FR2584217A1 - Discreet and high-security remote surveillance and alarm installation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of surveillance and alarm installations, of the type employed to protect a shop or a dwelling, both against break-ins and dangers such as fire or flood. The problem resolved is to provide a surveillance and alarm installation which makes it possible to overcome the lack of flexibility and the vulnerability of the existing installations. This objective is achieved according to the invention by an installation comprising a unit for automatically setting up communication from the installation to at least one correspondent by telephone line comprising means of calling a correspondent and sending the said alarm messages by telephone, characterised in that the said unit for setting up telephone communication comprises at least one radio-telephony sending station 50, interacting with a fixed receiver station 51 situated remotely and linked to the cabled telephone network.

Description

"Discrete and high security remote surveillance and telealarm".

The invention relates to the field of power stations
surveillance and alarm, of the type used to protect a shop or a home, both against
break-ins only against dangers such as fire or
floods.

The invention further relates to the field of cen
most advanced types of this type, that is to say in particular capable of transmitting a remote alarm message,
by automatically communicating with a subscriber
telephone, by the usual telephone network.

In some monitoring and alarm centers
known to me, when an alarm sensor detects a chip
tion or danger, and sends an alarm signal, the control panel
can automatically dial a phone number, and infor
sea the correspondent of the nature of the danger by an audible signal
particular. In a more elaborate embodiment, the signal
sound can be a recording of a complete oven sentence
intelligibly ending the alarm message. This message
voice alarm can also be formed by a system of
reconstitution of words from words or pre syllables
saved.

 In certain known devices, the unit for transmitting voice messages also serves to guide the user in the use of his device.

However, despite their sophistication, these devices
known have a certain lack of flexibility of use,
as well as weak points of protection.

More specifically, this type of device becomes well
obviously inoperative when the perpetrator has successfully necked
per telephone wires before an alarm sensor is
sets off. The telephone set neutralization operation
is all the easier since the cables are generally very
visible along the walls of rooms in the protected building, and even outside the building when they are above ground.

The lack of flexibility of use is due to the fact that the preprogramming of known alarm centers is most often rigidly defined during manufacture, and the user must comply with the configuration proposed by the manufacturer. The user can certainly most often dial the telephone number which he wishes to see called by the central unit in the event of detection of a break-in or of a danger, but these known systems do not really offer a good guarantee of security in the extent that the subscriber may be temporarily away from home at the time of callback
Consequently, the object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring and alarm center which makes it possible to compensate for the lack of flexibility and the vulnerability of the existing plants, as underlined above.

 In particular, a first object is to provide such a central unit whose remote telephone communication unit can operate even if the telephone cables are cut.

 A second object of the invention consists in having the central surveillance and alarm detect any break in the wired telephone line, and in carrying out the switching of the remote alarm unit to either a second wired line or a device. autonomous remote transmission.

 Another object of the invention is to warn the correspondent in the event of the cable telephone link being cut, taking into account, if necessary, that an alarm sensor has also detected a break-in. The central monitoring and alarm then assumes that the line cut is the result of a sabotage operation.

 An additional object of the invention is to allow the automatic telephone call of several subscribers by the central monitoring and alarm, according to a cycle of successive calls, in the absence of the first subscriber, then the second, etc. ...

 In general, the object of the invention is to improve the security and the efficiency of the monitoring and alarm centers, and this as far as possible in a transparent manner vis-à-vis possible criminals.

More specifically, the invention therefore relates to a modular high-security surveillance and alarm central unit, in particular for the control of an apparatus or an alarm in response to a break-in, a danger and / or a pre-programmed order, of the type comprising
- a memory for recording monitoring parameters;
- a surveillance and / or alarm sensor informing about the state of a surveillance zone; and,
means for transmitting a control and / or alarm signal actuated by a central processor as a function of said recorded monitoring parameters and from information supplied by said sensors,
said central unit further comprising a unit for automatically communicating the central unit with at least one correspondent, per telephone line, comprising means for calling a correspondent and for transmitting said alarm messages by telephone,
central unit characterized in that said telephone communication unit comprises at least one radiotelephony transmitter station co-operating with a fixed station located remotely and connected to the cable telephone network.

 According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the radiotelephone station provides both transmission and reception operations, making it possible to route the alarm messages and to receive the acknowledgments of receipt from the correspondent.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the telephone communication unit comprises both on the one hand at least one wired telephone set, and on the other hand at least one radiotelephony set, as well as a device for switching of the means for transmitting alarm messages to another wired telephone set, or failing this to the radiotelephony station, when a first wired line has been cut.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, and of the appended drawings in which:
- Figure 1 shows a diagram illustrating the different functions of a power plant according to the invention
- Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the means for detecting the cut of a wired telephone line.

 By relying on the very schematic representation of FIG. 1, one can highlight the various components of a conventional monitoring and alarm center, and the new characteristics of the station according to the invention.

 The main assembly 1 of the central unit is in the form of one having a certain number of input terminals 2 and output terminals 3, and containing a certain number of electronic components for the processing of the signals coming from the terminals. inputs 2, and 1a convenient er-vo signals: rs pnr the output terminals 3.

 Each of the input terminals 2 can be associated with a monitoring zone, consisting of a sensor electrically connected to the terminal. Thus, 10,11,12 and 13 show some non-limiting examples of surveillance zones equipped with sensors. Zone 10 is for example a living room, protected by an ultrasonic sensor 20 or even by a simple contactor, normally closed 21 or normally open 22. Zone 10 can also be protected by several sensors of the same type or of different types.

 Zone 11 constitutes for example a fire protection zone and zones 12 and 13 against untimely temperature variations of a cold room, a freezer, or a fish bowl for example.

 It should be noted that these sensors can detect a break-in or a danger, which, depending on the case, must cause the emission of an alarm signal (criminals, fire ...), or even trigger the start-up of an apparatus. allowing to restore a balance whose rupture has been detected (starting the auxiliary motor of a freezer, or a device for heating the water of an aquarium, put on battery during a power cut) .

The surveillance zones connected to the control unit can be of very different types, and thus have the following characteristics
- the zone is said to be technical when the triggering of the surveillance sensor results in the start-up of a device other than an alarm device, for example a motor or a heating device, the operation of which can be controlled by information provided by the sensor;
- a zone is said to be ejectable when the sensor can only be triggered once, and the zone can only be put back into surveillance by reprogramming the control unit;
- a zone is said to be delayed when the alarm is triggered only after a certain time following the alert signal emitted by the sensor (entry delay), or when the sensor cannot be triggered and send a signal d 'alert only after a certain time following the activation of the surveillance zone (exit delay, allowing to leave a home without triggering the alarm).

 Advantageously, it is also possible to define several modes of monitoring the power station, each mode corresponding to the activation of certain particular surveillance zones.

Thus, the "high protection" mode can correspond to the activation of only a few very sensitive areas, even when the control unit is idle (safe room ...), while a "normal" surveillance mode corresponds to the activation of all surveillance zones, whether high protection or simple protection (surveillance of exits ...)
These monitoring parameters relating to the zones are recorded in a recording memory placed inside the main assembly 1 of the central unit. This monitoring memory also records the other operating parameters of the control panel. This is in particular the reference of the devices or alarms 30, 31 activated by each sensor 10, 11, 12, 13.

There are thus three types of means for transmitting control and / or alarm signals.
- control signals sent in response to information provided by a technical zone surveillance sensor
- local alarm signals, issued in response to a break-in or danger
- remote alarm signals, automatically transmitted by telephone line.

 Whereas the joint application filed simultaneously in France by the same applicants concerns more particularly, in particular, the means making it possible to increase the reliability of the central unit, namely the use of an E2 PROM circuit for the production of the memory, and the provision to the user of a remote control and remote programming unit in the form of an independent and portable shoemaker, among others, the present request is more focused on increasing safety and the efficiency of the control panel for sending remote alarm messages.

This requirement led the inventor to adopt two solutions which converge towards optimum safety and efficiency:
- the use of at least one radio telephone set (50) for the central unit's automatic communication unit with at least one correspondent, for sending alarm messages
- the production of a switching device enabling the radiotelephony station to be activated, in the event of a breakdown of the conventional cable telephone set.

 The use of a radiotelephone is extraordinarily advantageous in the field of monitoring and alarm centers, insofar as this type of device is characterized by complete "physical" independence from its environment. It is not even to the constraint to be provided with a power supply which cannot be easily resolved by providing a battery supply.

 In this regard, preferably, the radiotelephone is normally supplied by the sector, but includes a system for switching over to battery in the event of a power cut, with the significant autonomy that even small batteries allow.

 This total autonomy of the raotélphon makes it possible to place it in a place hidden from view, without tools, it is possible for possible criminals to locate it to destroy it.

Advantageously, the main assembly of the central unit can also be embedded in a ur (for example thanks to the solution of the joint request in which the central unit includes an independent and portable shoemaker remote; main assembly), which allows you to completely hide all the sensitive elements of the control unit.

 Preferably, the radio telephone set (50) is a device conventionally used, for example in the form of a mobile station fitted to vehicles or the like, and therefore of the type approved by the P.T.T. in the case of France. The radiotelephone antenna can be any kind of suitable antenna, and in particular a flat type antenna produced in printed circuit, and mounted on one of the faces of the housing containing the radiotelephone.

 The "mobile" station 50 for radiotelephony used in the central station must cooperate with a fixed station 51, which is itself connected to the wired telephone network.

 Advantageously, this fixed station 51 is located near the mobile station, for example in a building adjacent to the protected building. In the case of the protection of a second home, for example, it is thus advantageous to locate the landline with neighboring residents residing within a perimeter of a few hundred meters.

 The fixed station is also of classic design and preferably consists of an adapter block, mounted at the end of the fine P.T.T. line. between a conventional telephone set and the connection socket. The operation of such an adapter generally consists in switching off and disconnecting the conventional station located downstream as soon as the adapter receives a transmission signal from or to the mobile radiotelephony station, in order to route as a priority the radiotelephone message.

 It is clear that in the simplest configuration, the mobile radiotelephony station included in the central station is a purely transmitting station, responsible for transmitting the alarm messages, without being concerned that they are actually received by the appropriate person. These alarm messages can be a simple telephone call with the emission of an audible recognition signal, the correspondent of which will understand that it comes from the central monitoring station, and that it means that an alarm has been triggered. advantageous, and in the case where the control unit is responsible for monitoring several zones, several types of apparatus, etc., the alarm messages can be diversified, or even consist in the emission of intelligible prerecorded sentences.

 In a more elaborate configuration, the mobile radio station 5 is also able to analyze a "reply from the correspondent, for example as will be seen below, to consider that the message sent has actually been received (by the right person) if it is called back within a short time (for example two minutes after the correspondent called automatically has hung up) Finally, optionally, it is also conceivable that the correspondent can call, in the absence of any alarm, the control panel by through the radiotelephone, in order to carry out a remote control or teleprogramming operation In this case, the orders transmitted to the central unit are preferably carried out by multifrequency coding (D.TM.F. system, see joint request).

 In the case where the control panel is also equipped with a wired telephone line, it may first of all be advantageous to connect it to several telephone lines, so as to compensate for any accidental or malicious breakdowns which may occur on one of the lines. .

 In any event, the central unit according to the invention therefore includes a switching device 52 making it possible to disconnect the central unit on another wired telephone line, or on the radiotelephone in the event of a first wired line cut.

 A preferred embodiment of the switching device 52 is shown in FIG. 2. The two wires 41, 42 are connected in parallel on the line P.T.T. connected to the wired telephone set, and lead to a full-wave rectifier 43. A capacitor 44 is mounted in parallel on the rectifier, so as to be charged through a resistor 45, checking the minimum impedance imposed by the P.T.T.

(5 Mil).

 Two optotransistors 46, 47 are mounted downstream of the capacitor, on each of its poles, and connected in turn by a resistor 48.

The operation of this device 52 makes it possible to ensure the detection of the cut of the cable line according to the standards
PTT, that is to say when the line voltage between the two wires 41, 42 is less than 3 volts, for a duration greater than thirty seconds. More precisely, the absence of current in the LED of the optotransistor 46 allows the charging of the capacitor 44 through the resistor 45. Every ten seconds approximately, a microprocessor sends a signal 40 to the optotransistor 46 controlling the discharge of this capacity 44 through the LED of the optotransistor 41 and comes to read, at the same mount, the output signal 49 of the transistor 47. This output signal is routed to the input of the microprocessor, preferably the processor of the central unit.

 If the capacity 44 is sufficiently charged (line not cut), the output signal 49 is read by the microprocessor as being normal, and therefore not giving rise to the triggering of an alarm. Otherwise, and when for example thirty consecutive readings confirm this abnormal state, the system deduces that the telephone line is cut.

 In a simple manner, the central unit processor will then read the instructions stored in the memory for recording the monitoring parameters, and will deduce therefrom to which other wired line the means for transmitting the remote alarm messages must be connected, and otherwise read the instructions for connecting the radiotelephone.

This device then allows the following plant operating methods
- first of all the standard procedure for sending an alarm message, either via a cable line or via the radiotelephone;
- then, the interpretation by the central office of a cut in a wired line, depending on the state of the alarm sensors.

 With regard to the principle of calling subscribers in the event of an alarm, the procedure consists of successively calling each of the telephone numbers registered, and constituting the alarm cycle. It should be noted that there may be several different cycles composed of specific telephone numbers, corresponding to the activation of the control panel on different triggering modes: alarm, attack, emergency, or technical.

 The central office first dials the number of the first subscriber of the cycle concerned. If the line is busy, the system hangs up, and then calls the next subscriber of the cycle.

If the subscriber has not picked up his handset before, for example, the tenth ring, he is considered absent. The system then hangs up and calls the next subscriber in the same way.

 When the subscriber picks up his handset, the system issues the alarm message, for example an intelligible voice message. As soon as the subscriber hangs up, the system also hangs up, and waits, for example, two minutes for a telephone call back. If a callback occurs within this period, the system "picks up", sends an acknowledgment message, "hangs up", and considers that its distress call has been heard and understood by a subscriber of the cycle. It then stops calling the cycle subscribers until the next alarm. On the other hand, if no telephone callback has occurred during the programmed delay, the system considers that its alarm message has not been understood by the subscriber called, and continues its call cycle. central so that in the event of repeated failures it calls the subscribers of a cycle, for example, up to fifteen successive times.

 In the case of a cut in a wired telephone line and the switching of switching means to another line or to a radiotelephone, the interpretation by the central office of the cut can be two-way.

 In the event that the system is not in protection mode, the interruption can then be announced (for example by intelligible voice message) by a loudspeaker from the central unit, or from the portable boot store. In addition, the system will refuse to go into protection mode, just like when a non-timed and protected zone is faulty.

 In the case where the system is in protection mode, two cases can arise. First, if no alarm other than the cable telephone line cut has been detected, the system interprets this cut as a technical fault. Thus, if necessary, the central unit can send, via the emergency telephone, a technical alarm message to the subscribers of the corresponding cycle. It will, for example, involve notifying the installer or repairer, or even the services of the P.T.T. On the other hand, if an alarm other than the cable line cut is detected, the system interprets this cut as sabotage, and triggers the danger or break-in alarm by calling in particular the various subscribers who constitute the corresponding cycle, by through the emergency telephone. This operation is of course only carried out when the control unit is programmed to carry out the alarm remotely, for example when the user has been away from home, or even in the case of monitoring a plant or a particular protected area from a central station.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS la) Central surveillance and high security alarm, in particular for the control of an apparatus or an alarm in response to a break-in, to a danger, and / or a preprogrammed order, of the type comprising a memory recording of monitoring parameters, at least one monitoring and / or alarm sensor informing about the state of a monitoring area, and means for transmitting a control and / or alarm signal actuated by a central processor as a function of said recorded monitoring parameters and from information supplied by said sensors, said central unit further comprising a unit for automatically communicating the central unit with at least one correspondent, per telephone line, comprising means calling a correspondent and transmitting said alarm messages by telephone, characterized in that said telephone communication unit comprises at least one transmitter station (50) in radiotelephone onie, cooperating with a fixed posterior receiver (51) located remotely and connected to the wired telephone network.  20) A central unit according to claim 1 characterized in that said telephone communication unit also comprises a wired telephone set (32), as well as a system (52) for detecting cut of the wired line (32), and computation on said transmitter station (50) by radiotelephone  30) Control unit according to claim 2 characterized in that the cable line cutout detection system (32) consists of a rectifier (43) mounted in parallel on the telephone line (41) (42), a capacity (44) connected in parallel to said rectifier (43), and means (46) (47) for periodically reading the load of said capacity (44) cooperating with a microprocessor for controlling switching to said radiotelephone (50) .  40) Power station according to claim 1 characterized in that said fixed station (51) cooperating with the radio telephone station (50) is located within a perimeter of a few hundred meters around said station (50 with a neighboring subscriber.  50) Control panel according to any one of claims i to 4 characterized in that said control panel comprises a speech reconstitution unit, cooperating with the alarm signal transmission means to associate with each signal a voice alarm message .  60) Central according to claim 5 characterized in that said radio telephone set (50) is also a receiver, in that said central unit comprises means for telephone reception of command and programming orders, coming from a correspondent, monitoring parameters contained in said recording memory, according to a step-by-step and interactive guidance process for the user, and in that said speech reconstitution unit cooperates with said remote control and teleprogramming means to ensure the guidance of the user by voice guidance message.  OJ) Power station according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said radiotelephone station (50) comprises an energy supply backup battery  80) Method of a central unit according to any one of claims 2 to 7, of the type comprising at least one radio telephone set (50), and at least one cable telephone set (32), characterized in that said central unit performs switching the telephone communication unit to said radio telephone set (50) when said line cut detection means (52) detects the cut of the cable line of the telephone set (32).  90) Method of a central unit according to claim 8 characterized in that said central unit emits a technical alarm signal when the line break detection means (52) detect a line break of said wired telephone set (32) in the absence of detection of another alarm, and in that it emits a danger alarm signal when, simultaneously with the activation of the line break detection means (52), it receives at least one signal alarm from an alarm sensor (20) (21) (22).  1DO) Method of operating a central according to any one of claims I to 7, characterized in that said central ensures the telephone call of successive subscribers whose respective telephone numbers have been previously registered, according to a cycle of calls corresponding to each type of alarm triggered, in that said central calls a new number of said cycle each time the subscriber during the call is busy or absent in shell said central transmits the alarm message to the first subscriber who picks up his handset, and then stops scanning the call cycle, said cycle being able to be traversed several successive times.  110) Method according to claim 10 characterized in that the central office does not stop browsing said call cycle when it receives a telephone call within a given period following the interruption of its first communication with a subscriber of the cycle.