Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
  • G08B25/008—Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system

Definitions

• This invention is concerned with improvements relating to alarm systems, particularly such as are used to protect premises (such as homes, offices, shops and the like) against unlawful intrusion.
• a conventional alarm system comprises one or more sensors located within and/or around the premises to be protected, connected either directly or by remote signalling means to a control unit.
• the operator On arming the alarm system the operator has a specific period of time to vacate the premises leaving the sensors in a state of quiescence, and on entering the premises a specific period of time subsequent to initial activation to disarm the alarm system, for example by a key or by the input of a PIN number, or both.
• the sensor unit In the event that the alarm system is not disarmed during this period of time, the sensor unit generates a trigger signal which in addition to activating an alarm signal, may also initiate an alarm message to a police station or a security office, who will investigate the situation. Notwithstanding, during a further specific period of time after activation the operator may telephone a central control station and by quoting an identification code may cancel the call-out.
• Unnecessary call-outs are a pain, both in that they are chargeable by the police and are a waste of police time. In particular, an unnecessary call-out may delay response to a second incident which could have serious implications.
• an alarm unit for an alarm system adapted when in operative condition to be caused by a trigger signal to generate an audio and/or visual message advising of activation of the alarm system.
• the trigger signal operates to provide a call out message to the police station after the elapse of a brief period of time
• the operator may within that time complete correctly the required operation before call out is initiated.
• the alarm unit need not respond in this manner to all trigger signals generated by the alarm system.
• some of the sensors of the alarm system may be input to primary inputs of the alarm unit: these may be designated for simplicity as primary hazard sensor inputs, and will be for use by sensors covering areas most unlikely to be triggered in error.
• primary hazard sensors may for example be located at windows, or doors not normally in use for entry and exit purposes when the alarm system is active.
• sensors of the alarm system may be input to secondary inputs of the alarm unit: these may be designated false hazard sensor inputs and will be for use by sensors covering areas most likely to be triggered in error, such as the main doors of the building, and escape doors which open only outwardly and which are signed as being for use in an emergency only.
• the alarm unit comprises an output associated with each false hazard input, to enable the audio/visual advisory message to be transmitted to the vicinity of the sensor connected to said input.
• the leads conducting the trigger signal from the sensor to the input of the alarm unit are also utilised for delivery of the advisory message.
• the alarm unit may also provide a means for transmission of the warning message which is adjacent to a control panel for the alarm system.
• a control panel for the alarm system.
• each false hazard sensor a communication device such as a telephone enabling a person who erroneously activates the alarm to take the appropriate action as described above.
• the leads conducting the trigger signal from the sensor to the input of the alarm unit are also utilised to provide recharging power for the purpose of trickle charging (for example) a cordless telephone.
• the alarm unit may be operative in the manner described above at all times whenever the alarm system of which it forms part is armed. Alternatively the unit may be so operative only during specific periods of time (conveniently variable) such as those periods when the alarm system is most likely to be actuated in error.
• the alarm unit may be operative to generate the advisory message (whether as a result of actuation of any of the sensors, or as a result of the actuation of only the false hazard sensors) during a morning period, when the alarm is likely to be disarmed by an authorised user, and during an evening period when the alarm is likely to be armed by an authorised user.
• the unit comprises switching means which when in an operative condition (e.g. during the specified period or periods) the advisory message will be generated, and when in an in-operative condition the advisory message will not be generated.
• the switching means is manually variable, whereby the intervals during which the unit is operative as distinct from the time intervals during which the unit is inoperative may be selected by the user.
• the unit is adapted to be operated in response to a primary trigger signal generated by the alarm system, i.e. that signal which initiates an alarm message to the police station or a security office.
• a primary trigger signal generated by the alarm system i.e. that signal which initiates an alarm message to the police station or a security office.
• an alarm system comprising a plurality of sensor units, and an alarm unit of the kind set out above.
• the alarm system comprises a plurality of primary sensors, which in use are connected to primary inputs of the alarm unit, and a plurality of secondary sensors, which in use are connected to secondary inputs of the alarm unit, the alarm unit operating differently dependant upon whether or not a trigger signal is generated by a primary sensor or by a secondary sensor.
• the alarm unit when triggered by a trigger signal from a primary unit initiates an alarm message to a police station, and when triggered by a trigger signal from a secondary input also delivers an audio/visual advisory message to the vicinity of the secondary sensor which has been activated.
• an alarm unit comprising an output associated with some at least of the inputs, to enable the advisory message to be transmitted to the vicinity of the sensor connected to said input.
• Figure 1 is a schematic elevation of a first embodiment of this invention.
• Figure 2 is a schematic elevation of a second embodiment of this invention.
• the unit which is the first embodiment of the invention comprises a housing 6 having an input socket 8, and an internal control mechanism (not shown) connected to a timer unit and to an audio display means, a loud speaker 10 of which is shown mounted in the housing.
• the timer unit may be caused to adopt a plurality of operative conditions during a twenty-four hour period, the remaining time being in inoperative condition.
• an input signal is applied to the socket 8 with the timer unit in operative condition, a tape recording is caused to be played, with an advisory message such as "this alarm system has been activated.
• the central control station must be telephoned immediately, and the identification code given". In this way, when the alarm is activated inadvertently by a bona fide user of the premises, an unnecessary call-out may be prevented.
• the timer unit may be set to cover periods of time when the alarm system is most likely to be armed or disarmed. Thus, if the premises are normally entered at 8.00am, the timer unit may be operated to cause the unit to become operative during the period 7.45 to 8.15am, reducing the risk of inadvertent call- out being produced during de-actuation of the alarm system. Similarly if the premises are most usually vacated at 5.30pm, the timer unit may be set to generate a second operative period, e.g. between 5.15 and 5.45pm.
• the input socket 8 is adapted to be connected to an output of the alarm system at which the primary trigger signal is present, whereby the unit is actuated only at the point of transmission of an alarm signal to the police station or security office, if desired an input signal may be applied to the socket 8 which is produced at a different stage in the alarm response procedure, e.g. the initial trigger signal which is produced on initial activation of the alarm system.
• the alarm unit which is the second embodiment of this invention comprises a housing 20 comprising a plurality of primary inputs 22, and a plurality of secondary inputs 24.
• Each primary input is in use connected to a sensor 26 (hereinafter referred to as a primary sensor) located at a primary hazard area, such as adjacent to windows of the building, or entrances to the building which are least likely to be used authoritatively.
• the secondary inputs 24 are in use connected to secondary sensors 28 which in use are located at positions where false alarm signals are most likely to be generated. If desired, sensors such as those indicated 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d. may be connected to the unit 20 by a single cable 27.
• a trigger signal is generated which is conducted to the unit 20, which causes a call out message to be delivered to the police station through an output 30, which may be radio, or telephoned link line, as may be convenient.
• a trigger signal is generated which is fed to the unit 20, which causes an audio/ visual advisory message to be delivered to the vicinity of the sensor 28 by a loud speaker 32, the audio/visual signal conveniently being fed to the speaker 32 using the wires by which the trigger signal has been delivered from the sensor 28 to the unit 20.
• an audio signal (for example) may be delivered to the speaker 32 advising the person actuating the sensor 28 that a trigger signal has been generated, and that appropriate action should be taken. If the unit is so set that a call out signal is automatically delivered to the police station, the person may be advised to utilise an adjacent telephone 34 to call the police station to cancel the call out, by referring to the password known only to authorised users. Alternatively if the call out message is one which is delayed, the appropriate corrective action may be taken.
• the telephones 34 are cordless telephones, and are conveniently connected to the associated line 24a, 24b, 24£ for the purpose of delivering low voltage thereto, for maintenance of the batteries of the telephones in fully charged condition.
• the invention may be utilised in conjunction with a security bolt of the kind utilised to protect certain doors through which general passage is undesired, but which are required to be capable of being used in an emergency.
• a security bolt of this kind may be connected (as sensor) to the unit 20, and if opened properly by using the correct operating procedure, a trigger signal is generated which produces an audio/visual advisory message to warn the user that the door in question is an alarmed door, and should not be used, other than in an emergency.
• a call-out signal to the local police station may be generated.
• the unit which is the second embodiment of this invention may be provided with the timing control described above in relation to the first embodiment of the invention.
• the alarm unit may comprise internal means (not shown) which may be operative to test whether or not the system is operating correctly, and if a fault is detected during a period when the alarm system is armed, will treat this as an emergency, and transmit the emergency call out message to the police station.
• the alarm unit is also operative under such circumstances to transmit the advisory message conveniently to the loud speaker 36, to advise that a fault has been located, to allow a person in authority who may be present to abort the call out, but to take remedial action to correct the fault.
• the alarm unit which is the second embodiment of this invention, and the alarm system of which the unit forms part, is capable of operating at four basic modes or levels, as follows: a) during normal working hours the alarm unit is disarmed and no alarms are on, but the alarm unit may, if desired, advise of a fault in the system through the loudspeaker 36 without call-out to the police station; b) during morning and evening periods, when the alarm system is armed and disarmed, and when the system is most likely to be triggered by a false alarm, the loudspeakers will advise by audio and/or visual means that the system has been triggered, and gives a period of time for remedial action to be taken, prior to the generation of a call-out signal to the police station.
• the unit On exit, the unit will look for the system being "set" within a pre-set period of typically two minutes, and failure to set correctly during this period will generate the advisory message for the correct action to be taken, followed by the generation of a call-out signal to the police station, if remedial action is not taken within a further (smaller) period of time; c) during other periods of time, for example during the night, the advisory message will be generated if anyone of the secondary sensors is triggered, allowing a person to telephone the police station during a period of typically 30 seconds, to abort the call-out by the utilisation of a correct code word; d) if any one of the primary sensors is activated, no advisory message will be given, and the signal to the police station will be generated.
• the invention has been described as part of a system in which trigger signals are transmitted by conductive wires, the invention may of course be utilised in a system in which the trigger signal is transmitted (e.g.) by radio.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Emergency Management (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Alarm Systems (AREA)
• Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)

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Publications (1)

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Citations (3)

• 1995
  • 1995-04-04 DE DE69507021T patent/DE69507021T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1995-04-04 CA CA002187514A patent/CA2187514A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1995-04-04 WO PCT/GB1995/000778 patent/WO1995027960A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1995-04-04 AU AU21128/95A patent/AU683740B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1995-04-04 EP EP95913917A patent/EP0755550B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1995-04-04 CN CN95192506.7A patent/CN1145677A/zh active Pending
  • 1995-04-04 JP JP7526156A patent/JPH09511602A/ja active Pending
  • 1995-04-04 AT AT95913917T patent/ATE175289T1/de active

Patent Citations (3)

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