GB2051520A - Remote control of autodiallers - Google Patents

Remote control of autodiallers Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2051520A
GB2051520A GB8016564A GB8016564A GB2051520A GB 2051520 A GB2051520 A GB 2051520A GB 8016564 A GB8016564 A GB 8016564A GB 8016564 A GB8016564 A GB 8016564A GB 2051520 A GB2051520 A GB 2051520A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
unit
dialler
transmitter
telephone
dialler unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB8016564A
Other versions
GB2051520B (en
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tunstall Byers & Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Tunstall Byers & Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tunstall Byers & Co Ltd filed Critical Tunstall Byers & Co Ltd
Priority to GB8016564A priority Critical patent/GB2051520B/en
Publication of GB2051520A publication Critical patent/GB2051520A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2051520B publication Critical patent/GB2051520B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
    • G08B25/016—Personal emergency signalling and security systems
    • 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
    • G08B25/001—Alarm cancelling procedures or alarm forwarding decisions, e.g. based on absence of alarm confirmation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/26—Devices for calling a subscriber
    • H04M1/27—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
    • H04M1/274—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc
    • H04M1/2745—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
    • H04M1/2749—Automatic dialling or redialling systems, e.g. on off-hook or redial on busy
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/66—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling
    • H04M1/677—Preventing the dialling or sending of predetermined telephone numbers or selected types of telephone numbers, e.g. long distance numbers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
    • H04M11/04—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A communication system primarily for use by the elderly and infirm comprises an automatic telephone dialler unit 2 and a radio or other transmitter 4. The dialler unit, incorporating a keyboard encoder 10, is connectable to the public telephone network, and incorporates means whereby one or more telephone numbers can be entered into the dialler unit when the transmitter is plugged in or coupled to the dialling unit. The dialler unit, when the transmitter is actuated, will make autodialled telephone calls to a telephone installation. The communication system includes repeat call timing means and audio or visual or audio/visual alarm means serving several purposes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Communication system This invention relates to communication systems and is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with such systems for use by the elderly and infirm.
According to the present invention there is provided a communication system comprising a dialler unit and a radio or other transmitter, said dialler unil being adapted for connection to the public telephone network and incorpo- rating means whereby a telephone number or other signals may be entered into said dialler unit when said transmitter is coupled to said dialler unit, said dialler unit being adapted to make autodialled calls to said entered telephone number when said transmitter is asu- sad by a parson using the transmitter.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now bs described, by way of example, reference being n made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a dialling unit forming part of the communication system of the in"ention; Figure 2 is a schematic view of a transmitter forming part of the communication system of the invention; end Figure 3 is a block circuit diagram of the communication system of the invention.
Referring to the drawings, and firstly to Figs. 1 and 2, the communication system of the invention comprises a dialler unit indi cated generally by reference numeral 2 and a transmitter unit indicated generally by refer- ence numeral 4.
The dialler unit 2 comprises a housing formed in two halves 2A and 2and is powered by means of an internally located battery (not shown). The dialler unit is connectable to the public telephone network (not indicated) by means of a plug 6 connected to the dialler unit by a flexible cord O. The dialler unit has a ten-key keypad 10 by which a telephone number can be entered into the dialler unit 2, an "E "ENTER" button 112, a "RESET" button 14, a low battery-voltage lamp indicator 16 and an internally located buzzer or other audible alarm not seen in Fig.
1. The dialler unit 2 has sited on its front panel a recess 18 into which the transmitter unit 4 is placed when a telephone number is to bs entered in the dialler unit (by means of the keypad 1 0) either initially or when the "stored" telephone number in the dialler unit is to be changed.
The housing of the dialler unit 2 is prefera- bly composed of a synthetic plastics material.
The transmitter unit 4, which is portable, and which operates at a preferred frequency of 27.45 MHz, is used to initiate a call by the dialler unit 2. The radio transmission of the transmitter unit 4 is encoded to match a radio receiver within the dialler unit 2. Located within the transmitter unit 4 is a permanent magnet which, together with a reed switch vvitlhin the dialler unit, guards against acciden tal changing of the telephone number stored within the dialler unit. The bass of the transmitter unit 4 may include a "scratch-pad" on which the recipient's i.e. the remote callreceiving unit (telephone hand-sst or other telephone unit) telephone number can be written.
Referring now to Fig. 3. a 9-volt battery 20 is regulated by means of a voltage regulator 22 to + 5-volts to supply the voltage for a keyboard encoder 24-which converts the key signals 0-9 to BCD-and to supply the voltage for a dialling integrated circuit 20 which stores the telephone number to be rung.
When it is required to enter end -tore a telephone number in the dialler unit 2, so as to be actuable by the transmitter unit 4, sald transmitter unit is "plugged in" to the dialler unit by locating the transmitter unit into to the recess 18. Thereafter, the telephone number is entered into the dialler unit 2 by depression of the ENTER button 12 and the closing of an "interlock" in the form of a reed switch, followed by keying in of the telephone num- bar by the depression in the correct sequence of the relevant lays of the keypad 10.This number is than stored ready to be redialled.
When this operation is complete, the transmitter unit 4 is removed from the recess 18. The dialler unit 2, connected eo the phone networt by means of the plug now capable of automatically dialling the entered telephone number upon receipt of a signal received from the transmitter unit 4.
The dialler unit 2 is activated by the @erson using the transmitter unit @ depressing button or other means on the transmitter so as to send a signal to a 27.45 MHz receiver 30 which causes power to be switched to the rest of the circuitry. This starts a pre-alarm timer 32 and activates an audio visual alarm 34.Thus the dialler unit 2 dials the entered telephone number, but a pre-alarm signal of at least seconds duration-or some other predetermined period of time-allows time to cancel the call if required, this being done by depressing the RESET button 14 on the dial1er unit 2. lf the call is not cancelled, the dialler unit 2 will dial the recipient and deliver an emergency tone signal of approximately 100 seconds duration. This autodialled call will be repeated after approximately 310 sec onds and again after a further period of approximately 310 seconds. These two repeat calls v'ill be repeated after approximatsly 20 minutes (or some other predetermined shorter or longer period of time) and this two-call cycle will continue until the dialler unit 2 is reset by depression of the RESET button 14.
If the transmitter button on the transmitter unit 4 is depressed at any time durin the caal cycle, there is no effect on the timing intervals. In practice however, the recipient of the calls will arrive at the home of the caller and reset the dialler unit 2 after only one or two autodialled calls have been made.
Dialling is accomplished by relays RLl and RL2 closing their contacts thus "looping" the telephone line, that is current passes through the relay contacts from pin 40 to pin 42 of the plug 6. At the end of the pre-alarm period-as determined by a pra-alarm timer 32-assuming the call not to have been cancelled by depression of the RESET button 14-the dialling integrated circuit 26 is signalled to start dialling. This is achieved by the opening of the contacts of relay RL 1 in accordance with the digits of the telephone number to be dialled, i.e. once for number one, twice for number two, and so on.At the end of the dialling operation, the contacts of relay RL2 open and a warbling alarm tone, generated by an alarm tone generator 44 is fed to the telephone line via a transformer and filter 46.
After a predetermined period of time, a repeat call timer 50 switches off the power to relays RL 1 and RL2 and so the telephone line is disconnected. The repeat call timer 50 starts the dialling sequence again in accordance with its predetermined programme of repeat calls.
A telephone line volts detector 52 is held by the 50-volts supply on the telephone line, so that if this voltage disappears the audio/visual alarm 34 can be actuated.
When the autodialled call is received on a telephone installation, the RESET button 14 is depressed so as to disconnect the power from the circuitry, in readiness to be triggered again by another signal from the receiver 30.
Reassurance to the caller that the telephone call is being made is given by an audio/visual or audio or visual indicator (not shown) on the dialler unit 2, and by telephone "bell tinkle" during the impulse dialling periods. This signal is also used to inform the recipient of the telephone call, when the recipient arrives at the home of the caller, that the dialler unit 2 must be reset in readiness for the next call to be made.
Should the dialler unit 2 become unplugged from the jack socket (not shown), an audio or visual or an audio/visual alarm is given to the user.
When the voltage of the battery located within the dialler unit 2 falls below a preset value, the dialler unit provides a visual indication, by means of the lamp indicator 16, to the user and makes autodialled calls to the recipient indicating that the battery needs replacing. The lamp indicator 16 will remain illuminated until the battery is changed. The lamp indicator 16 will preferably be a flashing L.E.D.
it will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the communication system of the invention. for ei:emple, the specific form of the dialler unit 2 and transmitter unit 4 may be other than illustrated. In addition, the operating functions and the sequence and duration of such functions may be varied to suit particular needs of individual users of the communication system, and the transmitter and receiver could be other than radio, for example ultrasonic.
CLAY RAS 1. A cornmunication system comprising a dialler unit and radio or other transmitter, said dialler unit being adapted for connection to the public telephone network and incorporating means 'rAereby a telephone number or other signals may be entered into said dialler unit when said transmitter is coupled to said dialler unit, said dialler unit being adapted to make autodialled calls to said entered telexs phone number when said transmitter is actuated by a person using the transmitter.
2. A communication system according to Claim 1, wherein said dialler unit includes means to receive said transmitter when a telephone number or other signals is or are to be entered and stored in said dialler unit.
3. A communication system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said dialler unit includes a Keyboard by which a telephone number may be entered in said dialler unit.
4. A communication system according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said dialler unit includes a pre-alarm timer and a repeat call timer so as to provide an initial delay in the autodialling of the entered telephone number and to repeat said autodialled telephone num- ber at predetermined time intervals.
5. A communication system according to any of Claims 1 eo 4, wherein said dialler unit is powered by an internally located battery and wherein said dialler unit includes audio, visual or audio/visual means to indicate when the voltage of the battery falls below a preset value.
5. A communication system according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said dialler unit is provided with reset means which are opera ble to set the dialler unit in readiness to be again actuated upon receipt od a signal from the transmitter.
7. A communication system according to any of Claims 11 to e, wherein said transmitter unit is radio or ultrasonic.
2. A communication system according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said transmitter unit has means to transmit a signal to the dialler unit for actuating the dialler unit to make an autodialled telephone call.
9. A communication system constructed and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (1)

  1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.
    If the transmitter button on the transmitter unit 4 is depressed at any time durin the caal cycle, there is no effect on the timing intervals. In practice however, the recipient of the calls will arrive at the home of the caller and reset the dialler unit 2 after only one or two autodialled calls have been made.
    Dialling is accomplished by relays RLl and RL2 closing their contacts thus "looping" the telephone line, that is current passes through the relay contacts from pin 40 to pin 42 of the plug 6. At the end of the pre-alarm period-as determined by a pra-alarm timer 32-assuming the call not to have been cancelled by depression of the RESET button 14-the dialling integrated circuit 26 is signalled to start dialling. This is achieved by the opening of the contacts of relay RL 1 in accordance with the digits of the telephone number to be dialled, i.e. once for number one, twice for number two, and so on.At the end of the dialling operation, the contacts of relay RL2 open and a warbling alarm tone, generated by an alarm tone generator 44 is fed to the telephone line via a transformer and filter 46.
    After a predetermined period of time, a repeat call timer 50 switches off the power to relays RL 1 and RL2 and so the telephone line is disconnected. The repeat call timer 50 starts the dialling sequence again in accordance with its predetermined programme of repeat calls.
    A telephone line volts detector 52 is held by the 50-volts supply on the telephone line, so that if this voltage disappears the audio/visual alarm 34 can be actuated.
    When the autodialled call is received on a telephone installation, the RESET button 14 is depressed so as to disconnect the power from the circuitry, in readiness to be triggered again by another signal from the receiver 30.
    Reassurance to the caller that the telephone call is being made is given by an audio/visual or audio or visual indicator (not shown) on the dialler unit 2, and by telephone "bell tinkle" during the impulse dialling periods. This signal is also used to inform the recipient of the telephone call, when the recipient arrives at the home of the caller, that the dialler unit 2 must be reset in readiness for the next call to be made.
    Should the dialler unit 2 become unplugged from the jack socket (not shown), an audio or visual or an audio/visual alarm is given to the user.
    When the voltage of the battery located within the dialler unit 2 falls below a preset value, the dialler unit provides a visual indication, by means of the lamp indicator 16, to the user and makes autodialled calls to the recipient indicating that the battery needs replacing. The lamp indicator 16 will remain illuminated until the battery is changed. The lamp indicator 16 will preferably be a flashing L.E.D.
    it will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the communication system of the invention. for ei:emple, the specific form of the dialler unit 2 and transmitter unit 4 may be other than illustrated. In addition, the operating functions and the sequence and duration of such functions may be varied to suit particular needs of individual users of the communication system, and the transmitter and receiver could be other than radio, for example ultrasonic.
    CLAY RAS
    1. A cornmunication system comprising a dialler unit and radio or other transmitter, said dialler unit being adapted for connection to the public telephone network and incorporating means 'rAereby a telephone number or other signals may be entered into said dialler unit when said transmitter is coupled to said dialler unit, said dialler unit being adapted to make autodialled calls to said entered telexs phone number when said transmitter is actuated by a person using the transmitter.
    2. A communication system according to Claim 1, wherein said dialler unit includes means to receive said transmitter when a telephone number or other signals is or are to be entered and stored in said dialler unit.
    3. A communication system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said dialler unit includes a Keyboard by which a telephone number may be entered in said dialler unit.
    4. A communication system according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said dialler unit includes a pre-alarm timer and a repeat call timer so as to provide an initial delay in the autodialling of the entered telephone number and to repeat said autodialled telephone num- ber at predetermined time intervals.
    5. A communication system according to any of Claims 1 eo 4, wherein said dialler unit is powered by an internally located battery and wherein said dialler unit includes audio, visual or audio/visual means to indicate when the voltage of the battery falls below a preset value.
    5. A communication system according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said dialler unit is provided with reset means which are opera ble to set the dialler unit in readiness to be again actuated upon receipt od a signal from the transmitter.
    7. A communication system according to any of Claims 11 to e, wherein said transmitter unit is radio or ultrasonic.
    2. A communication system according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said transmitter unit has means to transmit a signal to the dialler unit for actuating the dialler unit to make an autodialled telephone call.
    9. A communication system constructed and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB8016564A 1979-05-24 1980-05-20 Remote control of autodiallers Expired GB2051520B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8016564A GB2051520B (en) 1979-05-24 1980-05-20 Remote control of autodiallers

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7918208 1979-05-24
GB8016564A GB2051520B (en) 1979-05-24 1980-05-20 Remote control of autodiallers

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GB2051520A true GB2051520A (en) 1981-01-14
GB2051520B GB2051520B (en) 1983-04-27

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Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4417100A (en) * 1981-07-06 1983-11-22 Metro-Tel Corp. Emergency dialer system
US4482785A (en) * 1982-09-23 1984-11-13 Finnegan Christopher D Refrigeration monitor system with remote signalling of alarm indications
US4510350A (en) * 1982-03-11 1985-04-09 Almicro Electronics Inc. Personal alarm apparatus including wrist supported transmitter and receiver/telephone interface circuit
US4558181A (en) * 1983-04-27 1985-12-10 Phonetics, Inc. Portable device for monitoring local area
US4565902A (en) * 1983-11-21 1986-01-21 Lifeline Systems, Inc. Telephone care system with supplementary alarm message
WO1986002798A1 (en) * 1984-11-02 1986-05-09 Tunstall Telecom Limited Call unit for use in an emergency call system
US4716582A (en) * 1983-04-27 1987-12-29 Phonetics, Inc. Digital and synthesized speech alarm system
US4881259A (en) * 1989-01-06 1989-11-14 Dynascan Corporation Answering machine with cordless telephone
GB2236455A (en) * 1989-09-29 1991-04-03 Stephen Edward Butlin Automatic telephone alarm
US5305370A (en) * 1991-09-04 1994-04-19 Lloyd Kearns Personal emergency response communications system
US5673304A (en) * 1991-09-23 1997-09-30 Ac Corporation Programmable emergency communication system including automatic dialer

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4417100A (en) * 1981-07-06 1983-11-22 Metro-Tel Corp. Emergency dialer system
US4510350A (en) * 1982-03-11 1985-04-09 Almicro Electronics Inc. Personal alarm apparatus including wrist supported transmitter and receiver/telephone interface circuit
US4482785A (en) * 1982-09-23 1984-11-13 Finnegan Christopher D Refrigeration monitor system with remote signalling of alarm indications
US4558181A (en) * 1983-04-27 1985-12-10 Phonetics, Inc. Portable device for monitoring local area
US4716582A (en) * 1983-04-27 1987-12-29 Phonetics, Inc. Digital and synthesized speech alarm system
US4565902A (en) * 1983-11-21 1986-01-21 Lifeline Systems, Inc. Telephone care system with supplementary alarm message
WO1986002798A1 (en) * 1984-11-02 1986-05-09 Tunstall Telecom Limited Call unit for use in an emergency call system
US4881259A (en) * 1989-01-06 1989-11-14 Dynascan Corporation Answering machine with cordless telephone
GB2236455A (en) * 1989-09-29 1991-04-03 Stephen Edward Butlin Automatic telephone alarm
US5305370A (en) * 1991-09-04 1994-04-19 Lloyd Kearns Personal emergency response communications system
US5673304A (en) * 1991-09-23 1997-09-30 Ac Corporation Programmable emergency communication system including automatic dialer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2051520B (en) 1983-04-27

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee