MXPA97002489A - Transmitter system - receiver to transmit state of ale - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention comprises a system formed by one or several radio repeaters of seismic alert status operating in the VHF, UHF or other band, which receive the signals by the radio frequency system and retransmit said signal in one or several different frequencies each. The receiver system can activate control devices, store the developed functions and locally generate the audible seismic warning signal and adapt a receiving device of the VHF, UHF or other band to receive and decode the radio frequency alert signal seismic generating an audio signaling, visual signaling, opening and closing control contacts and sending a digital message for optional equipment remote control

Description

TRANSMITTER-RECEIVER SYSTEM TO TRANSMIT STATUS OF SEISMIC ALERT TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to systems and electronic devices such as those used in the transmission and reception of radio signals that are useful for the detection and transmission of information, warning or warning signals, from the detection points of the variable to be identified. , said signal being transmitted by radio waves to reception points installed and operated by users interested in being constantly or periodically informed or alerted of the occurrence of such events or events. Particularly, the present invention refers to the electronic devices used in the systems of transmission and reception of the information, warning or warning signals as indicated above, as well as with regard to the form of their installation, operation and processing. slow signals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Since 1993, in Mexico City and surrounding areas, a seismic warning signal is transmitted by commercial radio stations in the Amplitude Modulated (AM) and Frequency Modulated (FM) frequencies that operate in the Valley of Mexico. The purpose of such a signal of seismic alert is to alert the population of the imminent arrival of an earthquake originated in the so-called "Warrior Gap". The earthquakes that have most affected Mexico City come from the subduction zone, which goes from Chiapas to Jalisco. The September 1985 earthquake originated in the so-called "Brecha de Michoacán" that had been inactive for at least 75 years.

It has been assured, by specialists, that the "Warrior Gap" has been inactive for more than 30 years, so the occurrence before the year 2000 of an earthquake of similar magnitudes to 1985 is very high. The seismic warning signal is obtained by means of a so-called "Seismic Warning System" that includes: an earthquake detector system, which is located precisely in the Gap of Guerrero, located 320 km from Mexico City, and for which 12 earthquake detection stations are used; a Guerrero-Distrito Federal communications system consisting of three relay stations, each with twin systems, to receive and re-transmit the signals from the field stations to the next repeater until they are subsequently received by the central reception desk of the alert; and a system for monitoring, generating and disseminating the seismic warning signal, which includes computerized reception systems, data analyzers and transmitters for dissemination in the Valley of Mexico through signals sent to the end users of the system.

In one of the modalities of emission of seismic warning signal, the central control station transmits a telecontrol signal destined to activate special receivers installed in radio broadcasting stations, which are, for now, one of the types of users of the seismic warning. With this telecontrol signal, the normal transmission of each radio station is interrupted for one minute and a specific message is inserted, pre-recorded with a characteristic tone and the repetitive message: "SEISMIC ALERT, SEISMIC ALERT". At the end of the minute, the normal programming of the radio station is restored. Of course, for radio broadcasters, having an activated receiver system permanently is necessary and indispensable to be able to offer the service of giving notice to the population about the seismic alert; however, the population itself would require a permanent radio receiver to be able to receive the seismic warning signal or any other type of civil alert that is broadcast in this way. To overcome this situation, the applicant, in accordance with the present invention, has developed a radio system to transmit the seismic alert state reliably and efficiently., without the need for the user to have a commercial radio receiver system permanently on 24 hours a day to be aware of these signals. Said system comprises fundamentally, one or more radio repeaters of seismic alert status in the VHF or other band, and one or more radio receivers, preferably remote controlled to spread the seismic alert status among the users. There are transmitter-receiver systems for the emission-capture of signals of alert states in case of emergencies or any type of contingencies. U.S. Patent 4,956,875 discloses a radio transmitter and emergency warning system for a select number and class of receivers. This system comprises signals transmitted in the FM band with first and second encoding means, which respectively enable the selection to all the receivers in a given location and enable the transmission to be made to a certain number of particular receivers of a locality. This system would of course allow only a specific part of a population to be aware or in contact to be alerted of a state of alert. Its purpose then is to spread this state to only a select group of users, which must have a system that allows them to activate their receivers by means of a first encoded signal and in turn have some systems to receive a second signal encoded, restricted or selected to certain number or certain type of users. Also, said U.S. Patent 4,956,875, further describes an emergency warning system that uses an FM transmitter. This transmitter has several coding methods, which allow the selection of all the receivers in a certain area and / or the selection of only some particular receivers in that particular area. The transmitter sends coded signals followed by signals that activate audible alarms on special receivers, which are coded to transmit a message on loudspeakers. The receivers are receptive but inactive before receiving the encoded signal for the case of a specific receiver; the receiver is activated selectively to sound the audible alarm and alert people in the vicinity. The receivers are activated by digital codes that are transmitted from low power transmitters installed in emergency vehicles such as firefighters. police and ambulances.

One of the drawbacks of this system is that it is designed to cover this alert in minor and major emergencies, where there is reasonable time, in the order of tens of minutes and even hours for the purpose of the warning or preventive work and mitigation. Of course, for earthquake cases where the response time must be very short, the system of the aforementioned US patent offers certain limitations. On the other hand, the system of the North American reference patent requires at least one high power transmitter and several low power transmitters, which prevents having some operational relevance in remote areas or with little technological infrastructure, besides having no message functionality. supervision of the system. In this invention, the signal is also transmitted at a frequency of the commercial FM broadcasting band, which limits the scope for good reception of the signal. On the other hand, the US patent 5,278,359, when referring to a system of av and alert for emergencies, mentions a device that allows to alert a number of people about the occurrence or risk of such emergency using communication means such as networks of telephony or radio systems or other types of communications infrastructure available. Several installations are monitored to detect the occurrence of multiple alarm conditions. When any of the conditions occur, contact is made by radio or telephone with an emergency management center. This plant is notified about the place and the nature of the alarm condition. Using a predetermined list or data bank, the control panel selects the number corresponding to the place and alert condition, transmitting this number to an automatic control that handles a radio transmitter. This transmitter can be part of an existing service or radio location. The automatic controller, depending on the number sent by the emergency center, transmits a code. The system described in said North American patent describes the use of pagers or paging receivers. However, the receivers have no supervisory function necessary to monitor the operation of the system, as regards the correct operation of the radio receiver and the link between the radio receiver and the transmitter. The applicant, in accordance with the present invention, has developed a transmitter-receiver system of better performance to transmit a state of seismic alert, which allows to be installed and operated in a simple manner in different homes, shops and offices, among other places , allowing alerting the population about the occurrence of disasters in which the time and the margin of response is very small, for which it must act with haste, efficiency and reliability. It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide a better performance transmitter-receiver system for transmitting seismic warning status, which allows to receive signals of seismic alert status in a simple and reliable receiver. Another object of the present invention is to provide a transmitter-receiver system for transmitting the seismic warning state, which employs low power transmitters, with which relatively simple and inexpensive telecommunication infrastructures can be used. Another object of the present invention is to provide a transmitter-receiver system for transmitting the seismic warning state, which allows to generate monitoring signals of the system to monitor the operation of the system, in terms of the correct operation of the radio receiver and of the link between the radio receiver and the transmitter.

Still another object of the present invention, comprises providing a transmitter-receiver system for transmitting seismic warning status, which has processors and encoded signal generators to differentiate the different types of signals received, in addition to having processors and memories that allow storing the alert status codes that will be disseminated to the population, as well as the corresponding statistics of the events that have occurred. Another object of the present invention is to provide a transmitter-receiver system for transmitting seismic alert status in one or more frequencies, automatically or manually, with the purpose of having a highly reliable system in receiving the signal of the alertness. Another of the additional objects of the present invention is to show a transmitter-receiver system of alert state signals that can be adapted to provide alert states for different types of emergency, achieving different warning conditions for the population or users. These and other objects derived from the use of the present invention will be better understood and will be appreciated in greater detail in the following detailed description of the invention. For such effects reference will be made to the drawings and figures that are mentioned below: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 corresponds to a diagram representative of the connection form of different radio repeaters of the seismic alert status and of different receivers. rad o to spread the seismic alert status.

Figure 2 corresponds in turn to a block diagram of the system of the present invention conceived in a preferred manner. Figure 3 shows another of the preferred embodiments of the characteristic system of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Seen in a more detailed manner, Figure 1 shows the form of integration of the system of the present invention, which comprises a system formed by one or several radio repeaters of seismic alert status (A, B, C) in a VHF, UHF or other band, in addition to a set of radio receivers for local broadcasting of the seismic warning (a, b, c), which are the receiving radios in said bands. The radio repeaters (A, B, C) in a band as specified in the previous paragraph, receive the Seismic Alert Signal by the radio frequency system and retransmit this alert signal in one or several different frequencies each, to effects of covering the urban area that you want to alert. The user of the seismic warning signal has, in accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, a modified radio receiver (a, b, c) to receive the alert signal to selectively capture on one of several frequencies ( preferably three) of the VHF band, which allow activating the seismic warning signal agreed for the development of preventive measures by the user. This receiver can activate control devices, store codes of developed functions and locally generate the audible seismic warning signal. Radio repeaters of seismic alert status in the VHF, UHF or other band are distributed geographically in the areas where the seismic alert signal is to be broadcast under the criteria of coverage and reach to a larger population.

The radio receiver for broadcasting the seismic alert state of the present invention adapts a receiver apparatus of the VHF, UHF or other band to receive and decode the radio frequency signal of seismic alert described in the previous paragraph or of any other type of frequency radiated by repeater stations of this type of warning signal. The radio receiver to broadcast the seismic alert state generates audio signaling, visual signaling, opening and closing of control contacts and the sending of a digital message destined to telecontrol of optional equipment. Referring to Figure 2, the radio receiver to broadcast the seismic alert state is formed by the following components: A radio receiver (1), which is preset to receive one or more possible frequencies in the VHF, UHF or other band. The purpose of having one or several frequencies that allows to have a variety of possibilities of use and tuning of frequencies, with respect to the location of the radio receiver with respect to the nearest transmitter or transmitters. The frequency (s) can be conveniently tuned using a manual or automatic tuner. Also, the system of the present invention also comprises a demodulator circuit (2) that allows converting the signals tuned by the radio receiver circuit (1), to make them of serial type, whereby said already converted signal is delivered to the processor (3). In said processor (3), the serial signal is decoded, with the purpose of identifying various messages therein. In this way, when the serial signal is received and decoded in the processor (3) in the form of different messages, it is compared with the pre-assigned codes in the resident processor, whereby, when said message corresponds to some alert code, the corresponding signal is activated or the instruction for performing a specific predetermined instruction is given previously. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the program resident in the processor is designed to recognize the order of 254 codes, however the versatility of the components used will allow to increase the number and type of said codes in a wider range, said modalities remaining within the scope of this invention. Also, the system of the present invention has an audio alert generator (4), which consists of an amplifier, an analog memory, a speaker and a connector for audio output. The generated alert signal comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a characteristic audio tone, followed by a voice message that is transmitted by means of a speaker. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the seismic warning message is stored in the analog memory. The system of the present invention, in turn, has a data storage circuit (5), which stores data relating, among others, to the received message, such as the message itself, the date, hour, minute and second of reception of the message. Likewise, the types of messages that can be called "monitoring" and the operations carried out in the equipment are stored. The way in which it is possible to recover and analyze said data is by connecting a computer connected to the interface for digital communication (6). The information and data stored in this part of the system can be conveniently protected in such a way that in the event of power failure, the information can be stored and recovered.

In accordance with the aforementioned, the system of the present invention also has an interface for digital communication (6) comprising a communication port, preferably serial, to access the data contained in the internal memory of the receiver and to program the identification of it, as well as allowing its initialization. Likewise, the system allows data such as those mentioned above or of another type, to be fed or recovered by means of a computer connected to said communication interface (6). Another feature of the system that is described is that it has an interface \ more to activate external signaling devices (7). This part of the system comprises normally open and / or normally closed contacts that are activated to be closed or open to activate external devices.

The system of the present invention also has an interface for manual operation (8), consisting of buttons for manually operating the options of: i) the warning signage; ii) the test of the installation or the total verification of the system; and iii) the suspension of the audible alert message.

This system also has operation indicators (9), which are light-emitting diodes that indicate: i) the state of operation of the receiver; ii) the state of supply of power supply, which may be of the alternating current (AC) type of 127 volts; and m) the state of the battery charge. The circuit for power supply (10) has an automatic recharge and discharge control for a rechargeable battery. The feeding is carried out by means of any type of source, preferably by means of energy C.A. of 127 volts.

Also, the system has a generator of digital alert messages (11) which is a serial communication interface that is used to transmit a coded digital alert message, generated by the processor (3). In accordance with some of the embodiments of the embodiment of the system of the present invention, Figure 3 shows a variant of the radio receiver system for broadcasting seismic warning status, where the digital message generator module is not considered. Within the types of messages and modes of operation of the system of the present invention, the operation of the system before the possible codes sent by the Seismic Warning System will be mentioned below. The signal emitted by said system is received by the radio receivers of seismic alert status and is retransmitted by means of a radiofrequency signal in the VHF, UHF or other band, radiated in one or more different frequencies to cover with more security a certain area. The type of message sent by the Seismic Warning System may have the following codes, which may give rise to different modes of operation of the system of the present invention: 1. Strong earthquake. Simultaneous activation of all receivers 2. Moderate earthquake. Selective activation of receivers by area or user code 3. Supervision. For periodic verification of the radio link from the control headquarters of the Seismic Warning System to the user. 4. Installation, for initial global verification of the system. 5. Activation, to register the installed receiver equipment. 6. Deactivation, to cancel the receiving team. 7. Presence, for periodic verification of the signal from the repeater to the user. Based on what is shown in Figure 2, some of the behaviors of the radio receiver system to spread the seismic alert state of the present invention are shown below, where the preferred form of operation can be appreciated for each one. of the types of signals such as those mentioned above. However, it should be understood that these signal reception modalities do not limit the scope or possibilities of application of the system of the present invention. Modality 1: Reception of message of strong earthquake. The radio receiver (1) receives the signal transmitted by the control center of the seismic warning system, in a preset frequency, which is sent to the FSK, PSK or other type demodulator (2), which delivers the digital signal of the serial type to the processor (3). Said processor recognizes the code for the seismic warning corresponding to "strong earthquake", which in turn implies an alert activation simultaneously in all the receivers of the covered area. Upon recognizing the "strong earthquake" signal, the processor (3) produces, by means of the audio alert generator (4), a characteristic audio tone, which can be followed by a voice message indicating a condition of seismic warning, which is reproduced by means of the horn during a certain time, preferably one minute; furthermore, the interface for activating external signaling devices (7) closes or opens contacts to activate connected external signaling devices and a digital warning message is sent through the digital alert message generator (11).

At the end of the activation period, the type of message, date, time, minute and second in which the command was received is recorded in the data storage circuit (5). Modality 2: Reception of message of moderate earthquake. Under this mode of operation of the system of the present invention, the radio receiver (1) receives the signal transmitted by the central control unit of the seismic warning system, at a preset frequency and sends it to the FSK demodulator (2), PSK or another type, which delivers the digital signal of the serial type to the processor (3). The processor recognizes the codes for a moderate earthquake in which a selective activation of receivers by area or user code has been chosen. When recognizing the moderate earthquake signal, the processor (3) can perform, in accordance with this mode of operation of the present invention, two actions, depending on the type of mode pre-selected by the user: that is activated for moderate earthquakes; or that is not activated for moderate earthquakes. In the case of the activation option of the signal in the case of moderate earthquakes, the processor (3) produces, by means of the audio alert generator (4), a characteristic audio tone, followed by a voice message that indicates a seismic warning condition that is reproduced by means of a horn for one minute. In addition, to activate the external signaling devices (7), the interface closes or opens contacts to activate external signaling devices that are connected and the digital alert message is sent, by means of the alert message generator (11). At the end of the activation period (duration of the event), in the data storage circuit (5), the type of message received is recorded, as well as the date, hour, minute and second data in which said mers > ,? it was received.

If the user selected the option that the alert does not activate, this alert will not be reproduced, but instead, the data will be stored in the data storage circuit (5), in the same way as the aforementioned, that is, the message is stored, the time, minute and second when the message was received. Modality 3: Reception of supervision message. In accordance with some of the preferred embodiments of the system of the present invention, the transmitting stations must periodically send a so-called monitoring signal, for the purpose of verifying, periodically also, that the earthquake detection systems, the communications and the other devices of the Seismic warning system are in operation. In one such modality, every three hours the transmitting stations of the seismic warning signal send a supervision signal. The radio receiver (1) receives a signal transmitted by the central control unit of the seismic warning system at a preselected frequency and sends it to the FSK, PSK or other type demodulator (2), which delivers the digital signal of the type serial to the processor (3), which recognizes the codes for supervision and produces a characteristic audio tone for a certain time, usually a second, by means of the audio alert generator (4) and the message is stored in the circuit storage of data (5), with date, hour, minute and second in which it was received Modality 4: Reception of installation message. As an integral part of the process of installing a radio receiver, the transmitting station of the seismic warning signal can send a message for the installation of the radio receiver to broadcast seismic alert status. The radio receiver (1) receives this signal at a preselected frequency and sends it to the FSK, PSK or ctn type demodulator (2), which delivers the serial type signal to the processor (3), which recognizes the code. : installation and check if the installation button is pressed on the interface for manual operation (8). If this button is pressed, a characteristic audio tone is generated for a certain time, normally one second, by means of the audio alert generator (4). The message is stored in the data storage circuit (5). If this button is not pressed at the time of transmission, no signal is generated. Modality 5: Reception of activation message (high). The transmitting station of the seismic warning signal sends the activation or high signal to the radio receiver to enable its functions. The radio receiver (1) receives this signal at a preset frequency and sends it to the FSK, PSK or other demodulator (2), which delivers the serial type signal to the processor (3), which recognizes the codes activation and enables the resident program in the processor to perform the operations described in the other operating modes. Modality 6: Reception of deactivation message (low). The transmitting station of the seismic warning signal sends the deactivation or low signal to the radio receiver to disable its functions. The radio receiver (1) receives this signal at a preset frequency and sends it to the FSK, PSK or other demodulator (2), which delivers the digital signal of the serial type to the processor, which recognizes the deactivation codes and it disables the functions performed by the resident program in the processor. Modality 7: Reception of presence message. The transmitting station of the seismic warning signal sends the verification signal periodically, which can be every minute, to keep the radio receiver in a vigilant state. The radio receiver (1) receives this signal at a preselected frequency and sends it to the FSK, PSK or other type demodulator (2), which delivers the digital signal of the type

Claims (18)

1. serial to the processor (3), which recognizes the presence codes and sends a signal to keep the LED indicating the operating status of the receiver, on. This led is one of the operation indicators (9). This signal is used for the user to verify that, the radio receiver to broadcast mic alert status is linked to the mic warning system. Of course it should be understood that the aforementioned modes of operation are only some of the multiple operating options of the system of the present invention. It should also be understood that the aforementioned transmitter-receiver system for broadcasting the mic warning status signal is also one of the emergency modalities that can be disseminated with the system of the present invention, therefore, the adaptations may be made as for the sensors, encoders and other elements of the system in order to be able to broadcast other emergency alert states, so much so that they can be promoted by public, industrial or other entities, necessarily falling within the spirit of the present invention. Having described the present invention this is considered as a novelty and therefore the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS 1. A transmitter-receiver system for transmitting mic warning status, which is made up of a set of one or several radio repeaters of connected mic alert status to retransmit a radio signal on one or more frequencies of the VHF bands
2. UHF or of another type, which also has a set of radio receivers in dc 3s bands, for the dissemination of the mic alert, in which said radio-receivers are characterized because they include: a radio receiver, which is preset to receive one or more possible frequencies in the VHF, UHF or other band, a demodulator circuit, a processor for serial signal decoding, an audio alert generator, a data storage circuit, an interface for digital communication, an interface for activation of external signaling devices, an interface for manual operation, operation indicators, a circuit for power supply, and a generator of digital warning messages. 2. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting mic warning status of clause 1, characterized in that the transmission-reception band is VHF, UHF or otherwise.
3. 3. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting the mic warning state of clause 1, characterized in that the mic warning signal is received by the radio frequency system and said signal is retransmitted in one or several different frequencies.
4. 4. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting the mic warning state of clause 1, characterized in that the demodulator circuit, which may be FSK, PSK or otherwise, allows converting the signals tuned by the radio receiver circuit to be of serial type.
5. 5. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting the mic warning state of clause 1, characterized in that the processor decodes the serial signal for the identification of various messages.
6. 6. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting the mic warning state of clause 1, characterized in that the information received and decoded in the processor is compared with the pre-assigned codes in the resident processor.
7. 7. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting the mic warning state of clause 1, characterized in that the processor is configured to recognize 254 codes.
8. 8. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting the mic warning state of clause 1, characterized in that the audio alert generator comprises an amplifier, an analog memory, a speaker and a connector for audio output, which can be of one tone Characteristic audio followed by a voice message, being stored in an analog memory.
9. 9. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting the seismic warning state of clause 1, characterized in that the data relating to the operation of the system are stored in the data storage circuit.
10. 10. The transmitter-receiver system re-transmits the seismic warning state of clause 9, characterized in that it allows the storage of system monitoring data and of the operations carried out therein.
11. 11. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting the seismic warning status of clauses 1 and 9, characterized in that the stored data is recovered by connecting to a computer connected to an interface for digital communication.
12. 12. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting the seismic warning state of clause 1, characterized in that the interface for digital communication comprises a communication port, preferably serial, useful for accessing the data contained in the internal memory of the receiver, for programming the identification of the receiver, and allow its initialization, among other functions. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting the seismic warning state of clause 1, characterized in that the interface for activating external signaling devices comprises normally open and / or normally closed contacts that are activated to be closed or open to activate devices external. 14. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting the seismic warning state of clause 1, characterized in that the interface for manual operation comprises buttons for manually operating the options of: warning signaling; installation test or total verification of the system; and suspension of the audible alert message, among others. 15. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting the seismic warning state of clause 1, characterized in that the digital warning message generator is a serial communication interface used to transmit a coded digital alert message, generated by the processor. 16. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting the seismic warning state of clause 1, characterized in that the digital message generating module may not be considered. 17. The transmitter-receiver system for re-transmitting seismic warning status of the previous clauses, characterized in that the type of message that can receive and transmit said system, may have among others the following codes: strong earthquake for the activation of all the receivers; moderate earthquake, for the selective activation of receivers by area or user code; supervision of the system, for periodic verification of the radio link from the central control headquarters of the system; installation, for global verification of the system; activation, to register the receiving team; deactivation, to cancel the receiving equipment; and presence, for periodic verification of the signal from the repeater to the user. 18. The transmitter-receiver system of the previous clauses, characterized in that it allows to handle and operate another type of warning signals, detecting and disseminating different public, industrial or other emergency conditions.