GB2324183A

GB2324183A - Inactivity alarm system

Info

Publication number: GB2324183A
Application number: GB9707327A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Sheridan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-04-11
Filing date: 1997-04-11
Publication date: 1998-10-14
Also published as: GB9707327D0

Abstract

The system includes a detector to monitor the flow of water to premises, a timer and a telephone auto-dialler. Upon detection of water flow, the timer is reset. If the timer times out to the end of a preset time period, the auto-dialler calls a predetermined telephone number and sends a pre-recorded message to summon help. Consequently, if a person in the premises fails to cause water to flow for the preset time period, eg by turning on a tap or flushing a toilet, thereby indicating that there is a potential problem with the person, assistance is automatically summoned via the telephone.

Description

The Sheridan Home Guard An alarm system to summon assistance if water or services do not flow into a home during a given amount of time.

This patent relates to a monitoring station which can summon help or assistance on the basis of non passage of water or services into a home over a given period of time.

Panic alarms are well known devices for the summoning of assistance by the depressing of a call button. Or by a device ascertaining a change in circumstances and going immediately into a state of alarm.

According to the present invention there is provided a device to trigger an alarm if circumstances remain totally unchanged unaltered or undetected for a prolonged / preprogrammed period of time.

This is done by connecting a sensor/switch to services such as the water supply to a premises, which will if activated by the flowing of water or services through or via the device restart a timing device.

If the device is not restarted by the detection of the passage of water/services, a signal will be generated when the timer reaches zero. And the attached equipment will automatically telephone for help and set off a warning signal to indicate that assistance is required.

The timer can be set to a variable amount of time ranging from 1 second right through to 1000 hours or more.

The services sensor is connected to the timer, which is connected to an autodialler device which is connected to a telephone line. This autodialler device is manufactured to dial pre programmed numbers when it is instructed to do so, and relay pre programmed message to the person/s or system/s designated to respond to that/those messages.

When the programmed amount of time has elapsed the timer will trigger the telephone dialler to call the pre programmed telephone numbers one at a time, when the call is answered the dialler device will transmit the messages.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example.

The installed device in this example has been connected to the water supply and is set to a countdown period of 10 hours and 30 minutes.

The sole occupant of the dwelling (Mrs Smith), where the device has been fitted, rises at 7.30 am. Washes and dresses. (The act of washing automatically restarts the timer). She then enters the kitchen to make tea and take her medication. The act of filling the kettle will restart the timed period again. She takes her breakfast and medication. She then decides to do a little cleaning. And so through the day she rests and moves, resetting the timer each time she turns a tap or flushes the toilet. At 11.00am she sits down to rest because she has overdone things and is feeling a little giddy.

Unbeknown to her she has let her sugar levels fall dangerously low, and falls into a deep and dangerous sleep. In fact she has gone into coma due to her illness.

The last time she activated the water sensor was 1 0.30am the timer is now continuing to count down and will continue to do so for as long as no more water is called upon to enter the house.

At 9.00pm she is still unconscious the pre set time has elapsed.

Therefore the autodialler is now triggered when the timer reaches zero. The telephone autodialler takes over. And calls the nominated person/people and indicate that there is an emergency situation at Mrs Smiths address.

At 9.15pom The nominated key holder arrives with emergency aid to administer emergency medication and arranges to take her to hospital, just in time to save Mrs Smiths life.

Before the emergency services leave and secure the premises, they enter the correct procedures to turn off the device while Mrs Smith is away.

Claims

A A Sheridan Home Guard comprising a domestic services flow detection sensor.

This means a device which can ascertain when services are manually turned on or off or have passed into the premises, through any pipe or conduit. When a flow is detected the device can generate a switch movement to interface with item
2 2 A Sheridan Home Guard further consists of a countdown timing device which can be set to monitor a set time period. And once set or reset will automatically start the process of counting down to zero. The set time period can be triggered to reset by the activation of Item 1 device or by resetting the timer by manually depression of a reset button.
3 A Sheridan Home Guard further consists of a Telephone autodialling device which can store telephone numbers and recorded messages. When it receives an emergency state signal from item 2 this device can automatically dial the pre recorded phone numbers and send the appropriate pre recorded message to the correct person.

It is the claim that the combination of these three items together make this a fully working patent.