JP2000004312A - Emergency notification system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically and surely download operation parameters by only a staff on the side of an emergency notification telephone device through easy operation by identifying the emergency notification telephone device with an automatic download signal from the emergency notification telephone device and detecting an automatic download request. SOLUTION: On a center device side which is called by the emergency notification telephone device, an automatic terminating circuit 101 operates to holds the line by automatically going into off-hook state. A subscriber number input request message is sent via a voice guidance output circuit 103 to identify an inputted subscriber number, and a request message for setting an automatic download mode is sent. When the answer button provided to an automatic download request circuit is pressed, the center device side confirms that by a download request monitor circuit 105 and sends operation parameters of the emergency notification telephone device of the subscriber, and the emergency notification telephone device side stores them in a memory and sends ACK to the center device side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is applied to a so-called socially vulnerable home where it is difficult to take appropriate actions for disasters and illnesses such as a solitary elderly person and a bedridden elderly person. An automatic download method of operation parameters that determines the function operation of an emergency call telephone device that facilitates transmission of information on vulnerable persons who seek assistance in the event of an outbreak or sudden illness to a home care support center or a care counselor. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An emergency call system of this kind includes:
The technical journal "Avio Technical Report" V issued on March 31, 1996 by the technical journal editorial committee of Nippon Avionics Co., Ltd.
ol. 17, No. 1 has detailed description in a paper entitled "Development of a New" Oshinari-san "Emergency Calling System" by Kazuo Fukuda et al., Published on pages 36-46.

In order to transmit an emergency such as a fire or a sudden illness to a supporter such as a home care support center or a caregiver using a normal push-button telephone, a telephone partner to be notified is determined. It is necessary to take the procedure of checking the telephone number of the other party, lifting the telephone handset (off-hook), sequentially pressing the push buttons, inputting the telephone number of the report destination, and speaking the matter when the other party answers. is there.

[0004] When a weak person calls in an emergency in such a general manner, when deciding a destination, looking up a telephone number, entering a telephone number, and talking about a business,
Each takes a considerable amount of time. In addition, it may not be possible to report due to a mental shock such as panic or surprise, or due to physical disability. As a means of avoiding such a situation, a new "Osato-san" emergency call system described in the above-mentioned paper by Fukuda et al. Has been developed.

In the new "My Neighbor" emergency call system, an emergency call telephone device is installed at the home of the weak. This emergency call telephone device is provided with an emergency button. In the event of a fire or sudden illness, a weak person, such as an elderly person living alone, can press the emergency button anyway, and this emergency call telephone device can be used to report the occurrence of an emergency. When the other party answers the call (goes off-hook), a call path is formed. Through the communication path formed here,
Vulnerable people such as supporters such as home care support centers and elderly people living alone exchange information by voice.

The operation parameters for determining the operation of the emergency call telephone device, such as the predetermined telephone number of the destination, the type of the call, and the like, are initially set or when the operation parameters need to be reset. Generally, the operating parameters are set by downloading them from a center device that manages them. FIG. 4 shows a sequence of a conventional method for setting an operation parameter, and will be described with reference to the figure. As an advance preparation, the installer of the emergency call telephone device (hereinafter, simply referred to as “installer”) sets the emergency call telephone device to the automatic download mode, calls an operator at the center (hereinafter, simply referred to as “operator”). And informs the user of the completion of the preparation for automatic download of the operation parameters of the emergency call telephone device.

(1) An operator calls an emergency call telephone device. (2) The emergency call telephone device automatically goes off-hook when the call signal reaches a predetermined number of times. (3) The emergency call telephone device transmits a “connection completion message” to the center device. (4) In response to the "connection completion message", the center device starts automatic download and transmits operating parameters to the emergency call telephone device. (5) The emergency call telephone device receives the operation parameter, and returns “ACK” when the operation parameter is successfully received. (6) When receiving the "ACK", the center device transmits a "normal disconnection message" to the emergency call telephone device. (7) Upon receiving the "normal disconnection message", the emergency call telephone device returns a "normal disconnection message" to the center device. (8) Both the center device and the emergency call telephone device automatically go on-hook.

[0008]

However, as described above, in the conventional emergency call telephone apparatus, the automatic download method of the operation parameters is automatically executed only by downloading, but the trigger is triggered by the operation of the installer. This is a telephone call with a member. That is, such an emergency call system has the following problems. (1) Both the center device and the emergency call telephone device require labor, and the operator is not only restricted by time when downloading, but also does nothing especially at that time. Extra costs such as waste are generated. (2) Prior to the start of automatic download, setting is required in advance and the operation is complicated. (3) If the user answers the emergency call telephone device before the predetermined number of calls, the automatic download sequence stops. The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an emergency call system capable of reliably and automatically downloading operation parameters with a simple operation only by personnel on the emergency call telephone device side. A second object is to provide an automatic download method.

[0009]

In order to achieve the first object, the present invention provides the following constitutional means. It is used by vulnerable people such as elderly people living alone in an emergency.Emergency telephone devices connected to a telephone line and performing operations according to operating parameters, a telephone external to the emergency telephone device, and a telephone line In the emergency call system comprising an emergency call telephone device and a center device for automatically downloading operation parameters to the emergency call telephone device, the emergency call telephone device is provided with automatic download request means, and the center device is guided by voice to an automatic download start procedure. A voice synthesizing unit, an individual identification unit for identifying the emergency call telephone device, and a unit for detecting an automatic download request from the emergency call telephone device. Automatically downloads an emergency call. .

Further, the emergency call telephone device according to the present invention has the following components. (1) An external telephone hook monitoring circuit that monitors a hook state of the external telephone and sends the state to the main control circuit described in (8) below. (2) A control circuit for connecting the telephone line to this external telephone or this emergency call telephone device. When an external telephone is used, the external telephone is used by a control signal from the main control circuit described in (8) below. First and second off-hook control circuits for connecting the emergency call telephone device to the telephone line in the automatic download mode. (3) A speech network circuit that forms a communication path with the other party's telephone via a telephone line. (4) A push-button signal transmission circuit that converts a code such as the automatic download mode setting completion from the main control circuit described in (8) into a DTMF signal and sends it to the speech network circuit. (5) A polarity reversal detection circuit that detects, by polarity, that a communication path has been formed with the other party's telephone via a telephone line, and sends the state to the main control circuit described in (8) below. (6) A push-button signal receiving circuit for encoding an operation parameter or the like transmitted by a DTMF signal via a telephone line and transmitting the encoded operation parameter to a main control unit described in (8) below. (7) An automatic download request monitoring circuit that includes an automatic download mode setting input section, monitors the status, and sends the status to the main control circuit described in (8) below. (8) A microprocessor with a memory for controlling automatic download of the emergency call telephone device, recognizing the formation of the communication path, recognizing a hook state of the external telephone, the first and second off-hook controls Generating a control signal for the circuit, recognizing the automatic download mode setting state, generating an automatic download mode setting completion code based on the setting state, inputting the coded operation parameters, and storing the coded operation parameters in the memory. The main control circuit having each function of:

The center apparatus according to the present invention has the following components. (1) An automatic call receiving circuit that automatically goes off-hook when a call signal is received and forms a communication path. (2) A push button signal output circuit for converting the operation parameters and the like from the main control circuit described in (5) into a DTMF signal and transmitting the DTMF signal to a telephone line. (3) A voice guidance output circuit that converts guidance necessary for the automatic download execution sequence from the main control circuit described in (5) into voice and sends it to the telephone line. (4) A circuit for coding data transmitted by a DTMF signal from the emergency call telephone device, and a subscription for specifying each emergency call telephone device from a subscriber number which is identification data of the emergency call telephone device. And a download request monitoring circuit for monitoring whether an automatic download mode setting completion message, which is an automatic download request from the emergency call telephone device, has been received. A push button signal detection circuit to be sent to the main control circuit described in (5) below. (5) A microprocessor with a memory for controlling the entire automatic download, generating guidance necessary for an automatic download execution sequence, preparing predetermined operating parameters from subscriber identification information, and receiving an automatic download request. The main control circuit having the functions of transmitting the operation parameters.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the present invention provides the following constitution means. That is, in the emergency call system described in paragraph number 9, there is provided a method for automatically downloading operation parameters to the emergency call telephone device, which has the following sequence. (1) The installer of the emergency call telephone device calls the center device using an external telephone. (2) The center device automatically goes off-hook in response to the call signal. (3) The center device transmits, by voice, a request message for inputting a subscriber number, which is identification data of the emergency call telephone device. (4) Receiving this message, the installer inputs the subscriber number using the external telephone and transmits it as identification data. (5) The center device confirms the individual identification data, prepares predetermined operation parameters, and transmits a request message for setting the emergency call telephone device to the automatic download mode by voice. (6) Upon receiving this message, the installer sets the emergency call telephone device to the automatic download mode and transmits an automatic download mode setting completion message. (7) Upon receiving the setting completion message, the center device transmits predetermined operation parameters to the emergency call telephone device. (8) The emergency call telephone device receives the operation parameter and stores it in the memory.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an automatic download sequence of operation parameters according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an emergency call telephone device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a block diagram of a part regarding download for an emergency call telephone device in a center device of an embodiment.

First, the configuration of the emergency call telephone device will be described. In FIG. 2, 1 is a telephone line, 2 is a polarity detection circuit, 3 is a diode bridge circuit, 4 is a speech network circuit, 5 is an audio signal circuit, 6 is a PB signal (push button signal) transmission circuit, and 7 is a PB signal. Receiving circuit, 8 is a voice synthesis circuit, 9 is a bus, 10 is an automatic download request monitoring circuit, 11 is a main control circuit, 12 is a memory, L1, L
2, L1A and L2A are two-wire telephone line input terminals, 13 is a first off-hook control circuit, 14 is a second off-hook control circuit, and 15 is an external telephone hook monitoring circuit.

The reversal detection circuit 2 detects a change in the polarity of the telephone line 1. The polarity of the telephone line includes a case where the potential of L1 is higher than the potential of L2 and a case where the potential of L1 is lower than the potential of L2. The telephone number is transmitted to the other telephone, and the telephone of the telephone number goes off-hook. That is, when a communication path is formed between the transmitting telephone and the other telephone via the telephone line 1, the polarity is inverted. The main control circuit 11 is a microprocessor with a memory. The main control circuit 11 receives the output of the reversal detection circuit 2 via the bus 9 to determine whether or not the call of the called telephone has succeeded, that is, the communication with the called telephone. It is possible to know whether or not a communication path is formed in between.

The diode bridge circuit 3 is an AC / DC mutual conversion circuit provided between the telephone line 1 for handling AC signals and the speech network circuit 4 for handling DC signals. The speech network circuit 4 is a hybrid circuit that performs mutual conversion between a two-wire circuit and a four-wire circuit, and is commercially available as a dedicated integrated circuit. PB signal transmission circuit 6
Is a circuit for converting a code such as completion of automatic download mode setting supplied from the main control circuit 11 into a DTMF signal (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) which is a PB signal.

The voice signal circuit 5 converts the voice signal supplied from the voice synthesizing circuit 8 into a DTMF signal and guides it to the speech network circuit 4. The PB signal receiving circuit 7 is a circuit that converts an operation parameter transmitted as a DTMF signal via the telephone line 1 into a code that can be handled by the main control circuit 11. The automatic download request monitoring circuit 10 includes a “response” button, which is a setting section of the automatic download mode, and sends an output signal to the main control circuit 11. Main control circuit 1
1 receives this signal and generates an automatic download mode setting completion message of the operation parameter. Memory 12
Is a memory for storing the transmitted operation parameters.

The first off-hook control circuit 13 is for switching connection of a telephone line, and is provided with an external telephone (terminal L1A,
Connected to L2A. Not shown. ) In use, control is performed so that the external telephone is connected to the telephone line 1. The second off-hook control circuit 14 is a switch circuit composed of a transistor, and ON / OFF is controlled by an off-hook signal supplied from the main control circuit 11 via the bus 9. The main control circuit 11 turns on the second off-hook control circuit 14 and turns off the first off-hook control circuit 13 prior to transmission of the automatic download mode setting completion message, disconnects the external telephone from the telephone line 1, and sends an emergency call. The apparatus body is connected to the telephone line 1.

Next, a part of the center device related to the download for the emergency call telephone device will be described. In FIG. 3, 101 is an automatic incoming call circuit, 102 is a PB signal output circuit, 103 is a voice guidance output circuit, 110 is a subscriber number identification circuit 104, and a download request monitoring circuit 105.
, A main control circuit 120 and a two-wire telephone line input terminal 100.

The automatic call receiving circuit 101 is a circuit for automatically off-hook when a call signal is received to form a communication path.
The PB signal output circuit 102 is a circuit that converts an operation parameter or the like from the main control circuit 120 into a DTMF signal. The voice guidance output circuit 103 is a circuit that outputs a voice guidance required for an automatic download execution sequence described later from the main control circuit 120. The PB signal detection circuit 110 is a circuit that converts the emergency call telephone device data transmitted by the DTMF signal into a code that can be handled by the main control circuit 120. The subscriber number identification internally identifies the subscriber number from the emergency call telephone device. The circuit 104 includes a download request monitoring circuit 105 for monitoring whether the emergency call telephone device is set to the automatic download mode. Also,
The download request monitoring circuit 105 has a timer,
It is practical to add a function of performing a timeout process when there is no download request for a predetermined time or more.

Next, a sequence of automatic download of operation parameters will be described with reference to FIG. (1) The installer calls the center device using an external telephone. (2) In response to the call signal, the center apparatus operates the automatic incoming call circuit 101 to automatically go off-hook and hold the line. That is, a communication path is formed between the center device and the emergency call telephone device. (3) The center device side transmits a subscriber number input request message "Please enter the subscriber number" by voice via the voice guidance output circuit 103 in order to identify the emergency call telephone device individually. . (4) Upon receiving this message, the installer inputs the subscriber number using the external telephone and transmits the subscriber number as identification data.

(5) The PB signal detection circuit 1 is located on the center device side.
The subscriber number identification circuit 104 in 10 identifies the subscriber based on the individual identification data, prepares predetermined operation parameters, and sets the emergency call telephone device "press the answer button" by voice to the automatic download mode. Send a request message. (6) Upon receiving the voice guidance, the installer presses a “response” button attached to the automatic download request circuit 10. As a result, as described above, the main control circuit 11 detects the automatic download mode setting, drives the first and second off-hook control circuits 13 and 14, disconnects the external telephone from the telephone line 1, and makes an emergency call. After the telephone device is connected to the telephone line 1, an automatic download mode setting completion message is transmitted via the PB signal transmission circuit 6 to the D.
The signal is converted into a TMF signal and transmitted to the center. (7) On the side of the center device, the download request monitoring circuit 105 in the PB signal detection circuit 110 confirms the automatic download mode setting completion message and outputs the operation parameters of the specified emergency call telephone device to the PB signal output circuit. Send via 102.

(8) On the emergency call telephone device side, this DTM
The operating parameters transmitted by the F signal are received by the PB signal receiving circuit 7 and the memory 12 is controlled by the main control circuit 11.
To be stored. When the operation parameters are normally received, "ACK" is transmitted to the center device. (9) In response to the “ACK”, the center device confirms that the operation parameters have been transmitted normally, and transmits a “normal end message”. (10) In response to the "normal end message", the emergency call telephone device transmits a "normal end message" to the center device in the same manner. (11) Thereafter, both the center device side and the emergency call telephone device are automatically on-hook, and the operation parameter automatic download sequence ends.

In such a sequence, only the installer of the emergency call telephone device can automatically download the operation parameters. In this embodiment, only the case where the automatic download of the operation parameter is normally performed is described. However, when the automatic download is not performed normally, the emergency call telephone device issues a “retransmission request” and performs communication several times. To try,
If it still does not execute normally, it is, of course, necessary to provide an abnormal processing sequence such as transmitting an “abnormal end message”.

[0025]

According to the present invention, as described above,
Automatic download request determination means from the emergency call telephone device is added to the center device side, and automatic download request means is added to the emergency call telephone device, and an automatic download sequence is defined. It becomes possible to automatically download operation parameters such as a report destination and a report type that determine the functional operation of the report telephone device from the center side.

Therefore, if the emergency call system of the present invention is used, it is only necessary to call the center device and operate the external telephone and the emergency call telephone device according to the voice guidance message from the center device. The operation parameters can be reliably set in the emergency call telephone device by the operation.
In addition, since the operation parameters can be set by such a simple operation, the installation work can be performed by simple trained personnel without using skilled installers, so that the cost of the installation work can be reduced. . In addition, the operating parameters can be set by personnel only on the emergency call telephone device side,
Since the operator of the center device can be used as an installer of another emergency call telephone device, a large number of emergency call telephone devices can be installed in a short period of time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a sequence of an operation parameter download according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an emergency call telephone device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a part related to download for an emergency call telephone device on the center side according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a conventional operation parameter download sequence.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 telephone line 2 reversal detection circuit 6 PB signal transmission circuit 7 PB signal reception circuit 10 automatic download request monitoring circuit 12 memory 101 automatic reception circuit 102 PB signal output circuit 103 voice guidance output circuit 104 subscriber number identification circuit 105 download request monitoring circuit

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 5C087 AA05 AA40 AA44 BB12 BB62 BB64 BB73 BB74 DD04 DD24 EE12 FF01 FF05 FF23 GG12 GG19 GG21 GG24 GG30 GG41 GG49 GG57 GG66 GG67 GG83 5K024 GG03 GG01 5G024 MM04 MM06 MM07 NN02 NN14 NN16 NN22 NN25 NN32 RR21 RR28 TT01 UU03 VV07

Claims (4)

[Claims] An emergency call telephone device connected to a telephone line and operated according to an operation parameter, and a telephone external to the emergency call telephone device, which is used by a weak person such as an elderly person living alone in an emergency. An emergency notification system comprising: a center device that automatically downloads an operation parameter to the emergency notification telephone device via a telephone line. The emergency notification telephone device includes an automatic download request unit. Means for identifying the emergency call telephone device, and means for detecting an automatic download request from the emergency call telephone device. The center is provided by the automatic download request from the emergency call telephone device. Automatically downloading the operating parameters from a device; Broadcast system. 2. The emergency call telephone device according to claim 1, comprising the following components. (1) An external telephone hook monitoring circuit that monitors a hook state of the external telephone and sends the state to the main control circuit described in (8) below. (2) A control circuit for connecting the telephone line to this external telephone or this emergency call telephone device. When an external telephone is used, the external telephone is used by a control signal from the main control circuit described in (8) below. First and second off-hook control circuits for connecting the emergency call telephone device to the telephone line in the automatic download mode. (3) A speech network circuit that forms a communication path with the other party's telephone via a telephone line. (4) A push-button signal transmission circuit that converts a code such as the automatic download mode setting completion from the main control circuit described in (8) into a DTMF signal and sends it to the speech network circuit. (5) A polarity reversal detection circuit that detects, by polarity, that a communication path has been formed with the other party's telephone via a telephone line, and sends the state to the main control circuit described in (8) below. (6) A push button signal receiving circuit for encoding an operation parameter or the like transmitted by a DTMF signal via a telephone line and transmitting the encoded operation parameter to the main control unit described in (8) below. (7) An automatic download request monitoring circuit that includes an automatic download mode setting input section, monitors the status, and sends the status to the main control circuit described in (8) below. (8) A microprocessor with a memory for controlling automatic download of the emergency call telephone device, recognizing the formation of the communication path, recognizing a hook state of the external telephone, the first and second off-hook controls. Generating a control signal for the circuit; recognizing the automatic download mode setting state; generating an automatic download mode setting completion code based on the setting state; inputting the coded operation parameters and storing the code in the memory The main control circuit having each function of: 3. The center device according to claim 1, comprising the following configuration. (1) An automatic call receiving circuit that automatically goes off-hook when a call signal is received and forms a communication path. (2) A push button signal output circuit for converting the operation parameters and the like from the main control circuit described in (5) into a DTMF signal and transmitting the DTMF signal to a telephone line. (3) A voice guidance output circuit that converts guidance necessary for the automatic download execution sequence from the main control circuit described in (5) into voice and sends it to the telephone line. (4) A circuit for coding data transmitted by a DTMF signal from the emergency call telephone device, and a subscription for specifying each emergency call telephone device from a subscriber number which is identification data of the emergency call telephone device. And a download request monitoring circuit for monitoring whether an automatic download mode setting completion message, which is an automatic download request from the emergency call telephone device, has been received. A push button signal detection circuit to be sent to the main control circuit described in (5) below. (5) A microprocessor with a memory for controlling the entire automatic download, generating guidance necessary for an automatic download execution sequence, preparing predetermined operating parameters from subscriber identification information, and receiving an automatic download request. The main control circuit having the functions of transmitting the operation parameters. 4. The method for automatically downloading operation parameters to an emergency call telephone device according to claim 1, further comprising the following sequence. (1) The installer of the emergency call telephone device calls the center device using an external telephone. (2) The center device automatically goes off-hook in response to the call signal. (3) The center device transmits, by voice, a request message for inputting a subscriber number, which is identification data of the emergency call telephone device. (4) Receiving this message, the installer inputs the subscriber number using the external telephone and transmits it as identification data. (5) The center device confirms the individual identification data, prepares predetermined operation parameters, and transmits a request message for setting the emergency call telephone device to the automatic download mode by voice. (6) Upon receiving this message, the installer sets the emergency call telephone device to the automatic download mode and transmits an automatic download mode setting completion message. (7) Upon receiving the setting completion message, the center device transmits predetermined operation parameters to the emergency call telephone device. (8) The emergency call telephone device receives the operation parameter and stores it in the memory.