GB2125597A - Alarm equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

Alarm equipment comprises a synthesiser of sounds constituting a word such as "HELP" and a hand-held radio transmitter capable when operated of operating the synthesiser together with a loud speaker so that the word "HELP" is shouted to passers-by from the outside of a building, possibly in conjunction with a flashing light. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Alarm equipment This invention relates to alarm equipment, and one object is to provide a particularly easy and effective way in which someone, perhaps an invalid, can summon help in an emergency.

It has already been proposed to have schemes whereby a telephone call can be made automatically to an ambulance service, and to have a scheme, according to which a radio transmitter is used to give an alarm, and also a flashing light, but one novel and striking feature of the present invention is the broadcasting of the word "HELP" or a similar word from a loud speaker. It may be accompanied by a flashing light for example, so that the location where help is required can be indicated.

Frequently these days an alarm in the form of a light or a bell is ignored because there is some doubt as to the nature of the alarm, and also there is often a feeling that it is probably a false alarm.

According to one aspect of the present invention alarm equipment comprises a loud speaker, a synthesiser of sounds constituting the word "HELP" and a hand held radio transmitter capable - when operated - of operating the synthesiser and loud speaker, so that the word "HELP" is delivered.

The loud speaker may well be positioned just outside the wall of a building where people who may need to use the equipment are living. It may be accompanied by a flashing light, perhaps indicating that an invalid is present, and the flashing light may be in a window indicating which of the number of rooms in the building is the one where the person needing help is.

Where there are a number of people in one building, or on one area, each may have his own hand-held radio transmitter capable of operating the synthesiser, and loud speaker, and the transmitters may be coded so that the identity of the caller can be known. For example if the synthesiser and loud speaker are operated by a radio transmission with a particular code, the broadcasting of the word "HELP" may be accompanied by a flashing light in the window of the room of the person owning that transmitter.

The synthesiser may constitute a micro-chip having electronic components for synthesising the word "HELP" or whatever other word is used, and in general it is believed that that will be more convenient and more simple than having to play a recording of the word.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, and one embodiment will be briefly described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which show rather diagrammatically the equipment embodying the invention.

An invalid 11 is resident in a house 12, and carries always on her person a radio transmitter 13, so that in an emergency she can press a button 14to cause radio transmissions to start.

A radio receiver 15 is positioned at a suitable place in the buildng, and is connected to operate an external loud speaker 16 and a flashing "HELP" sign 17 in one of the windows.

A synthesiser in the form of a micro-chip arranged to synthesise the word "HELP" is associated with the loud speaker 16, so that as soon as it is operated by the receiver 15, the word "HELP" is broadcast loudly for anyone outside to hear.

The radio transmitter may have a range of perhaps 200 feet, and the transmission may be coded to identify the particular user.

It is also possible to have a telephone dial out facility whether to a hospital, ambulance station, a Police station or to some other network.

Other synthesises words which may be broadcast are "FIRE" and "INTRUDERS ON PREMISES". The words can alternate with a bell, or siren, or other noise.

CLAIMS (Filed on 5.5.83) 1. Alarm equipment comprising a loud speaker, a synthesiser of sounds constituting the word HELP or some other word, and means for operating the synthesiser and loud speaker so that the word is shouted to passers-by.

2. Equipment as claimed in Claim 1 in which the operating means comprises a hand-held radio transmitter.

3. Equipment as claimed in either of the preceding claims in which the synthesiser includes a microchip on which the components of the word to be shouted can be stored or programmed.

4. Equipment as claimed in any of the preceding claims including a unit for external mounting and embodying the loud speaker.

5. Equipment as claimed in Claim 4 in which the unit also includes a flashing light, or other visual alarm device.

6. Equipment as claimed in any of the preceding claims including a number of operating means each with its individual code, and means for giving an indication which operating means has rendered the loud speaker and synthesiser operative.

7. Alarm equipment constructed and arranged substantially as herein specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Alarm equipment This invention relates to alarm equipment, and one object is to provide a particularly easy and effective way in which someone, perhaps an invalid, can summon help in an emergency. It has already been proposed to have schemes whereby a telephone call can be made automatically to an ambulance service, and to have a scheme, according to which a radio transmitter is used to give an alarm, and also a flashing light, but one novel and striking feature of the present invention is the broadcasting of the word "HELP" or a similar word from a loud speaker. It may be accompanied by a flashing light for example, so that the location where help is required can be indicated. Frequently these days an alarm in the form of a light or a bell is ignored because there is some doubt as to the nature of the alarm, and also there is often a feeling that it is probably a false alarm. According to one aspect of the present invention alarm equipment comprises a loud speaker, a synthesiser of sounds constituting the word "HELP" and a hand held radio transmitter capable - when operated - of operating the synthesiser and loud speaker, so that the word "HELP" is delivered. The loud speaker may well be positioned just outside the wall of a building where people who may need to use the equipment are living. It may be accompanied by a flashing light, perhaps indicating that an invalid is present, and the flashing light may be in a window indicating which of the number of rooms in the building is the one where the person needing help is. Where there are a number of people in one building, or on one area, each may have his own hand-held radio transmitter capable of operating the synthesiser, and loud speaker, and the transmitters may be coded so that the identity of the caller can be known. For example if the synthesiser and loud speaker are operated by a radio transmission with a particular code, the broadcasting of the word "HELP" may be accompanied by a flashing light in the window of the room of the person owning that transmitter. The synthesiser may constitute a micro-chip having electronic components for synthesising the word "HELP" or whatever other word is used, and in general it is believed that that will be more convenient and more simple than having to play a recording of the word. The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, and one embodiment will be briefly described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which show rather diagrammatically the equipment embodying the invention. An invalid 11 is resident in a house 12, and carries always on her person a radio transmitter 13, so that in an emergency she can press a button 14to cause radio transmissions to start. A radio receiver 15 is positioned at a suitable place in the buildng, and is connected to operate an external loud speaker 16 and a flashing "HELP" sign 17 in one of the windows. A synthesiser in the form of a micro-chip arranged to synthesise the word "HELP" is associated with the loud speaker 16, so that as soon as it is operated by the receiver 15, the word "HELP" is broadcast loudly for anyone outside to hear. The radio transmitter may have a range of perhaps 200 feet, and the transmission may be coded to identify the particular user. It is also possible to have a telephone dial out facility whether to a hospital, ambulance station, a Police station or to some other network. Other synthesises words which may be broadcast are "FIRE" and "INTRUDERS ON PREMISES". The words can alternate with a bell, or siren, or other noise. CLAIMS (Filed on 5.5.83)

1. Alarm equipment comprising a loud speaker, a synthesiser of sounds constituting the word HELP or some other word, and means for operating the synthesiser and loud speaker so that the word is shouted to passers-by.

2. Equipment as claimed in Claim 1 in which the operating means comprises a hand-held radio transmitter.

3. Equipment as claimed in either of the preceding claims in which the synthesiser includes a microchip on which the components of the word to be shouted can be stored or programmed.

4. Equipment as claimed in any of the preceding claims including a unit for external mounting and embodying the loud speaker.

5. Equipment as claimed in Claim 4 in which the unit also includes a flashing light, or other visual alarm device.

6. Equipment as claimed in any of the preceding claims including a number of operating means each with its individual code, and means for giving an indication which operating means has rendered the loud speaker and synthesiser operative.

7. Alarm equipment constructed and arranged substantially as herein specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.