FR2757666A1 - Automatic alarm signal transmission for integrated services digital network - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatic alarm signal transmission has a detected alarm signal (6) passed to a transmitter (2). A logical driven microprocessor (5) passes the signals to a surveillance centre (3) via an analogue telephone line (4). The line may be an ISDN line. A microswitch within the microprocessor area allows connection to other apparatus such as a telephone (7), fax or bank card reader. The device may include an independent power supply, such as a battery, with an associated charging arrangement.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device for automatic transmission of alarm signals from a transmitter to a central monitoring station, via an analog telephone line.

 The invention also relates to the operating method of such a device.

 The state of the art can be defined by the document FR-A2.491.657 which proposes a remote transmission equipment using, by connection to a subscriber station, the urban telephone network in order to automatically retransmit data delivered by measuring devices , or the state of any sensor intended to detect a state of danger, fire or burglary of a room.

In this case, the appeal process is immediate. Information is transmitted orally via a synthetic speech generator controlled by a microprocessor.

The information is then represented by the oral statement of a series of numbers defining the origin of the call, and after one or more specific tones, the information itself.

The message being transmitted orally, its reception and interpretation can be ensured by any subscriber to the telephone network without specialized decoding equipment, for example: caretaker of a building, person living in the neighborhood, surveillance company, service of data centralization. The entire management of putting the automatic transmitter into communication with the recipient or recipients of the message is carried out by means of a microprocessor integrated in the system.

 The document FR-A-2.532.803 relates to a transmitter for the automatic transmission of an alarm message on a telephone line which includes a management device capable of controlling the switching of a relay ensuring its connection with the line , taking a line, calling a number programmed in advance and sending a message to this number. The operation is triggered from an alarm detector. Tone signals perceived during the call procedure are detected on a port by the microprocessor and analyzed to determine, according to a logic prescribed in advance, whether the call was successful or not during transmission. of the alarm message. Otherwise, the call can be renewed on another preprogrammed number.

The power supply for the assembly includes a standby circuit and a device sensitive to the appearance of an event (alarm or programming or test signal) which triggers the commissioning of a power supply for waking up the system.

 These two documents relate to remote monitoring like the present invention, but they are limited to conventional telephone lines whose operation is slow and less secure.

The present invention provides a device and its operating method adapted to the Digital Network with Integration of
Services (ISDN) so that operation is faster and offers a certain number of technical characteristics allowing absolute security (counter-call, backup and auxiliary batteries).

To this end, the present invention relates to a device for the automatic transmission of alarm signals received from a transmitter, connected to at least one sensor, to a central station, this transmission being effected by means of a line. analog telephone, characterized in that the telephone line is a network line
Integrated Services Digital, known as ISDN, that a microswitch, controlled by software, is inserted between the transmitter and the telephone line, and that the microswitch allows the connection of at least one other device, such as telephone, fax machine, bank card reader.

 In the case where, in addition to the conventional power supply by the so-called sector electrical distribution network, the device comprises at least one complementary and independent power supply source, said device is characterized in that a backup battery is incorporated in the microswitch, and / or that an auxiliary battery is connected to the transmitter and the microswitch, the battery being always in charge due to the presence of a charger, supplied by the sector.

 The micro-switch and the transmitter each have a memory.

 The micro-switch and the transmitter are enclosed in a sealed box.

The present invention also relates to a method of operating a device as set out above which, when the conditions are normal, that is to say that the device is supplied with electricity by the sector, consists
- to give priority to the transmitter over other devices, as soon as a sensor transmits a safety signal,
- to open a time window that blocks trunk access,
- to transmit the signal to the central monitoring station,
- receiving a counter-call from said central to the micro-switch, and
- to close the time window.

 Between the reception of the counter-call and the closing of the time window, the method allows the recognition of the central station having sent said counter-call.

The invention also relates to the same method, when the conditions are abnormal, that is to say in the absence of electrical supply of the device by the sector, this method consists
- ensuring normal operation of the micro-switch on the backup battery and the transmitter on the auxiliary battery,
- to ensure a standby service in the operation of said microswitch on the backup battery and normal operation of the transmitter on the auxiliary battery,
- to monitor the activation of the micro-switch as soon as the transmitter takes a line,
- to restore normal operation of the device as soon as said transmitter sends a communication to the central monitoring station via the micro-switch,
- to open a time window that blocks trunk access,
- to transmit the signal to the central monitoring station,
- receiving a counter-call from said central to the micro-switch, and
- to close the time window.

 Whatever the method used, when an individual tries to disconnect either the telephone line or one of the electrical supplies, or to open the box containing the micro-switch and the transmitter, said micro-switch triggers a local alarm .

 The micro-switch and the transmitter each have a memory which records on the fly.

 The attached drawings are given as indicative and non-limiting examples. They represent a preferred embodiment according to the invention. They will allow the invention to be easily understood.

 FIG. 1 represents a flow diagram of a security device according to the state of the art.

 FIG. 2 represents a flow diagram of a security device according to the present invention.

 The state of the art is well represented in FIG. 1.

 In this figure, we note that in a completely conventional manner, the alarm signal transmission devices 13 consist of a transmitter 14 which receives information from at least one sensor 18, this transmission being effected by the 'through an analog telephone line 16 towards a central monitoring station 15.

 Also conventionally, if an ill-intentioned individual cuts off the analog telephone line 16, a local alarm located at the level of the transmitter 14 is triggered.

 The power supply is possible at the level of a conventional device 13 such as represented in FIG. 1. Thus, the sector 8 will supply, on the one hand, the transmitter 14 and, on the other hand, the battery 17 of said transmitter 14 , via a charger.

 In FIG. 2, the device for automatic transmission of alarm signals 1 according to the invention is more particularly shown.

 This device is built around an ISDN line 4, of conventional reference TO.

 On either side of this ISDN line 4 are present, on the one hand, a transmitter 2, on the other hand, a central monitoring station 3.

However, in this preferred embodiment of the invention, a micro-switch 5 is integrated between the line
ISDN 4 and transmitter 2.

 The microswitch 5 includes within it a backup battery 9 as well as a memory 12.

 Likewise, the transmitter 2 has a memory 11.

 The microswitch 5 acts as an electronic switchboard since at its level, several other stations can be connected such as a telephone set 7, as shown in the figure, or else a fax machine, a bank card reader or the like.

 In addition to the backup battery 9 present at the microswitch 5, there is also an auxiliary battery 10 present at the transmitter 2.

 When an electrical failure occurs, it is first of all the backup 9 and auxiliary 10 batteries of the microswitch 5 and the transmitter 2 that will be used, then after a short delay, generally 15 minutes, it is the auxiliary battery 10 of larger capacity, which will allow proper operation by allowing the supply of electricity, on the one hand, to said microswitch 5 and, on the other hand, to the transmitter 2, according to a method which will be described later.

 Of course under normal conditions, the transmitter 2 and the micro-switch 5 are supplied with electricity in a conventional manner by the electrical distribution network or sector 8.

 In FIG. 2, the transmitter 2 is connected to a certain number of sensors 6 which will make it possible to detect any foreign intrusion into a room, any risk of danger or fire, etc.

 They can be light beams, laser beams, microphones, video cameras, pressure sensors or the like.

 To further increase the security of the device, the active part of it, that is to say the micro-switch 5 and the transmitter 2 are enclosed in a sealed box.

 This box, not shown in the figures, is subject to self-protection by sensor to allow the sending of a signal towards the transmitter 2 which will transmit this signal to the microswitch 5 if someone comes to try to force it.

Said microswitch 5 will then send the signal to the central monitoring station 3 according to the method described below, or trigger a local alarm if the ISDN line 4 is not usable.

The operating method of this device 1, when the conditions are normal, that is to say that the device 1 is supplied with electricity by the sector 8 consists
- give priority to the transmitter over other devices, for example a telephone 7, as soon as a sensor 6 transmits a safety signal,
- to open a time window which blocks access to the network line, that is to say that for a determined period, no message can be transmitted on this network line,
- to transmit the signal to the central monitoring station 3,
- receiving a counter-call from said central 3 in the direction of micro-switch 5, allowing recognition of this central 3, and
to close the time window, that is to say to allow communications again, by other devices such as the telephone 7, on the network line which had been reserved for the use of the transmission device 1.

 In a preferred embodiment, between the reception of the counter-appeal and the closing of the time window, the method allows the recognition of the central monitoring station 3 which sent the counter-appeal, in the event that criminals are capable to send their own cross-appeal.

In the case where the conditions are abnormal, that is to say that the sector 8 has been cut or / and damaged, the process consists prior to the operations which have been seen previously.
- ensuring normal operation of the microswitch 5 on the energy of the backup battery 9, and of the transmitter 2 on the auxiliary battery 10,
to provide a standby service in the operation of said microswitch 5 on the backup battery 9 and normal operation of the transmitter 2 on the auxiliary battery 10,
- to monitor the activation of the microswitch 5 as soon as the transmitter 2 takes a line,
- to restore normal operation of the device 1 as soon as the transmitter 2 sends a communication to the central monitoring station 3 via the microswitch 5.

In addition, as soon as an individual tries to disconnect the line
ISDN 4 or possibly to open the box containing the microswitch 5 and the transmitter 2, said microswitch 5 can trigger a local alarm.

 The microswitch 5 and the transmitter 2 each have a memory 12 or 11 which records the elements on the fly, that is to say that the recording is of short duration and that there is re-recording on the oldest recorded part.

 It is in fact a log which chronologically records the calls and counter-calls as well as their duration and the telephone number called or calling.

 This invention therefore allows the conservation of the characteristics and safety actions defined by the transmitter 2.

REFERENCES
1. Device for automatic transmission of alarm signals
2. Transmitter 3. Central monitoring station 4. ISDN line
5. Micro-switch
6. Sensor
7. Telephone
8. Electricity distribution network called sector
9. Backup battery for micro-switch 5 10. Auxiliary battery for transmitter 2 or micro-switch5 11. Memory for transmitter 2 12. Memory for micro-switch 5 13. Conventional alarm signal transmission device 14. Transmitter 15. Central monitoring station 16. Analog telephone line 17. Transmitter battery 14 18. Sensor

Claims (9)

 1. Device for automatic transmission of alarm signals (1) received from a transmitter (2), connected to at least one sensor (6), to a central monitoring station (3), this transmission being effected by the via an analog telephone line (4), characterized by the fact  that the telephone line is a line of the Integrated Services Digital Network, called ISDN (4),  a micro-switch (5), controlled by software, is inserted between the transmitter (2) and the telephone line (4), and  that the micro-switch (5) allows the connection of at least one other device, such as telephone (7), fax machine, bank card reader.  2. Device according to claim 1, which in addition to the conventional power supply by the electrical distribution network called sector (8), comprises at least one complementary and independent power supply source, characterized by the fact  a backup battery (9) is incorporated in the microswitch (5), and / or  an auxiliary battery (10) is connected to the transmitter (2) and to the micro-switch (5), the battery (10) being always in charge due to the presence of a charger, powered by the mains (8) .  3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that  that the microswitch (5) and the transmitter (2) each have a memory (11 and 12).  4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that  that the micro-switch (5) and the transmitter (2) are enclosed in a sealed box.  5. A method of operating a device, as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 4, when the conditions are normal, that is to say that the device is supplied with electricity by the sector, characterized in that  that it consists  - to give priority to the transmitter over other devices, as soon as a sensor transmits a safety signal,  - to open a time window that blocks trunk access,  - to transmit the signal to the central monitoring station,  - receiving a counter-call from said central to the micro-switch, and  - to close the time window.  6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that  that between the reception of the counter-call and the closing of the time window, the method allows the recognition of the central station having sent said counter-call.  7. A method of operating a device, as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 4, when the conditions are abnormal, that is to say in the absence of electrical supply to the device by the sector, characterized in that  that it consists  - ensuring normal operation of the micro-switch on the backup battery and the transmitter on the auxiliary battery,  - to ensure a standby service in the operation of said microswitch on the backup battery and normal operation of the transmitter on the auxiliary battery,  - to monitor the activation of the micro-switch as soon as the transmitter takes a line,  - to restore normal operation of the device as soon as said transmitter sends a communication to the central monitoring station via the micro-switch,  - to open a time window that blocks trunk access,  - to transmit the signal to the central monitoring station,  - receiving a counter-call from said central to the micro-switch, and  - to close the time window.  8. Method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that  that when an individual tries to disconnect either the telephone line or one of the electrical supplies, or to open the box containing the microswitch and the transmitter, said microswitch triggers a local alarm.  9. Method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that  that the micro-switch and the transmitter each have a memory which records on the fly.