate environment for example: pe arranged on the upper face , the other microphone is designed to operate at short distance and is arranged eg: on the front face, in line with the earpiece.

This microphone allows recording in the two digital recorders and direct access. It also has an earpiece also placed on the front panel allowing listening to the two digital recorders and guidance messages as well as direct bi-lateral communication.

The box containing the batteries is placed in a box provided for this purpose, on the front face of the device.

The batteries are integrated in a separate housing that can be separated from the main housing, they can be easily replaced when they are empty.

The device can be recharged outside the box, in another location, e.g. on the mains or on a vehicle battery via the cigarette lighter socket. As well as several refills can be considered.

At its base, it has a connector 14 which allows it to communicate with the outside, in particular with an interface illustrated in FIG. 4 having an ENTER 1 key, LEDS 2, a CLEAR 3 key, numeric keys 34 (keyboard) and a display 35, housed in a separate housing 22.

The keyboard 34 allows the input of programming data, in particular the configuration of the device through a drop-down menu and the display 35, for example with liquid quartz (2 lines of 16 characters), allows the display of the data and messages transmitted by the system. These two elements make the system interactive. Thanks to the interface, the following functions are accessible, and possibly modifiable, through a drop-down menu

1) entry of telephone numbers (e.g. max 4, one of which has priority)

2) device serial number (read only)

3) state of charge of the battery (read only)

4) state of the reception signal from the operator (s) (read only) 5) hearing beep suppression in the event of an alarm

6) suppression of hearing of audio messages in case of test

7) selection of the number of operators to which the device is connected

8) activation, deactivation of the device 9) choice of the language in which the guidance messages are reproduced 10) setting of the time, date, year

By this same connector 14 can also convey other commands including that of switching on the signaling device mounted on board the vehicle in the event of problems. This activated device activates a colored discharge lamp, a siren, the horn or the vehicle alarm, a lighted sign located at a window indicating the nature of the alarm - eg doctor in danger.

This signaling allows the easy location of the vehicle and the place of the request for help and thus triggers an immediate intervention of the neighborhood before that of the official services.

As already mentioned, the apparatus is also provided with a remote control 21, of very small size, making it possible, at a distance, to check its operation and to set off the alarm if necessary.

In fig. 3 there is a distinction between the test control button 25 and the alarm control button 26. The device operates completely silently in the event of an alarm. The system can be fitted with a wrist strap which activates the alarm in the event of a breakout. The external call of the device and the accesses can be done from a multi-tone telephone.

Access from a PC can be envisaged, which will allow possible archiving or direct map positioning.

Internal Description - Operation:

The principle is the transmission of location messages to one or more fixed or mobile stations, or to centers intended to handle these types of calls, it allows direct listening to the atmosphere of the room or the environment immediate, in order to judge the degree of urgency and the gravity of the situation and, incidentally, to allow communication with the central.

The situation can be recorded by the central unit and thus a trace can be kept in the event of a conflicting situation. The device is only switched on when such a situation arises; it is therefore not possible to break professional secrecy, in addition, the listening function of the live atmosphere is not accessible by a command from outside and is only activated in the event of 'alarm.

The device only allows communication with the places for which it has been programmed.

To do this, thanks to an integrated digital recorder provided for this purpose and to the microphone located on the front of the device, the user of the device can record, with precision, all the parameters essential for its location and where a intervention may be necessary. It has a recording duration of several tens of seconds (eg: 30 seconds). The recording containing the information on the location and the time of the call is restored by calling the Alarm function, using the button located on the device's housing or by remote control.

When a communication is established, eg: in the event of an Alarm, a Direct Call sent or an External Call, an electronically generated voice identifies the device and guides the caller in the choice of command options (guidance message , voice menu recorded or generated by synthesis).

To do this, the system has a single-reading digital voice recorder in which messages are pre-recorded. The messages are restored by the main program of the device. Messages can be produced in different languages.

The device has a means of communication to the external world for transmitting and receiving its commands and messages, for this it has a transceiver transmitting the signals to a reception network (for example the GSM network; any other network that can agree when the coverage is optimal for use).

In order to increase the reliability and efficiency of the device, the device is simultaneously connected to several telephone operators, and is equipped with several SIM card holders (in the case of the network

GSM). The program chooses the network with the strongest signal.

The device also has a means of receiving commands from outside (eg Test and Alarm) it has for this purpose a reception module using a frequency different from that used for communication (eg on 433 Mhz) in order to protect yourself from any interference.

A remote control unit, which can be worn by the user, and whose dimensions are similar to those used in the automotive sector, makes it possible to send the commands mentioned above to the receiver disposed in the main module, its range is several tens of meters (eg: 50 meters).

When a request for help by means of the Alarm function is activated, by the push button located on the device or by the remote control the device automatically dials the call number (s) in a priority order.

When communication is established, a guidance voice first gives the references of the device and its operating conditions, then the procedure to follow to gain access to the various commands and information (eg: reading, writing digital recorders, operating parameters, battery charge, reception signal, serial number, listening to the environment, time of recording the location message ...).

The device can be adapted to be connected to other networks than the GSM network, for example via the police and / or gendarmerie network or via private networks.

Several functions are integrated in the device and access to all these functions is done silently.

1) Test function: When the Test command is activated either by pressing the push button on the device or by remote control, the system checks the strength of the reception signal from the various operators to which it is connected and the battery charge.

It then emits a certain number of audible beeps and vocally makes the values corresponding to the state of these parameters audible as long as the function has been selected through the main menu.

2) Alarm function:

When the Alarm command is activated either by pressing the push button on the device or by the remote control, the system checks the strength of the reception signal from the different operators to which it is connected and the battery charge.

It chooses the operator whose reception is the best or warns the user of the impossibility of operation.

He then establishes the communication and when this is established, he transmits the coordinates of the device followed by the message previously recorded and the time of recording, in which appears the reason for the call, the character of the 'urgency and the exact place of the intervention then the voice generated electronically allows the guidance of the interlocutor.

if a network cut occurs during a call, the device will redial the call number as many times as long as the location has not been transmitted.

3) Direct function:

It is an accessory function which makes it possible to establish the direct connection and to communicate with one of the previously selected points different from that of the alarm. For this, the device has a single command button and when the command is activated, the system checks the strength of the reception signal from the different operators to which it is connected and the charge of the battery. It chooses the operator whose reception is the best or warns the user of the impossibility of operation then, through the management program automatically dials the preselected telephone number and establishes communication.

When the communication is established, it transmits the coordinates of the device then the electronically generated voice ensures the guidance of the interlocutor.

The dialogue can be established thanks to the microphone and the earpiece with which the device is provided.

4) Input function:

When the system receives a call from the outside, it identifies itself first and then allows access to various functions, in particular:

a) the operating parameters of the device (the level of the reception signal, the serial number, the battery charge, b) listening to the location message previously recorded by the user, c) the deposit d '' a message lasting several tens of seconds (eg 30 seconds) in one of the digital recorders provided for this purpose, its replay and its erasure.

It should be noted that at the level of these functions does not necessarily include the direct listening function, which would possibly constitute a violation of professional secrecy. Accessing this box does not change the previously saved location message.

5) Deactivation function: ⁵ The system deactivation function (eg in the event of theft) can be accessed by calling the device from an external unit (see previous function titled Entry Function), then when the system s 'identifies dial the secret code of ¹⁰ deactivation.

The purpose of this maneuver is to erase data in the main program.

The reactivation of the system is done by replacing the system on the base holding the display and the I ⁵ keyboard and, through these and the drop-down menu reactivating the system

According to another aspect of the invention, the device can advantageously be provided with a built-in camera or not (webcam) which can also be controlled by the called party so that images can possibly be transmitted to it according to a known protocol.

In yet another aspect, the invention can also be extended to ⁵ monitoring systems. Thus the device can be left alone in any place to be monitored. It then includes inputs for signals from mechanical detectors or sensors, IR, noise detectors, light detectors, or even a camera, etc., reacting to an intrusion.

Indeed, following the reception of a signal from such a detector, the device can automatically call a prerecorded GSM number, for example a central, but more simply the owner, the guardian of the premises, neighbors etc. Several numbers can be called successively. The detector emits its identification, possibly voice or coded and possibly the type of alert (detector) that caused the call. The device can then be put into listening mode thanks to the ambient microphone, with or without recording, listening being transmitted to the called party for appreciation of the situation. Advantageously, images can also be sent.

The preferred device described in the present invention being provided with a receiver intended for the remote control, the sensors do not have to be wired, the signals can be sent by radio frequency (eg at 430 MHz) with a range of several tens of meters, sufficient for monitoring an apartment.

Compared to the telephone surveillance systems currently on the market, the aforementioned system of the invention offers the advantage of being able to be discreet and independent of a central monitoring station. False alerts are better controlled and listening to the atmosphere, which according to this embodiment will be permitted from the outside, allows verifications prior to a conventional alert,

Claims

Claims:

1) Alert or monitoring device in the form of a box comprising:

- a microcomputer

- a transceiver of a GSM or similar network associated with at least one SIM card

- On the unit means for automatically transmitting a pre-recorded voice or coded message to at least one predetermined subscriber of the GSM or similar network.

2) Device according to claim 1 also comprising means for recording and erasing voice messages connected to the transceiver.

3) Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the transmission comprises a means of identification of the alert device.

4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a remote control capable of controlling a call and the sending of said prerecorded message stored in the box.

5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an ambient microphone whose signals can be transmitted to the called party, on the latter's initiative.

6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises inputs for signals from mechanical detectors or sensors, IR, noise detectors, light, or a camera, etc. reacting to an intrusion. 7) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a GSM network of a first operator and comprises a second SIM card for a second GSM network operator.

8) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second digital voice recorder, for reading only, in which guidance messages are pre-recorded.

9) Warning or surveillance device in the form of a box comprising, individually or in any combination:

- a GSM transceiver - a means of recording and erasing voice messages connected to the transceiver,

- on the unit means for controlling the transmission of said prerecorded or synthesized voice message (s) to one or more predetermined GSM network subscribers - a read-only voice message generator transmitting guidance messages to said subscriber

- a sensitive microphone for listening to the atmosphere by said subscriber

- a microcomputer connected to and controlling the various elements mentioned above.

10) Device according to claim 9 wherein the transceiver is associated with at least two SIM cards.

11) Device according to any one of the preceding claims having a connector capable of being connected to an interface unit for input and reading of the system configuration.

12) Alert or monitoring device in the form of a box comprising:

- a GSM transceiver in the form of an anonymous module - a means for recording and erasing voice messages connected to the transceiver.

- on the unit means for controlling the transmission of said prerecorded or summary voice message (s) to one or more predetermined GSM network subscribers

- a read-only voice message generator transmitting guidance messages to said subscriber

- a microphone and a loudspeaker for direct interaction between the user and said subscriber - a second sensitive microphone for listening to the atmosphere by said subscriber

13) Device according to any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein said transmission command can be initiated by a remote control.